I’ve gone quiet again, but this time for a better reason. As I write this, it has been 43 days since I moved to Copenhagen, Denmark for study abroad. My 43 days have so far been filled with new experiences and people. It would be easy for me to glamorize my time here, but in reality it has been a range of just about every feeling and emotion. Here is my reflection so far.

The Good

Living in a place with new things to explore has been energizing. New fashion, technology, languages, accents, people, games, food, drinks, stoves, cars, bikes, metros. I find it all interesting. They are minor changes from my American understanding but they’re fresh and make it feel like I really am somewhere new.

As part of an exchange program, I’ve been able to meet new people from all over the world. Most people here have a genuine interest towards other people’s backgrounds and differences. Something completely different from back home. There’s also a common mindset about maximizing our young lives while abroad so there is a shared effort to fulfill every week with different adventures. This led to a spontaneous commitment to spend my first weekend in Gothenburg, Sweden with five strangers. Once again, way different than home but certainly more exciting.

The Bad

I’ve had to adjust to expectations vs reality. In the buildup of coming to Denmark, it was easy to picture myself living a European highlight reel. With this came the thought that I would be at my happiest and live a near-perfect life for six months. But that’s not reality. Some daunting things will follow me wherever and new minor inconveniences have found their way into my life (tiny trash cans, oddly shaped pillows, grimy community kitchens).

As much as I appreciate the new things here, I miss the comfort things at home. Growing accustomed to being surrounded by certain people and items then no longer having them within reach is an isolating adjustment.

The Realization

I’ve tricked myself into thinking that certain places are needed to unlock a mindset.

“When I get to Europe I can live an adventurous lifestyle for six months.”

It’s now become clear to me that the location is irrelevant, the only thing needed is the mindset. Inevitably my time in Europe will come to an end, but that does not mean I need to abandon my adventurous mindset and submit to returning to an ordinary lifestyle back home. Certainly being in a kayak in the Dolomites compared to a basement in Indiana makes it easier to envision, but I do truly believe it can be achieved anywhere.

There are about a million quotes about change being difficult but beneficial. I’d say any one of those are about the only way to summarize my first 43 days so far.

I've certainly had a wonderful experience and I hope this doesn't come across as me having a dull time so far. It has just been a matter of readjusting my expectations and appreciating each place for how it really is, rather than the romanticized version that I created in my head. That's all.

Advice to my future self: There will never be a perfect place to be. Embrace this and maximize your time and energy regardless of where you are.