Oprah

So, many of you know I love Oprah and I used to Tivo her everyday in the US. When I learned she was coming to Copenhagen to lobby for the Olympics in Chicago, and would be taping an episode here, I was excited! There was little information released to us - I didn't understand if she would be sitting down with a studio audience, or just taping little segments (which is what she did). On her website, you could write a letter to try to be on the show.

The question specifically related to Copenhagen, and why people loved that city so much. I of course spun it towards the city I live in, Aarhus. Also, it was unclear if she wanted Americans living in Denmark, or if she wanted Danes. Well, I never got a call :( But she apparently wanted Danes.

Here was my 'application' to be chosen for the show. It was actually very fun and reflective for me to write:

Copenhagen is to Aarhus as New York City is to Los Angeles. It is the East versus the West. It is a friendly, national rivalry. I am not going to tell you why I love Copenhagen, but more specifically, why I love Denmark and the Danes. And my story is unique in the fact that I am not an expat who has been living in Denmark for 10 years. I am not an exchange student only in Denmark for 6 months. I am a full-degree student, who quit her corporate job in the US to follow her dream of living and travelling in Europe, and her dream of higher education. I am a woman who has had to leave everything familiar, and attempt to assimilate into a completely unfamiliar culture. I see my world and THE world through completely different eyes now. Everyday there is a new revelation.

I have always dreamt of seeing an Oprah show live - and have tried in the US to no avail. What better opportunity than to be and American, living in Denmark, with the opportunity to watch one of her American idols, live, while in Denmark?

I am an American from the Midwest, living in Denmark. While I do not live in Copenhagen, I live in a little-known gem named Aarhus - the second largest city in the country, located on the Jutland peninsula (only 3.5 hours away from Copenhagen). I am receiving my Master's degree in business at a school called the Aarhus School of Business.

I knew NOTHING about Denmark before agreeing to move here (I was VERY fortunate, and received a scholarship and a living stipend to attend this university, since education is so expensive in the US). Right before I left the US last year, my Granny and mom saw the segment aired on 60 Minutes about Denmark being the 'Happiest Place on Earth' - and I watched it as well. I knew NO ONE before hopping on a plane to move here, and had only traveled to Europe one time previously. And let me tell you, I went through EVERY stage of culture shock upon arrival, and within the first months of living here.

Denmark is a strange world compared to the US. The first week, I cried everyday. The first two months were extrememly tough. I did not understand how a country that was supposed to be the 'Happiest Place on Earth' could be so unorganized and so overwhelming. I am typically a strong person, but this transition was extremely taxing on me mentally and emotionally.

After a few months, I managed to integrate into the society. I found at job (at the Aarhus School of Business Career Centre, as the international student aid). I joined the ASB soccer team. I now have a strong group of Danish friends - and it definitely helps that Danes love Americans.

Interestingly enough, because of my position at the ASB Career Centre, I have become a sort of 'poster child' for international students in the Aarhus region. I am currently working on an EU- and mid-Jutland funded internationalization project, to keep international students in the region after graduation. Because of this position, I have the ability to put on workshops and seminars for international students. One of my favorite events is one called 'Job Hunting in DK.' This is a full-day crash course into Danish culture, where I try to relay the message that it is okay to hold onto your own personal culture, but to try to embrace the Danish culture as well. During this event, I actually show the 60 Minutes video clip about the 'Happy Danes', and the discussion afterwards is always very exciting. It never gets old for me.

Nothing in Denmark is the same in the US - even the grocery stores (a year later) are so foreign and bizarre to me. At the beginning of my journey, I thought this was so weird and I did not like it. Now a year later, I still think it is weird, but okay. I am embracing the differences between Denmark and the US.

Things I love about Denmark? I love the architecture. I love the design and style. I love the windows in the houses and apartments. I love that girls are natural here, not often wearing heels, nor a lot of makeup, and with their hair in a ponytail. I love the Danish emphasis on family - and it makes me (sadly) realize that my life in America is lacking in this department. I love the concept of 'hygge' - I love that Danes don't go out to eat, but instead, invite their friends and family into their homes for good food, good wine, dimmed lights and candles. I have never experienced anything like this before I moved to Denmark - as Americans, we meet up with our friends and family out at restaurants. And know that a Danish meal will never last fewer than 3 hours! It is definitely a production. I love the workplace culture. With my former employer in the US, I was simply a number. It didn't matter who I was or what I did, as long as I produced results. They didn't want me to take a lunchbreak, had 2 weeks of vacation a year, worked 9-6, and would be in trouble if I left 30 minutes early. I could not believe the workplace culture of the Danes when I first began to experience it! They work 37 hour work weeks, have 5-7 weeks of vacation a year, can leave early (without question) if they have a tennis match or need to pick up their kids. They have a YEAR of maternity leave, and an allotted amount of paternity leave on top of that as well. I love the way the Danes value their relationships. Although they can be very protective and closed off, once you break through that wall, they can be the most loving, friendly people. And the idea that family and friends come first is amazing. I think as Americans, we are constantly on the go, and don't slow down and take time to enjoy each other's company like I have experienced through Danish culture and my friends here. I also love the seemingly slower pace of life here, which is a bit more relaxed than in America, where I feel like we are constantly on the go.

These are all values that, no matter where I decide to live in the world, I will always take with me.

The 'American Dream' is to be the best, have the fastest car, the biggest house, and the most expensive clothes. The 'Danish Dream' is to not be the best (check out something called the 'Jante Law', whose first rule is 'Don't think that YOU are special'). Free health care for all relieves a lot of stress, as does the free education/living stipend for all Danish students. There is monetary help for student-housing, for childcare, for elderly-care, and much more. And while this is combated with extremely high taxes, I do not think that any American living in this society will begin to second-guess the way our systems work back home. There is no real class system - you can make a lot of money as a bartender, or someone working at 7-11. There is no jealousy, in that you can not tell the rich from the poor.

Everyday I learn something new about the Danes, and I share something new to them about myself and my culture to them. It has been an eye-opening and enlightening experience for both sides. I am their little 'American project' that they jokingly say, they are trying to convert into the Danish way of life. I am proud to say that I am, and always will be, an American. But I will always carry a piece of Denmark with me.

Denmark can be so quaint, so simple, and even more serene. It is a nice change of pace from the hustle and bustle of my city back home, as well as my former career. By living in this society, I have had the opportunity to provide myself with time to find clarity - which can be so hard to find time do so in the US.

This tiny country with only 5.5 million inhabitants has stolen a piece of my heart. I will be finished with my Master's degree next June, but don't know if I will be heading home right away. I don't know if I am done with this experience yet. I miss my family and friends terribly, but have made some amazing Danish friends - and their friendships are very different than my friendships back home.

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So sadly, even though I wasn't chosen, it was still exciting for me to watch the clip from Oprah's show. She devoted 16 minutes to Denmark - and while real Danes so what she portrayed isn't real Denmark...it is pretty close!

Enjoy, if you wish!

Part 1
Part 2