feo
School of International Liberal Studies
When I received an email announcing the Danish Urban Life Dialogue Café, I was surprised to realize how limited my understanding of Denmark was. I knew that Denmark was ranked very highly in life satisfaction, but I had never deeply learnt what makes Danish people live in such high level of happiness. Therefore, I registered for the event.
The warm lighting, candles on each table, and calming background music created an environment that encouraged slow, thoughtful conversation. The snacks and drinks were also fascinating. I especially appreciated the non-alcoholic version of hot wine, since I can’t drink alcohol due to my age.
The presentation provided a comprehensive introduction to Danish society. There were a large range of information covered, like mindset and interaction between people. Among them, I was mostly impressed by the education. I was surprised that in Denmark schools, children are encouraged to do things they want to do, not simply following somebody else.
The group discussion deepened my understanding even further. The guiding questions encouraged us to consider how Nordic values can help us improve our surrounding world. Listening to other participants’ perspectives showed me how people with different cultural backgrounds interpret the same concepts differently.
Overall, the Dialogue Café was a meaningful experience. It allowed me not only to learn about Denmark, but also to think about the society carefully. I am now much more curious about the Nordic philosophy of life, and I hope I can go to Denmark one day to experience its culture directly.
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- Photo by author
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- Photo by ICC
