It’s absolutely amazing that two months have gone by and I will be going home in less than a week. There is a lot going through my head right now in terms of what I have learned and experienced while in Denmark. Although the trip is coming to a quick end, the things I have learned about myself, those who I have encountered, and the issues circling the globe will always be a part of me. Learning is a part of growing and I feel that through this trip I have personally grown to become more aware of my own strengths, weaknesses, and world issues.
The three changes that I have recognized in myself since leaving home that I would like to focus on are confidence, empathy, and a greater understanding of politics.
Confidence
I have noticed that over the last month or so I have developed a greater confidence level in myself and in others. For some reason I have always been hesitant to approach people I don’t know. Whether I need help with directions or just starting up conversation I find it hard to just speak up. Being here, however, has forced me to make conversation with strangers. When you don’t know where you are you have to ask. Just like Allison has stated there is just no way out of it. Being the only native English speaker in my department I found it difficult to adjust to the group. In the beginning all the department members would speak amongst one another in Danish and I would just sit there. My curiosity about the country and culture was what really forced me to speak up. I found myself starting up conversations with co-workers and feeling comfortable talking about myself, my travels, and the issues circling the scientific community and world. Other times in which I noticed my confidence to speak with others were during our travels. Traveling teaches you responsibility and confidence. Arranging trips ahead of time, asking for directions, and mapping out where you need to go all played apart in building my confidence. On another level regarding academics I now have more confidence in myself and my ability to over come difficult tasks. Even if a task seems too hard for you to handle it’s always important to ask questions when you need help, don’t hesitate to tell who you are working with you don’t understand something, and always speak up if your experiment is not going as well as you would like. On this note I would also like to mention how I have built confidence in others. I rarely have to work in groups at school. My department, however, taught me the importance of group work and collaboration. Having confidence in others is vital in science and you can’t always just depend on yourself all the time.
Empathy
In my original application statement I feared that language would be a big hindrance in my stay here in Denmark. For the most part I was proven wrong, however, there were a few instances where I became frustrated because of a lack of communication. On our trip to Copenhagen I encountered a few instances, which made me feel uncomfortable and awkward. For instance, asking to make reservations at a restaurant. Since the owner’s English was not that good she ended up telling me rudely they had no room and just shoved me off and when standing in a line to pay for something the native Danish speaker would be served before me cause I obviously looked like a foreigner. I didn’t really appreciate being treated like that. By no means were these instances a full portrayal of the Danes attitudes and actions, but I did feel some tension being a foreigner in larger city. For the most part most of the people I have meet or encountered have been warm, caring, and amazingly helpful. However, being in a larger city made me think about my own actions and feelings at home. It made me realize that if I didn’t want to be treated like a foreigner who seems ignorant to everything I should not assume that those visiting the U.S. are the same. I can now emphasize with those who come from another country and are visiting the U.S. Even though language can be a barrier sometimes it should never be an excuse to be rude, pushy, or plain ignorant. Being in someone else’s shoes helps one realize how we view one another in the world. I think if more people traveled outside the U.S. we would have a greater understanding of one another’s feelings and concerns. Perhaps less racism would occur if people were just more patient and took time out to understand one another and embrace their differences.
Politics
I will admit that my understanding of world politics is not up to date. Being here has made me realize how out of the loop I really am. I underestimated the amount of concern people outside the U.S. had about our government and the lack of knowledge I have on other country’s governments. I not only have gained a greater understanding of my own country’s politics but of the various issues the European Union has been facing. Understanding how others feel about the U.S. government system helps me reevaluate what works and what doesn’t. I can confidently say I will be walking away with more knowledge about world politics and its effects on the U.S.
Although I have only mentioned three specific changes that I have seen in myself I know there are more. An opportunity like this has shaped me and has significantly changed me for the better.
