Journey's End

"All those who wander are not lost," Elrond tells us.  Matter of fact, I believe those who wander are far more likely to find themselves and their dreams than the people to remain in their own little shires.

Denmark is certainly the Land of Dreams and Fairy Tales--it IS the home of H.C. Andersen. 

Our trip was indeed a special, magical adventure.  From the moment we landed in Copenhagen to our visit to Aarhus to our Saturday departure, we were enchanted by the sights, people, and customs.  Just walking from Central Station to our hotel evoked a world of museums, catherdrales, and famous statues. 


Here are just a VERY FEW observations about Danes:

And did I mention bikes? Bikes, bikes, bikes.  Bikes everywhere.  I think at least half, if not more, ride a bike to work or school.  We discovered while in Aarhus that most bikes cost over $1000.  Don't even ask about the price of car!

The Danes are great at saving space.  No corner, nook, or craney is wasted.   The shower at our hotel WAS the bathroom.  One just pulls the wrap around shower curtain together, turns on the sink facet, twists a lever, and like magic, the bathroom becomes a shower. 

The Danes are all beautiful.   I think I returned with a complex.  Who wouldn't be jealous of tall, slender blonds with perfect smiles?   However, not all Danes are blond; many are brunettes--beautiful brunettes.

The Danes are independent people who teach their children to be independent and self sufficient.  The youth have tons of freedom; however, they realize they have tons of responsibility which keeps them in line.  I didn't see one teacher doing hall duty--the kids were responsible for themselves. 

The Danes have one of the highest tax rates in the world.  I don't think I need to elaborate on this one.

I wish that all the teachers and students at Cuthbertson could experience what we did in Denmark.  I truly believe that traveling, that wandering gives us a different world view.  We don't take our own lives for granted, we don't think that our ideologies and "truths" are the only philosophies, and we are able to let go of so many prejudices. 

I so enjoyed meeting the staff and students of Aarhus Katherdraleskole.  I SO want this program to work.  I don't want to be member of a global school just for the sake of being named a global school.  I want my colleagues and students to experience a life beyond the North Carolina border, to meet new people, to interact with new ideas.

Though our first journey is at an end, our new journey as a sister school is just beginning.  And though it "can be dangerous business walking out" one's front door, where would Bilbo Baggins be if not for the journey?  A hobbit without adventure, without new friends, without a paradise of the Blue Havens.

Students and Teachers

What an absolutely lovely day--inside and outside the school.  The weather was picture perfect with highs in the 60's--bright and sunny.  A perfect day.

Inside the school, I observed a Danish Literature lesson -- students in their second year of high school.  (Remember that Danish Gymnasiums have only three years--ending at age 18 - 20.)   Since this was a literature lesson, most of the class were girls.  Like in America, boys seem to be the majority in science and math, girls in the humanities.

While in class, I observed great cooperative learning groups.  The students had read three short stories the night before--fairy tales from the middle ages.  Today in class, they were placed into six groups.  Each group analyzed a tale--two groups to one tale.   The teacher gave instructions, giving specific questions that should be answered.  After thirty minutes of working in groups, the teacher divide the groups and had members form different groups.  This time each student was to tell the results of the analysis.  After discussing the different interpretations--esp. Freudian interpretation, the class met as a whole to review the results.  Students were so engaged, all members participating.

Yesterday we also observed classes.  I observed a religious studies class and second year music class.  I think my students would be very envious of the Danish students and perhaps a bit scared of the teaching methods.  The students in religious studies sat in a circle to give their presentations on Buddhism.  One young lady spoke for over ten minutes, never consulting notes, never waiving.  She made great eye contact and impressed me immensely.  She knew her material.  Students asked her questions; she knew the answers.  Again students were engaged with the material--listening and discussing, giving opinions in a respectful manner.

The music...what can I say?  The method was fantastic.  The students had been studying the makings of a hit--different motifs and structures always found in hits.   Now, they were putting their knowledge to work by composing their own hit song.  Someone was on drums, base guitar, piano, flute, and violin.   And of course there were singers who composed the words.  I still can't believe how wonderful the music and lyrics sound.

We also met with two student council representatives today--just us and them.   Here was the chance for students to tell us the real story without the teachers.  So, what was the real story?  That Aarhus Katherdraleskole is a great school, and that most of the students choose the school because it has such a wonderful academic reputation.  And we certainly were impressed and saw absolutely nothing to contradict the fact that Aarhus is indeed a great school with high academic success.

We met with one of the largest employers in Denmark, Vesper -- producer of turbine windmills.  It seems that businesses in Denmark make an extraordinary effort to connect and help the local school systems.  They are an international company who promotes globalization in its education, philosophy and workforce.

Tonight is our last night in Aarhus, and we will be eating dinner at a famous local restaurant.  It will be a bittersweet supper, knowing that this is the last meal we will share with our sister school until April.

To conclude this very long letter, let me say that I have found the people in Aarhus:  principals, teachers, students, and citizens some of the most giving and kind people I have ever met.  I have no reservations about sending our American students to Denmark.   I am so looking forward to sharing ideas and lessons with our sister school.

Copenhagen Was Great, But Aarhus Is Wonderful!

We really loved Copenhagen.  One of the best parts was the canal trip where were saw the city from the water--and of course that is the true way to see Copenhagen.

However, Tuesday morning we boarded the train to Aarhus.   What a terrific ride over the ocean.   The waters looked beautiful but cold and uninviting.  I couldn't help but think of the Vikings traveling over the waves a 1000 years ago and what a daunting sight and adventure that must have seemed.   Here we were riding comfortably on a train high above the tempest sea.

What a reception at the train station in Aarhus, Danish flags, smiles, and lots of laughter--I think at all our luggage.  We were met by Dorthe, Janna, and Anders.  We strolled through the city center straight to our sister school.  There were so many new things to see and hear; we couldn't take in all the sights.

At Aarhus Kathedraleskole we were introduced to the principal Lars Shiebel and Vice Principal Arnie Frier .  We had a great and very informative tour of the school from Arne.   It was so interesting hearing about the long and extensive history of the school.  So many different buildings have been built over the years. And of course they are still looking to add property to the school.   Just today Arne visited with members of the city to discuss buying an nearby building.

I will try to update again tonight to post more pictures and to tell about today's adventures.

We Made It

Good Morning from Copenhagen!  We did indeed make it to Denmark--after a five hour layover in New Jersey.  All in all, very much worth the wait.   And plus, we met up with our fellow travelers in New Jersey.  There are four other NC high schools with sister schools who are traveling the same time as we are.

 Mr. Jackson, Ms. Warr, and I found sleep elusive on the plane--probably just too excited about seeing Denmark.   I would like to say that I graded essays and did something constructive;  I read and pretended to sleep.

When we arrived in Denmark, Meredith and Lars from the Center of International Understanding met us at the airport.  After a short train ride to Central Station, we made a short walk to our hotel--all bags in tow.  We were very fortunate to be able to check into our rooms at 9:00 in the morning.

Because it was Sunday, most of the shops were closed in the morning.  We took a short walk around the inner city, visited a flea market, and had a WONDERFUL brunch at a local cafe.

With the free time, some schools chose a train ride to Sweden--yea, Beowulf country, others a nap, and the Cuthbertson group--well after short naps, we took a lovely boat ride around the city canals.  If you ever have a chance to visit Copenhagen, you must take one of the canal rides.  Lovely and informative.

Our evening was spent...at an IRISH pub where we watched Chelsea defeat Arsenal 2-0.   The Danes love their soccer.  After the soccer match, the pub began filling up with believe or not, Pittsburg Steelers fans.  By the time we left the pub, Danes were shouting and clapping for the Steelers.  Rather an interesting sight.

It's Monday morning, and soon we will be off to a day of meetings, learning about the Danish school system.  Even a day of meetings sounds eventful when we consider the topic and well, the location.

This afternoon we have free time.  We can't wait to check out the city some more.

And of course tomorrow we are off to visit our school in Aarhus.

I will upload some pictures soon--however, my memory stick has decided not to fit into my computer at present.  I will borrow some of Ms. Warr's photos to show some of the great sights.

We look forward to sharing even more of our adventures.

Excitement, Stress, and Excitement

I've been awake since 4:30, just couldn't sleep.  The bags are packed, okay, almost packed.  I never follow my own advice.  I have once again overpacked.  :)   I am at the purging stage.

It is hard to believe that in less than 24 hours we will be in Denmark.  I am so excited to meet our Danish friends.  We have lists of fun and educational ideas to share, and  we can't wait to see their ideas about sharing lesson plans.

We will be in Copenhagen until Tuesday morning when we meet the train for Aarhus.  After three exciting days with our sister school we head back to Copenhagen.  Saturday we board the plane home to North Carolina.

I will try my best to post pictures and make new posts while away--sort of the point of the blog!   My friends and family know that technology and I don't always see eye to eye.  I am sure some of my former Parkwood students are laughing about now--they remember the days when I refused to even own a cell phone.  :)

Thanks again to all the folks who helped me gather my lesson plans and promised to collect the middle school kids and didn't complain when I forgot stuff--that last one is for Mrs. Clouse.  :)

Guys, I am looking forward to seeing your comments and sharing loads of pictures and fun adventures.  See you on the workday.

Tammy