Copenhaven

By Annum Soomro, Foster Undergraduate who participated in an exchange with Copenhagen Business School (CBS)

Denmark Anuum Soomro 3Copenhagen was my haven for the last four months. In my time there, I got to experience a lot of firsts — first time having four different currencies in my wallet, first time staying at a hostel, first time biking to school in heavy traffic, first time grocery shopping for products labeled in Danish and first time eating a smørrebrød (open rye-bread sandwiches). Some of my fondest memories abroad remain with my lovely Danish host family who welcomed me as one of their own. Through many dinner parties and road trips, I was lucky enough to get a personal tour from a native– where I ate, spoke and lived like a local. Denmark is truly a modern, liberal-thinking and accepting country and I feel fortunate that I was able to experience my study abroad with such a unique and loving family.

Denmark Anuum Soomro 2In my short time there, I tried to see the most of country as I possibly could during the weekends. Once a year, trains in Denmark offers a 24-hour ticket where you can travel the whole country for only $20. Obviously, my friend and I jumped at this opportunity and traveled to the most northern tip of Denmark – around 6 hours away by train. We arrived in the small town of Skagen, famously known for where the two seas meet and I still remember the landscape was like a painting had come to life. Another weekend, I traveled to the second-largest city of Aarhus known for its artists and picturesque canals with my host family. We drove just outside the city and my host family introduced me to their family farm, fed me traditional risalamande (rice pudding) and we played board games into the night.

Denmark Anuum Soomro 4I have learned while traveling that no matter how much you have researched or heard about a country, you will always face unfamiliarity and it will take time getting used to. However, don’t let the unfamiliarity scare you away from amazing experiences awaiting you – where not only will you get to learn about the world and what it has to offer but also about your own strengths and opportunities. I will forever be grateful to this city which introduced me to a second family, lifetime friends from all over the world and endless opportunities to travel to other global cities. To a country I never expected to fall in love with so much — Tusind Tak København!

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