I’ve been in Denmark for just over a week now, and I’ve already matured mentally, explored my city, and learned (or confirmed ideas) about myself. The first few days were substantially difficult for me; adjusting to a new space and a new group proved to be a challenge, and being an introvert made it that much harder. I was homesick, a little lonely, and afraid of surrounding myself with the wrong people. Going to the opening ceremony put many of these feelings to rest, though, because I realized that (almost) everyone is having a similar experience while assimilating. I also know, deep down, that I can make friends (I’ve done it so many times before) and that everything gets easier with time.
In my downtime, and at my worst moments, I acknowledged a few key things:
- I need to be with people who give me energy, not with those who take it.
- It’s okay to take some alone time when I need it; I don’t need to be forcing myself to socialize at all hours.
- Smiling at someone or just saying “hey” right off the bat can go a long way.
When I first arrived, I clung to my roommate, desperate to find a friend group immediately. After one full day with her and a few other girls, I realized I needed to branch out (and relax) in order to find the best-fitting friends. I have four months here, meaning: I don’t need to be in any rush. (PS: my roommate is actually quite lovely #yay!)
As an introvert, I need my down-time to keep from going crazy. Sometimes, this can cause me to come off as anti-social. This is okay (and also common). I don’t need to be interacting with other people all the time. While it’s the beginning of the semester and I want to make connections, I need to prioritize mental health and avoid pushing myself too hard.
When meeting new people, sometimes I’m shy. It can take me a while to come out of my shell and truly be “me.” In the past, I’ve rarely taken the first step in saying hello or introducing myself. This is silly; someone has to make the first move – why not me?
In the first week alone, I’ve already mastered the metro, exposed myself to Christiania, walked along the canals in Nyhavn, and drank a week’s worth of coffee. I can – with confidence – give directions to and from the walking street, find all my DIS classrooms, and navigate the grocery store. Most impressive is the fact that I’ve already planned a trip to Belgium and visited Sweden with seven of my floor-mates.
iced latte and rye bread + cheese at Buzz 
coffee and kanelbulle (a Swedish delicacy)
Speaking of housing, I’m incredibly fortunate to be where I am. A 10-minute walk from just about everything, Skindergade 14 is in the ideal location. We have a cozy lounge area with two couches and a TV, and our windows look out onto a courtyard on either side. We all come together to cook dinners and watch movies, which we do almost every night (so hygge!).
During my housing session, we were required to write letters to our future selves. In it, I set three goals:
“balance living in the moment with documenting my experiences, say yes to adventures and no to Netflix, and prioritize quality over quantity when it comes to making friends.”
I’ve journaled and taken photos every day without my phone constantly being in my hand. I’ve limited the Netflix to night-time. Lastly, I’ve focused on friendships and allowed them to form naturally.
All in all, my first week here has been full of highs and lows. Every day I become more confident and comfortable living in Copenhagen. I’m sure that, soon enough, I’ll feel a little less like I’m visiting and a little more like I’m home.