My Friend from Denmark :: Friendship Essay

My Friend from Denmark Question Answered: Recall a multicultural experience that has positively impacted your educational career. Discuss your experience and describe the ways in which you have benefited from this experience. I remember when I first met Soren as clear and crisp as the wind that blew that early September morning. He had just come to America from Denmark the previous week, we were both nervous but he was sweating and very pale. We were both starting new schools, but he was starting in a new country as well. I arrived at our new high school an hour early, and the first thing that struck me was a boy my age with shockingly bright blonde hair. I went to sit with him at the bus stop in hopes of striking up a conversation and perhaps making a friend. We sat side by side for sometime until we acknowledge the other's presence with quick glances. Finally I decided I was the one who had to take the first step. "Nice backpack, man," I said. "Thank you very much," he anxiously responded. He had a strong accent I recognized as European, and this caused me to ask where he was from. "Dahnmark" he said "Where?" I asked. "Dahnmark. You know, like Copenhagen? Dahnmark." "Oh, you mean Denmark!" I said "Yah! I mean, yes!" he said, and we immediately became friends. As the school year went by, I asked Soren many questions about his country and he gave me many interesting answers. I had already enjoyed the friendships of many international students, and had just started to learn Japanese. He said that in Denmark they watch "The Simpsons" and "Baywatch" regularly. He also told me about the banking industry his family was in, and the religious ceremonies that are unique to his country. Talking with Soren made me want to learn more about the Kingdom of Denmark, so I began researching it. I scoured books and found that it is a very wealthy country, and that its territories include Greenland and the Faroe Islands. After questioning my father, I was surprised to learn that my family comes from Denmark. I was part Danish! I was very excited to tell Soren and could not wait to tell him the news the next day.