The one new thing for today is that it is the first day of classes. My first class this morning was my European Business Strategy class, my core class for the international business program at DIS. It is in the funniest classroom all the way on the fourth floor of the building, only accessible via a small tight staircase in the back of the building. The room itself has support pillars in the middle, which caused me to continuously change my position in class so that I could see the professor. Also one of the walls, which happens to be the “back” wall where all the desks are lined up in front of, it completely slanted, so if you sit in the back you have to sort of hunch over so as not to hit your head. While it was kind of odd, I actually thought it was a really fun place to be for class – definitely different to say the least. The class itself was like any other first day of class. We primarily went over the syllabus, and then starting going over a short assignment we were given yesterday, which began to address the European business environment and how it differs from that of the US. Oh, and the best thing about this class, is that the professor got their early enough before class and made coffee for us, that pick-me-up was highly appreciated.
After that class, I then went across the street to my history of Copenhagen class. It is definitely different from the classes that I am used to, first of all because it is history, and secondly because it focuses on “reading” the city. Meaning being able to walk down streets and begin to understand how and why different streets, building fronts, and the layout of the city itself is the way that it is. It is definitely going to be a different take on the city. I haven’t completed decided it I think I am going to like it, however a lot of our assignments are about exploring and “reading” different parts of the city, which I think will be really interesting. It is definitely a class I will be able to apply what I learn everyday, since it is all about observing the city that I am now living and studying in.
However, one of the most exciting parts of the day for me was when I left that class because I noticed that for the first time since I have been here, the sun was trying to scatter the clouds. Having noticed it, I decided to walk to the square down the street to see if I could find the sun. I know this sounds like an odd thing, however it has been rather cold here and a little dreary looking, so I was excited to see some sunshine (plus I think I was in need of some vitamin D).
After that I went over to the DIS, Vestergade 7 (the main building) to eat lunch and begin my very long 5 HOUR! break between classes. Not much really happened: I started this blog entry, did some reading for tomorrow, playing around on the Internet, and then I did go to walk around the city a little bit. (Also, as a very random thing, I was sitting in DIS doing a little work, and I noticed just a few feet down that a woman was getting her haircut; I guess it must be a Danish thing, however I don’t really know. It was certainly an interesting sight though.) I walked down a few streets just to try to wander and find my way around a little bit more. I walked in the direction of the square by the city hall and then went over just to see the entrance to Trivoli (it wont be open until May I think). I think headed back to DIS because believe it or not, after all that it was actually getting close to when I had to be back at class.
I finally got to my last class, which began at 4:25. It is my international marketing class, and I think it is going to be really interesting. We are going to act at consultants for real companies, which we are going to visit in about a week or so. There is a rather long report that will accompany it and a 50 minutes presentation, but overall I think it will be fun to work on a case study that is real, not simply simulated. The professor also seems really cool. He wants us to get a lot out of the class, but still have some fun at the same time. He also invited us to home in about a week to have dinner and drinks with his family. I am going to try to go because I think it will be a good time, and simply to hangout with other students in my class.
Once classes were over for the day – at 5:45, a long, long day – I headed up to the train station and got on the train for the ride home. The only down side was that once I arrived at the Hillerod train station, the bus that I needed to take home didn’t come for another 30 minutes. (This is because later in the evening the bus only runs from the station once an hour. Unfortunately, I think I may be experiencing this a few times this semester, but I will just have to try to take my time a little more, so I at least wont have to wait for the bus quite as long.) When I finally got home, I arrived to see my host dad’s brother and his daughter here for dinner and the evening. I am just going to relax this evening, hopefully talk to a few people on Skype (for those that don’t know, I usually am on around 10:30-11:30 (4:30-5:30 your time) before I go to bed), then I am really excited because I get to sleep in a little long tomorrow because I don’t have class until 1:15. However, I may try to go to the Kommune (the place where I register for my CPR – comparable to a social security number – number here). It will be useful for a lot of things, and I have to go get it soon. That’s all for now. Cheers.
PS – I lied. This post is longer than I thought it would be. Sorry.
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