University of Wisconsin–Madison

Denmark: Annabelle Majerus (Learning on Excursions)

Copenhagen is a city that is rich with history and culture. I chose to enroll in the Danish Language and Culture class that my program offers so that I could learn more about this history and connect to the Danish people that I pass on the street every day.

For my first cultural project for the class, I was tasked to explore the neighborhood of Østerbro with two of my classmates. Østerbro is one of the many neighborhoods of Copenhagen, and is classified by its residential, quiet living and vast recreational area. We decided to go before class one day, and we saw many Danes going for morning strolls as we walked around.

Groups of rocks are lined up in tiers leading up to a large statue at the top.
The Gefion fountain alludes to the Viking history of Denmark and depicts the Norse goddess Gefion carving the island of Zealand out of Sweden.

We stopped at the Gefion fountain – the largest monument in Copenhagen. Although the water was not flowing through it at the time, I could still appreciate the artistry and was prompted to look into the history of it when I returned home. From the top of the fountain, we were greeted with a view of Kastellet, a fortress located in Østerbro. The large fortress is surrounded by greenery and spaces for people to enjoy time outside. I learned that even though it is centuries old, the fortress still serves as an active military barracks.

I have found that my favorite way to explore Copenhagen is to simply pick a direction and start walking. While we were in Østerbro, we did not use maps to help us find our way around. We wandered; we took our time to take in the architecture and environment surrounding us. I am excited to explore the other neighborhoods and see how differing histories can create different subcultures, even within a close geographical location.

Anabelle smiles in front of a blurred background of trees and mountains.

Annabelle Majerus 

Hometown: Rogers, Minnesota

Major: Global Health with a certificate in Environmental Studies

Program: DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia

As a global health major, I knew that I wanted to study abroad so I could learn about different health issues from new perspectives around the world. My family heritage is primarily Scandinavian, so I wanted to participate in a program that could connect me to a culture that I haven’t gotten to experience as much because of growing up in America. The DIS program offered the ability for me to enjoy a semi-normal school semester while also exploring new experiences.