Lillian Chang
Like many Canfield BHP students, Lillian Chang is used to the Texas summer heat. But for just over five weeks in June and July, Lillian received a brief reprieve from triple digit temperatures in the form of a study abroad program in Copenhagen, Denmark, with 30 of her Canfield BHPeers. While abroad, Lillian explored Copenhagen on walks and bike rides, visited historical landmarks with friends, and gained deeper insights into the cultural differences between the United States and Denmark.
Read on to learn more about Lillian’s study abroad experience in Copenhagen!
1.) Why did you decide to study abroad in Copenhagen with your Canfield BHP peers?
I decided to study abroad in Copenhagen because I wanted to explore a new city and see what one possibility of life outside the U.S. is like. As a born-and-raised Texan, I grew up in a singular culture. The idea of leaving the country for more than a month was intimidating, but I decided to go and be open to a new experience.
2.) What did a typical day in Copenhagen look like for you?
A typical day in Copenhagen started with feeling like I was late because the sun was already glaring through the windows at 7 A.M. However, I enjoyed the long days, and it felt like you could fit a thousand activities into each day. Each day was different, but here is a rough outline of what a lot of days entailed:
- Morning run – These were so peaceful, and I got to experience the quiet city before everybody woke up and started their day
- Breakfast – I am now a master at fried eggs
- School – We took a management class and an international business class for 4-8 hours per day
- Lunch – One of my favorite places was Fresh Bagel, and, hence the name, they had AMAZING fresh bagel sandwiches
- Explore – Copenhagen has a lot of great attractions, and Google’s suggestions also came in handy when I was looking for somewhere to go
3.) What was the biggest difference between your life in Denmark and your life in the U.S.?
In terms of lifestyle, I enjoyed that Denmark has a large biking and walking infrastructure. Biking took some getting used to, but it was usually faster to get somewhere on a bike than a train, bus, or car. The difference that I noticed the most was the norms of Danish culture in contrast to American culture. For example, anywhere we went, we were always the loudest ones. In America, I guess people are used to shouting over one another because every time there was a pause in our conversation, the volume level went down by about 200%. Also, I heard that the Danish people are trusting, but I did not fully believe it until I saw for myself that people will leave their strollers with babies outside while they run quick errands.
4.) What was your favorite part of your study abroad experience?
As I am currently taking shelter in the A.C. because of triple-digit Texas temperatures, the first thing that comes to mind is the weather. Copenhagen was always in the high 60 to low 70-degree range, and that is the aspect that I am currently missing the most. Aside from being able to go outside and not immediately breaking out into a sweat, I miss the feeling of exploring the unknown. Every corner I turned in Copenhagen held something new, whether it was a small boutique, a vibey café, or a huge palace. Towards the end of the trip, I thought I got to know the city well, but even then, I would go for a walk and notice a new building that I had not seen before.
5.) What was the biggest lesson you learned from studying abroad?
I learned that it is important to make the most of what you have in the present moment. Before I went to Europe, I was bouncing off the walls excited to live my European life. When I got to Denmark, I was still excited, but I also missed my family and friends and some of the places I used to go to all the time. After I got to the U.S., I found myself missing spontaneous walks around Copenhagen and the apartment that we lived in. Spending time longing for the past takes away from the joy in the present, and since being back home, I have put more effort into spending time with the people around me and appreciating the smaller blessings I have been given.
6.) How do you think your study abroad experience ties into your future goals?
My study abroad experience helped me realize that not everybody is coming from the same place and one decision that I think is a no-brainer could be a no-brainer in the complete opposite direction for someone else. In our management class, we learned about psychological safety (not having to worry about judgment if you say something incorrect), and I think this concept is important to foster, especially because the “right thing” is not the same for everyone. The workplace facilitates the coming together of people from many different backgrounds. I will need to seek to understand others’ perspectives and vice versa in order to work together effectively.