Can it really be only 12 Days away?

Well here it is everyone...my very first blog post ever! I can't believe the summer is coming to an end, and my semester in Copenhagen is about to begin.

To give all you readers a little bit of background, I am a junior at Southern Methodist University and I will be studying in Copenhagen for four months with the Danish Institute for Study Abroad (or DIS). You might think that Denmark is a little random for a country to study abroad when compared to the usual places (England, France, and Spain), but this little pocket of Scandinavia couldn't be more perfect. I am majoring in Human Rights at SMU, with an emphasis in International Law. I really wanted to find an abroad program where I could continue my studies, as well as take some fun electives! DIS offers a Justice and Human Rights core class, along with several other human rights oriented courses... as well as a super awesome course on Hans Christian Anderson (aka the author of The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina, and The Ugly Duckling).

It was difficult deciding between the Copenhagen program and a program in South Africa, but one of the most important aspects of my study abroad experience is the ability to travel! Copenhagen is centrally located between Scandinavia and the rest of Europe, making it very accessible to explore all of these places :) I am a huge history nerd... so much so that just walking down cobblestone streets that are 500 years old gives me goosebumps. Europe has such a rich heritage, and every country is unique. I can't wait to embark on European journeys during my travel breaks! Also, hopefully I will have the three-day weekends to explore Copenhagen and Denmark as well. After all, I need to get to know my new home!

I made a goal this summer to learn everything I could about Danish/Scandinavian culture. I have spent almost all of my free time on internet blogs instead of Facebook, reading travel guides instead of watching Tv (except for the Olympics, duh), all with the hopes of preparing myself for the most amazing experience of my life. I think I overloaded on info... Excel spreadsheets of "Things To Do While Abroad" listed by country can only hold so much before my brain explodes. There are too many things I want to do, places I want to see... it's extremely overwhelming... but incredibly exciting at the same time :)

I have been waiting for this adventure ever since I started college... and I'm only 12. Days. Away.

GAHH!!