It has only been one week
The past couple of days have been busy-- and they should be. I didn't study abroad to do nothing. Thursday was the first day of classes. My first class was The Medical Consequences of a Western Lifestyle. So far this class looks interesting. We focus not only on the diseases prevalent in Western society, but also how society and disease relate. Also on Thursday I had Brain Functioning and the Self. I am looking forward to this class the most. So far it is fabulous. The instructor is amazing. We had a discussion about the mind-body problem. I can't wait to do the readings for this class.
Speaking of readings..... yikes. They really weren't kidding, that this is STUDY abroad. I have so much reading to do already for next week. And a lot of papers to start thinking about.
But lets not forget that I am in Denmark! On Friday I had The Impact of Epidemic Disease on European History, and after after class I walked around the city for about two hours. While I was never exactly lost, I did get a bit turned around. But managed to find my way back. I took quite a few pictures, but left my camera in my locker at DIS for the weekend, so the pictures will have to wait until early next week.
I have met some incredible people. Friday night was a DIS sponsored night out. It was an amazing night. I love the interaction with different cultures, with different people. On my left was someone from the Czech Republic and on my right was someone from Poland. Across from was someone from Honduras, and someone from Singapore. Not to mention a lot of American students. It was fabulous to be surrounded by such diversity.
Today I got to sleep in. Later my host mother took me to Helsingor. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me. But we will be going back. While in Helsingor we made a brief visit to the Kronborg Castle. This is the most famous castle in Denmark. Some might know it from Shakespeare's Hamlet. Fortunately we will be going back, and this time I can get pictures. When you stand and look at the sea you can see Sweden. It is breathtaking.
After walking around the castle grounds a bit we went walking about the city. Ann ran into a few friends (she grew up in Helsingor). We then had some fabulous ice (aka ice cream) from one of the most famous places in Denmark. You could tell because the line was out the door. We then did a bit of shopping. There is nothing like shopping in a grocery store to remind one that you really are in a foreign country.
We then picked up my host grandmother from bingo and went to her place. We sat on the patio and had an afternoon break. It was fabulous. The weather today was beautiful.
Which brings me to another point - today I learned how to do laundry here. I have know doubt my host mother was laughing inside as she watched me try to hang clothes on the clothes line. Ekk.. I couldn't help but laugh at myself.
Tomorrow we are going to a market of some sort. From our best translation efforts I believe it will be kind of like a flea market. We'll have to see.
Signing off,
Anna
Speaking of readings..... yikes. They really weren't kidding, that this is STUDY abroad. I have so much reading to do already for next week. And a lot of papers to start thinking about.
But lets not forget that I am in Denmark! On Friday I had The Impact of Epidemic Disease on European History, and after after class I walked around the city for about two hours. While I was never exactly lost, I did get a bit turned around. But managed to find my way back. I took quite a few pictures, but left my camera in my locker at DIS for the weekend, so the pictures will have to wait until early next week.
I have met some incredible people. Friday night was a DIS sponsored night out. It was an amazing night. I love the interaction with different cultures, with different people. On my left was someone from the Czech Republic and on my right was someone from Poland. Across from was someone from Honduras, and someone from Singapore. Not to mention a lot of American students. It was fabulous to be surrounded by such diversity.
Today I got to sleep in. Later my host mother took me to Helsingor. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me. But we will be going back. While in Helsingor we made a brief visit to the Kronborg Castle. This is the most famous castle in Denmark. Some might know it from Shakespeare's Hamlet. Fortunately we will be going back, and this time I can get pictures. When you stand and look at the sea you can see Sweden. It is breathtaking.
After walking around the castle grounds a bit we went walking about the city. Ann ran into a few friends (she grew up in Helsingor). We then had some fabulous ice (aka ice cream) from one of the most famous places in Denmark. You could tell because the line was out the door. We then did a bit of shopping. There is nothing like shopping in a grocery store to remind one that you really are in a foreign country.
We then picked up my host grandmother from bingo and went to her place. We sat on the patio and had an afternoon break. It was fabulous. The weather today was beautiful.
Which brings me to another point - today I learned how to do laundry here. I have know doubt my host mother was laughing inside as she watched me try to hang clothes on the clothes line. Ekk.. I couldn't help but laugh at myself.
Tomorrow we are going to a market of some sort. From our best translation efforts I believe it will be kind of like a flea market. We'll have to see.
Signing off,
Anna
posted by ACG at 9/02/2006 05:30:00 PM
1 Comments:
Dearest, Your description of your course, "Medical Consequences of a Western Lifestyle," brings to mind a germane text, "The Social Construction of Disease" by Judith Lorber. Rooted in a feminist perspective, Lorber's work considers how social stratification, particularly gender and race, affect illness in the United States. (more broadly, how illness and society are connected) Not that you need any more reading, LOL!
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