9 months and 9 and a 1/2 countries

This semester I have updated as often as I thought I would, but none of that matters anymore. In less than three days I will be on a plane headed back to the US. I am still processing.

Last week I studied. Finals week is always a ball, and this semester it was no different. I turned in my last exam--take home for finance- on Friday at 2:30. Then I ran around the corner to the closing ceremonies for DIS. Closing ceremonies happens every semester, and it is like a graduation. There is music, speeches from teachers, and students. I skipped it last semester, but as I am actually leaving for good this time I went. I'm glad I did.

It was held in one of the oldest theaters in Copenhagen, very pretty. The speeches were alright for the most part. One speaker, however, caught my attention. He waxed poetic about his initial cynicism about study abroad, but then poignantly asked how are you going to say when people ask you about your time abroad? With my bags packed(everything in two massive, incredibly heavy bags--but two nonetheless!), and having relocated to Elisabeth's family house for the next two days(long story-but had to move out of kollegium today instead of Tuesday) I am feeling reflective.

Yesterday I turned in my books. I snapped a few pictures of the building as I walked around like a sap for the last time. I said goodbye to a few friends. I said goodbye to Kellan(whom I babysat for) and his mom. I said goodbye to the man at the grocery store around the corner from me. I am ready to get back home, but at the same time I cannot believe it is May.

Don't get me wrong, I do feel like I have been here for nine months. I now know where to get pastries, where the best running trails are, what gelato stand has the best hazelnut ice cream, what grocery store has the best food, what metro stop to take home. I have explored the city and have a wonderful time. Yet, I can't believe it is May. It is the date I thought about when I first booked my tickets last July. It seems surreal that I have not only been here this long, but that I came at all.

I know I wrote about this in August, but when I got on the plane to Copenhagen the first time, I had no idea what to expect. It was like heading off to freshman year at college, but without the visit before hand. I didn't know what the school would be like. I couldn't envision what life would be like. Freshman year, you head off with an image in your head--of you hanging out in the quad, or in the dorm you say on your tour, or at the cafeteria. Coming to Denmark I had no picture. The next nine months of my life were blank. I had no idea where I would be living or studying. I had no idea what the people, language, or city would look/sound like. It was blank. And scary.

Now, Copenhagen is not so scary. It's comfortable and manageable. I may not have learned to speak much Danish--nejtak--but I have experienced much of the culture. I have learned a great deal in the classrooms and through my travels. I have taken some great courses--Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism being the best-- and learned just as much from my professor as from my peers who were from different backgrounds and places.

I have also had the opportunity to travel. Here is the list, please don't ask me to list it on demand when I get back because I won't remember it: The Netherlands, UK, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Turkey, Denmark, and 1/2 Sweden (+Greece from before). I have stayed in hostels, with relatives, at B&Bs, and hotels--for the record not the biggest fan of hostels, shocking right? I have run in two races, been on two continents, and have had many amazing meals.

So what does this all add up to? What is the proper response to: "How was your year?". Great? Wonderful? I learned a lot? It was live altering?(was it?) I am now a socialist? (don't worry, as as economics major I still believe in capitalism)

Here is what is true: I am feel lucky to have had this opportunity. I am incredibly grateful that my parents gave me this chance, I understand what a challenge it was for them. I feel I have learned so much about different cultures and what I want to do. Although I don't preciously know "what I want to be when I grow up" I am moving in that direction. I love being in Europe, but I can't wait to get back to the United States. There are so many places within the United States that I have not seen that I would like to visit. I have learned about myself and more about how others interact. There is no short answer to summarize all I have seen, all the people I have meet, and all that I have learned. But...


When I am asked this is what I plan to say: "It was wonderful.I learned a lot and meet great people. I love Copenhagen, but I am glad to be home."

Three days!