Hi, folks! It’s hard to believe that we’re wrapping up our stay here in Denmark, but here we are. I can’t say enough about how exceptional these kids have been throughout this journey. Seeing their curiosity, intelligence, warmth, and camaraderie over the last ten days has been a privilege to behold.

But before we start thinking about the end of the trip (and the end of the blog), let’s reflect on some of the students’ final activities in Odense.

On Friday morning, students reported to Sct. Knud’s and boarded a bus for a field trip! I know, right? Roughly 80 students, both Danish and American, boarded a double-decker coach bus and traveled to Svenborg for a visit to Oure Friskole, a progressive folk high school in the western portion of Funen. During this trip, students were addressed by the Assistant Principal of Oure Friskole about the history and philosophy of folk high schools in Denmark, and they were also treated to a special dance performance by Oure Friskole students. We later had the chance to eat a gourmet lunch (prepared by Oure Friskole students and staff) that was unlike anything Americans are used to purchasing in school cafeterias (Pasta with mussels? Fresh kale salad? Pickled herring?) Oure Friskole’s attention to quality, locally-sourced food is inspiring, and the daily dining experience, during which students and staff members sit and eat together, clearly helps to foster a sense of community among school attendees. This was a great opportunity to students to further understand the depth of diversity in Denmark’s education system, as Oure Friskole offers a vastly different experience from what is offered by Sct. Knud’s.

We then trekked through some intermittent drizzle to the Svenborg waterfront. The town’s historic buildings and cobblestone streets seem like a picture-perfect representation of Old Europe, complete with winding, narrow alleys and wooden ship masts that reach into the skyline. After arriving at the waterfront, we walked along a footpath adjacent to the Skårupøre Sund before boarding our bus back to Sct. Knud’s. The afternoon sky was overcast, and we pulled away from Svendborg just as the rain began to fall again.

We arrived back in Odense around 5:00 PM, and students began their final evening with their host families. The bulk of Saturday was designated as a “free day,” which meant that Danish hosts could organize their own activities for their American guests. That evening, students gathered at Sct. Knud’s to celebrate the culminating event of their cultural exchange: a pot luck dinner hosted by the Danes. For this special occasion, each host family brought a special home cooked dish to share with the group. While sad about their impending departure, Bay Shore students were still in a celebratory mood and made the most of their last night in Odense with their Danes.

With some unexpected changes to our travel itinerary, we all prepared to meet that night around 1:00 AM to board our bus to Copenhagen Airport. Later, in the dark of night, Danish and American students met at Sct. Knud’s for tearful goodbyes, warm hugs, and promises to keep in touch. And just like that, we drove off into the early morning, beginning our long trip back to Bay Shore.

So, I guess that’s all for now. I (Mr. MacDougal) will be posting a bunch of photos that didn’t make the cut during the original round of postings. I’d like to thank all of the chaperones, the students, administrators, school board members, and Bay Shore residents that made this trip possible for our IB students. This was certainly the experience of a lifetime for all those involved.

Until next time,

Mr. MacDougal
Mr. Sullivan
Mr. Nelson
Ms. Rooney