Jess-Viborg

This Monday starts my last week of work at Foulum. Time has really flown by here! I feel like I am just getting into the usual momentum of work, if there is such a thing, and I think it will be very hard for me to leave it all behind. I am still very interested in what the analyzers will tell us about the diets that the pigs were on and how that information can help people too. Peter has promised to keep me informed, so that makes me feel a little bit better!

I must admit that before I came here I knew that I just wanted to work with animals. I was perfectly happy with the idea that I would do something with some species of animal each day at Foulum and that would be sufficient. But, I am really happy that Peter and everyone else here has taken the time and made a huge effort to include me in every single aspect of their project. And most importantly, they have made the effort to allow me to choose what role I would like to play in their work. I think that takes a lot of trust and true dedication to science on their part.

I will surely miss catching the bus each morning and seeing the same faces saying, "Gut morn" regardless of the weather, the time, or their general mood!! Denmark is a wonderful place that I will be sure to visit again!

This week I will be working as usually, but on Wednesday Peter will be treating me to a special 4th of July! He is planning on taking me to his farm and meeting his family to celebrate the 4th of July with a strong Danish influence! I do not know exactly what he has planned for the day, but it will surely be memorable!

Another event that I am looking forward to this week is attending the National Show here in Denmark. Helle, from work, has very generously offered to include me with her family for a trip to what would be our version of a state fair! She showed me a show bill or sort of itinerary for the day which includes horse shows, rabbit races, tractors, cattle, and anything else having to do with agriculture in Denmark. I am really excited to see how this may compare to our county or state fairs in the U.S. and to just get back to seeing people being proud of their agricultural background!

Next Monday I plan to travel to Copenhagen for about three days. I have a good friend who lives in Malmo, Sweden who plans to meet me in Copenhagen and show me around. I may stay with her in Malmo after visiting Copenhagen, but at this point that is all dependent on her work schedule. Some things are always universal among college students! She said we can visit the beach and see the Little Mermaid!! I can't wait!

I plan to return to Viborg on or before Monday before we leave to fly home Thursday.
I don't know that I will be able to see Peter or Helle after this week. I think they are both taking holiday, so this week will really be strange because I will be thinking I won't be seeing either of them for a long time. Winnie plans on driving us to the airport when we leave so I am grateful that I will get to see her one more time before jumping on the big, white, bird.

It is amazing to me that this trip is already coming to a close. I have to say that one of the most important lessons I have learned is to be true to yourself even if others around you are changing. I know that I have changed while I have been here, but I know that it has only been for the better. I feel much more confident in my basic daily activities and I really know now that friendship and family are truly important to me no matter what else is going on in my life.

Of course I have learned invaluable lessons about science. I would say that I have learned more about how science works as whole than minute scientific details though. I was always under the impression that I loved science because there is always a right and wrong answer to everything! But I have learned that I could not have been more wrong. I still love science, but I have become so much more aware of the variables that are still present in science no matter how much you calculate, aniticipate, and repeat your experiments.

I think this has been a wonderful trip and I consider myself extremely lucky to have been able to take part in such an amazing life ride. I will be sure to write again before I leave, but I am sure that my overall feelings will not change a bit!