Time is slowly counting down until my flight tomorrow that will take me back to the States. While the final hours of my stay in Denmark have been somewhat frantic to finalize packing and cleaning the room I stayed in, I have been able to think a bit about the past four months.
I can still remember how nervous yet excited I felt leaving the States back in August. I envisioned that I would be able to see so many different cities while I was here, learn enough of the Danish language that I could communicate with the Danes, and so much more. I knew that I would make many new friends and would also come back a different person, but things didn't turn out the way that I thought.
The one thing that really bogged down the ability to travel was college work. Despite the amount of work for my classes, I still managed to travel to several places in Denmark with my international friends. So in a sense, I was able to travel, but didn't go to the places that I imagined. Instead of going to Prague, Berlin, Florence, and other cities, I got to see various sites that make Denmark, well, Denmark.
I have truly enjoyed my time here. I have become friends with people from all over the world, got to see beautiful sites, and even got to experience several Danish traditions. If I was given the chance to come back or even go someplace new, I would gladly accept, for the experience would continually shape who I am. This has really been one of the greatest experiences of my life thus far.
So, as a final parting, I will just say a word of advice to those who also want to go on an exchange or who want to travel in general: in your travels, no matter where you go, don't expect that things will happen a certain way. Chances are, the unexpected will most likely happen.
See you back in the States!
~Alison
