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LAST DAY - FRIDAY JUNE 7

Finally the day to go home!

The journey to the airport was challenging, to say the least, especially with a 50-pound suitcase. Our dorm had no elevator, and we were on the third floor. Navigating the cobblestone roads to reach the metro was a struggle; I lost count of how many times I dropped my luggage and added bruises to my shins. When we finally reached the metro, there were even more stairs. It was pretty embarrassing trying to haul the suitcase down the steps with all those eyes staring at us.

On the metro, we almost got ticketed. When we saw the lady checking tickets we hurried to the back of the metro and got off at the next stop. We then just waited for the next train. Got pretty lucky.

13 hours later, I'm finally home. Getting to see my boyfriend and family just made me realize how grateful I am for them.

Thank you Michelle and Travis for this wonderful trip <3

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DAY 17 - THURSDAY JUNE 6

Today, we visited the Danish Architecture Museum, and it was an incredible experience, especially with the immersive rooms. I even tried the slide, which unfortunately left me with a huge bruise on my left knee. Although I wished the museum were larger, I did manage to collect a lot of great souvenirs.

We also returned our bikes ):

Afterward, I finished packing my things in preparation for the semi-early flight tomorrow morning. I'm ready to head home.

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DAY 16 - WEDNESDAY JUNE 5

Today we went to see fishies! I think I really love stingrays—they're so cute and soft. We visited the National Aquarium of Denmark. It was a bit small and crowded, but it was still cool to see. They had many interactive options where we could touch the aquatic life, which was probably my favorite part.

I do feel bad for having sushi yesterday..

After the aquarium we head back a took a well needed nap. I can't believe we have one more day, I'm super excited to come home (,:

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DAY 15 - TUESDAY JUNE 4

Today was quite eventful. We started with a workshop at Playtype, and I must say it was really fun! We got to make our own fonts and create abstract shapes that represent different emotions. It was fascinating to see how different shapes and typefaces convey unique stories each time. Here are some things I learned from them:

[To create something - it has value, it communicates a story]

[You will never be able to reach perfection]

[You will always be able to make it better]

After the workshop, we took a quick ride to see the trolls and CopenHill. It was fascinating to see people skiing on grass atop an energy plant, and the view was amazing. I finally went to the beach! It was nice, though a bit chilly—I don't think I'm really a beach person, but it was still cool to see. We then headed back, grabbed some dinner, and enjoyed the rest of our night in.

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DAY 14 - MONDAY JUNE 3

Today was a free day! All I did was shop... that's it. :p

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DAY 13 - SUNDAY JUNE 2

Today was a very chill day for me. I visited the Louisiana Museum, and it was fascinating to see modern artwork, especially after touring so many museums featuring older pieces. I especially loved Yayoi Kusama and learning about her journey into the art world. After the museum, I headed back and caught up on some work.

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DAY 12 - SATURDAY JUNE 1

Today we took a short train ride to Roskilde to visit the Viking Ship Museum, where we rowed a Viking ship! It was super interesting but also a bit scary. I couldn't help but imagine Vikings out in the open ocean, with no land in sight, the sun blazing down on them, and not really knowing where they were going. I realized I might be afraid of the ocean—it made me very anxious at times. Despite that, it was a cool experience overall.

We then just headed back using the train, but we got lost ): We kept taking the wrong trains back. A 30 minute train ride turned into a hour and a half adventure. However, we made it and played Roblox for the rest of the night.

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DAY 11 - FRIDAY MAY 31

Today we took a train to Helsingor to see the Kronborg castle and the M/S Maritime Museum. We headed off to the museum first and got to see a bunch of cool little boats in a bottle. Reminds me of Spongebob. We then set off the see the castle and got to see a more toned down version than the Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerod. It was still very cool to see, especially see how these people lived back then. The history behind both of these amazed me.

Days are getting a little longer as I am starting to get a bit more tired during this trip. So we could either take a ferry to Sweden or head back. I decided to head back and recharge for the next day.

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DAY 10 - THURSDAY MAY 30

Today was a pretty eventful day. We started with a morning workshop with Michelle and Travis, learning about behavioral design. After that, we visited Krukow, a firm specializing in behavioral design. Some interesting pieces of information that I learned about our brain is:

[Our brain can't multitask, but can jump really quickly]

[Our brain is 90% subconscious and 10% conscious - we want to change our behavior to the subconscious side]

[Our brain is wired to just make a few decisions - or else there is a term called information overload]

[There are 3 kinds of triggers to change behavior - 1. Make the right decisions easy, 2. Pack mentality, 3. Motivation (dopamine and loyalty)]

Right before we visited the firm, my friend got pooped on by a bird, I got attacked by a bird, a bird stole my churro, and another bird landed on my head. :/

Near the end of the night, some of us gathered and played some Roblox while we drank. We eventually ended up going to the bar to just use the bathroom. It was a fun day, shared a lot of laughs that night.

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DAY 9 - WEDNESDAY MAY 29

Today was a pretty relaxed day. I visited a company called Make, a "creative consultancy." We had the option to visit the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek Museum and go on a short bike tour afterward, but I opted for a rest day instead.

However, Make was such a cool company to visit. I learned a lot about the industry, their process, and their unique way of thinking and handling situations. Here are some things I learned:

[Change is inevitable, transformation is a choice - change starts when you want to transform]

[All about building brand equity - create experiences that set the brand apart for meaningful purpose]

[Creativity and actions in all sorts of life in general calls for a profound gut feeling - otherwise you will react on reality instead of shaping it]

[You can start with simple, and it can then turn complex really fast]

[The double diamond process!]

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DAY 8 - TUESDAY MAY 28

Today we visited two different firms to learn more about their work. Our first stop was Yoke, a firm specializing in digital exhibitions. Some of their ideals and thinking that I found to be interesting was:

[We are all kids - If we think of kids as the target audience and the kids enjoy it, the adults will also enjoy it as well]

[In their contract, if something breaks they take responsibility for it and fix it. It's to avoid those back and fourth conflicts. Know who and what to pick fights with]

[Prototyping is one of the most if not the most crucial step - you can't get good feedback without it]

Our second stop was a virtual and augmented reality firm called Khora. It was really cool to get to try these VR headsets and also learn how VR and AR can impact people not just in gaming. Somethings that I learned and found interesting was:

[VR can be worked with psychology - there was a case where it helped someone with schizophrenia]

[Can be used to help practice dangerous jobs - ex. ambulance, electrician]

Visiting these firms has given me a glimpse into the future of the industry, inspiring me to grow into my career.

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DAY 7 - MONDAY MAY 27

Today was Sweden day! Specifically Malmö, just a quick 40-minute train ride from Copenhagen. Despite feeling a bit tired after waking up early to catch the train, we had a fantastic day. We visited usTwo to learn more about their firm and the design industry. It was a great experience, and here are some key takeaways I learned from them:

[Charge for value not time]

[Can't challenge yourself without fear, can't learn without failure]

[Know your values and stick with them]

[It's okay to turn down things when they don't align with those values]

[Work life balance is crucial]

[In a group, learn together-fail together-succeed together]

Visiting this firm gave me newfound confidence and a strong desire to learn more about this type of work, pushing myself to reach this level.

In Sweden, we had plans to visit a castle, but it was closed. Instead, we walked around a park and saw swans with their babies. Despite some rain, it was a pleasant day. When we got back, I had time to reflect on my experience and prepare for the next day.

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DAY 6 - SUNDAY MAY 26

Today was our free day! We got to choose whatever we wanted to do. My friend and I decided to visit Tivoli Gardens, just a 10-minute bike ride away. It was pretty busy, but it was wonderful to see families from all over the world enjoying their time together. The rides were few but quite fun. However, we only stayed for a couple of hours because the heat was scorching.

In the afternoon, the sun really got to us, so we went back and took a much-needed nap. Later, we biked to an Italian restaurant for dinner and then called it a night. It wasn't a bad way to spend our free day, and it was nice to rest up before heading to Sweden tomorrow!

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DAY 5 - SATURDAY MAY 25

I visited Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerød today! It's one of the most beautiful sights I've seen so far. It's hard to imagine that people lived here and created these masterpieces hundreds of years ago—such incredible talent. Experiencing and seeing it firsthand is amazing. I also saw a wedding there, which was so lovely, but I can't even imagine the cost.

I felt pretty tired today, so we had the option to either visit Tisvilde or head back, and I opted to go back. I'll make sure to visit the beach another time during my trip. Today, my emotions got the best of me, and I felt really homesick. I miss my family and my Brian. Even though I text them every day and call, I just want to hug them and see them in person. It hit me really hard today. Tomorrow will be a better day!

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DAY 4 - FRIDAY MAY 24

TOUR DAY! We did a walking tour and a biking tour—what a tiring day. By the time I get back, my quads and calf muscles will be looking amazing! We visited several locations featuring Arne Jacobsen chairs, and you can really feel the quality. Maybe I’m crazy, but these chairs, which cost tens of thousands of dollars, do feel more comfortable.

After that, we went on a bike tour during RUSH HOUR! It was super interesting, but navigating as a big group in a long line, especially with most of us only having ridden bikes for a few days, was tough. We had to stop frequently, and I felt so bad for the people just trying to commute around us.

Once the bike tour was done, my friend and I decided to bike separately from the group to get a breather from the somewhat chaotic situation. But things only got worse. My friend and I got separated from each other and neither of us had any idea how to use the GPS while biking. I had to stop often, turn around, and some turns were really confusing. I eventually made it, but I definitely need more practice!

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DAY 3 - THURSDAY MAY 23

Rain, rain, rain! At least I was prepared and brought my rain jacket. After class, we visited Frederik's Church, and wow, the level of detail on the buildings here is incredible—something you don't see in Colorado. It's truly beautiful. The scary part was biking in the rain; whenever I put my hood up, I couldn't see, so I had to keep it down and got completely soaked—looked like I had just stepped out of the shower.

However, the Designmuseum Danmark was really fun! I love interactive museums with a variety of exhibitions. My friend and I also had our first expensive meal here... $130 per person. It was worth every penny (:

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DAY 2 - WEDNESDAY MAY 22

Canal tour day! What a peaceful morning. Coming from Colorado, where we’re landlocked, it's mesmerizing to see the water and how people interact with it. I imagine just having a lazy day and suddenly deciding to go for a swim—right in my backyard. I also got my bike today, a cute yellow banana bike. The number of bikes here is astounding, and the cycling scene is both exhilarating and a bit scary. At least I'll have no trouble finding my bike when I park it! We visited a few parks, did some shopping, and peeled bark from sticks. All in all, a pretty good second day.