BitterSweet 16?!

In the past week, I completed my first Oral Exam, officially gotten a return date, planned for my first almost solo trip around Europe, partook in a witch burn, and said goodbye to some more super awesome people! 

When I look at this list, I can't help but think of how much I have been able to do while in Denmark--a country I never imagined myself studying abroad in or living in less than a year ago! But I am oh so thankful for this opportunity to study and live in Denmark! And I think I've even come to love Denmark! 

So, back to the list. 

I had my very first and last oral exam on Thursday afternoon. I finally got around to preparing on Wednesday afternoon. As I read and re-read through my project I had a mini panic attack and forgot what my project was about--while reading it! But I managed to calm myself down and continued reading through my project! Thursday I was a ball of nerves. I read again through my project and wrote out some things I thought they might ask about. As I patiently waited for my exam to begin, I found some peace and the confidence I needed! My exam went really well, I answered the questions the best that I possibly could and prayed that it was what they were wanting! It took about 6 minutes for them to decide on my grade. It felt like forever. As they told me my project was done really well and I showed much interest in my project there were a few things that could be improved on. This didn't surprise me, I mean I did not nearly put as much effort into as I would have if I had been receiving credit on it. However, they informed the that I got a 10! (For you Americans a B) I was really happy with this grade! 

My return to 'Murica! 

That's right folks, my days in Denmark are officially numbered! 16 to be exact. It's a bittersweet feeling, not going to lie. When I originally bought my plane ticket to and from Denmark, I wanted to spend as much time here as would be allowed! My accommodation was available to me until July 31st, so I originally planned that as my date of departure. However, a slight change of plans made me realize that I had to change my departure date--my residence permit! My residence permit is only valid until July 14th, after said date I could be deported from the country and not be allowed to enter Europe for a period of 2 years. Exciting as being deported sounds, I would love to know that I am in good standing with Europe. So, my stepdad George put in a lot of work (and I wish this statement did it justice!) to help me change my ticket. He called the airlines (United Airlines, Scandinavian, and STA travel) to go about changing the date. This was a process in a half as they kept making him call different numbers. Eventually he got to talk to the right people and they went through date by date to find which option would be the cheapest. After I believe 3 days of this they finally found the best, cheapest date-- July 11th! So I will have a very long day of traveling on the 11th as I leave Aalborg around 13:30 and arrive in Minneapolis around 21:35 on the 11th of July! America-- I'll see you soon!

So my first almost solo trip through Europe is happening. 

Yes my parents are aware of it. No they are not necessarily 'on board' with it. But there is nothing they can really do to stop me. :)

Before I leave this wonderful country I still have a few places that I want to visit. So I will be traveling from June 30th through July 7th! I will get to see the very lovely cities of Copenhagen, Berlin, and Vienna! Half of this trip will be me traveling alone and the second half I will get to meet up with Ali and Daniela! I am beyond excited to go and experience these cities as well as prove, not only to myself, but to my parents that I can travel around the world by myself! That being said, this might be my last post in Denmark--no promises though! So stay tuned for travel details in the next blog! 

Sankthans! 

Sunday night (June 23rd) we celerated Sankthans or midsummer solstice or St. John's Eve. Which ever name you decide to call it, we celebrated it! However, we celebrated it the proper Danish way by burning a WITCH!

Michael lighting the witch on fire. 

Ahhh! And I thought the Salem Witch Trials were weird.. just kidding! You can read all about it here (as well as how all the European countries celebrate it)! It was actually pretty cool! Michael (chairman of the AIK) made a sweet witch to burn. We gathered around the fire and the Danes sang this song.

Here are the lyrics that Anne (Dane) so kindly printed off for everyone!

As much as us internationals wanted to sing, we did not want to offend the Danes by butchering their lovely language! It was an interesting tradition--not something we celebrate in America. But I did some research and found that in the Scandinavian countries it's a big deal. 

Here is the witch almost engulfed by flames! 

We were very fortunate to not have to travel to see this even take place. Although we could have gone to the Viking Burial grounds to watch this, the lovely Danes at the AIK hosted their own! So kind of them! Definitely an event never to forget!

Goodbyes.

I do not like them. I do not like them Sam I Am! I do not like them here or there, I do not like them anywhere!

As I mentioned in almost every post where someone has left, I do not like goodbyes. However, they are starting to happen more frequently as everyone is finishing up their exams and wanting to get home. On Thursday we said goodbye to Matthieu (French). On Saturday night, we said goodbye to Jeff (French) and Lotte (Dutch) as they both headed out bright and early Sunday morning. And tomorrow (Tuesday) I will say goodbye to three more--Juan, Fabien, and Tara. 

It is going to suck. 

Three people in one day. I would say that this would leave me friendless in DK, but that is not true. Although it will feel like it.

There are still some people left, but the first friend I made in Aalborg leaves tomorrow.

Goodbyes suck. 

And it's not just the tears, mostly because I don't shed tears as I should. But it's the fact that I do not know when I will see any of these awesome people next. And I truly hope to see everyone again in my life because these people helped to make my experience in Denmark awesome. I will never forget them for that! 

Sure, we can joke about the crazy, messed up things that happened (some while intoxicated), but there is so much more than that. I could tell you stories about each and every person I have met here but the stories won't do them justice. They all have helped to make my semester abroad amazing. And I am forever thankful for that!

 But goodbye have to happen. We all knew that eventually we would leave this place to go back home, but it's weird that the days left here are numbered or have already passed for some. We can be thankful that we were able to spend a semester at the AIK together. Created a lot of memories and hopefully friendships that will last forever. 

Enough of this sad stuff, I don't like it. 

I leave for my first solo adventure in five days! Say some prayers for safe travels for me and that I won't get too terribly lost! 

[It is astonishing how short a time it can take for very wonderful things to happen]

-Suz