Week 7 & 8: Soaking up my time in Copenhagen & Noah's Birthday

rachelakemiko
Jun 17
2 min read

Updated: Jun 25

As I reach the halfway point of my exchange, I've found myself slowing down and becoming more intentional with how I spend my time. At the start of the exchange, I had plans to hop from country to country every weekend. But lately, I've realized how rare and special it is to actually live in another country-- not just pass through it.

It feels like a blessing to have this chance, even if it is temporary, to call Copenhagen my home. There is something grounding about getting to know a neighborhood, cafe, or recognizing familiar faces when strolling the streets, and understanding local perspectives-- things that only come from staying put for a while.

Then there are the sunny days. Where everyone is in shorts and tank tops, the streets and parks are filled with people, laughing fills the air, and the whole city feels alive. One of the Danish students in my class, made a point how Scandinavia experiences seasonal depression. Most of the year is cold and rainy, there are a few days out of the year where it is sunny. To them, it feels almost sacred. Whether it's biking along the lakes, lounging at Rosenborg's Castle, or simply sitting by the canal with a matcha, I've come to appreciate these moments. Being from Hawaii, where it is summer all year round, I learned to appreciate the sun even though I actually enjoyed the cold rainy days-- it felt hygge.

So for now, I'm staying. I plan on soaking in every cobblestone street, even if they make me trip, every glowing sunset, and every surprise pocket of sunshine. Because to me, this isn't just a trip. It is a chapter of my life that I'll never get to rewrite.