Week 3 (08/02/16) – Personal
and Professional
Hej!
The beginning of this
week saw us saying goodbye to one friend and welcoming another as Claire left
us to return to Northern Ireland and Matthew took a slight detour via
Copenhagen on his way home from Paris. He did not arrive empty-handed and so,
in true multi-cultural style, on the same day that we officially registered as
Danish citizens, we also took great pleasure in devouring some delicious French
macaroons that he had brought for us from Paris. He stayed for two nights and
we again took on the role of tour guides, showing him around some of the infamous
tourist attractions in Copenhagen including the ‘Little Mermaid’, Nyhavn and Christiansborg
Palace. This was topped off by a trip on the waterbus; definitely a unique way for
the locals to get around to say the least! We finished off the week in style,
celebrating Naomi’s 21st birthday by taking her to the aquarium
where she spent a couple of happy hours gazing into fish tanks and posing for photographs.
After saying goodbye to
both of our visitors, the flat became unusually quiet all of a sudden and the
four of us settled back into our normal routine. Being spoilt by our mothers at
home means that it has been strange having to get used to cleaning on a weekly
basis, doing the grocery shopping and thinking about what to cook for dinner
every night. However, we are relishing the independent lifestyle that we have
here in Denmark and are learning to appreciate our home comforts more and more
every day. At times, I find it difficult being pushed out of my comfort zone,
having to do things that I have never done before and go to places that I have
never been. However, an unknown author once wrote that “A comfort zone is a
beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.” Indeed, even though it is not
always easy, it excites me greatly to think that the new experiences that we
are having will enable me to grow in many ways as an individual and, most importantly,
in my faith.
Lessons in university
have continued this week as normal and I found one module in particular, ‘The
Nordic Model’ to be very insightful. During the lesson, we were given an
in-depth explanation of the structure of the Danish school system with a
particular focus on the aims of the ‘Folkeskole’. It was interesting to share
with our class the aim of the Northern Irish primary school curriculum which is
“…to empower young people to develop their potential and to make informed and
responsible choices and decisions throughout their lives” (CCEA, 2007, p. 4)
and to compare this with that of the Danish education system, considering the
benefits and drawbacks of both. I hope that further lessons in this module will
provide more insights into this area and enable me to develop my opinion as an
individual teacher regarding what I believe to be the main aim of education.
As usual, we have had an
extremely busy week and, in light of this, I am particularly challenged by
Lewis (1942, np.) who writes that “The future is something which everyone
reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.”
I hope that we will continue as we have done, striving towards what is ahead
and making the most of every opportunity along the way. But for now, farvel!
Lewis, C.S. (1942) The Screwtape Letters, London, Geoffrey
Bles Publishing.
CCEA (Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment) (2007) The Northern Ireland Curriculum Primary, Belfast,
CCEA.
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