Regimentation at the cost of individualism?

The topic of public health is one that comes up often in my Impact of Epidemic Disease in European History class. In particular preventative public health, for example vaccination, has been discussed often. Many times my professor has talked about the responsibility of a government to provide basic health to its citizens.

But he also mentions that the result of this: regimentation, lack of choice. In order for a government to provide health to its citizens, the citizens are at the mercy of the government. You do what the state tells you to, and you really have no choice.

I’ve spent the last months living in a country that is completely based on social welfare. Everything is subsidized by the government. The tax rate is high (50-60% income tax). The government is a daily part of life in Denmark. I don’t often hear Danes complaining about the taxes, mostly my fellow students complaining about the 25% sales tax.

The Danes are happy people- the happiest in the world as one study shows. But it is my opinion this has come at the cost of individualism and choice. Perhaps why this country is so cute at times is that everything is the same, regimentized. The basis of Danish society is that everyone is at the same level. No one should have more or be better.

These ideas fall on the complete opposite of the American society- where individualism is encouraged, and many strive to have more and be better.

Is there a middle ground? Can we have a society with choice and individualism, which is also equal and orderly?

As I have learned while here in Denmark, it is ok to simply say...

I don’t know.

My analysis is purely anecdotal. I have no sociological background. I simply have lived in two drastically different cultures. I have also studied the American & Danish medical systems, and have had personal experiences with both.

There is a lot to learn from Denmark, after all it claims to be the worlds oldest monarchy. But I think that Denmark can also learn a bit from the States.

Anyways, I was just thinking….

Anna

What a day...

I was thinking last night about the day ahead, and I came to the conclusion, today had the potential to be really good or really bad.

I'm pleased to report that today, despite many things, turned out to be fabulous. And to top it all off, this is what I get to come home to:

This note was on my door:

So, I'm thinking, just your normal Danish cake.... ni,ni,ni! Look what I found in the frig!!!!

And it tastes even better than it looks!

A Home Away From Home

Today is Thanksgiving in the States. A day of family and friends, a day of reflection, a day of thankfulness.

Riding the train this morning, I got to thinking… At first I was dwelling on the fact that I wasn’t in the States. Today isn’t a day off (actually quite the opposite, I already had an exam this morning) to spend with my family, friends, and loved ones. I began to become sad, wishing to be at least be back in the States—where you walk into a grocery store and nearly trip over all Thanksgivin’ fixn’s. I wanted to be home.

But then I thought… wait, I am at home. In Denmark I have found my second home. A place to go back to, a place of memories and comfort, a place you share with those you love—is that not a definition of home?

Yes, I still wish I were in the Sates today to celebrate the holiday with those I love. But I can still celebrate the holiday here in my second home. And this year, more than ever, I have much in which to be thankful.

So, here’s a Happy Thanksgiving to all…

And if you do nothing else today, answer this question: what are you thankful for?

Gobble, gobble,

Anna

It may not have been...

...OSU vs Michigan, but it was one good time. Today my host mom and I went to FCK vs Midtjylland -- aka the #1 vs #2 football teams (by football, I mean soccer) in Denmark. It was such a great time. Being away for the OSU/Michigan is hard, but what perfect timing for today's game. It was great to cheer and shout, and leave it all on the field. The final score was a tie, 2-2. So, enough with all of the chatter, and on with the pictures! (more pictures can be seen through the picture link to the right)



Me at the Game



Anna and Ann before the game

Pharmacies from around the world…

I won’t lie. I am a bit of geek, perhaps pharmacy geek to be more specific. And apparently everyone knows this, because classmates are taking pictures of pharmacies from their travels and sending them to me.

I thought it would be neat to post a collection of pharmacy pictures. To me it represents a lot of what pharmacy is about—we are visible, active parts of the community. And we are everywhere! This aspect of pharmacy I cherish… helping those around me feel better everyday! What a wonderful feeling…

But enough with the talk, on with the pictures!

Copenhagen, Denmark (I'll get a better one soon!)

Berlin, Germany

Poznan, Poland

Fort William, Scotland

Moscow, Russia

Moscow, Russia

Paris, France (taken by Nicole)

I know… It’s been awhile…

My promise to blog readers worldwide to post most every week hasn’t materialized. There is so much to take in, who wants to sit at a computer and write?

Unless of course the following scenario presents itself: You are studying abroad at DIS and unlike other study abroad programs the coursework is relatively rigorous (i.e. you have lots of homework to do.) By the nature that you are studying at DIS, means you are in Denmark. And it is November. There is a simple equation to explain Denmark in November:

Denmark + November = RAIN!

Not to mention darkness (yes, it is worse than Columbus), and the cold winter weather setting in. So, you add all of these together, and zap, time to write a blog post!

You may begin to think Denmark is a cold, dark place. It is, but you see, the Danes have been at this sort of thing for many, many, many, many years. After realizing this, the Danish hygge makes sense! The Danes know how to deal: invite some friends over, cook up a dinner, open a bottle of wine, and light a candle… err, a few candles. And all of a sudden, the world is right. Maybe that is why the Danes are the happiest people on Earth…

Ahhhh… but what have I been doing? Writing papers, reading books, visiting monastery ruins, attempting I.V. lines on classmates… you know the norm.

But, I’ve also been doing a bit of thinking… and by a bit, I mean a lot. About what you might ask… everything. The product of all this thinking, and later discussions, is this: I will not be returning for another semester in Denmark. Rather, I will be returning to the States in December and graduating winter quarter.

I feel as though I have gained all that I can from this experience. Academically the course work I would be pursuing next semester is not as enlightening as this semester. Additionally, I have four more years of studying. This my year off, and there needs to be some time off studying as a part of it. It wasn’t an easy decision, as I love Denmark, the Danes, and DIS. But in my mind it simply makes sense.

And that’s the way it should be…

From Fabulous Copenhagen,

Anna

A Whole New World

What a wonderful feeling to be back in Copenhagen, my second home. And yes, I am still alive! The past three weeks have been packed full of amazing sights, wonderful places, and fantastic people. Here is a bullet point list of the past three weeks:

Week 1 – Berlin, Germany and Poznan, Poland

- Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp
- Berlin Sightseeing (Berlin Wall, Museum Island, Checkpoint Charlie, etc.)
- Charite Hospital
- Berlin Medical Museum
- Sleeping Beauty Ballet
- Eating ‘blind’
- Poznan Sightseeing (Old Town Square, Miniature Poznan, Poznan Cathedral)
- Viewed an autopsy
- Shadowed a Pediatrician

Week 2 – Aviemore and Edinburgh, Scotland

- Hiked a mountain
- Mountain biked
- Fun-yaked the Spey River
- Visited a distillery
- Drove through the Highlands
- A Nessy spotting?!?!
- Biked through Edinburgh
- Visited city of Fort William
- Visited Stirling Castle

Week 3 – Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia

- Sightseeing of Moscow (Red Square, Monasteries, Cathedrals, etc.)
- Bolshoi Theatre Ballet
- Visit to Moscow school
- Kremlin visit
- New Tretyakov Gallery
- The sights in St. Petersburg (Peter & Paul Fortress, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, etc.)
- Hermitage Museum
- St. Petersburg “Behind the Façade”

Amongst all of these major events I hung out with some great people—bonfires, PJ parties, Oct-toga-fest. I rode ferries, buses, planes, and trains. I had brief encounters with Polish and Russian police, rode in unmarked taxis, and navigated metro systems.

Taking all of this in is a process that has just begun, and will likely continue for a lifetime. But all of this traveling has made me realize… there is so much in this world to see and do. And while our time is short, we must make an effort to see and experience the world and its cultures. I’ve learned that while this world is vast, it isn’t as big as it was before. There are many countries and cultures, but as human citizens of the world we are all the same, we are human beings.

For me, it truly is a whole new world….

Back to the studies,

Until next time,

Anna

PS – Be sure to check out the past three weeks in pictures via the link on the right. Enjoy!