Where better than Denmark?
I was up with the sun (actually at 230 am, due to jetlag) and organized my room before heading to Introduction Week, a program very similar to New Student Orientation at Drexel, but with a few Danish elements. I had my first breakfast in Denmark and met my group (5). Breakfast consisted of wholesome breads and cheeses with tea and jam. This was different for me, as I usually have a big bowl of oatmeal in the morning with the occasional frosted shredded wheat binge.
We were all given Danish simcards, our student ID’s or ‘studiekorts,’ and we were briefed about life at DTU and Danish culture. The Danes are a people who are: ‘Nationalistic, Selective, Competitive, Compartmentalized, Conventional, and maintain first impressions.’ While Denmark is not populous compared to the rest of the world, the Danish competitive zeal accounts for a strong presence. The group of 650 international students were reminded again of the reclusive element of the Danish lifestyle, and how in order to get to know them we generally have to go out of our way to talk and spend time with them. This is rooted from the time of the Vikings; cold winters led families to become very close-knit units. The concept is known as Hygge which is comparable to the phrase ‘cozy.’ One may indulge in Hygge by sitting down with the wife after a long day of work with a few candles and tea, or during the many Christmas parties in the latter part of November.
LEGO is based in Denmark, as well as the shipping company Maersk. The rest of the day, until the feast of meats, salads, and cakes, was dedicated to making (attempting to make) bridges and towers out of spaghetti and marshmallows (the ones with real sugar, of course!). It was hard not to eat the ingredient.
On Wednesday, our group guide took us around the historic and popular sights of Copenhagen, which included the Little Mermaid, and a canal tour. I’ll admit I need to head back for another tour because I was still getting acquainted to the time shift, and only caught a glimpse of every other sight. Next, we went to Mc’Donald’s for a quick meal ‘take-away’ (not ‘to-go’). Instead of the dollar menu, they have the 10 kroner menu, which is about $1.70. I had a bacon cheeseburger, and I must say it tasted really different. There was less grease, the bacon tasted great, and I didn’t even feel guilty afterward; this was probably due to the immense amount of walking!
On Thursday, we headed out to get our CPR numbers at the Sportshal (gymnasium), or to apply for residence permits. I made it over just in the nick of time before they packed up to leave. I got my Danish social security number and a note that my card would be on its way. The lady who processed my paperwork told me my card will have my assigned doctor’s information on it in case I get sick here. Of course any American would find this interesting, since back home practicing doctors are in a competitive market.
I traveled with a group up to Fredericksborg Slot, the former royal residence of King Christian IV. Having never seen a castle, I was astonished that everything was so preserved. While there was a great fire and rebuilding in the mid-nineteenth century, parts of the castle were from the 1600’s and looked very elegant compared to even today’s standards. As it was also transformed into the Danish National History Museum, there is no way to see everything the amazing place has to offer in just 4 hours. One could spend hours alone in the beautiful castle grounds to the north.
That evening, I bought some much needed items from the Lyngby Storcenter shopping mall, and made my first meal in our Kampsax Kitchen. It consisted of Frikadeller (Danish pork meatballs), some rye bread with a spread called peberodssalat (horseradish salad), and some boiled vegetables. It is very convenient living in Kampsax because there is a Døgnnetto, a grocer open daily from 0800 to midnight, bordering the complex. I

It was my last day in the states for a good while, because I would soon be embarking for Denmark! My good friends from Germany and Russia shared breakfast with me on my final day, helping to alleviate some of the pre-travel jitters. As I was heading out, we all sat down on the sofa (for a good four seconds) for good fortune in my travels. My friends accompanied me to the airport and we all met up with my Dad, who at the time was conveniently docked on his USACE ship by the PHL runway. After getting my 100 lb of luggage to the check-in counter and heading to the TSA line, things got emotional. I’ll admit I don’t cry much, but hey this is my first time away from North America, and I am heading out solo!
After making sure I could take my bike locks in my carry-on (Denmark is where the bikers are), I waved one final wave to the party and set off for the gate. I had about 15 hours of travel ahead of me, because I was going to make transfers in Barcelona and Zurich before arriving in Copenhagen. There was much time for reflection and planning of how best to get to the campus of the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). At night, I looked out over the Atlantic and saw perhaps the sharpest moon I have ever seen. Of course I could not sleep between the time change and the excitement, and so I decided to watch the sun rise.
In Barcelona, I mustered some of the español I retained to get me stamped into the Eurozone and onto my flight to Zurich, Switzerland. I noticed that it was still about 80 oF outside in Barcelona, but the airport did not use air conditioning. After being in air conditioning most of the summer, I instantly started to perspire!
On the next flight, I had some interesting and colorful foods, and of course, Swiss chocolate. I could already taste the difference in the breads, salads, and chocolates. In Zurich, I only had about ten minutes to run from terminal A to terminal B and grab the next flight, so I booked it. I do remember the airport looking very suave with shiny floors and Swiss watch shops. If I am to return to Zurich this trip, I would like to have a longer layover there.
As I stepped off the plane at Copenhagen, I remember whispering to myself some word of encouragement. Then I saw the signs! There were Danish phrases everywhere using characters æ, ø, and å. The next thing I noticed was that a great percentage of everyone I encountered had blonde hair and looked physically fit. I guess that’s consistent with the world-renowned bike culture of Denmark.
After claiming my bags and a test of will with a broken Danish bus ticketing machine (of course I didn’t know what ‘out of order’ in Danish was), I met a young lady holding a DTU sign. I made it! From there, she helped me get the right ticket and catch the right train and bus to DTU.
Immediately upon arriving, I met two Danish students that invited me out to meet the rest of the incoming Freshman. It was a great evening and we talked all about different aspects of Danish and American culture. One thing I learned that was interesting is that all residents are assumed to be a member of the state church unless they opt out, saving 1% on taxes. Denmark has a high tax rate between cars (over 100%!), sales, and employment, but the minimum wage is 105 DKK, or about $17.50/hr. In addition, healthcare is free, if not largely subsidized. As a result, the public transportation system is extremely efficient and encompassing, and many take to the streets in droves as cyclists. I knew on that day I would be needing to get a bike soon. We headed home for an early night since the next morning was the kick-off for Introduction Week for all the international students. A little surprise came simultaneously that night of 8/27: it was a bit chilly!