Sunrise in Denmark

A third year in college studying abroad for a semester in Denmark and exploring a culture of the happiest people on earth.

[sunriseindenmark]

A closure to my 120 days in Copenhagen

My 120 days of adventure in Denmark is now over.

It's sad to think that I had to leave when I finally feel comfortable in København (and finally be able to pronounce it correctly) to the point of knowing my way around the city even on the buses. Plus, it was so difficult to say good bye to my host family whom I have gotten so close to. Not to mention all the friends that I wouldn't be able to hang out with in Copenhagen. It's truly an understatement to say that the past 120 days have been the best semester in college... Of course, my journey had ups and downs. But fortunately, every downs became the challenges that taught me the essential skills in life and every ups have been the unforgettable memories that I will keep forever. 

It's needless to say that this single post cannot sum up everything I have gained and learned, but at least I will have somewhat of a personal closure... I've been back in the states for about a week now, and it's quite unreal. I assure you, the first day back was confusing. Maybe this is the beginning of a reverse culture shock? I don't know. It was weird to think that I wouldn't go back to Værløse in a week or so (like my travel breaks)... 

I'm already feeling nostalgic, which brings me back to the beginning of my journey. I remember in high school, I got interested in what life is like in Denmark when I found out about the Danish society and their mindset. Then luckily, I learned about an affiliated program (DIS) with my school that has a course for premeds (at the time I thought almost all study abroad programs have courses for premeds, which I later found out is not true). I applied and got accepted. I wrote to my host family in a form that is as formal as how I write for classes (so silly of me). I heard back from them a couple of days before my departure. Then I soon started blogging, with butterflies in my stomach, anxious and excited...

I remember writing:

I am now a third year in college, trying to find what God has planned for me to do in life. I wanted to explore and learn from a completely different lifestyle. Maybe to readjust or maybe to reaffirm my passion. 

So this semester, I am going to explore the way of life in Europe. Meet a lot of new people and take a peak at how they live their lives, maybe finding a way into mine. 

(http://sunriseindenmark.tumblr.com/post/29241828654/why-denmark)

Well, I did exactly that. I accomplished everything that I was planning to do:

I learned about the Danish culture and lifestyle 

I traveled around Europe

I reaffirmed my passion in life 

Nevertheless, I have gained more than I ever expected this semester...

It was a time of introspection; I learned so much about myself 

I have incorporated the Danish mindset (low expectations and appreciation) to my life 

Made some life long friends :)

Became part of a family that I can truly call my 'Danish family' 

(I think) I became a little tougher inside...

I love biking and will soon add it to my daily mode of commute as soon as I get back to school 

So the grand concluding question: Is Denmark the happiest country in the world?

Few of my friends have asked me: "So did you learn the key to happiness?" Well, yes and no... From the Danish mindset, I learned that happiness can be found in the most simple things that I took for granted, like a sunny day or a really delicious home cooked meal. Whenever I asked my host 'morfar' (grandpa) how his doing (or hvordan går det), he always answered, 'could be worse' with a smile. :) Of course, the definition of happiness has to be clarified as well. I don't think Danes are the most exuberant people on the Earth. But, they know how to compromise with the situation and be satisfied. Most Danes that I've met find happiness in the most basic but the most essential elements of life like, 'hygge' with family or a small group of friends. And I will never forget the meaning of hygge; the feeling that you get when you have candles lit on a table while you enjoy a good company with a cup of tea or a glass of wine, creating coziness even in the midst of a dark cold winter. :)

This has been actually a very difficult post to write... I started writing this post five days ago and wrote a sentence everyday and just couldn't finish it. But sharing some of my favorite Danish dishes while talking about the Danish political system and the socialized health care with my friends and family, I feel like everything that I l have earned and seen in past four months have already become a part of my life. I brought back a culture, and it will always be with me.

So there you have it. My AMAZING semester is over, but this is not a good bye. :) 

Vi ses Danmark! Tak for a wonderful semester!!

[sunriseindenmark]

My daily s-tog ride into the city. I remember dreading such a long commute everyday, but my first and last 40 minutes of the day on the s-tog became one of my favorite times of the day.

Catching up on homework, discovering good music on playlists, and people watching. :)

**BGM by Mads Langer, one of my favorite Danish singers!

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My last few days in Copenhagen, Denmark.

I got to see the beautiful winter wonderland in Denmark and conquered biking the in snow. Couldn't have asked for a better finale to my AMAZING semester :)

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Last night in Denmark: made konfekt (chocolate covered marzipan/nougat) with host family. "It's not a goodbye. It's a see you later" :) (at host family's house)

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This is one of a kind sweater, hand-knitted by my host mom with an incredibly busy schedule. I feel so loved... :) She was so cute when she tried to be discreet about the gift -  "Oh Sun, your birthday's coming up right?" "No.. it's in June"

"Well then, Merry Christmas!"  I've been blessed with such an amazing family, whom I not only laughed sharing the awkward Danish jokes but also shared even the most difficult parts of my life.  I am going to miss every single one of them so much.  Vi ses min Danske familie! 

[sunriseindenmark]

Have you enjoyed your semester?

As cliche as it sounds, this semester at Copenhagen has been indescribably amazing and life changing. It would be a complete understatement to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed every day of this semester! I will be writing my concluding post soon, kind of wrapping up this awesome experience. :) Thank you for asking!

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Hi! Soon I'll be going to Copenhagen as a DIS spring semester student as well and was wondering if you had any tips for packing? Anything you wish you had brought originally or things definitely not to forget? Thanks!

Great question! I actually think I brought more than I need, but here are some essentials:

rain coat/rain jacket

Rain boots

gloves (for biking)

tumbler & water bottle

black jeans or just any black clothes 

nice thick scarves

water proof winter jacket

Toiletries (you can save a lot of money this way... Also, it left me a lot of room to take back souvenirs)

Also, you'll be surprised of all the comfort food that you miss. So it might be a good idea to bring some of your favorite things. It's kind of difficult to find American things. For instance, my friends missed:

American peanut butter or almond butter

canned pumpkin (for Thanksgiving)

brownie mixes

I tried asking my friends around to give you the best answer, but DIS covered everything pretty well with their list of suggestions. But one thing though, I brought way too many things thinking that Copenhagen will be too expensive to shop. Well, it is expensive, but at the same time, it's been fun to go look for a pair of inexpensive and very Danish gloves or a coat that all the Danes wear. Besides, you end up falling in love with Danish style anyway, so might as well pack a little lighter than you should to kind of force yourself to go explore different places! :) 

[sunriseindenmark]

Growing in faith at Copenhagen

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

It's true that 90% of the Danes proclaim themselves Christians and majority of the 15 year-olds go through confirmations. However, everyone still acknowledges that Christianity is just a part of Danish culture, so most Danes don't really live out their faith, per se. When I was doing some intense research about Denmark before coming, I was so worried that I will face persecution, discrimination, or confrontation of my faith in this crazy liberal country. I tried to prepare not only for the material things but also spiritually so that I may not be shaken, but rather grow spiritually from everything that God has ready to show me. 

(Photo Credits to Rex; We look so happy despite the blurriness of the picture)

After a slightly turbulent first couple of weeks, I was plugged into a great fellowship called Connect at FIBC (First International Baptist Church), where I met some of my best friends for life. (There's another 'free church' that translates Danish sermons in English, Vineyard, which has services in the evenings) At my newly found fellowship, we shared our convictions that we faced in Copenhagen, prayed and discussed the blessings and the difficulties we have been through. It's just been so great to find a spiritual home here, growing in Christ at a place I would have never expected to. Also,the greatest challenges - my Danish family and friends who were genuinely curious about my beliefs and faith - helped my mind and faith to stretch in ways that are indescribably treasurable. 

Despite the constant travel breaks and knowing that I will be leaving in fourth months, I made a valuable bond with the fellowship in Copenhagen. I even joined the Christmas Choir (I am a horrible horrible singer, but I think I sound more bearable with 59 other singers)! I had a blast practicing with my friends at a new home that I made here!

Well, needless to say, God is good all the time, regardless of where you are or who you are with :)

[sunriseindenmark]

D-1: lunch with Danish friends, Christmas shopping on Stroget, and Christmas concert at the Royal Opera House with a cup of glogg. Amazing finale to my Copenhagen adventure. :) (at Operaen)

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D-2: visited a beach at Amager Strand on probably the coldest day... Too bad I was too frozen to really admire its beauty. #scandinavianwinter (at Amager Strandpark)

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D-3: Im going to miss the babies left outside in their strollers... #cultureshock #crazydanes #copenhagen (at Café Dalle Valle)

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D-4: making Danish Christmas hearts instead of studying for finals. "The most important part is filling it up with candy!" - Josephine (at Værløse st.)

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Snow storm at Copenhagen! I look like an eskimo…fyi, that’s a lake behind me!

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Feels like I could be burried in the snow. A perfect time for #cappuccino #peoplewatching and catching up on writing postcards. #copenhagen (at Arabica)

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My love for MPP section C

I have been waiting to write about my MPP section C for a while now. I wanted to get a FULL experience before I can write a post about it. Now that we only have a final left in class, I think I can do my class somewhat of a justice and write about my AWESOME MPP experience as well as love for my section. 

(Medical Practice and Policy at DIS Fall 2012 Section C = aka THE BEST MPP CLASS EVER)

Before coming to study in Denmark, my core class, medical practice and policy, was really going to be the factor that was going to 'make or break' my decision to stay premed. Needless to say, staying on top of the crazy competition in the med school required classes and keeping up with the extracurriculars that you're passionate about at school can wear you out pretty quickly... Well, I decided to stay strong in the premed track after studying at Bispeberg Hospital under Peter and Rahim, the two most brilliant, kind and humble doctors I have ever met!

(Peter - Our 'papa duck', always trying to provide the best for our class!)

(Rahim - Super excited to read the thank you card we wrote for him!)

Quite frankly, I have heard mixed reviews about the doctors from different sections. But it's been an honor and a privilege to learn and to share with the doctors who not only care about their patients, but also about their students. Their enthusiasm to teach our class, making sure we are excited about learning the symptoms/treatments of diabetes, COPD, cardiovascular system, etc was always so evident. Through their extra work, we got to visit the ICU, radiology dep., gynecology dep., gastroenterology dep. Seriously, I will never have such diverse clinical experiences ever again until I actually enter medical school. Even with the patient cases, interviewing actual patients to later write up a mock-diagnosis was kind of exciting (although I didn't enjoy writing a two-page report every week). From visiting different departments, talking to so many different doctors, nurses, and patients, I could finally imagine myself becoming a part of 'the team'; a thought that felt so distant when I was studying organic chemistry or physics... Even just being in my MPP section, where competition is irrelevant (grades are not based on a curve, like many pre-reqs back in the states), I really enjoyed our team dynamics. We had our fair share of nerdy moments at the cadaver labs. We would casually have conversations about the symptoms of our last patient case, talking out our diagnosis together. And of course, just being silly at a catheter lab and wishing for a suturing kit for Christmas. Working with the group of "future doctors" made me really look forward to the 'team work' in the field of medicine. We definitely learned a lot from each other and always had a great team dynamics. I love every single one of them and I am seriously going to miss my MPP section C class SO SO SO MUCH...

Taking a 'break' from my usual schedule to get a full blown medical experience in Denmark might have been the best decision I have ever made in my life thus far. During our final 'good bye' dinner, (Dr.) Rahim laughingly told us that he had doubts of his medical path maybe 200 times a day when he was an undergrad, but in retrospect, he said studying 24/7 was so worthy it. Being able to help people and seeing his patients get better, he LOVES what he does.

I know that the experiences that I have gained this semester will seriously help me get through the horrendous biochemistry, genetics, MCAT and applications. Whenever I feel like giving up, I will just remember the times when I truly enjoyed making diagnosis, imagining to be a part of the medical team, and of course, the doctors who have inspired me to stay strong.

[sunriseindenmark]

Shadowing Doctors in Denmark

Excluding all the awesome hospital visits, hands-on activities, and just learning under the two awesome doctors through Medical Practice and Policy, I have also sought out some opportunities to shadow Danish doctors.

As a premed student, the more I see the doctors doing their real work, the more I understand and get excited about what I will hopefully be a part of in the future. This semester, I have been privileged to be given opportunities to shadow a general practitioner and a gastroenterologist in Denmark. I can't really share all the medical scenes I got to see and experience, but I can tell you how AWESOME the experiences have been. The two doctors were both very kind enough to explain to me every patient chart to the basic cell biology. I thoroughly enjoyed applying all the practical medicine based lectures at MPP, in addition to all the science requirements I have suffered through for the past two years. From the importance of understanding the difference between diastolic/systolic pressure to trying to remember the definition of metaplasia epithelial cells in the intestinal lining really motivated me to hit those biology books for knowledge, not for the grades. Discussing the patients' social and medical issues, I thoroughly enjoyed being on the healthcare provider side of the spectrum. Nonetheless, the best part of shadowing the doctors were how inspiring they are. Watching the great doctors really focusing on the patients' cases and genuinely care for them strengthened my passion to become a good doctor one day. (Ok, as cheesy as it sounds...)

I feel so so blessed to have been surrounded by amazing doctors who prioritize patient care and get through any tough cases with a smile. Now, I'm ready to tackle my last year and a half of college. Bring on the endless exams! I'm going to be studying/working hard to do my future patients justice. ;)

[sunriseindenmark]

Walking home in the snow after shadowing one of the most kind and humble doctor I have ever met. #inspiration #premed :) (at Bispebjerg Hospital)