inside-nordic-life

[inside-nordic-life]

Sankthans

Hej everyone :)

Yesterday evening I had the last family gathering with my host family and their relatives to celebrate Sankt Hans. It is a traditional Danish midsummer celebration held on June 23rd, marking the summer solstice with bonfires and communal gatherings. A key tradition involves burning a straw witch on the fire to symbolize the banishment of evil spirits. Small kids used to craft witch figures and burned them in the fire, but this tradition is now seen as political incorrect and discriminating against women in some parts of Denmark.

However it was a very nice evening. We ate Hotdogs and had some vine too. Afterwards we went out in the garden. There we gathered around the bonfire and sang the traditional Danish Sankt Hans song Midsommervisen , officially titled "Vi elsker vort land". It was written by Holger Drachmann in 1885 with music composed by P.E. Lange-Müller.

Here the most memorable part of Midsommervisen:

Vi elsker vort land, men ved midsommer mest, når skoven står bryllupsklædt, når himlen er lys, og når natten er lys, som en mild og en kærlig gest.

Afterwards we ate some ice cream. All in all it was a nice evening and a weird feeling, knowing it will be my last family gathering here. But everything in life has a last time. I just never see it coming even while living in those last time moments.

Talk to you soon, maybe :)

Hej Hej

[inside-nordic-life]

Last week working

Hej everyone — or no one, because no one is reading my blog lol. It’s a strange feeling, leaving a place after being there for ten months. I have never lived so far away from home, my friends, and my family. I believe it's only possible to understand if you move out or go abroad yourself. Maybe I will move out for good in a few years from my home in Germany. But this is different. This feeling of leaving — like all the memories have been made, all the places visited, and all the people met. How do you say goodbye to something that, one year ago, was just a hope and a dream you wanted to accomplish? I guess goodbyes are always hard. And I think the harder the goodbye, the better your time was — right?

Leaving is just hard. Packing your things is hard after living in this room for ten months. So what did I do this week? Well, I was working. On Friday, I went to Aarhus. I wandered around the city, taking in its very special vibe and aesthetic while taking pictures during sunset — you can see them below. Then I printed two pictures because I am crafting goodbye cards for my groups. It was so crazy expensive. In Germany, one printed picture from CEWE costs only 27 cents. In Denmark, I paid six euros for only two. Insane, really. It was also a bit of a task finding a place where I could actually print them, since there’s no dm or other stores I know from Germany where you can do that. However, I managed to find a place. I thought this was my last struggle or challenge — one last "being on your own with a problem" moment here.

Afterwards, I headed home and had dinner with my host family. I can really see how much of a routine we have now, and I like it. Maybe because I like routines. Or because routines mean that you’ve been in a place long enough — lived there long enough — to have something you can call your daily life. And that feels almost as comfortable as home.

On Saturday, two volunteer friends came over for a sleepover. We spent the day at the beach, going for swims and enjoying the sun — probably for the last time we’ll meet up here in Denmark. We watched the sunset and ordered pizza to the beach for dinner. Unfortunately, my Rejsebillet app showed the wrong bus times, so we were late for the bus, and I had already bought a ticket. So we walked back — forty minutes — and arrived at my place at half past eleven.

After we all showered the beach off, we slept. The next morning, we had breakfast with my host family, and I said goodbye to one of my volunteer friends. The other one drove up to Djurs Sommerland with me and my host family. Djurs Sommerland was really a lot of fun, apart from some technical issues on the ride. I bought an ice cream, which was crazy expensive, so luckily I had also packed a lunch box.

While we were eating lunch, I heard about Trump bombing Iran. And as I looked around me, everything felt so peaceful and calm — which made it seem even more abstract. I hope I’m wrong and there will be no third world war. But dare I say, it seems this might be the last peaceful summer we have. That makes me even more grateful to know my family and friends are back in Germany, safe and sound.

Maybe when they visit me next week, I’ll write one last blog entry. But for now, I’m going to celebrate Sankt Hans with my host family and their relatives.

Thanks for reading :)

[inside-nordic-life]

Things actually come to an end...

Welcome back. This week was, like most of my weeks right now, pretty full. But let’s start with Tuesday. On Tuesday, I went on a trip with my volunteer friends and our work colleague. She invited us to take a tour around Mols Bjerge, a national park close to us. It was very nice. The park is already 20 years old—a project that has been around for two decades. The Danish government saw the damage caused by agricultural development, which took away space for native flowers as well as for some insects, bees, and horses. Therefore, they founded Mols Bjerge, bringing back the natural plants and leaving this national park area to grow wild again.

They have some horses inside the national park. I was surprised by how quiet it was and yet so loud with all the different birds. Moreover, the national park is being watched and taken care of, so if, for instance, one of the horses gets sick, they can take medical action. It was really interesting because my work colleague knows a lot about the animals and the history behind Mols Bjerge.

We wandered further into the amazing forest. Actually, the author of The Lord of the Rings studied in Aarhus, and many places in his books are inspired by Denmark and the landscape around Mols Bjerge. We sat down in a low area between two hills and had some sandwiches from Gartnergården Djurs Drive and Ebeltoft raspberry lemonade. It was truly magical because one could imagine how Tolkien wandered around here and got inspired to take this beautiful landscape and create a world of fairies, trolls, and hobbits out of it.

The hills we sat next to were originally a place for meetings and gatherings back in the old days. People would meet between them and discuss trade and village issues or topics. All of that I know from my work colleague. You can see how beautiful it was in the pictures below.

Furthermore, after we headed out of the national park, we stopped by Fugsø Strand and Bogens Strand—both really beautiful beaches to go swimming, as you’ll see in the pictures below. Summing it all up, we had a wonderful tour. Oh, before I forget, we passed by Ebeltoft, which offers a good view of August Fischer houses. August Fischer was a very famous Danish designer and architect who aimed to build a whole summer house village in Ebeltoft during the 1920s, which never got finished. I did not take any pictures, but if you Google him, you can see for yourself the beauty of it.

By the way, I went for a first swim. Yup. On Thursday. The water was very cold, but I enjoyed the fresh swim in Nappedam. Nothing is more dreamy to me than coming home from work, packing your bikini and bathing stuff, and heading out with your bike to the beach. It was wonderful. And now I feel almost Danish because I was swimming in 12-degree (cold) waters. I decided to do this again next week, if the weather plays along.

On Friday, I hit the town in Aarhus with my younger work colleagues (21 to 23). We started off by drinking beer and vodka at one work colleague’s apartment, followed up by pizza. We had a lot of good laughs and talks. All in all, vi har hygget os sammen. Afterwards, we took the bus to a karaoke bar, just to see that it was full. However, we decided to move on to another bar where we had more beer. When I went to the toilet, two Danish guys introduced themselves to me. I once again noticed how polite the Danes are. They shook my hand, introduced themselves, and asked me about my hobbies. I wasn’t interested, but once again got to test my Danish skills.

We moved on to the Irish Pub. The thing is, if you are not twenty-one, it is tough to go out in Aarhus as well as in København. Most of the venues are 21+. Yeah, I know. However, in the Irish Pub we drank some Guinness—actually my favorite beer, though apparently I’m the only one who thinks that. The music was okay, but it could have been better with more people on the dance floor.

I went outside with my colleagues who smoke—although I don’t—just to have some fun talks. I ended up speaking to some dude who had his German exam the next day, and he asked me some questions in German to make sure he was ready. That was really funny, actually. Afterwards, another guy asked me what I do to have such clear skin. That was pretty weird, to be honest. He also wanted to get some beauty surgery, and I was like, dude, you are okay, what the hell. He looked just fine to me. I couldn’t see one pimple on his face—NOT ONE. Just so random.

He wanted to get rid of the dark rings under his eyes and was thinking about surgery, but let me tell you—no sight of dark rings and definitely no need for any sort of surgery. So let this be your reminder to not do beauty surgery. From that conversation, I gather most of us are brainwashed by social media and don’t need anything like that at all. Like really—no. Do not do it.

So after that very random Friday night, I slept until 12:00 the next day, since I was out in Aarhus until five in the morning. And when I walked down the street from the bus stop, all was light. And I once again realized—this is Scandinavia. And also the first time that I got home when the sun was already up.

I guess I made the best out of those ten months—more than I thought or expected. But I will miss it. Aarhus, Denmark, the people, and the memories. Everything, I guess.

As I waited for the taxi at the Aarhus train station with my volunteer friends, eating fries and talking about the last months, I realized we were all going to miss it. I also realized this was really over now. Really a chapter I started, and that was eventually going to end. But somehow I never thought it really would. Somehow, like when I was in school, I got so used to this life that it never seemed like it would end soon. Like it would always be Denmark, the kindergarten, and my friends here—forever.

But no. Things come to an end, whether you like it or not. And it hit me how fast time flew by. How fast all of this wonderful time ran through my fingers and slowly became a distant memory I made before moving on to university and job life.

[inside-nordic-life]

Last time moments & three weekends left

Welcome back everyone. It is the month of goodbyes. Meetups for the last time. Going to Aarhus to party or brunch for the last time. And I can feel how I will miss everyone and everything here already. How I will be back in my own hometown next month and wonder what to do with my life. If I learned one thing from this exchange, it is how scary change can be. Because change is like jumping into unknown waters. But what is even scarier than change is to be someone else but having to go back to a place that has not changed at all. That stayed the same. While you were kilometers apart and became someone else. So what do you do? What do I do now?

Well, first of all, do not panic. Panic is your enemy no matter what you do. Never ever panic! And if you managed to not panic, you're gonna focus on the good things. The time you have left. And you will fill that time with all the stuff you wanted to do here. With all the things you like doing wherever you are doing your exchange. Maybe even write a bucket list. For me, that means full weekends. But I like it. Because I know next year all of that won’t be possible anymore.

This Tuesday I was at a party at a Højskole with two friends. That was fun. It started off with a concert from the students which was pretty cool. Afterwards we all helped get the electricity packed up and one guy screamed in the microphone, "In the forest at nine guys! Woooohhhh." And so at nine we all followed the neon lights into the dark forest. We ended up in a very cool built-up party area. A bar, a DJ desk and fairy lights all over the trees as well as a disco ball. All in all, it was my first forest party ever and super cool. Because it was a party from an international Højskole, they played Spanish, Italian, Danish and even German songs. Oh, and yup, I had work the next day. But I made it on time and was fresh for work.

On Saturday evening I met up to make pizza with some friends at the same Højskole and one of them slept over at my place. We spontaneously decided to go out in Aarhus. So we took the bus and had a wonderful night in the G-Bar. The next day I went for brunch, a birthday present from my friend. We brunched in Café Sidewalk in Aarhus. I can really recommend this place. Good food and you have various brunch dishes to put together your preferred brunch. Afterwards I said goodbye, took the bus home and enjoyed my time while reading some books. On Monday, today, I enjoyed a trip to the Rundkirke, one of the eight Rundkirken in all of Denmark and built in the 12th century. It offers good acoustic sound due to its round shape. From time to time, choirs from Aarhus come to practice in the church because the sound is so good.

I ended the long weekend with some pizza with my host family and a family gathering.

It was a nice weekend. Now I have three weekends left in Denmark. I do not know what it will be like. But I do hope I can make the best of my time here as well as enjoy what is left of it. And I am sure those memories I made here will linger in my heart and will remind me of the wonderful time I had here.

See you next weekend. Tak for reading :)

[inside-nordic-life]

One month left..

Now it’s time. The last month in Denmark. Can you believe it? My final month.

But it feels like just yesterday that I said goodbye to my old life in Germany—my friends, my family, everything familiar. Since then, so much has changed. I’ve learned so much. I’ve met incredible people. I’ve discovered how one decision can completely transform your life.

Yes, I know—it’s what everyone says. It’s what people will tell you before you move abroad. But it’s true. Completely true.

So, what do I do with these final days in Aarhus, near the beach?

Well, I’ll keep you updated until the day my feet leave this country. But for now, let me share some recent memories.

My work week was fairly normal. On Friday, I met up with some volunteers at Kalø Højskole to bake waffles. We had such a great time. Sitting in the Højskole kitchen always leads to the most interesting conversations. This time, we spoke with a really lovely girl and had a great talk.

After the waffles, we headed to the school’s movie room—they have a beamer, which is so cool—and we watched one of my favorite childhood films: Rubinrot. We laughed so much and had a wonderful evening.

So, if I can give one piece of advice to new volunteers: always reach out to others. It’s so important to connect. Take a chance. Because if you don’t, no one else will. Hard truth, but real. So send that text. Make that call. Set up the meet-up. Go for it.

As I biked back that night, the fresh wind felt amazing, and I gazed out at the sea beside me. The sound of the waves, the summer air—everything felt so right. So perfect. And I knew I’d remember this forever. I was, and still am, so deeply grateful for the memories I’ve made here. They’ll stay in my heart always.

The next day, I slept in. My host family was away at their summer house, so I did some laundry and baked boller. I enjoy slow weekends like this every now and then—they help me feel grounded and remind me to soak in the moment.

When the sun began to set, I hopped on my bike and rode to the beach. The water was calm and smooth. A few kids were fishing nearby, and it felt like a scene from an Astrid Lindgren book—so peaceful, so idyllic. The sea, the setting sun, the warm light—it was almost romantic. Two of my volunteer friends from the Højskole joined me, and we sat there watching the sky turn red and gold.

These are the moments you just know will become memories. The ones you’ll revisit in your mind again and again.

And today? Well, today is Sunday. I spent it reading while stormy weather tapped on my window with raindrops.

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend. And I’m looking forward to making the most of my last month here.

[inside-nordic-life]

Fødselsdag & the Beach

What a week! Where should I start? This week was my birthday. Therefore, I flew home to Germany. You might wonder why I flew home all the way just for a birthday. Well, before I knew I could stay with my current host family, I was going through a period of uncertainty. It wasn’t nice not knowing where I would stay after December. And the months passed without anyone finding a new host family for me. So, I booked a flight—spontaneously and to have something to look forward to, in case I didn’t end up in a good place or felt lonely in my new home.

However, I ended up staying with my current host family, and I am very grateful. But because I had already booked the flight, I flew back after all to my family. Back in Germany, it was weird. Everything was the same: the streets, the wind, and the smell of my home. But I was not the same anymore. I was a different person. Another girl.

I also met up with my friends. We talked as if no time had passed, and it reminded me how grateful I am that the right people stay, no matter how many kilometers you are apart.

On my birthday, I had breakfast with my family and ate some cake. Moreover, we went for a walk and watched some movies. Finally, we ended the day by making vegetarian burgers together.

On Tuesday, I headed back to Aarhus. Little did I know how terrible that train ride back would be. Long story short: five hours later than scheduled, I arrived at half past two in the middle of the night. Luckily, my host father picked me up. But hell—working the next day killed me.

However, it was a nice weekend in Germany after all.

Back in Denmark, I worked. It was tough to get back on track after that train ride. But apart from that, I had a good week. I studied for my last module test next week and sorted out my camera pictures.

On Saturday, my host family took me on a day trip to Sletterhage Fyr. It was the most beautiful beach I have ever seen in Denmark. Beautiful shades of blue fading into the horizon and blending with the sky. The white lighthouse stands in beautiful contrast to the blue sea. An absolutely breathtaking beach. A must-see!

Moreover, we continued our tour to Ebeltoft. There, we visited the Pust Glasværksted, where you can buy handmade glass art. Furthermore, we enjoyed a pizza at one of the nice restaurants you’ll find in Ebeltoft. Ebeltoft offers two main streets you can enjoy walking up and down—one near the sea and one further up. Apart from ceramics and art, you will find typical tourist shops. All in all, it was a beautiful day.

Back at home, I studied for my language school test and finished the day by preparing some food and salads for the next day.

On Sunday, we had a big family gathering because my host family wanted to celebrate my birthday. I cooked the food while my host father decorated the house with flowers. I made a big pasta and potato salad, and my host father baked a traditional Danish Kagemand. Around half past six, everyone arrived. I was also allowed to invite my volunteer friends. We enjoyed ourselves and had a very pleasant evening.

I got such kind and thoughtful presents. My host parents actually gifted me some cups from Royal Copenhagen. I was so happy. I love Royal Copenhagen, and I will cherish them with all my heart. They will always remind me of my beautiful, wonderful time in Denmark and my lovely host family. We ended the day by eating the cake man. What a great weekend.

I am so grateful for my host family. For my volunteering friends. For everything I’ve got here: the people, the cultural exchange, and a nice home. I will always remember this year of my life, and it will definitely hold a very special place in my heart.

I hope everyone who volunteers will find themselves, like me, in a place they never knew a year ago that now feels like home.

Tak for reading :) Pictures below

[inside-nordic-life]

Turns Out, I Did Change

Hej everyone, It’s been a while. I know, sorry. But volunteering can mean a lot of stuff going on at the same time. And then, just like that, two weeks—or slightly more—have passed.

So, what has been going on in my life? Well, I’ve been in København. Again, ahah. With my sister. She came over to visit me in Rønde. We went down to the beach and Aarhus, and ended the day dining with my host family. Being hospitable runs in my family.

And what does Germany have a lot of that Denmark unfortunately doesn’t? Chocolate! Lindt chocolate especially. So my sister brought a lot of that with her for my host family, which made them very happy. So, note for you guys: if you don’t know what to gift the Danes, just buy German chocolate. A lot of German chocolate.

Anyway, we continued our trip to København the next day. By the way, if you volunteer near Aarhus, it’s always cheaper to take a FlixBus. It takes three hours from Aarhus to København. And always remember the Orange tickets from DB! They’re also great to get around Denmark in general.

So yeah, we took the FlixBus and had a good journey. I’m not sure if it’s a Danish thing, but taking a FlixBus in Denmark is way more safe and chill than in Germany.

But more about the trip. Copenhagen is very expensive. It’ll cost you twice as much as any other trip to a European capital. My sister and I stayed at a hotel near the train station—it just makes sense considering your travel options.

On the first day, we arrived and checked in. Afterwards, we enjoyed the second-hand shops in the city center. I can recommend Kilo Vintage, where you pay based on how much your stuff weighs. We also looked at Keiko. Danish second-hand shops have a lot of branded and high-quality wool clothes. I had to learn the hard way when I washed my two favorite sweaters (that I bought in Aarhus) in the laundry machine. R.I.P.

Later, we strolled around the city and went to Nyhavn. In the following days, we enjoyed typical attractions like Amalienborg Castle, where we watched the guards change. The Glyptotek Museum is also very enjoyable—with flowers and plants in the middle of it. I recommend booking museum tickets online; you often get discounts for students and volunteers.

We also visited Christiansborg Castle (government building), where you can get a free view over the whole city—which was definitely worth it. All the other towers are lower and cost money to climb. So don’t bother—just go to Christiansborg.

I also recommend eating at places like IKEA or using the many Too Good To Go options around Copenhagen. It can be way cheaper and a great way to save money. Because let me tell you: eating in Copenhagen will cost you a fortune!

Don’t miss Rosenborg Castle and the Crown Jewels. Totally worth visiting. It’s quite funny if you pay attention to the noses of the royal family over the years—they all kind of look the same? But in a bad way.

Apart from that, I would recommend renting bikes at least once. Copenhagen is the city of bikes. Separated bike lanes get you around the city safely and in just twenty minutes to pretty much anywhere. It can cost around €30 per day if you don’t take an e-bike.

And if you want more insights, book a tour guide. My sister and I had one with a great sense of Danish humor, and we had a lot of fun.

Summing it all up, we had a lovely time. I definitely recommend Copenhagen in May, when the weather is not too intense and the city is a bit less crowded.

OH—and before any of you asks, yes, I did see the Little Mermaid. And it was a total waste of time. Honestly disappointing. Also very far from the city center, and not much else to do around it.

(Pictures are below, like always…)

But Copenhagen is a great city and always enjoyable. I’ve also been enjoying the good weather and easy-going workdays. I must admit, I sometimes forget how quickly I got used to my work routines. My new life in general.

Volunteering can be an up-and-down journey, but once you find your routines and settle in, you feel like you belong. Like, this is actually working out great.

Even more strange, it felt flying back this weekend for my birthday. Before my exchange, my organization—as well as the people around me—said I was going to change and wouldn’t be the same person when I came back. And honestly, I thought, how much could I change in ten months?

Well, turns out—a lot.

When I landed in Düsseldorf, it felt like time had stopped here. Like my hometown didn’t change at all, but I came back from a place that almost feels like a different time zone. Everything’s the same. The streets, the houses, my family. The food, the supermarkets, the trees in bloom, the clouds in the sky.

It’s only me who is different. Who changed.

And I wonder what it’ll be like to be back for good. To live here again while being a completely different person. While being someone new, someone else.

We’ll see in July, I guess.

But I never expected to really understand what they all meant. To relate to what they said. To really be someone completely different in a place where nothing changed…

[inside-nordic-life]

Easter/Påske

Hej everyone!

I hope you had a great Påske/Easter holiday. For me, it was a very different Easter experience this year. As you guys know, I come from Germany, and Easter is pretty big there. We have a lot of traditions around it. Therefore, I was quite surprised that Easter is not as important in Denmark. Like many times before, I noticed that even though Denmark is so close to Germany, it has many different traditions.

My family and I always celebrate on Easter Sunday. Sunday is Easter, and the rest is just holiday. We start off by going to the midnight church service the day before. It is a wonderful service with an Easter fire outside and just candlelight during the service to light up the church. However, because I stayed in Denmark for this Easter, I did not go to any church service. I have to admit, that felt strange.

Moreover, on Sunday, we usually start with a big Easter breakfast. That includes an Osterzopf — a sweet yeast bread with a sugar coating on top — and hard-boiled, painted Easter eggs. Back when I was still a child, I would go out into the garden with my siblings to look for the Osternest and Easter eggs, which were hidden by the Easter bunny.

But welcome to cultural exchange and a Danish Easter holiday! In Denmark, there is no specific day to celebrate Easter — it’s the whole holiday. You don’t necessarily eat colored eggs or do an Easter nest hunt in the garden. At least my host family didn’t. They said maybe some parents do it, but not them.

But what would Easter be without a nice breakfast, I thought! So, I made a traditional Osterzopf for my host family. They all really liked it. Since my host mother’s brother married a German woman, we luckily had a real Easter celebration on Monday, just like I know it from Germany. We went to their house, and it was decorated with Easter eggs and Easter bunnies. There we ate Osterzopf and eggs. I was so happy — it finally felt like Easter after all.

After lunch, the kids headed out into the garden to make an Osternest out of grass and flowers. They also left some carrots for the Easter bunny. While some of the parents took the kids for a walk, I helped the wife of my host mother’s brother prepare the Easter egg hunt. We put chocolate and eggs into each child’s Osternest and hid them in the garden. When the kids came back, they couldn’t believe how much carrot the Easter bunny had eaten! They were so excited about the chocolate and eggs they found in their nests.

We went back inside, and I joined a few rounds of card games with my host family’s relatives. Then someone said it was time for the grown-ups to search for their Easter nests. Okay, that could be fun, I thought — and all the adults started searching in the garden. After a while, I realized this would not be the easy kid-level Easter hunt I was used to! The grown-ups, like children, started turning over every brick and stone, competitive and eager to be among the first to find their Osternest. It was so much fun to see everyone searching, teasing one another, and jumping for joy when they found their nest.

Summing it all up, this Easter was nothing like usual — but still very nice. I really felt included by my host family, and the family gatherings are starting to feel like well-known occasions where I am just part of it, like everyone else.

This weekend, I cut some flowers for my room from the garden. I also went to the beach and had a movie night with two volunteers. It was so nice. And now that the days are sunny and the skies are blue, I am even more grateful to be here.

Thanks for reading — as always, pictures below.

Hej hej …

[inside-nordic-life]

Fur & Tyskland

Hej everyone, I haven’t written in a while because I’ve been in Germany for my father’s birthday. It was very nice, and I had a great time. As you can see in the pictures below, I made fødselsdagsboller for my father. Everyone enjoyed them, and in case they wanted to bake them too, I’ve included the recipe.

On my way back to Denmark, for the first time since I returned from my Christmas holiday in Germany, I felt like I was coming home. It was a strange realisation that hit me as I looked out the train window at the passing houses and towns. Each one felt familiar, almost well known to me.

When I saw my host mother again the next day, she said, welcome home. Welcome home. These two words seem like nothing and everything at the same time.

My home is in Germany, where my family and friends live. But through my exchange, I’ve learned that home can be a feeling—something you can create in any part of the world if the people around you make you feel safe and welcome. And whenever I look back on my host family, I’ll probably remember that feeling and how grateful I am that they made me feel at home in Denmark.

Anyway, let me tell you about my past two weeks.

This weekend, I went on a day trip to an island called Fur in Denmark. We packed sandwiches and drove three hours to the island, taking a ferry across the water. On the island, we met up with the rest of my host mother’s family and started a walk through nature along Fur’s beautiful coastline. It was absolutely stunning.

I believe that many people have no idea how diverse Denmark’s beaches can be, or how beautiful they truly are. I felt like I was in one of the prettiest places on earth.

After our walk, we had frokost at a restaurant. Since I’m a vegetarian, I had a veggie burger instead of the traditional frokost plate, which included cheese, salad, fish, and meat served with bread. It was a very hygge gathering, apart from the insane food prices in Danish restaurants.

Afterwards, we visited the old stone mines. It was impressive to see the different layers of earth, and I took one stone home with me as a souvenir. Pictures are below, as always.

We continued to a beautiful beach where we stayed for a while. It had high cliffs and lovely shells—I collected a few. If you look closely, you might even find fossils. My host father found three.

Later, we had a little hygge picnic on top of the cliffs. The view was incredible—blue sea as far as the eye could see.

Finally, we explored the small town and its houses and ended the day with dinner at a fish restaurant.

All in all, it was a wonderful day, and I once again fell in love with Denmark’s beautiful seaside.

I highly recommend visiting Fur to anyone who enjoys beaches, cliffs, and a more off-the-beaten-path vacation. If that sounds like your kind of thing, Fur might be the perfect place for you. And during the summer months, the ferry is even free.

What about you? Have you ever been to Fur? Or are you thinking of giving it a try now? Let me know in the comments below.

Tak for reading Julia

[inside-nordic-life]

Højskole & Meeting Volunteers

Hej, Welcome to my blog again!

This week has been a normal workweek. We went on more walks with the children and painted the playhouse on the playground with them. I also went for a lot of runs and enjoyed ending them by the sea, watching the sunsets.

The weather is finally starting to feel like spring and summer—blue skies and sunny days. It makes me so happy! Working outside is even more fun when the weather is good.

I also went to Aarhus for dinner at a plant-based restaurant with some other volunteers. It was nice to talk and have fun together. As a volunteer, I would recommend meeting up with the people you know. Just go out and connect—it can make you happy and help if you feel homesick. Nobody has their usual friends around here, so we are all in the same boat. I really enjoy that part of cultural exchange—meeting new people, making new friends. It’s such a great experience!

The people you meet during arrival training can also become friends you can visit in your area. So if you’re feeling alone at your project, this can really help.

So far, it has been a really nice week.

Oh, I also visited a Højskole near Aarhus. If you don’t know the concept of a Højskole, it’s a school where you pay to live for a year while attending classes that match your talents and interests—like ceramics, art, or sports. A Højskole is a great place to make friends and take a gap year. If you’re from Denmark, you receive some financial support from the state to help cover the school fees. However, as an international student, you have to pay for everything yourself.

We had dinner with the students and sang traditional Danish songs with them. The Højskole offered seventy different subjects to choose from! After dinner, we got a tour of the school. At first, they spoke in English, but eventually, we switched to Danish because our Danish was apparently good enough.

They showed us the "wall of gossip"—a universe of different planets representing relationship statuses. One planet meant you were taken, another meant you were in a relationship with someone from the Højskole, and another meant you were single. I thought it was hilarious!

We also got to see all their crafting rooms for ceramics, art, knitting, drawing, woodworking, and even a sports hall. I loved the whole atmosphere of the Højskole—it felt like a place where you could truly feel at home. They had common rooms like a movie room and another with billiards and table tennis. The girls who gave us the tour even showed us their dorm rooms, which were very cozy with pictures on the walls and fairy lights. Each dorm had a small living room and kitchen, making it feel even more like home.

The visit was organized by Dansk ICYE, and I really appreciate when they offer activities like this. It’s such a great way to experience cultural exchange and get insights into Danish culture. As a volunteer, I highly recommend taking part in the activities offered by Dansk ICYE!

Thank you so much for reading my blog. As always, you’ll find some pictures below!

Venligst, Julia

[inside-nordic-life]

Baking & Work

Hej, Welcome back to my blog! This week has been a bit tough because I was sick. I guess that's because I started in a new group, and there are quite a lot of sick children.

My new group is a nice place. They have different routines because the children are younger. Therefore, I have to get used to that again, but I like structure. It makes the days seem shorter, and I know what I can do.

In the mornings, we start off by giving the children fruit for breakfast. It is important to us that we sit down and eat together. This creates a sense of community and a family-like, homey atmosphere. After breakfast, we start changing their diapers. Then, the older children—mostly two- and three-year-olds—can go play outside. We help them put on their thermals and shoes.

I usually go outside after all the children have fresh diapers and the older ones are already playing. I put on my flyverdragt and head to the playground, where I stay with them, help resolve fights, and play in the sand. Sometimes, we go for a little walk around the kindergarten, where there are grassy fields, an old castle, and a small pond.

Afterwards, we eat lunch with them. When they are done eating, it’s time to get them ready for their nap. We take them inside, change their diapers, and put on their warm sleeping clothes. Then, we place them in a big stroller with a cozy blanket and put them outside to sleep.

You might be wondering—why outside? Well, in Denmark, like in many Scandinavian countries, it’s common for children to nap outdoors. If you visit Aarhus, for instance, you’ll see strollers outside restaurants with babies peacefully sleeping in them. I love how much trust Danish society has in one another. When I go out late at night or leave my phone somewhere, I’m never afraid that something might happen. It’s sad how different this is in Germany; we don’t have that same level of trust in our society.

Once the children are asleep, we mark them as "sleeping" in our work app. After that, I can grab a coffee and take a little break. Every two days, I prepare dough and bake boller for my group. The children love it, and I really enjoy baking at work. It’s nice because they eat more when I make boller than when they have regular bread. This is great because it ensures they get enough calories and carbohydrates.

One of my colleagues took some leftovers home for her son, and he told her they were so tasty and that he loved them. She even asked him if she could tell me about his compliment! My little host sister, who is also in my group, loved my boller and now wants me to make them every weekend at home.

After the children wake up, they eat boller or regular bread with leverpostej, cheese, pølse, or just smør. It can get very messy with the little ones. They love smearing butter and leverpostej all over the table and knocking over their water glasses. So, we always end up with a sticky table. But that’s just fine—they are so cute!

All in all, I had a good week, apart from being sick. I hope you enjoyed my blog! As always, you’ll find some pictures below. Let me know if there’s anything you’d like to learn about Danish culture!

Venligst, Julia

[inside-nordic-life]

New Group & Hygge Weekend

Hej everyone! 

Welcome back to my blog! My first week in the new group has been better than expected. The babies and little children are so cute. When I carry them around in my arms, my heart melts—yes, it really does. My working hours are different, and we have different routines because the children are between one and three years old. In my old group, they were three to four years old. However, I like it. The work rhythm is slow and calm, and I even get a break. I love cuddling them before putting them to sleep and waking them up afterward. And best of all: no meltdowns! No toddler tantrums, and it’s easier to resolve their fights and problems.

This weekend was also very nice. On Friday, I bought and wrapped a present for my host sister’s fifth birthday. Later, I went to a party at a Højskole, which was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed my time with my volunteer friends. On Saturday, we had a big family gathering at my host parents’ house. We had a big brunch, and I enjoyed sourdough bread and eggs. After a walk around the block, we ate Fødselsdagskage and sang a birthday song for my host sister. Later, I went to my room to work on my university applications. For dinner, we had burgers. All in all, it was a lovely Saturday, and it really felt like I was part of my host family.

On Sunday, I went to Aarhus with my volunteer friend Caro. We enjoyed the sunshine and the lively streets, filled with people celebrating the first warm days of spring. We discovered a cute bakery and had cheesecake. The place is called MOR ANA, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves sweet treats. We talked a lot and had so much fun. Later, we had vegan burgers at the restaurant Plantbased—a great spot that’s not too expensive. Since vegan and vegetarian lifestyles aren’t very common in Denmark, I was really happy to finally have a good burger again.

Below, as always, I’ve added some pictures. Thanks for reading! 

Med venlig Hilsen Julia :)

[inside-nordic-life]

Fastelavn & my first Goodbye

Hej guys,

First of all, I’m sorry — it’s been a long time since I posted anything on my blog. Because I was sick and also busy with work and language school, I just couldn’t find the time to write. But now, I’m even more excited to tell you about my stay in Copenhagen and how my work life has been lately.

So, Copenhagen — what a beautiful place! The weather was amazing. I had sunshine and no rain, which was completely different from my December experience in Copenhagen. If you’re planning to visit Copenhagen, I’d definitely recommend going in the warmer months. Denmark can be quite cold, so if you want to enjoy walking around the city, either bring warm clothes or plan your trip for the summer.

That being said, I had a great time. My stay started with a volunteer training from Monday to Thursday. We learned how to start working with our Youth Pass and how we could contribute to our projects. We also discussed how our daily tasks offer personal growth and learning opportunities. Overall, it was nice to catch up with the other volunteers, and I really enjoyed learning more about the impact of our volunteering work.

After Thursday, it was time for me and my volunteer friends to explore Copenhagen on our own. We booked three more nights at the same hostel we stayed in for the training. On the first day, we wandered around the streets of Copenhagen, especially Nyhavn and the nearby shops. For dinner, we went to a restaurant called Tommi’s Burger Joint, which I had found on Instagram. It was one of the few places in Denmark that offered vegan burgers.

I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned this before, but Danish food culture relies heavily on animal products, especially meat. Being vegetarian in Denmark as a German honestly feels like being vegetarian in the 1960s. Apart from overpriced supermarkets with very limited vegan alternatives, you mostly have to rely on vegetables to survive. They also have a sugar tax, which makes a bag of chips cheaper and more affordable than a chocolate bar. Makes sense, right?

Anyway — on the second day, we went for brunch at Wulff & Konstali. They have several restaurants in Copenhagen and serve a really good brunch. You get to choose five or seven items from a menu, ranging from eggs and croissants to some highly recommended porridge options. Again, if you eat meat, you’ll have even more choices, like bacon or savory tarts. I chose the five-item option and couldn’t even finish everything. After that breakfast, I was so full — I have no idea how anyone could manage to eat seven items. Including a big hot chocolate, it cost me 27 euros, which is surprisingly cheap for Copenhagen.

After brunch, we spent some time at Rosenborg Castle. I can highly recommend visiting it to see the Danish Crown Jewels — they are absolutely stunning. You can also learn a lot about the royal family’s history and the castle’s architecture, which spans from the Renaissance to the early 19th century. Later that evening, we went to a karaoke bar, which was so much fun. For dinner, we got rice bowls via Too Good To Go, which I highly recommend for cheaper dinner options since Copenhagen is very expensive.

On our final day, we visited The Little Mermaid and checked out some second-hand shops, which was a perfect way to wrap up our trip. On the way back to my host family in Aarhus, I was hit by a weird sense of "coming home" for the first time — even though my stay with my host family will officially end in June.

As usual, you’ll find some pictures from my Copenhagen trip below.

There’s also going to be a bit of a change at my workplace. Until now, I’ve been working with children aged 3 to 4. Now, I’ll be switching to a new group with children aged 1 to 2 — still at the same kindergarten. At first, this change was tough to accept. Not because I dislike small children or my new group, but because my old group was so wonderful. I got along really well with my colleagues, and the kids were adorable. That group also felt like a safe space for me — it’s where I started my volunteering journey.

I learned my first Danish words from those kids. I slowly memorized all their names. I got used to the daily work routine. In short, I learned everything from scratch in that group, so saying goodbye feels strange. My last day was Friday, February 28th — Fastelavn.

All the children were dressed up, and I was surrounded by little princesses, pirates, ice creams, and superheroes. I made boller for my group that day, and we spent the day doing traditional Fastelavn activities. First, we got all the kids into their flyverdragt (snowsuits) and then tried to fit their costumes over them, which was quite a challenge — but we managed.

Outside, the children played and had so much fun. After madpakke (lunch) at around 10, we started the beating the cat out of the barrel tradition. A brightly painted wooden barrel is hung up, and back in the Middle Ages, there was actually a live cat inside, which people had to knock out. Today, thankfully, the barrel is filled with candy. The children lined up, and each child got one turn to hit the barrel with a wooden stick. The winner — the one who knocks the "cat" (or candy) out — is crowned king or queen.

The kids had so much fun, and it was a great way for them to burn off some energy. Eventually, one boy managed to break the barrel, and everyone got to enjoy the sweets. There are some pictures below.

Later, for Eftermiddagsmad (afternoon snack), we ate my homemade boller with salted butter. Everyone said they were really good. And as we sat there, I realized it was almost 2 o’clock — almost time for me to leave — and it hit me that this was the last time I’d ever sit and eat with this group, with my colleagues.

When I said goodbye and wished them a nice weekend, I felt this weird sense of realization. Time was flying by. I was right in the middle of it. My exchange year had always felt like it would last forever, and winter felt like it dragged on for an entire year. But now, spring is coming, and I’m not 17 anymore. And in March, there will only be four months left in Denmark.

I felt sad and overwhelmed by the bittersweetness of this first real goodbye. Even though I’m only switching groups, it feels like time is slipping through my fingers. It feels like just yesterday I couldn’t speak a single word of Danish. Just yesterday I had no idea what the kids were asking me for. And just yesterday, I met my amazing host family only two hours after saying goodbye to my own family.

My dad also worked abroad for a while, and before I left for Denmark, he wrote me a letter. In it, he told me to take it all in — every moment — as much as I possibly could. And this Friday was the first time I truly realized how much I want to do exactly that. Take it all in. Because now, I can literally see time rushing past me, right before my eyes — like a terrifying introduction to adulthood. Like a reminder that I’m not 17 anymore…

[inside-nordic-life]

Boller, Work & Blue Skies

Hej,

This week, I worked and enjoyed spending time outside. The weather was beautiful—no rain or snow, just blue skies and January sunshine.

With my host family, I made one of my favorite meals: rice paper rolls with vegetables. They were absolutely delicious, and I even took some to work the next day.

A big change is coming—I’ll be switching to a new group at my kindergarten. I'll be moving from my current group, the Wolves, to the Snails, where the little ones are just one to two years old. I’m sad to leave my group because I really like my colleagues and the kids. But I know I have to take things as they come, and I’m sure I’ll enjoy working with the new group too.

Aside from that, I spent a lot of time at the beach. Walking by the water makes me happy and calm, and the weather is getting better every day.

Oh, and I also baked a cake for my host sisters—a rainbow cake, a colorful chocolate dream for kids!

Yesterday, after work, I made breakfast boller for the first time for my host family. Luckily, they turned out really well, even though it was my first attempt. They were delicious, and everyone loved them!

But today, I’m feeling sick, so I might just rest, read a little, and start packing my bag for Copenhagen next week.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Hej Hej :)

[inside-nordic-life]

Den Gule Cafe & my week

Hej, I hope you all have a nice Sunday. This week has been pretty normal. I worked as usual and attended my language school lessons and studied for my first module test. On Saturday, I met up with another volunteer to go for a coffee. It was very nice. We visited “Den Gule Café” in Aarhus. I can really recommend this place. The staff were kind, and my banana bread was very delicious. However, I look forward to the next months. The days are getting lighter, and the skies are blue again. I believe the spring will be wonderful, and I will enjoy the beach at the weekends a bit more.

I am sorry, but I have nothing more to tell. This week was unspectacular. But you can look forward to my trip to København and Berlin in February, which will definitely bring more interesting things to talk about.

Enjoy your weekend. Hej hej :)

[inside-nordic-life]

Back in Denmark

After a two-week winter break in Germany, I’ve settled back into life in Denmark. The cold in the kindergarten bothers me less and less. I’m wearing fewer sweaters than I did in winter or October. Last week, we slaughtered pheasants in the kindergarten with the help of the children. I must admit that this sight still surprises me. Below, you can see for yourself – I’ve attached pictures. Anyway, the birds hung under the kindergarten porch for three days over the weekend and were processed outside on a table on Monday. Something like that would be unthinkable in Germany, but here, it’s part of life. The pheasants were served to the groups as "After Middags Mad" (afternoon meal). I had pheasant stew with mushrooms, which was eaten with tartelettes.

The past weeks have been so stormy that the roof of our shelter blew away. Since then, we’ve only been outside in good weather. But luckily, we’re back to going into the forest every day now. Inside, it’s loud, and many children need space to burn off energy. That space is limited in the forest kindergarten, so we prefer to stay outside all day.

Many people can’t imagine this. “What if you need to use the toilet?” or “Don’t the children or you get cold?” Well, for the kids, we dig a hole and put a potty on top of it. I usually use the bathroom in the kindergarten before we head out. If absolutely necessary, you have to find a spot in the woods. Not great, but in return, you’re out and moving all day.

Over the weekend, I went with my host family to Den Gamle By, an open-air museum in Aarhus where you can explore an old town. You can enter the houses and see how people lived from 1950 all the way back to 1670. There’s also a café from the 1920s where you can buy delicious boller (buns) or other sweet treats. I’ve included pictures of this too.

We also celebrated my host mother’s birthday, and I spent a lot of time at the beach. The weather is really beautiful at the moment.

Overall, it was a nice weekend. I’ve settled back into life in Denmark well. I was a bit nervous beforehand, thinking, “Oh no, maybe I’ll forget the language or something.” But I haven’t!

Thanks for reading & have a great rest of your weekend! :)

[inside-nordic-life]

Back in Denmark

After a two-week winter break in Germany, I’ve settled back into life in Denmark. The cold in the kindergarten bothers me less and less. I’m wearing fewer sweaters than I did in winter or October. Last week, we slaughtered pheasants in the kindergarten with the help of the children. I must admit that this sight still surprises me. Below, you can see for yourself – I’ve attached pictures. Anyway, the birds hung under the kindergarten porch for three days over the weekend and were processed outside on a table on Monday. Something like that would be unthinkable in Germany, but here, it’s part of life. The pheasants were served to the groups as "After Middags Mad" (afternoon meal). I had pheasant stew with mushrooms, which was eaten with tartelettes.

The past weeks have been so stormy that the roof of our shelter blew away. Since then, we’ve only been outside in good weather. But luckily, we’re back to going into the forest every day now. Inside, it’s loud, and many children need space to burn off energy. That space is limited in the forest kindergarten, so we prefer to stay outside all day.

Many people can’t imagine this. “What if you need to use the toilet?” or “Don’t the children or you get cold?” Well, for the kids, we dig a hole and put a potty on top of it. I usually use the bathroom in the kindergarten before we head out. If absolutely necessary, you have to find a spot in the woods. Not great, but in return, you’re out and moving all day.

Over the weekend, I went with my host family to Den Gamle By, an open-air museum in Aarhus where you can explore an old town. You can enter the houses and see how people lived from 1950 all the way back to 1670. There’s also a café from the 1920s where you can buy delicious boller (buns) or other sweet treats. I’ve included pictures of this too.

Overall, it was a nice weekend. I’ve settled back into life in Denmark well. I was a bit nervous beforehand, thinking, “Oh no, maybe I’ll forget the language or something.” But I haven’t!

Thanks for reading & have a great rest of your weekend! :)