1 Month Observations - Denmark

I've been in Denmark for ONE WHOLE MONTH now! I've had some of the most amazing experiences of my life here in only a month. I've been meeting new and different people for a month now. I haven't seen anyone I've known my whole life for a month now. I've been away from my family for a month now. I've been hearing people speak a foreign language for a month now. I've been learning the Danish language for a month now. I've been a member of my host family for a month now. I've been living in a small town for a month now. And most of all, I've been in love with Denmark for a month now. Yes, Denmark is a small, but stunningly beautiful country with the happiest people in the world. It may have high taxes, but it also has no poor people and free education & healthcare. I've written down a few things I realised about Denmark in this one month from the point of view of an Indian.

The exchange students to Denmark this year

• You wouldn't believe it's the happiest country in the world when you're walking on the street - it's almost like smiling at a stranger in a public place is banned.
• The people can appear to be really cold at first, but once you get to know them, they can be the nicest people in the world.
• They drink a lot of beer.
• Everything cost double the price of that in Mumbai.
• Carrots in everything - everything.
• They love meat (which makes things difficult for vegetarians like me).
• There are no school buses but there are public buses used by students of different schools.
• Everyone waits for the signal to turn green before crossing; even if there are no cars on the road.
• There are special traffic signals for cars, bikes and people.
• They party hard.
• They wear only black, grey and/or white clothes.
• A lot of High Schools are called Gymnasiums.
• No word sounds like it looks.
• In school, it's up to you to study. The teachers don't shout at you if you don't study or come late to school.

Representing my country

Honestly, I can't imagine it's been a month already. It still feels like I've been here for only two weeks. Although, at the same time, I've done so much here, it feels like more than one month should have passed by now. I don't miss my family much yet, but there are moments when I just feel like going home and hugging them. The Danes are such warm and welcoming people; it would have been next to impossible for me to adjust into living in Denmark if I didn't have a great host family, counsellor and class. I can't wait to hygge in Denmark.

And, of course, the customary sentence in the host country's language to conclude the post:

Jeg kan lide Danmark. Vi ses næste uge.

Hej hej!