I ended high school with a bang – 4 hours after walking across the stage at graduation I was at the airport waiting to board my long awaited flight to Copenhagen, Denmark!
During the summer of my senior year I attended a 3-week study abroad “Climate Change and Advocacy” program in Denmark. I spent my days in morning 3-hour classes, afternoon explorations, late afternoon/night hangouts with fellow students and weekly “land excursions” at nearby islands.
What did that entail?
Our morning classes consisted of us learning about Denmark-specific environmental law, sustainability infrastructures (including green architecture), wastewater treatment/energy conversion systems (like district heating and power grids), sustainability initiatives (such as provincial recycling systems), and local activist groups. Might I mention that sprinkled in we had class sessions dedicated to language-learning and cultural immersion activities outside of the classroom.
Most of our academic afternoon explorations involved visitations to green establishments, namely the United Nations Headquarters, Copenhill, BIOFOS, and trips to cultural places including the King’s Garden, Tivoli, and Refshaleøen. In the same vein, we also traveled around the city to museums, botanical gardens, community-style lunches, where we learned about Danish culture and had a blast conversing with Danes.
While the afternoon outings supplemented what we learned in the mornings, our evening/night hangouts were meant for amusement. We entertained ourselves with MidSummer, birthday celebrations, karaoke, retail therapy, eating at different restaurants, and visiting museums. On weekends we discovered landmarks, swam in ice cold water, and sang campfire songs during our island excursions to Samsø, Middelgrundsfort, Sagnlandet Lejre, and Vikingeborgen Trelleborg.
What did I learn?
Damn so much! We can get all technical about power skills like critical thinking, collaboration, communication, connection, cultural proficiency, creativity, etc.. BUT I’ll spare both of us the time by elaborating on a few prominent things –
- Physical Awareness: While living alone for the first time (in a green nation at that), I gained a new sense of appreciation for my surrounding environments including beautiful natural landscapes, intricate public transportation systems, innovative architecture, and wildlife watching.
- Navigating social dynamics: As the eldest student and one of the only People of Color in the group, I often doubted my self-worth and capabilities amongst my white counterparts. Many of my peers were high school undergraduates, from financially well off families, and had siblings in other sponsored study abroad programs. These differences made it difficult for me to relate to their collective shared experiences about family, education, and culture. Naturally I gravitated towards my mentors, Syd and Julianne, who noticed my uncomfortability in group settings. After a heartfelt conversation with Syd on navigating privilege spaces with respect to our identities, they motivated me to reflect on what I want from this study abroad experience and reminded me of my worth. I slowly gained the courage to interact with my peers by going to group study sessions and casual hangouts. During these moments I realized that our diverse personalities complement one another – some more than others and that’s okay.
- Building cultural capital: I participated in different cultural practices like Hygge, making Smørrebrød, learning Danish and attending events like MidSummer!
- Enjoying my own company: In spending time alone, I gained confidence in indulging in my interests. As a way of sustaining my mental health, I took myself out on “dates” where I would pick random destinations (ex: cafe shop, thrift store) and challenged myself to enjoy where the journey took me.
- Dynamic identity: In establishing a routine between self-care and education, I learned different aspects of my identity. A new Jazmin was born – she is beautifully queer, fashionable, silly, spontaneous (impulsive some may say), creative, open, mature, and hyper-independent. She gives FUCK IT energy.
