Time for some unsolicited advice!
This past week in my Positive Psychology class, we had a discussion on the impact of social media on well-being. You'd be hard-pressed to find someone in the modern era who is completely disconnected from the world of online interactions - Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Linkedin, Tumblr, Pinterest...the list goes on. Especially for study abroad students, the use of social media is a key way of staying in contact with friends and family across the ocean, sharing photos and thoughts about your travels, and creating a network of friends from all over the world. During this discussion, I noticed that oftentimes, the topic of social media leads to intense criticism and skepticism of its role and impact in the modern world; those points are valid - social media has been shown in many studies to increase feelings of loneliness, jealousy, and feelings of failure. However, it's also important to consider the benefits social media can offer.In many places around the world, it is clear that the internet is a core element of how our world functions. It connects people on various platforms, enables easy access to a wealth of information, offers creative outlets, and offers various tools for navigating the world - linguistically, financially, and physically - which can all help students abroad to make the most out of their experiences.
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Can my mom chaperone?!
I remember when I was younger, I loved Field Trips. Unfortunately, they got less and less common as I aged out of elementary school, and the days of permission slips, chaperones, and rowdy bus rides with 25 screaming 8 year olds were no more - UNTIL I came to DIS. No, I have not reverted back to age 8, nor do my classmates' parents follow us around everywhere, and I have not needed to get a permission slip signed. But I have gotten a chance to explore the city areas on class trips almost every Wednesday since arriving in Copenhagen. This past week, I traveled outside of Copenhagen to visit western Denmark.
It was core course week, which refers to five days during the beginning of the semester when classes are cancelled and students are able to spend a full week dedicated to studying their core topic in an immersive, real world context. My core course is Positive Psychology, which meant all the field studies and activities my class did were dedicated to considering well-being and happiness in all areas of life. In a nutshell, this week consisted of tons of free food, dancing through a rainbow, and becoming best friends with baby cows. How could you not be happy with a schedule like that?! In addition to all the fun, this week offered a really cool opportunity to consider all the areas of life that impact a person's well-being. Ranging from interactions with the built environment to autonomy in the Danish school system, we got to explore the psychological impact of various elements of our lifestyles. We're not in Copenhagen anymore...This past weekend, I took my first trip outside of Denmark since my arrival - to Berlin, Germany! Many people know Berlin as the home of the infamous Berlin Wall, copious amounts of graffiti, and giant steins of beer. While these are all very prominent elements of the city that I did get to experience, my stay was defined more by Schnitzel, foggy views, and the best meal of my entire earthly existence...interspersed with intense frustration that nobody seems to accept a credit card. As a confused American who has been spoiled rotten by the incredible livability of Copenhagen, there were a few key differences that I wish I had known about beforehand.
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Hi Everyone!I'm Lydia, a 21 year old college student studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark for the spring 2017 semester. I'm excited to spend the next few months adventuring around Europe, and it'll all be documented here! Feel free to look around. Archives
June 2017
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