Core Course Week: Some Studying, Mostly Travel

“Don’t worry, you’ll have time to play later!”

— Our Lego House Tour Guide

As a part of my study abroad experience with DIS, I get to go on two study tours. Which is code for guided tours with other students to see some amazing architecture and landscapes. And some studying of course. This post is mainly photos to show how much I enjoyed myself and how grateful I am for DIS and their organization of these trips!

Two weeks ago, my class took a three day trip to the western island of Denmark called Jutland for our first study tour. Some of the most striking places we visited are below, and if you’re looking at other places to visit in Denmark, I highly recommend them!

Ribe is one of the oldest cities in Denmark, dating back to the age of the Vikings and beyond. Originally a trading town, now it is a cozy home to 8,000 Danes. The most famous building is the Ribe Cathedral, the oldest Scandinavian cathedral, which still dominates the skyline.

My favorite stop on the trip was the Lego House in Billund. Not only is it a success architecturally, but the museum inside transforms the way that we as humans play! Through a combination of augmented reality and physical Lego worlds, the exhibits entertained my class alongside kids and adults for hours. Our tour guide had to remind us that dinner was next to tear us away. And truly, my words don’t do it justice! I cannot recommend a visit to Billund and the Lego House more!

No trip to Jutland would be complete without a visit to the Koldinghus in Kolding! The Koldinghus is a castle that represents many layers of history physically in one place. Dating back to the 1200s, the building is still used today as a museum, for dress up workshops, for weddings, and for banquets. However, my favorite room was the chapel, which presented a combination of brick that is 800 years old and modern chairs and lights.

All in all, it was a lovely trip to Western Denmark. In a couple of weeks, my class will travel Germany and the Netherlands for the second study tour, and I can’t wait! Stay tuned for more photos and stories.