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What a fitting time this is for us to reflect upon our experiences as YFU exchange students in Denmark. It was about this time 10 years ago that most of us first contemplated the idea of traveling overseas. I distinctly remember the day in January 1992, while taking a much-needed break from studying for my midterms. I glanced over at the YFU pamphlets I picked up at my school months earlier, and suddenly, a passing curiosity turned into a destiny. I decided it was time to explore the world.

The rest, pardon the cliché, is history. Looking back on my semester in Denmark nine years later, I can still say it was the most rewarding experience of my life. Who among us could forget our week in Humble? It was during that week that we first encountered "leverpostej" and those chocolate-covered marshmallow things, saw our first Danish castle, and learned how to say (OK, on the count of three...) "Tak for mad!"

Most of all, that week in Humble resulted in friendships we never imagined we would make. I had never imagined I would be sharing a room with a Brazilian, breaking bread with Latvians or shooting pool with someone from Germany. Even now, it's hard to imagine that was only the beginning of an incredible odyssey.

Though I was sad to leave my new friends, I was excited about the next step. I remember my host mother, Jonna Poulsen, and sister Heidi picking me up at the bus stop in Viborg, and riding back with them to their home in Holstebro. I would meet my host father, Senior Sgt. Peter Poulsen of the Danish Army, the next day. Before long I would be begin the most rewarding and challenging portion of my stay: attending school in a foreign language.

Danish is indeed a tricky tongue, and not just because of the phrase "rød grøl med fløde" (If only I had a krone for every time I was asked to say that). But soon I went from saying little more than "ya" and "nej" to being able to carry on conversations and understand Danish television. To my classmates I was frequently the center of attention, as they were as eager to learn about my country and practice my language as I was in return.

I could write several pages about the memories that are still vivid in my mind. I still remember eating sandwiches with a knife and fork, going to organized parties and dances, drinking my first Tuborg, listening to the Danish rock band D.A.D. and reuniting with some of my YFU mates on the week-long tour of Denmark, which included a ride on the Sandworm in Skågen and reveling on the streets of Copenhagen before a Danish soccer match. And who could forget the Danes' love for American culture, including an obsession with "Beverly Hills 90210" at an even higher level than in the states?

I still find myself reaping benefits from my semester in Denmark. In 10 years I've grown from a youth for understanding into an adult with a worldview. Five years ago, I returned to Holstebro to visit the Poulsens, and found I could still remember how to get to my school and to downtown by bicycle. Perhaps it's time to go back again. I know some of you have been fortunate to return to "DK" several times, and I envy you.

Is a 10-year reunion next year out of the question? It would be hard to pull off logistically, but I would be for it if enough people are willing to take part. Until then, please share with YFU and me your memories as exchange students, e-mail pictures and let us know what you're up to today.

Knus og Kram,
Matt Pearce (FrogGrad98@aol.com)
ACN, Denmark, Fall Semester 1992