Learning danish, continues to go well, although it is a slow process as with any language! However, I remain optimisitic and committed to my daily learning habit! As I start to progress a bit more in the language I am reflecting a bit on on my own network of danish speakers with whom I might be able to do some practicing with. Most notably, I have my mom, who is my main motivation for learning the language and the heart of danish in my life! We have already started some danish conversations on the phone, but she loses me pretty quickly! I look forward to returning home for Christmas or perhaps even for reading break to share some in person language conversing together. I can also partake in her danish community there! My most immediate connection to Denmark as a country lies in the family I have there! My cousin, who I grew up with in Vancouver, now lives in Copenhagen with his wife and child! With a little cousin who is growing up quickly I hope to make several trips over there to visit with that part of my family in the future! Although their little one will likely grow up to speak english and danish,  as both of his parents do I would love to be able to converse with him in danish! Other people in my network include one my best friends, who like me is the daughter of a danish mother and knows the language a bit through travelling there growing up!

Outside of my immediate circle, I would like to explore some opportunities to connect with other Danes here in Victoria! In a quick google search, I found that there is in fact a Danish Social Club of Victoria!  I am not sure how much danish speaking happens at their meetings, but I know that I will love being surrounded by the familiar danish culture I grew up with. Unfortunately, much of their usual meetings are not happening due to Covid-19, but I will definitely look to engage with this club once things get a bit more back to normal!

As I reflect on the people in my life who make learning this language meaningful, I am increasingly motivated to stick with it! The prospect of engaging with a greater danish community is exciting too!