IGSD Retreat May 11, Copenhagen model predeparture. orientations. Center Directors: Tom H. Thomsen Peder C. Pedersen

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1 IGSD Retreat May 11, 2010 Copenhagen model predeparture and on site orientations. Center Directors: Tom H. Thomsen Peder C. Pedersen

2 Why do we include cultural preparation? To increase students confidence in approaching the new experience To encourage the students to be open to explore a different culture To create a context in which the students can reflect on and understand their experiences

3 Preparation Overview: B-term: Broad cultural overview (1/6 unit) C-term: ID2050 (1/3 unit) Proposal preparation (1/6 unit) D-term: one week language and cultural orientation IQP on-site (1 unit) D-term: A one day cultural event organized by our Danish instructor

4 B Term Seminar on Danish History and Contemporary Society Seminar objectives: Expose students to cultural, historical, social and political aspects of Denmark Introduce students to current topics of Denmark by reading and discussing an online Danish newspaper Give students an opportunity to articulate their views on topics, such as cultural politics, expectation of citizenship Give Center Directors, the advisor and the student an opportunity to know each other A textbook, Discover Denmark, is assigned as source material, along with handouts and web links Introduction to Danish language

5 B-term seminar requirements: Active participation in debate Group presentation on assigned literature reading Group paper on assigned literature reading Group presentation on an assigned political party Individual paper on topics such as: The obligations and expectations of a citizen: US vs. Denmark Denmark: A kingdom in the 21st century; is this really an anachronism? Two political parties or ten? Compare the political landscapes of the US and Denmark Government and the individual in Denmark Denmark and the European Union. Is it a question of national identity and self-determination? Immigrants in Denmark in the 21st Century An evaluation of Denmark s social welfare policy. How does it compare to the US national policy?

6 B Term Seminar Discussion Topics Week 1: Introduction to Danish history Discussion around a set of trivia questions about Denmark. Week 2: Denmark, a country with few natural resources. What factors allow this society to have a high standard of living? Week 3: Danish National Identity.

7 Week 4: Denmark and the world. Past and Present Week5: Denmark, a welfare state. Reality or Myth Week 6: Danes and the arts. Past and present. Week 7: Presentation of the IQP Topics

8 The Danish language Funny letters å, ø, æ Words with double meaning Hunden gør Skat Gift Hv words with a silent h hvor-hvad-hjælp-hvem Far, får får får? Nej får får lam

9 Orientation week in Copenhagen The one week orientation has 3 components 1. Help with logistics and orientation to Copenhagen 2. Danish lesson 3. Continuing cultural and societal information The orientation is organized and conducted by Mogens Larsen who teaches Danish at DIS and at the Danish Royal Ballet

10 Sample schedule for the week long orientation in Copenhagen Sunday: Arrival. When possible Mogens will meet the students at the airport and guide them to Classensgade where students are housed in apartments with 3 or 4 students in each apartment. Settle in and recover from jet lag Students will receive their bus passes purchased by Mogens in advance

11 Hotel 9 Small Homes Nine Small Homes, Classensgade 40

12 Monday: Guided tour of the local area including help with food shopping, money exchange, orientation to facilities in apartments (laundry etc)

13 Tuesday Danish lessons start 8:00am Depart 9 Smaa Hjem for the Engineering College of Copenhagen for Danish lessons Welcome lunch at the Engineering College hosted by the Department of Export Engineering In the afternoon. Guided tour of the Folketing (Danish parliament) and a meeting with an MP. Each project team is asked to give a 3 min elevator pitch about their project.

14 Wednesday: Danish lesson at the Engineering College in the morning. Guided walking tour of Copenhagen including visit to the Round Tower, Copenhagen City Hall and the Royal Palace

15 Thursday Danish lesson at the Engineering College in the morning. Lunch at the College with students from the Export Engineering Department Highlights In Denmark s History, Guided tour of the National Museum Visit to the Royal Library and harbor bus to Christianshavn

16 Friday Danish lesson at the Engineering College in the morning Lunch at the College Each project team travels to its respective project sponsor for an introductory meeting 7:00PM Group dinner at Ankara, a Turkish restaurant with a buffet dinner

17 Comment from a past participant Arriving in a foreign city is daunting. Having a week of lessons in the language of my host country was an absolute must, not that it taught me the language, but simply made me feel much more comfortable living and working among people speaking and reading a language entirely foreign to me. The notion of culture shock I believe was somewhat reduced, because of the orientation program.