Swimming in the Baltic

After going to the Hans Christian Andersen museum in Odense, we ate lunch at Lars's parent's house. Then, we stopped on a beach to see the Baltic Sea. Usually, three or four students are brave enough to go into the frigid waters. This year it seems that the WHOLE group, including my daughter, decided that it would be worthwhile to take a dip. Believe me, it was cold, and even outside the water, the wind was a bit chilly--in the low to mid 60s. Just take a look at their faces. BUT, they had a good time and most slept on the hour and a half ride back to Roskilde.

Sculpture Museum

Today we went with the 9th grade class to the Rudolph Tegner Sculpture Museum. All the kids seemed to enjoy it as much as teenagers enjoy art museums. The cool thing about this one is that there are bronze sculptures outside among the hills and pathways over the grounds. This way, they could walk around the grounds and take pictures and weren't just stuck inside listening to a docent.

We've had a few kids change host families, but only out of convenience more than anything. So far, this is the least problematic group I've ever dealt with, so I'm proud of how well the kids have handled traveling so far.

Tomorrow we are going to Fredericksburg Castle which the students always tend to enjoy quite a bit. I'll update you again in a few days.

Rudolph Tegner Museum Link http://www.rudolphtegner.dk/

June 5, 2008

Today we spent time working with the 9th graders at Roskilde Little school. They are the same age as our 10th graders now moving into 11th. The pictures I've posted are of our students and show them playing on the playground of the school and then working with the 9th graders in "ice-breaking" activities. These are the 9th graders who will be visiting us in the Fall. The project we are doing with them has to do with the discussion of good and evil. They are all, both Danes and Americans, getting along well and participating in the project. All the kids are coming to school on time and seem to be getting enough sleep although I know they are still a bit jet-lagged. I haven't heard of any issues, so if you hear from your child and know that he/she is having some problems, please let me know so I can address them. Sometimes kids don't want to make trouble, so they won't tell me if they're a little unhappy, but they'll call their parents and let them know. Don't feel bad about emailing me and letting me know. I'm here to make sure they are having a good experience and making good decisions. Talk with you in a couple more days. -Carrie

No Worries

The weather is gorgeous, the kids are fine, and no one has called me yet. This is good.

Final Countdown

I'll see you at the Delta Check-In area at noon tomorrow. Don't forget passports!

Also, about the medical release forms--they ask for some info. that you may not have on hand tomorrow, so if you can get the following info. for me, that's great. If you don't have all of it, don't worry, it's not that big of a deal--we only need one parent signature, too.

Names of phone numbers of two people who can be reached if parents cannot be
Student's doctor's name and phone number
Student's last tetanus shot date (if possible)
Student's blood type (if possible)
Insurance Company and policy number (although this is actually worthless information for overseas travel to a socialized country--but, if you have it, I'll take it)

Thanks so much! See you soon.
Carrie

Up vs. down-time

Although you all are probably REALLY excited at this point and don't care what I have to say, I do have a few suggestions about international travel that WILL benefit you in the long-run:

1. It is imperative that you try to sleep or get some rest on the plane.

• On the Atlanta flight, after dinner, the lights will be turned down on the plane. Please, PLEASE try to sleep or at least let the people around you sleep. They are trying to prepare you for the time change. At that point, around 8pm our time, it will be about 2 am in Denmark. Do your very best. If Benadryl makes you sleepy--you may want to consider it--with your parents' permission of course.

2. Drink lots of water on the flight.

• Even though you may hate to use plane bathrooms, drinking water is essential in combating jetlag. You also will not have to "pee" as much as you would imagine since your body is using up every bit of water you take in. Part of jet lag is dehydration, so avoid caffienated products like coke and coffee. Water and juices work much better.

3. Wear your glasses (for contact users)

• If you tend to wear contacts, you probably don't want to wear them on the plane. They will suction to your eyeballs and drive you insane. I know, I've tried. Always wear your glasses on the plane. Nobody cares (except you). It's just not good for your eyes to have dried out lenses blanketing your eyeballs for 18 or more hours.

4. Bring Benadryl along anyway

• If you tend to have fluid in your ears a lot or have a cold or allergy problems, it may be good to have Benadryl or some other decongestant/anti-histamine with you. You should take it about 45 minutes prior to landing (especially in Copenhagen). It will reduce the amount of popping and possible pain in your ears. Chewing gum also helps to eliminate some of the popping due to air pressure changes in the plane cabin.

5. Slow down!

• When students arrive in Denmark, they are so excited that they are often bouncing off the walls. Just remember, you're going to be here for practically a month. Slow down and don't run around and goof off too much right away. The majority of minor accidents (like a twisted ankle and a busted knee) have happened during our first two days in Denmark. Why? Because people are excited, jet-lagged, sleep-deprived and don't make as good of decisions and are a little off-balance. The times we have had minor incidents have been because boys (yes, boys) were showing off on skateboards or trying to balance on a brick wall. Not a good idea. Take it slow and remember, Denmark is more fun with an intact body.
• P.S. Parents, we've only had minor incidents--no major ones. Don't worry!

6. Homesickness DOES happen to SOME people.

• If you arrive and find that you don't know what to say to your host and/or are completely scared to death and/or wish you would have stayed home.....calm down--take some deep breaths. You are not the only one who feels this way or has ever felt this way when far from home in a stranger's house. During the first 3-4 days, some people will feel a bit sick, emotional, scared, even irritable. You have to remember that this is part of jet-lag and sleep deprivation. It's also a part of being out of your comfort-zone. You have to talk yourself down and remember that you can call me at any time and I'll help you get through it. Even I feel sad and sometimes weepy around day 2 or 3-it's just how my body reacts to travel. I always know that I just have to wait it out.
• The good news is, most of you won't be affected by the travel at all.

7. Don't worry, your host family doesn't know what to say to you at first either.

• Most people are really excited to get to Denmark, but don't necessarily think about what it will be like to meet the host student and his/her family. It's weird to suddenly be alone with someone you don't know and you're tired and possibly homesick at the same time. Your host family also may not know exactly what to say to you or they may try leaving you alone during the first couple of days so you can get your bearings. You have to TELL them what you want. This may sound rude to some of you, but if you are hungry or there is something you want to see or do, they don't know unless you tell them.
• Don't say "I don't care." When a host family says, "Would you like to get some food, or would you like to go take a walk by the Fjord?" Pick one. You may actually not care, but you'll make it easier for everyone if you just make a decision. Students who are honest and specific (rather than bossy/demanding OR mousy/indecisive) are good guests. Your host family will appreciate this.

That's all for now. We will talk more about all of this as we travel.

Weekend Update

Hopefully everyone has started packing. Don't forget to take layers, layers, layers. The weather next week looks like it will be sunny and in the 70s (let's cross our fingers and hope that's what the month will look like). I suggest jeans and t-shirts and for the mornings a sweatshirt or light jacket.

You WILL be doing a lot of walking--make sure your shoes are comfortable.

Don't forget that you cannot get through security at the airport with any liquids (more than 11 oz) in your carry-on. That means you cannot bring a bottled water or a large contact solution, or even a large canister of peanut butter through the checkpoint. You can pack peanut butter and such in your checked luggage.

Small amounts of liquid items such as eyedrops/small hand sanitizers/anything under 11 oz can be brought through, but you must have them sealed in a ziplock baggy (or one of the bags they provide at security for you).

Wear shoes that are easy to slip off at the airport---they will run them through security, too.

I suggest no jewelry when flying. Just pack it--you can put it on later.

You can buy a bottled water at the airport after security if you're really thirsty.

If I think of more, I will post again later.