Because I am studying abroad in Denmark, at DTU, this semester, I have been requested to keep a blog to keep everyone updated on how I am doing!
To be honest, the first couple of days have been really tough for me. I, along with a bunch of other RPI students, arrived 4 days earlier than the Introduction Week starts. (It starts tomorrow, and we arrived on the 25th). Because we got here so early, there hasn’t been much to do. We don’t know anybody, and there aren’t many people around yet anyway. Apparently the Danish students just finished a 3-week mini semester where they took one class and this is their break. The first night I moved in, I couldn’t sleep at all and I was rather upset about being away from home. This was odd to me, because when I started at RPI I was absolutely fine, and I never felt homesick. I think the difference must be that RPI immediately welcomes you with lots of ice breakers and things, and a lot of people are all going through this new thing together, while here at DTU we’re starting second semester and we haven’t been formally “welcomed” yet.
That morning, I gave up trying to sleep around 5:30 and went into the shared kitchen to make some Earl Grey Lavender tea (from the Cozy Tea Cart, a lovely tea house in Brookline, NH). I heard people outside, so I thought it was an appropriate time to get up. In the hallway and the kitchen there were 4 guys. All drunk. Apparently they had just gotten back from being out! They were very friendly, but I still felt a little uncomfortable being alone with 4 big guys. I don’t have a cell phone or any way to contact someone in an emergency. (I should be getting a SIM card for my phone tomorrow!) Even though they were a little intimidating, it was nice to see some other human beings in my dorm. Before that, I had not seen anyone.
In front of mall in Lyngby, Copenhagen
Later that day we went to downtown Lyngby (the town DTU is in), to a mall of all places! It seemed like a fancy place, and even the discount stores are more expensive here. It must be because of the high taxes. A great welfare system must come with a price! We were able to walk there and back, it was only about a 15 minute walk each way. I had another lonely night. I’ve been waking up early. This night I talked to my boyfriend on FaceTime instead of my parents when I woke up at 3 AM and couldn’t sleep again.
Copenhagen is full of beautiful old buildings like this one.
On day three we took the train into Copenhagen from Lyngby and went to The National Museum. It was about a 20-30 minute ride. I was surprised how much I remembered from when I came to Copenhagen with my mom, which was at least 4 or 5 years ago. We didn’t stay at the museum that long. It was depressing, because most of the exhibits had skulls and skeletons in them. After, we went to a really cute pub near the train station. Beer was about 10 dollars a (huge) cup. Good thing I’m not a big drinker! This was a much better experience than the museum. We all talked about RPI and got to know each other better.
A bunch of really cool old horns at the National Museum.
Today I didn’t do much. I went for a little walk around campus, and then took a much needed nap (I skyped friends last night because, once again homesickness struck at 2 AM). Today’s my day off from exploring. I get to Skype my boyfriend tonight!
I’m really excited for introduction week. It will give me something to distract me from being homesick. Hopefully I’ll also make friends! I know things will get less lonely once everyone gets on campus and I have class work to do, but so far it has been a little depressing. Cooking every meal for myself is overwhelming, especially given food prices. I’m worried I’m going to run out of money. That there are about 6 hours of sunlight does not help with the depression either!
In my next post maybe I’ll add some pictures of DTU campus and my dorm in Kampsax! Until then, send me emails about home! I miss it.
Rose Drops 