Ok sorry, it takes me so long to update this blog. Im usually really busy, or Im too tired to write. Haha so I will take the time today to write a nice long post about whats going on here, how Im feeling, hows DK etc. I will bold my topics, so things wont get so confusing ;)
Funny/Odd Things I've been told/asked
So far I have gotten alot of questions or statments about where Im from or why I do things the way I do. Haha so here is a collection of the funniest things I've heard.
-Are all american highschools exactly like they show in the movies?
-Are the girls as mean as they are in "Mean Girls"
-Are all americans fat?
-Where do you come from... you have a really funny accent?
-How can you live in a society like the U.S (after watching Sicko)
-I'm so glad I dont live in the U.S, its not safe at all, you cant walk out on the streets at night, and the fashion there is just so ugly
-In the U.S everything is just extreme, theres not in between, either your obese or your annorexic, either your religious or your protesting religion
My only reaction to half these is laughing them off, obviously some are pretty amusing, but sometimes I find these statments to be offensive, and in a way like they are already set on the answer they want to hear. The U.S is not at all a bad place, we have alot of issues yes, but so does every country. Im doing my best to explain to the best of my ability but for future cases, I know not to take it so personally, its a cultural difference and Im learning. And lauging while doing so ;)
School life
School has been going pretty good for the most part. I enjoy going to school because I get to test out my knowledge of "coversational danish", especially when it comes to understanding everyone when they're speaking at their pace. I dont understand much outside of danish and spanish class but I do learn alot by sitting there and TRYING to find something. So even though its a great struggle, I really enjoy testing myself, and doing homework for my danish class the day before! The only real obvious struggle I'm encountering is that everyone is SO nice, and everyone is willing to be nice, but it seems like theres no one willing to work towards a friendship, just that its left at an acquantance basis, and no further. It kind of sucks to feel like you're the one tagging along, but then again I know that anyone new would feel the same way. I just walked into a class of like 26 people who are super close and have known each other for a 2 years... so Im guessing I should've expected it. But Im not giving up hope, of course I want close friends so I will keep trying but Im thinking that I should try a sport/activity to meet danes in a better enviroment, and then maybe I will be able to get closer to people, and still be immeresed in the danish atmosphere.
Exchange Student/Rotary
This past weekend we had a get together with all the exchange students in my district, 1470. It was such a nice, cozy weekend! "Hyggeglit" is a very sutitable adjective! Anyways, we had a weekend of just chilling and spending time with each other while playing games, and making up projects and providing evening enteratiment. I enjoyed just being with people who are all SO different, but we all get along, we all get along well. It was just a nice change of pace to experience it from that point of view and to spend some time being busy to keep my mind off of what I miss back at home. I definatly appreciate Rotary's support in helping us exchange students get closer, because we are our best support system. And I thank God for it everyday!
How I'm feeling in general
Overall I think things are going at a pretty decent rate. Im super happy to be here and Im super excited to learn more and more as the time flys by. My greatest struggle as of these past two weeks is just a bit of homesickness. Actually I lied... alot of homesickness. I just miss things being normal, and not having to worry about the simple things that I used to never think about back home. I miss my mommy and daddy, and my sister. I miss spending time with my grandparents are their cabin in the fall, I miss my best friends Megan, Kaitlin, and Kathleen. But most of all I miss who I used to be in some ways. I miss how strong I used to be in alot of ways, it feels like Im incredibly passive now, and nothing affects me in the same way as it used to. I enjoy that Im changing, but in another way I dont enjoy the fact that Im becomming less of myself. However, as of today, I can tell you I dont miss anything. All I can think about now is how Im going to make THIS YEAR the best, and how Im going to make lots of friends, and how Im going to speak fluent danish by the end of the year. Im so so so thankful for this opportunity. I love Denmark and I love every emotion Im feeling, even if they hurt. I like the fact that I'm questioning the way I live back at home, and I like the fact that I'm growing more independent. I hope that this year I can gain a strong sense of confidence in myself, and that I can take that home with me and continue building on to it. So far, things have been amazing, I really really have nothing to complain about. So for all of the future exchange students, just understand this, you will have days that are the lowest of the lows, but dont ever let it stop you from pursuing a great year. One day can't possibly determine a whole year... unless you let it. So just let the clouds pass by and the sun will shine through before you know it.... trust me, it will be worth it =)
Anyways, so there was a nice long update. As of now I dont have too many huge plans.
So it feels like Im ACTUALLY living in Denmark now, I can no longer be looked upon as a tourist! Haha its a nice feeling, but also a very hard hitting reality. Im less American everyday Im here, haha minus my accent =)
So just for fun Im going to write some danish phrases/words I know
-Jeg Hedder Megan
-Jeg Kommer fra U.S.A.
-Jeg bor i Holte, DK
-Jeg elsker Danmark!
-Jeg vil gerne have en kup kaffe
-Hvor gammel er du?
-Hvor kommer du fra?
-Jeg elsker dansk dregner!
-Jeg har en cykel
-Jeg elsker dansk mad
-Tak for mad
-Hvad?
-Hej Hej
-Hav en god dag
-Hav en god weekend
-Hvad skal du lave i weekenden?
-Slappe af
That was just a quick example of what I enjoy saying. Haha so yeah, theres a bit of danish for you! Anyways, I love you all very much! Anyone who takes the time to read this- thank you so much, you're the reason I'm writing!
'Til next time
PEACE && LOVE,
Megan =)
Monday, September 28, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
The (current) logic of Megan Bender
I would like to consider myself a great philosopher, so here goes with my recent work. I shall title it... the thought process of an exchange student ;)
I think that most of, we all are feeling about the same way.
We all love it here in Denmark, and we all appreciate the time we are spending here, however we all have our own internal battles in which we are fighting; some are just more open about them then most.
We all are in a state in which we are lost, extremely, hoplessly, lost and confused. My good friend Hannah equated it to being deaf, and she is exactly right. No matter what, we have NO IDEA whats going on when danish is being spoken, whether or not we are apart of a group we will always feel 150% left out, because we have no idea whats going on, we just smile and nod and act like everything is great... even though internally we are screaming.
(I wonder how the immigrants in the U.S feel half the time, atleast the danes can speak to us in english)
We all will feel some form of homesickness. Some of us will feel a longing for our traditional food, and some of us just want to be held by our parents, siblings, friends, etc. We all have atleast one thing we miss about home. For me, I just miss the normal life I used to life. Not too much attention, but enough to be pleased, enough attention from friends and family... and it was always genuine attention. I used to be Megan, now I'm Megan... the exchange student from the United States. Someday, hopefully that title will fade to just my friend Megan, maybe Im not giving it enough time... but thats how it goes for about half the year I think.
We all are in this crazy, wild adventure of a rollar coaster together. No one lied when they said the exchange students will probably be your best friends. I think the reason for that is because no mattter our differences in culture or language we all are forieign to the land we're in. We all have absolutly no idea whats going on, but we all know for a fact that the other exchange students feel the same way. They are always there to rely on and they are always there to complain to. We are like one big adopted family, we all will get along regardless of our differences because we all have one thing in common... 1 yr, in Denmark, and 1 yr to make it last, 1 yr of confusion, amazing opportunities, and 1 yr. of friendship. Thats why we are so close. Its inevitable.
Anyways, these are just a few of my thoughts. I have alot more, I just need to sort through in my head. But Denmark is a beautiful place, a place where Im learning who I am. Im so grateful for this year, because its teaching me what kind of person I am... what I can achieve and things I definatly want to stay away from. This country challenges me to look at life in another way, and I love it, I love that I'm being forced to see the world from another set of eyes, because if I only saw through american eyes, what kind of person would I be?
Im learning how to feel sympathy for foreigners, especially when we are being particularly rough on them, I understand what its like to be lost... and not understanding anything... so compassion has rooted itself in me. And most of all Im learning how to take control of my life. Its MY decisions that pave the path to my future, and I know who and what I want to be, and regardless of the struggles Im going to make it happen. Im so grateful I can see this. Im so grateful I've been blessed with this opportunity. Its a heartache and its one of my greatest joys.
I can't wait to see what I will be like in July of 2010 hahah =)
I think that most of, we all are feeling about the same way.
We all love it here in Denmark, and we all appreciate the time we are spending here, however we all have our own internal battles in which we are fighting; some are just more open about them then most.
We all are in a state in which we are lost, extremely, hoplessly, lost and confused. My good friend Hannah equated it to being deaf, and she is exactly right. No matter what, we have NO IDEA whats going on when danish is being spoken, whether or not we are apart of a group we will always feel 150% left out, because we have no idea whats going on, we just smile and nod and act like everything is great... even though internally we are screaming.
(I wonder how the immigrants in the U.S feel half the time, atleast the danes can speak to us in english)
We all will feel some form of homesickness. Some of us will feel a longing for our traditional food, and some of us just want to be held by our parents, siblings, friends, etc. We all have atleast one thing we miss about home. For me, I just miss the normal life I used to life. Not too much attention, but enough to be pleased, enough attention from friends and family... and it was always genuine attention. I used to be Megan, now I'm Megan... the exchange student from the United States. Someday, hopefully that title will fade to just my friend Megan, maybe Im not giving it enough time... but thats how it goes for about half the year I think.
We all are in this crazy, wild adventure of a rollar coaster together. No one lied when they said the exchange students will probably be your best friends. I think the reason for that is because no mattter our differences in culture or language we all are forieign to the land we're in. We all have absolutly no idea whats going on, but we all know for a fact that the other exchange students feel the same way. They are always there to rely on and they are always there to complain to. We are like one big adopted family, we all will get along regardless of our differences because we all have one thing in common... 1 yr, in Denmark, and 1 yr to make it last, 1 yr of confusion, amazing opportunities, and 1 yr. of friendship. Thats why we are so close. Its inevitable.
Anyways, these are just a few of my thoughts. I have alot more, I just need to sort through in my head. But Denmark is a beautiful place, a place where Im learning who I am. Im so grateful for this year, because its teaching me what kind of person I am... what I can achieve and things I definatly want to stay away from. This country challenges me to look at life in another way, and I love it, I love that I'm being forced to see the world from another set of eyes, because if I only saw through american eyes, what kind of person would I be?
Im learning how to feel sympathy for foreigners, especially when we are being particularly rough on them, I understand what its like to be lost... and not understanding anything... so compassion has rooted itself in me. And most of all Im learning how to take control of my life. Its MY decisions that pave the path to my future, and I know who and what I want to be, and regardless of the struggles Im going to make it happen. Im so grateful I can see this. Im so grateful I've been blessed with this opportunity. Its a heartache and its one of my greatest joys.
I can't wait to see what I will be like in July of 2010 hahah =)
Friday, September 4, 2009
1 Month Aniversery =)
Its officially been 1 month (or so) since I've arrived in Denmark. And its gone by SO amazingly fast! I'm enjoying every minute I have here, and Im definatly cherishing the time I have with everyone I'm meeting, because I realized I only have 11 more months left of it!
This week was my first week starting at Virum Gymnasium. Im in 2j, which is like a language line. So my classes conisist of english, danish, spanish, history, society, gym, ancient greek studies, religion, etc. So its a great relief not to have any math or science classes! And I found out that our class will be taking a study tour to Barcelona in March! Its so exciting! So I really am looking forward to that. Anyways, everyone in my class is so kind, and I can tell by the end of the year that I will have some good friends from my class. It was such a blessing to not have to worry on the first day whether or not I would be sitting alone in the back of the classroom. But that wasn't a worry at all.
In addition to school Im taking danish lessons 2 days a week in København. Its a nice break in the day, and I always look forward to seeing my exchange friends again. And of course work on my danish.
Other then that, my weekends are filled with fun things to do with my family and now some of my friends from school. So its nice not to have time to sit around and think.
I enjoy staying busy, so then I won't think about missing things at home too much.
Im very proud of myself for being able to handle alot of difficult situations on my own. Being and exchange student of course means facing alot of hard situtaions. I never thought I was capable of going through such issues and still coming out on top. I learn more about myself EVERY day I'm here. Sure I'm changing, but I think its a good change, I'm learning how to see the world from a different perspective then what I'm used to. Some days its easier then others but overall its worth it.
I'm looking forward to seeing how mature I will be by the end of this year, and how well I can speak danish ;)
Anyways, other then that, I had a good time at Intro. Camp. Unfortunatly I didnt learn alot in danish classes because we just worked on the basics, which is what district 1470 has done for the past 2 weeks. So I was kinda upset about that. But I met alot of great people, and I also realized how much Im in love with my host family. Haha I was pretty homesick for them the whole week at camp, and of course my host mom's amazing food.
But I got sick about a week ago at camp and it still hasn't gone away, so I'm drinking about two cups of tea a day and trying to get better so I wont miss anymore school!
Other then that, its going well here.
Today at 4 my family and I are leaving for the island Fanø in Denmark. I'm SOOO excited to just get away for a little while and have time to relax with my family. I will post some pictures on my blog when I get back. But google it, and you will see how beautiful it truly is.
Anways, I better get going.
Vi ses allesammen, hej hej!
-Megs
This week was my first week starting at Virum Gymnasium. Im in 2j, which is like a language line. So my classes conisist of english, danish, spanish, history, society, gym, ancient greek studies, religion, etc. So its a great relief not to have any math or science classes! And I found out that our class will be taking a study tour to Barcelona in March! Its so exciting! So I really am looking forward to that. Anyways, everyone in my class is so kind, and I can tell by the end of the year that I will have some good friends from my class. It was such a blessing to not have to worry on the first day whether or not I would be sitting alone in the back of the classroom. But that wasn't a worry at all.
In addition to school Im taking danish lessons 2 days a week in København. Its a nice break in the day, and I always look forward to seeing my exchange friends again. And of course work on my danish.
Other then that, my weekends are filled with fun things to do with my family and now some of my friends from school. So its nice not to have time to sit around and think.
I enjoy staying busy, so then I won't think about missing things at home too much.
Im very proud of myself for being able to handle alot of difficult situations on my own. Being and exchange student of course means facing alot of hard situtaions. I never thought I was capable of going through such issues and still coming out on top. I learn more about myself EVERY day I'm here. Sure I'm changing, but I think its a good change, I'm learning how to see the world from a different perspective then what I'm used to. Some days its easier then others but overall its worth it.
I'm looking forward to seeing how mature I will be by the end of this year, and how well I can speak danish ;)
Anyways, other then that, I had a good time at Intro. Camp. Unfortunatly I didnt learn alot in danish classes because we just worked on the basics, which is what district 1470 has done for the past 2 weeks. So I was kinda upset about that. But I met alot of great people, and I also realized how much Im in love with my host family. Haha I was pretty homesick for them the whole week at camp, and of course my host mom's amazing food.
But I got sick about a week ago at camp and it still hasn't gone away, so I'm drinking about two cups of tea a day and trying to get better so I wont miss anymore school!
Other then that, its going well here.
Today at 4 my family and I are leaving for the island Fanø in Denmark. I'm SOOO excited to just get away for a little while and have time to relax with my family. I will post some pictures on my blog when I get back. But google it, and you will see how beautiful it truly is.
Anways, I better get going.
Vi ses allesammen, hej hej!
-Megs
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