Weekend of Birthdays

Yesterday (Jan 30) and today (Jan 31) are two very special birthdays! Happy Birthday Dad and Cameron! Love and miss yall!
1. Cameron walking to Laura's bday dinner
2. Dad, Cameron and Laura at bday dinner

3. Justin, Dad and me

Snow and Snow and More Snow!

I checked the 10 day forecast for Copenhagen this morning and it is supposed to snow for the next ten days! Here are some pictures of my host family's house and street, covered in snow...

1. Shed/garage view from side door of the house.     
2. View of the street to the left, Bregnerød Kro & Hotel is the red building at the end of the street.
3. The oh-so-attractive socks on the outside of the jeans to keep them dry, accompanied by my classically American New Balance shoes. I had no idea I would actually need real snow boots!
4. Welcome to the Melgaard Residence!
5. Me in front of my host family's house!

Mail Time!

Just in case anyone needs/wants it, here is my address!

Jacquelyn Elisabeth Chapman
c/o DIS, Danish Institute for Study Abroad
Vestergade 7
DK- 1456 Copenhagen K
Denmark

This is what DIS had to say about sending mail:
"For most items, list the contents of packages as “used personal belongings” (e.g.; clothing, textbooks, etc.) so that it can be cleared through customs. The sender should declare a $0 dollar value for the package to avoid customs duty charges; however, if they open the package and estimate a higher value, your son or daughter will be charged customs!

If you need to insure a package that is more valuable, you’ll be required to declare a higher dollar value. This will affect the customs duty charges in Denmark, which can vary greatly but may be as high as 30-40% of the value of the package. It is the receiver’s responsibility to pay this before the package can be released, so your student may receive a hefty bill from the Danish authorities along with the laptop or iPod you sent for a birthday. For the most up-to-date information, contact the International Trade Commission at 1-800-872-8723. Always explore different options for mailing packages (e.g., through the post office, UPS, FEDEX, etc.) but please be aware that FedEx and UPS will only ship new goods. If you plan to ship used clothes, etc., you must use the US postal service. In most cases, it is actually easier and cheaper to use the US postal service."

Week One in Review

It absolutely amazes me that I've already been here a little over a week. I am finally adjusted to the time change although I am still adjusting to the cold weather!

Classes started last Thursday and each of my classes has amazing experiences and information to offer. Tonight, for example, I went to a cafe with my Danish language and culture class for (complimentary) dinner and drink. On Thursday, my Creative Industries class is canceled in the afternoon and we will instead go to a night club/concert venue called Vega (vega.dk - check out all the different types of music that go there!) to get a private tour of the club(s) and (if we want to, which, who wouldn't!)we get to stay at Vega and see the US band, OK Go! This is pretty much the coolest study abroad program ever.

Last Saturday, I went to Roskilde Cathedral & Roskilde Viking ship Museum learn about the lineage of the Kings and Queens of Denmark (38 are buried at the Cathedral) and the Viking ship museum had 5 original Viking ships that had been found out in the fjord. The trip was really interesting and I even got to walk out on a frozen fjord! We could hear it cracking under our feet- it was pretty intense- but luckily, I didn't fall in! :)

On Sunday, I went to the beautiful Frederiksborg Castle- it houses a museum of the History of Denmark through paintings (like the Andy Warhol original of Queen Margrethe II in his "Reigning Queens" series) and antique furnishings. There are gardens outside of the castle that one can usually explore- but it was so cold on Sunday that I couldn't even bare it- I guess that means I will just have to go back when it is warmer!

This weekend I will be going to the middle age Esrum Abbey (not sure what this will entail... more details after I've gone!) and to Kronborg Castle in Elsinore- which is where Shakespeare's Hamlet took place!

I have been having technical difficulties with my camera, so I don't have much documentation of what I've done thus far but my camera seems to be working just fine now so hopefully I'll have more pictures next update!

For now, here is a stolen picture of me standing on the frozen fjord... you can't really tell that it is supposed to be water under all that snow but I swear it is!

Letter to Jet Lag.

Dear Jet Lag,

I have been here 3 days now with 2 nights of restless sleep. Please go away now and let me sleep through the night so I can explore Copenhagen better tomorrow. I do not understand why you are hanging around because you left me much more quickly when I arrived in Italy in October. Also, I would like to write a better blog post (not addressing Jet Lag) when I am more alert- another great reason for you to hit the road!

XOXO,
Elisabeth

Airport. Waiting.

This is probably the scariest trip to the airport I've ever made. My dad and boyfriend just dropped me off at Charlotte-Douglas and now I am here for the next two hours waiting to board the plane and take off. A big part of why I wanted to study abroad is because I felt like I've never done anything alone- and this experience is definitely me doing something alone and that is sinking in as I sit here in the airport.

So, to pass the time, I am going to share my ever growing knowledge of Denmark to the blogging world. I really didn't know much about Denmark before I decided to study there- I honestly chose the Danish Institute of Study Abroad based on the academic program- it had nothing to do with location. But, the more I learn about Copenhagen and Denmark, the more excited I am for this trip.

Here are some random tidbits I've learned from my DIS Student Handbook:

• Denmark is a Constitutional Monarchy.
• Denmark has one of the world's most extensive networks of alternative energy sources.
• The government operates by the "Social Welfare Model" which allows all citizens to have access to social benefits (such as healthcare, home care, unemployment). This is possible because of the combination of high economic growth and relatively equal income distribution.
• Danes love bikes- it is estimated that each Dane rides about 3KM each day by bicycle. (And I will be a part of this statistic- I will be riding 1.5 miles each day between the train station take the train into Copenhagen) and my host family's house each day.
• It will be really cold in January and February- think: cold blast the east coast has had for the past month.
• Danish Hygge: roughly translated, it means "cozy and snug" This is a concept that my handbook says implies shutting out the turmoil and troubles of the outside world and striving instead for a warm and intimate mood. I'm excited to experience this way of life!
• Denmark is 6 hours ahead of EST.

Okay, the random facts about Denmark have helped ease my nerves. Now I just need to get on the plane and get going!

Packing.

That is the daunting task of the day. Where to begin? What to do with everything? How do I compress everything I might need into two suitcases and a carry-on without knowing what to expect for the next four months in a new place?

I found a packing list online(http://www.bus.wisc.edu/international/studyabroad/predeparture/packinglist.asp) and here is what they suggest:

General Packing Tips


-Clearly identify your luggage inside and out with your name and US & overseas address. Colored tape can make it easy to identify among similar baggage.


-Place a strap or piece of rope around your suitcase to secure it in case the lock breaks.


-Check airline regulations for weight, size and number of bags


-In your carry-on, keep a change of clothes, toiletries, valuables, important documents (passports, visas, arrival instructions) and medications in their original containers


Miscellaneous Items


-$100 in local currency for when you first arrive


-Map of your host city


-Guidebook of your region and of the places where you will travel


-Photocopy of your passport information pages. Also leave a copy at home.


-International calling card and access numbers for the countries where you will travel.


-Phone numbers to cancel credit cards in case of theft (800 numbers don't work outside US)


-Board games or cards, as you will not likely have a TV


-Music player, walkman or shock absorbent CD player, portable speakers, power supply


-Camera


-Journal


-Addresses and photos of family and friends


-Favorite recipes (note metric & Celsius conversions)


-Small items to use as gifts (e.g., UW decals, key chains, magnets)


-Travel alarm clock


-Umbrella


-Sunglasses


-Small sewing kit


-Money belt


-Day pack (for short trips; this could double as your carry-on)


-If you plan to travel, Swiss army knife with bottle opener, corkscrew, & can opener, absorbent fast-drying and small-to-pack towel (available at outdoors stores like Erehwon, Fontana and REI)


-If you bring a laptop, inquire about international voltage converters at an electronics store


-Power strip so you only have to purchase one converter (if you plan to bring several items that require plug-in to an electrical outlet)


-Purchase bedding, linens and kitchenware abroad, if your finances permit. They take up a lot of space and are easy to find overseas.


-Your advisor's email address


Clothing


-Consider both the physical & social climate; dress accordingly. Persons in other countries tend to dress a bit more formally than we do in the US.


-Dark colors do not show dirt as readily


-Take durable, drip-dry, no-iron clothes


-Take items that have multiple uses and (for colder climates) can be layered.


-Comfort and practicality are the keys for both clothing and shoes


-Bring one professional outfit in case of a site visit to a company or job/internship interview (or in my case, for study tours with my International Business class)


-Bring comfortable walking shoes.


Toiletries


-Don't overstock on toiletries; most things are available in major cities abroad. Women may want to bring a preferred brand of tampons or pads, as they may not be as readily available abroad.


-Transfer liquids from breakable containers into plastic containers; use tape to seal the lids when traveling or pack them in ziplock bags to separate them from clothing


-Prescription drugs for the duration of your time abroad (in your carry-on)


-Extra eyeglasses


-Pocket pack of Kleenex


Voltage


Most appliances you have purchased in the U.S. are designed to work on 110 voltage, while most of the world outside the U.S. and Canada operates on 220 voltage. To convert the 220 voltage energy to 110 voltage (for your appliance to function), you will need to purchase a travel voltage converter (or, if the appliance is relatively inexpensive, purchase a new one in the host country). Countries that operate on 220 voltage include Austria, Chile, China, Denmark, Hong Kong, Norway and the United Kingdom. Countries that use both 110 and 220 voltage within their borders include France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Singapore, Spain and Sweden.


Voltage isn't the only thing that varies from country to country. Electrical wall outlets also differ in shape, assortment and arrangement of holes. To be prepared, make sure you get an adapter set to go with the converter.

Now of course I won't be following this list exactly... but it is a nice starting off point- especially since packing for this trip makes it extremely real to me (as in... I leave tomorrow! AHH!) and my nerves have definitely kicked in and are in full force now!

A New Year, A New Blog, and A New Adventure!

Hello friends, family and fellow bloggers!

As most of you know, I'm heading to Denmark on Saturday to embark on a whole new adventure. That's right- I'm going to be studying international business through the Danish Institute of Study Abroad (dis.dk - if you are interested in learning more about my program!) in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The first thing people usually say to me when I tell them about this, is- "O M G! That is so exciting! Are you nervous? Who are you going with? No one? Ohhh, so you are doing it all by yourself!? That's scary but exciting! So you are nervous? We aren't even going to talk anymore- I guess I'll just see you in May!" Now clearly this is a little bit of an exaggeration of how the conversation goes but I kid you not- the conversation always includes a comment about my nervousness (as if I need the constant reminder!), the excitement of it all and on occasion, a question of how I will be able to keep in contact with everyone.

So let me address this once and for all, to all my loved ones...

Denmark has internet access.

I know, I know! It's incredibly hard to believe that this is even possible (I hope you are sensing the extreme amount of sarcasm right now) but I will have access to the internet and I will be able keep in touch. I'm not sure if my host family has internet at their home (currently trying to figure out a way to ask them to ease the minds of my loved ones before I leave) but even if they don't, my school has a computer lab that I will be able to use. I do not intend on spending all of my time on the internet by any means- I feel like that is a sure fire way for me to get homesick- but I do intend to stay in touch with loved ones back home as best as I can. (and hopefully convince some of them to come visit!!!)

As of right now, I am incredibly nervous and trying not to think about it in a "big picture" kind of way. Instead, I am focusing on all the little things that I need to take care of before I leave, like letting my bank know I'll be abroad, buying tons of longjohns and warm socks, setting up my new blog and skype, etc. I find that these small tasks remind me enough about what I'm doing and right now, that's all I can handle.

Of course I am excited and can't wait for this adventure to begin- but I've had about two weeks of nothing to do but over-think everything and not knowing what to expect can be nerve-racking.

As a good friend said to me, If I don't like it... I can just get on a plane and come home. But as a new friend said to me... I've never heard of anymore who didn't have the time of their life while studying abroad and to enjoy this experience as much as possible! I think I'll focus on the second friend's advice for now!

So finally, here's to a new year, a new blog, and a new adventure! I can't wait to get it started and share my life and travel experiences with you all!

Skål! That's "cheers" in Danish for those of you not familiar with the language yet! ;)