Denmark: Peter Sellwood

Program: DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia, Spring

Major: Math; Physics; Astronomy-Physics

How were your program academics similar or different from taking classes at UW-Madison?

The academics at DIS Copenhagen were very approachable. All of the classes are taught in English, and all of your peers are American students, though rarely from the same home institution. Most of my courses were based on discussion and participation with other students, with written assessments. Although the perspectives of your peers in the classroom are mostly American-based, all of the course material is centered around things that are inherently Danish, Scandinavian, or European, and discussing these topics with instructors who are all Danish is something you could rarely find at UW-Madison.

A student wearing a large gray shield costume holds up a fake sword, wearing a crown, and frowns at the camera. The phone is in his other hand. — During Core Course Week early in the semester, my class took a tour of the H.C. Anderson museum, where we got to experience the Danish version of free play that children grow up with. Everyone here participated in dress-up, which was the first time I had done that in probably a decade.

What is your most memorable experience from your program?

The Long Study Tour to Finland with my Core Course, Childhood Education and Development in Scandinavia, was easily the most memorable week of my time at DIS. We spent five days touring schools and libraries and exploring educational practices centered around nature. I made such strong connections with my peers and instructors, and it felt like the culmination of everything we had been studying all semester. The Long Study Tour is what made DIS such a unique program, and it is without a doubt where the most learning and memory-making occurred.

It’s no wonder Denmark is one of the happiest countries on Earth, and it’s all because everyone understands caring for and helping your neighbor makes the world a better place.

What is your advice for someone considering your program?

Choose a Homestay for your housing!!! Since all of your peers will be American students, the best way to fully experience Danish culture and get the most out of your time abroad is to stay with a host family. Most others I talked to and I had incredible experiences staying with our host families. They are all so eager to share with you everything they love about their country and love having conversations comparing cultures and getting to know you. I could not recommend staying with a host family more; it was the heart of my time abroad.

A group of students with a program leader (an elderly man) stands in the middle. They are all smiling at the camera. Behidn them are sparse trees and a pink-lit sunset. — My Core Course, Childhood Education and Development in Scandinavia, spent a day doing assorted activities in a national park in Finland during our long study tour. This was the end of our day, which included making lunch over a fire together, going on a nature walk focused on self-regulation, teamwork activities, canoeing, and a group dinner. This day was probably the best day of my entire time abroad as I got to have quality conversations with every single person in my class.

What is the moment you are most proud of?

The moment I felt most proud was one day I was biking to class with a friend (as the locals in Copenhagen do), and my friend asked me how to properly say the name of a nearby train stop. Using my knowledge from my Danish language class, I gave my best shot at pronouncing the word “Rådhuspladsen” while surrounded by about ten other Danes on their bikes. To try to save myself from embarrassment, I loudly said to my friend, “Gosh, I hope that was right.” To my delight, the person next to me responds that I did, in fact, pronounce it right. I was very proud of myself that my Danish skills were up to par with native speakers, plus I felt right at home in the very intense biking culture in Copenhagen.

A group of students smiles up at the camera, which is being held up high by Peter in the front. Peter has glasses and blonde hair. They are all standing in front of a business with a black sign reading "Kaffe" — For my Danish Language and Culture course, groups were given a neighborhood in Copenhagen to explore and report back on to our peers. This is my group exploring at a cafe in Vesterbro, Copenhagen.

What did you learn about yourself or the world because of your experience?

In Denmark, society unofficially abides by the Law of Jante, which effectively states that nobody is more important than anyone else, and you should never think yourself above someone else. Actions of bragging or selfish behavior are strongly discouraged, while compassion and egalitarianism are encouraged. It’s no wonder Denmark is one of the happiest countries on Earth, and it’s all because everyone understands caring for and helping your neighbor makes the world a better place. In a world growing more and more selfish, I feel a growing dissatisfaction with Americans’ desire to have more for themselves while leaving others behind.