My new home in København

It didn't quite feel real when I arrived in Copenhagen for the first time. For the few days between Morocco and Copenhagen, I had been staying with Philippe, Chiara, and Leo. I was able to explore Paris a bit with Chiara, with a highlight being our visit to the art gallery at 59 Rue de Rivoli. It was a building that gave spaces to a bunch of artists on each floor. People could watch them work, talk to them, and buy some artwork, and the walls were covered in incredible graffiti. We especially liked an artist named Francisco, who painted two small portraits of Chiara and I. I also was able to spend time with her cousin and some of her friends, but it was hard to communicate since not many of them were too keen on speaking English. It was still great seeing Chiara however, and it was cool to see Paris from her perspective.

Some of the graffiti at the art gallery in Paris

I left Philippe's at an ungodly hour in the morning, taking a taxi to the airport. My transition through security was anything but easy, as AirFrance had a heyday ripping me off and making me check all my luggage. I had to run to catch my plane, but I made it and was safely on my way to Copenhagen. When I arrived in Denmark, it was about 9am and still relatively dark outside. There were DIS (my program) representatives everywhere around the airport, and I was able to find the group very easily. We were bearded into the conference room, where they sent people off depending on where they were living. I boarded the bus with all my luggage and after a 20 minute ride we arrived at my new home.

I'm living in a DRC (Danish Residential Community) right in the heart of Copenhagen. I'm living with all American students, which is a bit of a bummer as it makes it much harder to meet the Danes. I live on a floor with 14 other people, and we all share a common kitchen. There is another group of 14 in the same building who also have their own kitchen, and we have 2 SRA's (Social and Residential Advisors) who are Danish students. I have a single room with a bed, desk, and sink. It's a cute little setup, and it feels like a dorm again.

My window overlooks a small courtyard at Kommunehospitalet

The location of my dorm is PERFECT. I'm technically on a part of the Health and Society campus at the University of Copenhagen called "Kommunehospitalet". It used to be a giant hospital, so it can still look very eery at night when I'm walking home. I feel very safe there, and I have access to everything I could need. We're a 15 minute walk (5 minute bus) from school, which is right next to Strøget, the main walking street. I'm also walking distance from most of the major sights and boroughs in Copenhagen, so I feel very lucky about where I am.


Also unfinished... sorry I promise I'll finish soon!!!

Talk about Amazing Race, activities with Gammel, etc.