On this day one year ago, I embarked on an extraordinary adventure. And I believe, undoubtedly, that the memories of my exchange experience in Copenhagen, Denmark will accompany me for the rest of my life.

Anniversaries never fail to stir up fresh feelings of nostalgia. At this moment, with Medina blaring in the background, I am secretly finding comfort in the fact that I’ve sensed similar sentiments from fellow exchange companions.

I miss building new friendships with an open mind and open heart. Young people from completely different backgrounds came together to learn and have fun, and the spirit shared among all of us was one of incredible of tolerance, curiosity, and generosity.

Copenhagen is a breathtakingly beautiful place, and the Danes, labeled as the ‘happiest people in the world’, have no hesitation in sharing some of their contagious happiness with you. I lived in beer and biking heaven. I would drop everything right now and board the next plane there if I could.

I’ve tried to consolidate my thoughts this past year and this is what I’ve managed thus far: 

1)  Most importantly, I realize that I’ve been observing everything through rose-coloured glasses. Denmark is not utopia, and just like any other ordinary country, it has its fair share of political and societal issues. I checked the news today and found out that Denmark recently became the first Nordic country to slide into a recession; their economy is the worst performing in Scandinavia and the stimulus package is being met with skepticism. 

2)  Establishing friendships with my fellow exchange students was very easy but I find it difficult to continually nurture and maintain those bonds, especially with those living far across the oceans. There’s much to talk about when meeting for the first time but very few things to share that they might find relatable to their normal lives now. Obviously, not all friendships were entirely genuine. I can’t keep in touch with all of them without being insincere. Understand that friends come and go but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young. - Baz Luhrmann

3)  Upon returning to Canada, I slowly began to understand the importance of a sense of belonging in a permanent home country. China used to feel like home but now it merely exists in my mind as a distant place where I grew up. And although my personal standard of living has long adjusted to the Canadian Dollar and culture, I still cannot call this place home (there is only a house). Canada is home to me the same way a business traveller calls an airport ‘home’. The exchange experience is still teaching me that ‘home’ is simply where loved ones are and that I just have to knock. 

4)  I adopted an alter ego when I was abroad; I was more outgoing and carefree. These days, when I get in touch with friends from exchange, I feel disconnected with myself. Maybe they remember me for who I am not? You may notice I am sometimes the quiet type (frankly, anyone who keeps a personal blog is guaranteed to be somewhat introspective). At any rate, I’m thinking that I could have been more honest with myself. But don’t get me wrong, I refuse to lose to you in a Tuborg chugging contest.

5)  Finally, the most valuable things I learnt in Denmark were non-academic. I would describe the experience as more of a ‘culture enlightenment’ rather than a culture shock. As a child, I grew up as a global citizen and I was super excited to ask people innocently and casually about their background, hometown, traditions, customs, norms, favourite foods, favourite hobbies, etc. It’s seriously damn fascinating. And, what’s really amazing: someone halfway across the world can share nearly identical dreams, ambitions, hopes, philosophy, and humour as you do.

If I could do it all over again, here’s what I would do differently: 

1)  Get to know my Danish classmates more, and talk to more Danish girls!

2)  Take the Danish language classes more seriously. 

3)  Rent an apartment room near the city centre instead of campus housing. 

4)  Try some long-distance biking, like from Copenhagen to Aarhus. 

5)  Eat only Danish food as much as possible. 

6)  Bonus: Get my ass to Christiania more often.  

Well, in the meantime, I still have an epic pair of party glasses that I bought from Tiger, my signed and autographed Dannebrog, Wozniacki and FCK on TV, and of course, Carlsberg. 

For my friends from DTU.