A Momentary Panic

Today, I missed my bus. Really, the bus missed me, but nevertheless, I was not on the bus when it left Radhuspladsen at 5:20. And, consequently, I had to take the train instead out to my host family's house. Now, this shouldn't be a chore for me, as I so bluntly stated in my last blog, about being a so-called expert on navigating the ways of Danishness, right? Well, first, I narrowly missed getting on the wrong train. Literally, I jumped off about .5 seconds before the doors shut and the train departed. Then, once I got on the correct train, I had to figure out where I was going and how I was going to make the approximately 25 minute trip from the train station to my house. Would I walk? Or, take a bus (the much, much faster option)? Would there even be a bus?

See, this situation is the kind of thing I like to plan ahead for. I have gotten used to not having to plan out these things as I lived last semester in an extremely accessible area at all hours of the day. But, now, in my new housing situation, the options are not as plentiful. Additionally, the train station is in a somewhat "sketchy" area, and the walk home is one I'm not entirely comfortable with. Had there not been a bus (which, thankfully there was) I probably would have waited for one, no matter how long it was until it came. It isn't that I'm necessarily afraid of the walk home, rather I'm more worried about getting lost or turned around in a legitimately bad area.

As I was standing there, reflecting on all of this, I started thinking about the issue of safety. I could not imagine myself being comfortable in the States, waiting for a bus stop in the pitch black dark in an area that I perceived as being "sketchy". It just wouldn't happen. I'd be, well, panicking. But, in this situation, as uncomfortable as I was with not knowing exactly how I was getting home, I never felt unsafe. At any time. Right as this thought crossed my mind, two girls wearing headscarves approached the bus stop. It was like the entire atmosphere of the people waiting for the bus changed. There was a negative, palpable energy flowing all around. The best way I can describe it is if you were, say, in a dark alley and knew someone was following you. And I had no idea why. Then, I began to glance around. Each Dane waiting for the bus discreetly (or not so discreetly) casted sideways, suspicious glances in the direction of the two girls. Two harmless, probably fourteen-ish year old girls. Now, why did it feel like there was a threat in the environment?

And then it occurred to me. I feel safe in Denmark because I am not the type of person who would be targeted for an act of violence, or at least not a typical one directed against foreigners. I am not the kind of person who gets eyed suspiciously, or looked down upon. I, a little blond haired, blue-eyed, fair-skinned American look Danish enough to pass muster without a second glance. And, therefore, that gives me a boost in Danish society. Since I look like them, they assume I am one of them, and I feel enveloped in and protected by the Danish 'tribe' as easily as if I had been born here. Nevermind that when I open my mouth, my glaring American-accented Danish instantly gives me away. So long as I keep my mouth shut, most Danes would consider me more Danish than the Muslim immigrant girls speaking perfect Danish standing beside me.

Random Danish Fact of the Day: Copenhagen is the largest city in Denmark, with about a third of the population of the country living in the metropolitan area. That would be like having one big city of 100 million people in the US, (if you compare ratios).

Back in Denmark

Hej! I'm Whitney, a full-year student at a Danish study abroad program, currently in the middle of my second semester here.  

Being back in Denmark brings with it many exciting new challenges and hurdles that I hadn't anticipated, but also a big element of familiarity and ease of getting around and seeing the places and things that have become familiar to me over the past four months.  One of the biggest surprises that I frankly didn't anticipate about being back is how different it has been being here without the American friends I made last semester.  Almost all of my American friends were semester students only, and thus are home this semester in the States.  Additionally, I switched my housing option between semesters, moving from a dorm like arrangement (in Danish called a kollegium) to staying with a host family north of the city.  Not only is the commute longer, but I am not in close proximity to the Danish friends I made last semester.  This choice was my own, mostly because I wanted to experience a different facet of Danish life that I hadn't really gotten to fully see before.  My host family is wonderful.  I have a host mom and dad who are both teachers, a fifteen year old host sister, and a twenty year old sister (who isn't living at home any more).  I have had a great time getting to know them so far, and I feel certain that I will have many stories to tell from our interactions as the semester goes on. 

It is great in a way to be able to see the "new kids" trying to navigate through their first days in Copenhagen.  Their conversations, not at all unlike my own of months past, revolve around where the good places to go out are, where the cheap cafes are (hint: nothing is cheap in Denmark!), and how to figure out the night bus.  It is endearing in a way that they seem to look up to full-year students, peppering us with questions about these issues and more.  A sampling of a few I've had... Where can I find a toothbrush? Where can I buy a converter? What's the deal with those crazy guys in green shirts biking like maniacs through the streets trying to kill me? How does this whole "night bus" business work? And on, and on.  It actually gives me a lot of satisfaction being able to help them, although, I am trying to not offer too much help unless they ask me.  Part of the fun is trying to figure things out on your own, and I know that they are all bonding over these common dilemmas.  As the weeks go on, I feel certain that I will feel less of a divide between "us and them" (ie, full year and semester students).  It was great to get to go bowling with the other full-year students last night at a local sports club.  I learned that I am (still) a terrible bowler, but it was a lot of fun.  

Hej Hej for now

Whitney

Danish fact of the day: Did you know that in Jutland (the most western part of Denmark that sticks out of the top of Germany) there are more cows than people? Interesting...