Hej alle! We’re at a weird stage of the semester where we’re done with core class study tours. There’s only one month left! That means exams will be coming up soon and then we’ll have to leave. I’m going to make a small bucket list of things to do before I leave. Louisiana Museum is on it. I also have yet to try Hija de Sanchez tacos.
Yesterday, the DIS students at the folk high school cooked a Thanksgiving meal for the RoFH students and teachers. We all made the dishes from our families’ recipes on Friday and all day Saturday. I made my dad’s cranberry sauce. I never appreciated how much time people spend on cooking for Thanksgiving. It was all worth it with our very hygge evening. It was so nice to make dishes for my friends and expose the RoFH students to American culture. I thought of the dinner as a “thanks” to the RoFH students for welcoming us and inviting us into their friend groups.
This past week, I had two field studies on Wednesday. My Danish Language and Culture Class went to the Hellerup Skole to learn about the educational system and talk with students. There were kids from the ages of 6-16. The 14-16 year olds gave us tours in small groups. This school was unique because the structure of the building was so open. The classrooms didn’t have walls. You could hear the 6 year olds playing on the first floor while you’re taking a test on the third floor. The school is very collaborative. There’s a lot of group projects. This connects to the modern-day interpretation of the Danish Janteloven where everyone is equal and everyone lifts up one another. It was nice of the students to give us tours and chat with us about Danish and American culture.
The second half of the day, my Post Colonial Europe class went to the Trampoline House which prepares asylum seekers for life in Danish society. Volunteers help refugees with language, finding jobs, seeking asylum, and building networks. Trampoline House also provides refugees with a safe place to hang out. DIS students can volunteer there. We visited the CAMP–which stands for Center for Art on Migration Politics–section of the house. There was an exhibit called Threshold(s) which was guest curated by Malmö University professor, Temi Odumosu. We saw art about racism, nationalism, and self-expression. There was art by big-name artists, but CAMP also features art by refugees at Trampoline House. Trampoline is such a wonderful organization. I really admire the people who work and volunteer there.
This week is a busy one, so vi ses!
A North Carolinian in Copenhagen 