When I first came to Copenhagen, even though I was living in a homestay, I was not signed up for the Danish Language and Culture class because it didn't fit into my schedule. But after only a few days here I quickly reworked some things and added the class. It has been hard, not because of work load but because Danish is the most ridiculous language there ever was. Just wait, you will see.
Now I am learning things and it is super cool. I recognize words at the dinner table and in passing which is very rewarding. Although I have yet to attempt speaking Danish to anybody other than myself while doing my homework.
While the difference in language was definitely something I thought about before coming here, I didn't really think about it a lot. I guess I didn't expect my host family to talk in as much Danish as they do (which is totally stupid, Jenn they are Danish, of course they are going to speak a lot of Danish at home). The first week or so I felt oddly out of the conversations and I didn't know what to do with myself. However, something really cool happened; I have become totally accustomed to being out of the conversation.
It is a surreal feeling, sitting at the dinner table hearing a family talk in a different language. I feel like a guest just observing the scene and I can imagine what it is like when I am not there. Being included in every conversation is not what their home is typically like. I love to see them all burst out laughing at once when Frida says something because I have no idea what is so funny, but it just makes sense.
It is also a very reflective time.
I eat my dinner and my mind can wander off to whatever it feels like and I don't have to pay attention to the conversation because I'm not expected to. There is a peaceful comfort in my own thoughts. The second english is spoken I snap right back to the dinner table. The longer I have been here and the more I am learning in Danish, the more I am paying attention do the conversations, trying to listen for words I can recognize to piece together what is going on. Now I am still not very good at it and it's exhausting work, but none-the-less I'm slowly but surely getting there. Adding the Danish Language class has been a challenge in the best way. It is the best decision I have made since being here as it is something I will hold onto forever.
Now I am learning things and it is super cool. I recognize words at the dinner table and in passing which is very rewarding. Although I have yet to attempt speaking Danish to anybody other than myself while doing my homework.
While the difference in language was definitely something I thought about before coming here, I didn't really think about it a lot. I guess I didn't expect my host family to talk in as much Danish as they do (which is totally stupid, Jenn they are Danish, of course they are going to speak a lot of Danish at home). The first week or so I felt oddly out of the conversations and I didn't know what to do with myself. However, something really cool happened; I have become totally accustomed to being out of the conversation.
It is a surreal feeling, sitting at the dinner table hearing a family talk in a different language. I feel like a guest just observing the scene and I can imagine what it is like when I am not there. Being included in every conversation is not what their home is typically like. I love to see them all burst out laughing at once when Frida says something because I have no idea what is so funny, but it just makes sense.
It is also a very reflective time.
I eat my dinner and my mind can wander off to whatever it feels like and I don't have to pay attention to the conversation because I'm not expected to. There is a peaceful comfort in my own thoughts. The second english is spoken I snap right back to the dinner table. The longer I have been here and the more I am learning in Danish, the more I am paying attention do the conversations, trying to listen for words I can recognize to piece together what is going on. Now I am still not very good at it and it's exhausting work, but none-the-less I'm slowly but surely getting there. Adding the Danish Language class has been a challenge in the best way. It is the best decision I have made since being here as it is something I will hold onto forever.