So, you may ask why I haven't been blogging for the last number of days and the answer my friends is culture shock, overwhelm, sleep deprivation, and my constant wonderment about what I could possibly write about. So, here I am today writing about my quandary itself!
As I just said, the quadary begins with culture shock...Today I skyped with a friend and tried to explain culture shock through a metaphor; the metaphor involved a loose egg rolling around my brain and, yes, I imagine you are already lost as my friend was...The point I was trying to make and will assert now is that culture shock (for me at least) is the feeling of seeing something, and not really believing or absorbing it as best you try, because you illogically believe (even if you tell yourself it's not the case) that if you blink your eyes hard enough everything will go back to how it was at home. For instance, every time I stare at the American money I have left, or skype home I suddenly feel as if I have been transported back to a world where everything makes sense. Then, seconds later I am disappointed remembering that dimes and nickels are meaningless here, because I am in Denmark where they use the Kroner and the ore (the small coins). The point is that it is strange, dream-like to be somewhere where the little things you are used to no longer are present or natural. And, when you are able to reflect on this dream you are overwhelmed (in a good way): unsure about how to process and store what you see, learn....
This inability to find concrete meaning in my experience leads me to repeatedly reflect, why am I studying abroad? I know all the reasons I came, but as I reflect on home (which is now how I refer to the States) I think why leave it? Why not travel to Minnesota, North Dakota and leave Massachusetts? Why go continents away? If I hope to expand my independence and world knowledge, was going abroad truly necessary to do so? I think I may be honestly looking for a sense of completion, meaning that can only come when you know a place well and have the tools to make sense of it: a feeling I am told will only come to me as I am on my way home from Denmark, and have "mastered" the culture somewhat.
In the meantime I am soaking up as much adventure as I can between classes.
1) I lived with a broken door for days (the lock, the latch, and the door-handle had broken) soon after moving in, and kept the wind out of my room with lots string, an ethernet cable, and plastic bags
2) I tried a Danish delicacy today: a sandwich with pesto, butter (don't worry Dad I stopped eating it when I realized my mistake), laks, lettuce, and tomato. It tasted to me like pizza although the texture was obviously different!
3) They have candied nuts stands on Stroget (a major street with lots of shops)
4)Their red cross has better clothes and organization than most Macys back in the greater Boston area
5) Fast food places have tons of seating, encouraging you to stay a while to sit and eat! A shawarma place even had an upstairs area. Also, you are expected to leave your plates out so that the staff can clean the table for you (it's like elements of American fine dining are a part of the Danish fast food experience)
6) I joined a Danish chorus and was bluntly told the first day that I need to try harder with my Danish! Danes are blunt; I had heard this before, but experienced it for the first time! (granted the comment was directed to me by my SRA who had known me for a week prior, but still it was a bit early by American standards for constructive criticism I think!)
7)At the practicum where I work four and five year old children are allowed on the playground by themselves while the adults stay outside with the older kids! Of course, I was expected to live by these same rules/beliefs about how to engage with children.
8)I personally saw tons of two and three year olds put on their snowsuits all by themselves! Kids are trained to be independent starting at an earlier age here! :)
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