Maura H. Emery's Photographs from Denmark (photographs)
Date
2014-05-132014-02-25
Author
Emery, Maura H.
Subject
Study Abroad Photo Exhibits
Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS)
WLU Winter Term
WLU Spring Term
Denmark -- Copenhagen
Metadata
Show full item recordDescription
These photographs were taken by Maura H. Emery during Winter Term and Spring Term of 2014 in Copenhagen. These photographs were part of the Study Abroad Photo Exhibit on October 14, 2014. Maura H. Emery is a member of the class of 2015 of Washington and Lee University. Student statement about their experience: "To me, study abroad was an amazing opportunity to travel, see new places, and learn about other cultures. I had a wonderful host family in Denmark, who were very welcoming and fun to be around. I learned a lot not only about my hosts, but also about myself during my time abroad. My host family was a wonderful resource when I wasn't sure about cultural differences, and they were just as eager to learn about me as I was to learn about them. They were also there to laugh at me the first time I attempted to ride my bike, when I realized I had forgotten how to ride a bike in the years since I first learned. I, in turn, was lucky enough to be there when my host mother's first grandchild was born.
I was able to learn about myself as I traveled to England, Italy, France, Austria, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. I became confident in my ability to navigate new cities, and to find my way in countries where I did not speak the language. I got to visit many of the major businesses in London's financial district with a business class, and during a bike tour of the city I nearly ran into the former President, Bill Clinton. I also had the opportunity to visit Vienna with a classical music class, and to attend the Vienna State Opera with tickets for front row box seats. I saw the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Vatican, the Colosseum, and many other famous sites. Some of my favorite memories though, are of walking down small side streets and having coffee at hidden local cafes, exploring the tiny town I lived in, and frequenting my favorite cafe in Copenhagen to study. Another highlight was the sailing trip I did for a weekend off the coast of Denmark, especially when we went to shore on an island and found a group of Danish boy scouts, who thought we were real pirates.
After the term ended, I spent some time traveling, and I ended my time in Europe by doing the Outing Club's bike trip across Slovenia with my dad. There were a few families on this trip and it was very cool to get to go with my dad because I know it is something we will both remember for a long time. Throughout my time abroad I constantly tried to challenge myself and to do new things. It was the best decision I made since coming to college.
"
I had unbelievable experiences while I was in Europe and I would highly recommend studying abroad -- in Copenhagen, or anywhere -- to anyone who is considering it. Traveling thousands of miles may seem scary to many students, but I would encourage them to go anyway. There were days where I was homesick, but I would only have to stop and look around to realize that I was in the middle of what will be one of the most memorable and exciting times of my life. My time in Denmark passed far too quickly, and there are many days that I spend time trying to figure out how and when I can go back, which I will certainly do in the future. I see studying abroad as the first chapter in what I hope will be a very long story of my journeys."