Uge Atten (Week Eighteen: 24.05.12 - 31.05.12) - Personal Development

As it is my last day in Denmark I feel that it is fitting that this is my final blog.  I cannot believe that the past four months have gone so quickly and that so much has happened and been achieved in this small space of time from adapting to a new way of life, school practice, new friendships, travelling and studying.  I have genuinely had the greatest time.

Yummy Swedish meatballs.

At the beginning of this week Jemma and I decided to squeeze in one last bit of travelling to visit Stockholm for two days.  We had a brilliant time and it was interesting to see another Scandinavian country.  As it is quite close to Denmark, I found that it was actually quite a similar city in that it was very relaxed and there was a positive atmosphere.  We visited the Palace, the city hall, the old town and took a boat cruise.  I have really enjoyed visiting other parts of Europe and learning about their culture and history.  If I hadn’t of come on Erasmus I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to see the places I did and I plan to continue this travelling when I’m home to hopefully visit some of the Erasmus group.

Outside the Palace.

Reflecting on my time here has shown me how much I have learned and changed.  I think that the teaching style in Denmark has helped me become more relaxed and comfortable when talking in front of others because we have had frequent group discussions where the rest of the class observes and presentations were a big part of our classes.  I came as someone who hadn’t really lived away from home, I couldn’t cook and my Mum did a lot for me in terms of washing etc.  I have definitely become more independent since I came here and this is a good thing and something I want to continue at home.  With this independence has come confidence as I now know that I can look after myself.  I think I have also become more confident through meeting so many new people and affectively having to start over.  I find it funny now how much I stressed and worried about coming here and making friends when I have made so many great ones.  Saying goodbye today was extremely difficult and I was a little emotional as I thought to myself I may never see this group of people again but I am hopeful that we will meet in the future.  The Erasmus group have become my substitute family here and it will be so strange not to see them every day. 

I have had an amazing time here and I am so glad that I came.  I only wish I could stay a little longer.  I have met so many great people and learnt so much about myself, the cultures of others, school systems and Denmark.  I am definitely sad to leave as I have had the best four months but as the saying goes – ‘All good things must come to an end.’  I really appreciate the opportunity I was given to come here and will always look back with happy memories on the four months I spent in Denmark.

Uge Sytten (Week Seventeen: 17.05.12 - 24.05.12) - Professional Development

As I move close to the end of my stay I am happy to say I have finally completed my individual assignment.

To complete the assignment I have had to carry out numerous visits to schools and kindergartens to conduct interviews and observations and this week I had an extremely interesting school visit.  Not only did I get to interview staff but I got to interview an Irish parent who is living and working in Denmark and whose children are currently a apart of the Danish education system.  Speaking with him was very interesting as he was able to offer his opinion having experienced an early school start himself in Ireland whereas his children began school at a later age in Denmark.  He was off the opinion that the Danish starting age was better, something I have begun to agree with and that in Denmark there is a much stronger focus on the development of social skills rather than academic ability.  Having completed the assignment I have came to the conclusion that both Denmark and Northern Ireland could learn from each other and that the borrowing of educational practice would be possible.  Working on this assignment and visiting schools in Denmark has challenged many of my opinions of the Northern Ireland school system, in particular the starting age and pressure we place on children from an early age.  The happiness of children in schools here is clear to see and they genuinely love school.  I think it would be great to see this in Northern Ireland but I fear because of our strict, formalised system it is hard to achieve.  What struck me most in one of the interviews with a teacher was that when I asked her why children in school in Denmark started later she stated that as a country there was a concern that the child wouldn’t be ready and would therefore fail leading to a bad feeling for them and trouble throughout their future schooling.  This is something that seems to be overlooked in the UK although through research I have realised that many concerns have been raised recently over the school starting age particularly in Northern Ireland.  However, there are no current plans to change this.  It has been an extremely interesting assignment and one that for once I have actually enjoyed writing and researching although I have almost as many new questions as the ones I got answered.

My opinions have obviously changed drastically since my arrival here, from initial shock to the seeming chaotic Danish classrooms with their lack of discipline and high levels of freedom to a familiarity and admiration of the relationships that the teachers create with their students.  It is surprising how many men work in both kindergarten and the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd Grade classrooms and how tactile they are with the children.  I think this is desirable for Northern Ireland as a male role model is great for children but unfortunately many men are put off by Child Protection Rules and strict guidelines.  It highlights how trusted the Danish teachers are.  They have no inspections, a broader curriculum and more freedom in what they teach.  Obviously this also has its downsides but it is definitely a enviable position.  I’m looking forward to getting back to classrooms in Northern Ireland to see how I view them now I have been here and hopefully some of my new questions will be answered!

Uge Seksten (Week Sixteen: 10.05.12 - 17.05.12) - Cultural Development

On Thursday I boarded a flight eagerly awaiting my arrival in Milan and I was not disappointed as we had a brilliant time.

As soon as the plane landed we were met with a burst of heat and for the rest of the stay the temperature was around 30 ˚C which made a great change from the weather in Denmark and the constant presence of wind.  By far the highlight of my time was the Italian food; delicious doesn’t even begin to cover it.  Jemma and I definitely embraced this while we were there with lots of pizza, pasta and of course ice-cream.  As a city Milan is beautiful architecturally and it is clear it is very wealthy.  The people we saw and the shops were incredible.  Unfortunately we couldn’t afford to actually buy anything in any of the designer stores so we were left with the rather boring ‘window-shopping option.’



We were staying in Milan for five days in a city-centre hostel and I can safely say that I think we experienced most of what the city had to offer.  We visited the Duomo dedicated to Saint Mary Nascent.  The gothic cathedral was breathtaking in its beauty and this is proven by the fact that it took nearly six centuries to complete.  It is also the fourth largest cathedral in the world.  The view from the roof was amazing and it was definitely a highlight of our trip.  We also got a taste of some finer culture in the opera ‘Tosca’ at La Scala.  After what seemed like queuing for hours, we eventually got our tickets.  It was a great experience and as it was my first time at the opera I didn’t know what to expect but I would definitely like to go again.  The inside of the theatre was beautiful and was decorated in a very regal manner.  However, we did feel slightly underdressed in comparison with some of the fashionista’s in Milan.

At the opera.

On Saturday we decided to take advantage of the good weather and take a day trip to the beautiful Lake Como.  I was hoping to perhaps spot George Clooney as I had read that he had a house there but unfortunately it wasn’t to be.  The area was so picturesque, like something from a postcard and we had a wonderful day sitting by the lake and exploring the area.  Something I really enjoyed in Milan is their ‘apertivo’ culture which involves enjoying a drink whilst snacking on an extensive free buffet that is laid on.  Jemma and I really enjoyed this and as it was in the Navigli district of Milan, we sat out over the canal and had plenty of time for people watching.

Lovely Lake Como.

Something we did which surprised a lot of people when I told them was our trip to see AC Milan play Novada.  However, this was accidental but actually good! As we’d saw most of the city we decided to visit the stadium on our last day although on arrival it became clear that there was a match on.  After questioning a few locals we decided to be spontaneous and go to the match when we were already there.  Anyone who knows me, knows I am not the biggest football fan but it was much more exciting in real life and I’m glad we went.

It has been a busy week but a great one and I have really loved getting to see other parts of Europe and experience their culture.  Going on Erasmus has definitely educated me on the cultures of other countries and it has also given me the urge to keep on travelling.  With on a few weeks left, I now plan to make the most of my time left in lovely Denmark.

Uge Femten (Week Fifteen: 03.05.12 - 10.05.12) - Cultural Development

I am writing this blog entry a day earlier than usual as I have just returned from Madrid and tomorrow I am going to Milan.

Jemma and I decided to use a week within this month to do some travelling and broaden our cultural experiences so our first stop was Madrid on Monday.  After a slightly stressful search for our hostel we eventually found it and unpacked.  Staying in hostels is somewhere I never wanted to stay so I am surprised at myself that they are the option I know choose.  It makes our trips away more affordable, enables you to meet more people and so far they have all been clean and quite nice.  I definitely think living on a weekly budget and moving abroad has helped me become more relaxed in terms of accommodation when travelling.   

'Palacio Real.'

As we only had three days in Madrid we decided to cram in as many sights as possible.  We thought we would struggle to see half the things we wanted to but we soon realised that Madrid is smaller city than imagined and we were able to walk between the sights.  My map skills have certainly improved as sometimes I even directed us to the correct location. (Anyone who knows of my poor sense of direction will know what an achievement this is!)  I particularly enjoyed visiting ‘Retiro Park,’ 'Palacio Real' and ‘Plaza Mayor.’  The architecture in Madrid was beautiful and there was a real mix of old and new buildings.  However one thing I noticed was the huge numbers of Police in the city on a daily basis.  I am unsure of whether Madrid is a city which is high in crime or whether such a large Police presence is the norm in Spain but they seemed to be everywhere.  It also surprised me that right in the centre of the city prostitution seemed common during the day/night with numerous women lining the street which was slightly off-putting.  However, apart from this the city was lovely and it didn’t seem like an area high in crime.  Perhaps the Police presence was just because it was the capital city and there were high numbers of tourists as well as locals.  I plan on asking my Spanish friends in my class about both of these issues to discover whether any of my guesses are true of Madrid.

Attempting to row in 'Retiro Park.'

I also noticed the eating out and drinking culture in Spain and this is something Jemma and I embraced.  I love Spanish food and also Sangria so we had some great meals. However, we made the mistake of ordering 6 tapas dishes in one restaurant, thinking that they would be small only to have the waiter bring us out 6 meal size portions.  Needless to say we were really embarrassed as you could barely see the table for all the food we had on it and it was struggle to try and finish it all.  The food was delicious though and I really enjoyed tasting the gastronomic culture of another country.  As the Spanish normally eat late in the evening, on our first night we found ourselves almost alone in the restaurant but on our second night we ate later and the atmosphere was better.

Our rather large but delicous dinner.

I have had a great few days in Madrid and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to experience a little of the Spanish culture.  I can’t wait to go to Milan tomorrow to see what it has to offer and hopefully we will have more sunshine added in as a bonus!

Enjoying the sun at 'Plaza Mayor.'

Uge Fjorten (Week Fourteen: 26.04.12 - 03.05.12 - Professional Development

It is lovely to see the summer weather finally arrive in Copenhagen and this week it has been beautiful which was perfect as I had a friend from home to visit.  We had a great time enjoying the sights in the sun but unfortunately when she left the work began for me.

Enjoying the sun with Jenni.

As this is our final month and half the group has gone home, we have no classes for the rest of our time here.  However this ‘free time’ is mainly taken up with work on an Individual Assignment.  This assignment can be based on any topic of your choice but must be comparative with your home country.  You also have to complete field visits, observations and interviews.  I have decided to base my project upon an investigation into the Primary School starting age in Denmark compared with the starting age in the UK as this is something which I have questioned numerous times since my arrival here and I have begun to wonder whether starting children in school at age four in Northern Ireland really is the right thing to do.  Therefore this seemed like a great opportunity to investigate not only my questions but the idea of childhood in Denmark and why they do things the way they do.  This week I began making school visits, observing and conducting interviews and so far it has been extremely interesting.

My first visit was to a 1^st Grade class – the equivalent of our Year 1, only in Denmark the children are seven/eight years old instead of four.  Here I learnt a lot through observing and speaking with the teacher.  She told me that this was her class now until they were in 5^th Grade and that she taught them most subjects but sometimes a different teacher came in to teach them Maths for example.  I was very surprised by the behaviour as in a lot of the classes I have been in there appears to be no discipline, however, this class was the complete opposite.  The atmosphere was still very free and relaxed but the children knew how to behave and what was expected of them.  It was interesting to watch what activities they were completing and I couldn’t help but think how children in Northern Ireland are doing the same work only three years earlier.  Another interesting idea the school had was that after the children had worked for 45 minutes they got a 5 minute break outside to run about and burn off energy before the next lesson began.  This seemed to work well and is definitely something I would like to look into at home.  However, it made me think about how children in Northern Irish schools only got breaks twice a day and this sometimes does seem to restrict their learning as they become restless and agitated when sitting still for too long.

My first visit was to a 1^st Grade class – the equivalent of our Year 1, only in Denmark the children are seven/eight years old instead of four.  Here I learnt a lot through observing and speaking with the teacher.  She told me that this was her class now until they were in 5^th Grade and that she taught them most subjects but sometimes a different teacher came in to teach them Maths for example.  I was very surprised by the behaviour as in a lot of the classes I have been in there appears to be no discipline, however, this class was the complete opposite.  The atmosphere was still very free and relaxed but the children knew how to behave and what was expected of them.  It was interesting to watch what activities they were completing and I couldn’t help but think how children in Northern Ireland are doing the same work only three years earlier.  Another interesting idea the school had was that after the children had worked for 45 minutes they got a 5 minute break outside to run about and burn off energy before the next lesson began.  This seemed to work well and is definitely something I would like to look into at home.  However, it made me think about how children in Northern Irish schools only got breaks twice a day and this sometimes does seem to restrict their learning as they become restless and agitated when sitting still for too long.

Although I am only beginning my investigation I am finding the interviews and observations insightful and it is helping me to reflect on our school system in Northern Ireland.  I hope to learn more about the Danish system through visiting kindergartens and also looking into research and history which I’m sure will only interest me further and prompt more questions in regards to the school system and starting age in Northern Ireland.

Uge Tretten (Week Thirteen: 19.04.12 - 26.04.12) - Cultural Development

Saying goodbye to friends from Germany.

This past week has been a very busy one filled with lots of plans, college work and unfortunately goodbyes.  For half the group their stay here is complete and it is time to go home, leaving a much smaller group of us behind.  I found it very hard to say goodbye, knowing that I probably won’t see a lot of these people ever again but I do hope to keep in touch.  Before coming here I never would have imagined I would make so many friends from places all around the world and I have definitely learnt a lot.  Slow speech being now my greatest skill!  I have learnt how people really live in different parts of the world, what they like to eat, their traditions, practices and culture of their country.  It is nothing like the pre-conceptions I had and I will definitely be leaving this experience more open-minded and knowledgeable.

We completed our classes this week and it gave us the chance to reflect on our experiences as the tutors produced the posters we made from our very first weekend here.  Looking back it is hard to believe that when it was created, we had only just met our partners and it was a bit awkward attempting to interview them but now after thirteen weeks we could comfortably sit and interview each other and reflect on our experience.  What we felt we had achieved was both quite similar, we felt we had gained independence, confidence in our own abilities and more relaxed.  I definitely think the laid-back atmosphere in Denmark ensures you become this way.  Culturally we both felt we had learned a lot about the Danish way of life, their food, their school system, traditions and history.  We have learnt some of the language, although on a very basic level and professionally we have developed as teachers with new ideas, techniques and questions to return with to our home countries.  So far, it has definitely been worthwhile coming here; I just wish I had longer than five weeks left.

Our landlady Kirsten took Jemma, Yon and I to the theatre this week.  I was a little apprehensive as she told us it was in Danish so I was worried we would be bored and not understand what was going on.  In reality I really enjoyed it.  Even though I couldn’t understand the speech, I could still figure out the story line and their actions and facial expressions helped.  The theatre was a very small, old one with a unique, cosy decor and it was great to do something different and witness more of the Danish culture.

I finally got two wheels this week and now I really feel like a Dane as it is a big part of their culture.  Cycling is not something I’d ever of imagined I would love so much but I find it really therapeutic, healthy and a much quicker way to get around.  I’m looking forward to taking advantage of my last few weeks, cycling to some places where I haven’t yet been with the rest of the group who are left.

My new wheels.

Uge Tolv (Week Twelve: 12.04.12 - 19.04.12) - Professional Development

I have now reached the end of my teaching practice placement and it has been a very interesting experience although challenging at times. I have experienced an entirely different school system to what I am used to but it has opened my eyes and definitely been rewarding. I feel that my Professional Competences have developed through this experience in particular ‘Competence 7 – an understanding of the significance of pupil voice’ and ‘Competence 10 – strategies for communicating effectively with all pupils.’  Danish teachers really do value the voice of their students and in turn the students are not worried or scared about voicing their opinion or even questioning the teacher.  As the classroom is so relaxed students often speak without raising their hand first or waiting to be spoken to and therefore are all confident in communicating their ideas.  This is something I would like to be more open to in Northern Ireland as it is difficult to get all students to speak out in class and many students lack the confidence to do so.  As I don’t speak Danish I have had to find many other ways of communicating with the students through using my voice, body language, gestures and pictures and I feel this will be extremely useful when working with children who have SEN or EAL.  I have also struggled on previous teaching practices to slow my speech when in the classroom and studying and teaching here has definitely helped me to achieve that.   

This week I spent time with a variety of classes and age groups from 1^st Grade to 9^th Grade.  After my first visit I am surprised by how comfortable I now am in a class filled with 16 year old students as this is not something I ever wanted to do but I think that the confidence and trust shown to us by the class teacher even though we were Primary Teachers made us feel a lot more comfortable and at ease.  The older students had a project week where they could take different classes each day in graffiti, poetry, rap and breakdancing.  I thought this was a great idea and you could see that the students really appreciated the fact that the teachers had organised this creative project for them and valued their interests.  Creative appreciation is something I have noticed whilst in my practice school and because of this the children really do flourish. 

As well as attending teaching practice, we have had to write a 10 page assignment for our Comparative Education Module and it has made me reflect a lot on my experiences.   After initially seeing more negatives than positives in the Danish school system my opinion has completely changed and not only have do I appreciate it and see the real benefits, I have begun to further question the school system in Northern Ireland. 

A typical laid-back classroom.

The children here are all happy and content in school and it is obvious they are relaxed and at ease with the lack of structure or routine.  There is no pressure in the classrooms due to very little testing, the teachers aren’t inspected and they have very little paperwork or assessment so they can focus on forging relationships and teaching what they want to. I have talked informally with the teachers frequently and they have explained that the emphasis isn’t so much on the academic side of school but on making it a fun, happy and positive experience for children so they want to be there.  This struck me as a stark contrast to home as although we work hard to try and make learning fun and enjoyable ultimately a lot of the children dislike school and don’t view it as a positive experience.  I think the informal Danish system, with its lack of rules, discipline or structure may initially come across as chaotic but their system works and not only that the students are confident, independent and creative individuals.

Uge Elleve (Week Eleven: 05.04.12 - 12.04.12) - Professional Development

This week saw the beginning of my teaching placement and so far I am really enjoying it.  I spent the majority of my time with the Class 0.  The teacher; Annette, explained that Class 0 is for children aged between six and seven years old and children attend after they have been in kindergarten and before they attend 1^st Grade in the Primary School.  Initially I found this quite complicated to understand but after observing and participating in this class I have realised that it is almost like a preparation for starting school as although the children mainly play formal teaching does take place in writing, reading, number work, social skills and phonics.  This is very similar to our Year 1 class in Northern Ireland although the obvious difference being that the children start this class at six years old and it is also at the teachers discretion to decide whether the child is ready to move onto 1^st Grade or whether they need to remain in Class 0 until they are ready, meaning that the learning takes place at the child’s pace rather than complying with Government guidelines.  The class consists of 24 children, the teacher and a classroom assistant as there is a child who requires extra help.  However, the classroom assistant has undergone no training and this was something I found very strange as in Northern Ireland you have to complete a course in order to have the correct qualifications.  Through talking with Annette she explained that she also thought it would be better for the assistants to undergo some sort of training as the children need specific help that may not also be possible if the assistant hasn’t been taught how to do so. 

I have realised from my time spent in school that the parents are very involved in every aspect of school life.  Teachers are expected to not only give parents their personal email address but also their mobile number.  I was informed that there was an over-communication and involvement from the parents and that teachers often received calls in the evenings or weekends to discuss small problems, or issues they had with their teaching.  The parents also receive a weekly detailed timetable of the activities and tasks their children are doing.  In some ways I see this involvement as a positive thing as it ensures they know what their child is learning and they feel part of school life but as a prospective teacher I can see the negative aspects, in that out of work hours and during holidays you are being called upon to sort out numerous problems, many of which are very minor.

The classroom was a very welcoming environment and there was a even a bunk bed where children could go to sleep if they felt the need to do so!  This is another good example of how relaxed the Danish school system is.  I was surprised by the freedom they have in their curriculum and the lack of specific guidelines and targets they have to meet.  Children are tested but much less frequently and informally and it is the responsibility of the municipality to do so and report the results back to the government.  It is very different how the local municipality plays such a big role in the school life in Denmark.  Depending on how much the municipality can afford to give to the school determines the quality of equipment and other resources.  This is in a stark comparison to Northern Ireland as schools are Government funded unless private.

Overall I have enjoyed my time in school and I am amazed by the amount of differences and new things I am learning daily.  I feel that through visiting a Danish school I have got numerous ideas, approaches, attitudes and techniques to reflect upon  and I hope to implement some of these in my future teaching.

Uge Ti (Week Ten: 29.03.12 – 05.04.12) – Cultural Development

It is hard to believe that the Easter break that once seemed so far away has finally arrived.  Jemma and I, along with two Italian girls and a Spanish girl decided to take the opportunity to visit another country and experience their culture, so on Tuesday we eagerly boarded a flight to Berlin.

All of us standing by Bradenborg Gate.

 I was immediately impressed by the city and found there were a lot of differences between Germany and Denmark.  The city is huge and the transport system vast – we found ourselves using the plane, train, bus, metro and tram all in our first day!  It is very well organised however and surprisingly we figured out how to navigate our way around it quite quickly.  I found the atmosphere and ‘look’ of the city in contrast with Denmark also, with Berlin seeming a lot more urban with strong architectural buildings in comparison with the almost picturesque Copenhagen.  This may be due to the fact that the city is still under development which we noticed as we took a walking tour, and East and West Germany have only be reunified in the past twenty years.  During the walking tour we saw many of the famous sights of Berlin and it was beneficial to have a tour good who could explain the story behind what we were looking at.  A particular highlight was the Bradenborg Gate which looked magnificent.  It was on this tour that I realised Germany has similarities with Northern Ireland in terms of the East and West divide further highlighting that it is not just our country that has a troubled past and it was very interesting to hear the history surrounding it.

Whilst in Berlin we decided to visit Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp which gave me an even greater insight into the history of Germany.  Although parts of the tour were quite harrowing it was very interesting to actually visit a real camp and not just read or hear about them.  It was surreal to think that we were standing were thousands of inmates once stood.  Quite a lot of the buildings and outside areas were just empty shells but there were lots of pictures and personal accounts given so through using your imagination it wasn’t difficult to picture the scene.  Before visiting the camp I was quite apprehensive as to what to expect and how I would react but I am very glad we went as I learnt a lot and I have always wanted to see a camp as I find the history of them although awful, very interesting.

We spent the rest of our time in Berlin tasting new foods and visiting other sights such as the East Side Gallery, Olympic Stadium and Charlotteborg Palace.  The East Side Gallery was brilliant as the pictures were vibrant and the political statements and accompanying pictures were very well thought out.  I had a great time in Berlin and I really enjoyed spending time with the girls from Italy and Spain.  I feel we have learned a lot more about each other and our different cultures through going away together and I am looking forward to a well-earned rest before beginning teaching placement next week.

Outside the Olympic Stadium.

Holocaust Memorial.

East Side Gallery.

Uge Ni (Week Nine: 22.03.12 - 29.03.12) - Personal

This week was an exciting week for me as my boyfriend Dean, arrived in Copenhagen.  He was my first visitor and after being apart for eight weeks it was great to see a familiar face.  As he had never visited Copenhagen before we decided to have a very touristy weekend with me as the tour guide. 

Enjoying the view at the top of the Round Tower.

The weather has recently taken a turn for the better and Spring has finally arrived!  It is a welcome arrival as the weather had been extremely cold most of the time since my arrival.  We decided to make use of the clear blue skies and climb the ‘Round Tower’ in Copenhagen which was built by Christian IV and offers a magnificent view over Copenhagen when the skies are clear.  It wasn’t much of a climb though as there are no steps and  it is instead cobbled the entire way up, as the King wanted to ride his horse to the top rather than walk.  Once at the top the view is incredible and you can see many of the sights of the Copenhagen area as well as across to Malmo in Sweden.  We even managed to witness a couple who just got married getting their pictures taken!

Another interesting visit was to the Carlsberg Factory to sample some Danish beers.  Here I learnt about the history of brewing in Denmark and how J.C Jacobsen’s vision and techniques are still of major influence today.  The Jacobsen family have had a huge influence on the architecture of Copenhagen and after visiting the factory I became more aware of their many contributions to the city.  They inspired the construction of the ‘Little Mermaid’ statue as well as founding the Danish Museum of Art and Design among others.



The beer collect inside the Carlsberg Factory.

Sunny Nyhavn.

My favourite part of the weekend was taking a canal tour around Copenhagen.  I have wanted to do this since arriving but it has always been too cold or the lakes have been frozen.  It was so warm we even sat on the deck of the boat and it was a great way to see the city.  Before boarding the boat I was amazed at the vast amount of people in Nyhavn.  I had been told by numerous Danish people that it was a popular area to relax, eat and drink in when the weather was nice but I don’t think I really believed them until I saw it.  Every occupied space was filled with people just relaxing with a few beers, enjoying the sunshine and the bars and restaurants were packed to capacity.  It was really nice to see and there were many jazz bands playing to provide entertainment, so there was a great atmosphere.  I find it surprising how people drink alcohol on the streets as in Northern Ireland this is not tolerated.  However, in Denmark no one seems to mind.  I’m not sure whether this is because they are more relaxed as a nation or because people are not drinking excessively, perhaps it is a combination of both but it is definitely a big difference.

On the canal tour.

Through having Dean here I have realised that I have become a lot more independent and relaxed since leaving home.  I am no longer relying on anyone else to cook, clean, do my washing etc for me, I can take public transport with ease and I have become a lot more active in that I walk everywhere if possible.  These are changes that I hope to take home with me and as I am now officially halfway through it will be interesting to see what else I learn.

Uge Otte (Week 8: 15.03.12 - 22.03.12) - Professional Development

Today I had my first visit to my teaching practice school in Herlev.  It is a large school with approximately 800 students ranging from Kindergarten, Primary and right through until Secondary.  I found it very strange and surprising that all three levels of education were in the same building as in Northern Ireland each different schooling level are normally in different locations.  However, after spending time at the school I think it is a good idea as it provides consistency for the children and there is no fear about entering a new environment.

The teaching style and school atmosphere is completely different to that in Northern Ireland.  Children wear their own clothes and teachers also dress casually.  The children call the teacher by their first name which is a complete opposite to schools at home but I have found that I like this approach as it is more personal and allows the children to view the teacher as more approachable and not someone superior to them.

The crocodiles performing in the school play.

We began the school day at 8am which seemed so early to myself and the other student; Anna, from Ireland.  However, the German and Austrian students placed with us are used to this in their country.  We spent the morning with a 1^st Grade Music class, which was very interesting and I even got to practice my Danish with the children.  The atmosphere in the school can only be summed up as free.  Children are allowed to do what they want whether that is sitting on tables or running around the corridor.  There are positives and negatives to this approach and it is definitely in stark comparison to schools in Northern Ireland.  The teacher explained that some of the children have behavioural problems but as she doesn’t have a Classroom Assistant it is difficult to do much teaching.  The children are very independent and are not afraid to talk or interrupt the teacher where as at home, schools are a lot stricter and the children must raise their hand to speak.  It was a very interesting experience to observe a completely different teaching style and how it worked.  I spent the rest of my time with a 9^th Grade Danish class.  Admittedly I was very nervous about this and preferred to be with a younger class but as there were only ten teenagers it was quite nice.  We all introduced ourselves in English and the class asked us questions in English.  Anna and I had to then explain the difference between the North and South of Ireland; a topic I find we are often questioned on and often don’t know the answer.  Often people either know nothing about our history or only the negative press and trying to explain our history simply in a few minutes is difficult so normally we compare our differences in currency, language/accent etc.  People are usually surprised at the diversity of such a small country!

I throughougly enjoyed my first experience of a Danish school and I am looking forward to gaining further insights when I visit next week.  Comparing our school culture with Denmark has proved more interesting and different that I thought it would be and it is definitely provoking my curiosity as to how and why their system differs to our own.

Uge Syv (Week Seven: 08.03.12 - 15.03.12) - Personal Development

Our Erasmus group in Aarhus at the weekend.

Art Museum in Aarhus with the 'rainbow' in the roof.

After a few ups and downs I now feel totally settled in Denmark and immersed in their way of life.  Although I have only been here seven weeks I feel I have learned so much about myself, the cultures of others and this beautiful country.  I always knew that different cultures were important; they make up the world and are something to be celebrated but before coming here I don’t think I had truly experienced this.  I am in a class with students from all around the world and it still amazes me how different we all are.  I have quickly learned how easy it is to offend others (not intentionally) but the language barrier and different humour from countries can cause problems as someone misinterprets what you say.  I think all of the students have felt this though and we have now learned to take what each other says with a pinch of salt.  In particular our Globalisation class contains so many different cultures, beliefs and values that quite often there is confrontation or heated discussion.  This is something I initially found strange as rarely do discussions get this heated in Stranmillis but I have realised that the students are just trying to explain their beliefs to others who disagree.  In this class we have been working on the concept of culture and how we as teachers should deal with it in and out of the classroom.  It has been very interesting and many of the student’s viewpoints have challenged my own.  No one is scared to ask you why you believe something and this makes you deepen in your own reasons and question them.  With so many opinions it is sometimes challenging to work together in a group but we learn a lot and it is great practice in compromising and appreciating the viewpoints of others.  I have begun to question our own culture, specifically that of our early years teaching.  I am completing an individual assignment based upon why we start our children at school in the UK, three years earlier than Denmark and the rest of Europe and I am finding it extremely interesting but also difficult as it is challenging what I know.

Modern Art Exhibition in Aarhus

I am really enjoying the Danish way of life, much more than I thought I would and I am starting to think it will be strange to return to Northern Ireland.  I love the relaxed, Scandinavian attitude and I am surprised that I do so much, as I am not the most relaxed person when at home. My fears regarding the transport system, food and language are gone and I now find myself at ease with all three. I feel very lucky to have been given this experience and I think it will benefit me both professionally and personally.  I came here with very little knowledge about the country and I am enjoying learning about the true Denmark. It has already opened my mind and taught me that preconceptions and stereotypes although natural, are generally wrong.  Denmark is much more than I thought it was, it is not just somewhere with great tourist spots and Danish pastries but somewhere for now, I call home.

The view from the Round Tower

Uge Seks (Week Six: 01.03.12 – 08.03.12) – Cultural Development

This is my sixth week living in Denmark and I have started to notice numerous cultural differences between here and Northern Ireland.  The most obvious one is the University environment and teaching styles.  Lecturers are called by their first names, they openly swear and their attire is a lot more relaxed in comparison with Stranmillis University.  It still surprises me when the students swear at the tutors as I could never imagine myself doing this.  A lot of the students also quite frequently argue with the tutors or tell them that they are wrong and this is something I find very strange because in University at home it is a rare occurrence for a student to question a lecturer or argue with them.  I don’t think it is necessarily a bad thing as students and teachers can learn a lot from each other and I sometimes think the tutors here say certain statements to provoke a reaction and prompt discussion.  It is important to add that the students or lecturers aren’t being rude or ignorant when swearing or arguing, it is simply the culture here.It is definitely true that Danish people are more direct and to the point.  Their city is cleaner, their transport system more efficient and almost everyone seems to own a bike. 

The teaching styles are also very different to that of Stranmillis. Classes last three hours usually with a short ten minute break in between.  This is something I am still struggling with as classes at home usually last for an hour.  Classes are more discussion and activity based, with a lot of tutor and student talk, and in many of them we sit in groups where we are expected to complete tasks or discuss specific points.  I have yet to sit in a formal lecture and have found that the overall teaching style is very relaxed and laid-back.  I actually quite enjoy this teaching method as there is a lot more interaction and it is easier to remember what you are learning about.  I have found that the atmosphere in Denmark is very relaxed and was quite shocked when I noticed young children getting the train home alone from school.  I found it very surprising as you would never see a young child in Northern Ireland travelling unattended and it made me question whether they were allowed to travel alone because it was safer, or whether through the education system here children are more independent and want to do such things by themselves, as their school environment is so different to ours.  Another big cultural difference is the food here.  Although it is similar in regards to what we eat at home, the price isn’t.  The Danish government saw that as a country, their obesity levels where increasing so they decided to add a Fat and Sugar Tax onto products containing high levels of these.  This means that items like meat, fruit juice and chocolate, end up being very expensive.  The tax often isn’t added on until you get to the till which is quite annoying as you end up paying more for what you got. 

Rosenborg Castle

Outside the National Museum

An elk skelton.

This week we also decided to make better use of our days off with some sight-seeing.  We visited ‘The National Museum’ of Denmark to see the ‘Pre-Historic’ exhibition which was very interesting. We also visited ‘Rosenborg Castle and Gardens’ which was beautiful and this weekend we are going to the other part of Denmark with the Erasmus students to visit Aarhus, so I am looking forward to that, although not the 6.30am bus we have to board to get there.

Pre-Historic Fashion.