As it slowly turns into summertime in Copenhagen, I have to resist the urge to skip class and abandon finals to enjoy the weather and city before I leave for home.

 

Today is the Danish Labor Day or May Day. There is a tradition to go to a park and listen to political speeches, but hopefully you have figured out by now from my other posts that this is yet another holiday used an excuse to drink all day. Many Danes don’t even know what the speeches are about…

 

I cannot enjoy the weather and document this odd event in a single blog post because my time here is coming to an end and the end of semester work is piling up!

 

At this point one would think I have done pretty much everything there is to do in Copenhagen, but the weather has probably only been bearable for 2 of the 8 months I have been here. However, I can proudly say that I made it through the darkest winter Denmark has had in 25 years. Here’s to the 80 degree winter Austin will hopefully have this year!

 

After spending almost a year in Copenhagen, I’m pretty ready to go home – one can only live in an expensive country without a job for so long. I have been fortunate enough to have an opportunity like this and I hope to apply my experiences here at home.

 

One thing I am sure of is the fact that I will have reverse culture shock upon arriving home.

 

I have been spoiled for too long by not being able to understand what people in passing are saying. In America, I have never ridden public transportation or probably been in public in general without scorning someone for the ridiculous conversation they were loudly having.

 

I complain about this, but of course it’s been frustrating to not understand what people are saying.

 

I have also complained about living outside of the city for the entirety of my stay, but the fact that I can hop on the metro 24/7 is glorious. RIP having a robot subway as a chauffeur. Yet cabs and buses in Austin are 100% cheaper than they are here, so I guess I’ll need to utilize that.

 

Upon reflecting about my time here, I realized I have never lived this far away from school before. The 40-minute commute should teach me to never complain about walking from the parking garage ever again. Although is it possible to have reverse culture shock towards 100 degree Texas summers?

 

I think it may feel weird to walk down the street and not see tall blonde people wearing all black. Danes may not be as daring in their outfit choices, but I can appreciate their effort to maintain a classy wardrobe. It might be weird at first, but I’m excited to be around Austin’s eclectic mix of people.

 

My hometown should be the same old boring place, but Austin should be interesting considering the amount of development that has been occurring.

 

I have questions like: How is the new library? Are the Tree apartments an eyesore on South 1st? Is MetroRapid actually rapid? Will Austin seem even more overpopulated than it already did before I left? My biggest concern is where I will get coffee considering Summermoon and I no longer get along politically.

 

Regardless, I’m excited to get back in the swing of things.I will miss the European lifestyle, but clearly I’m looking forward to quite a lot of things in America (mostly food).

 

Vi Ses Denmark!