And suddenly you are in Denmark!!

10-10-2025

Hej everyone,

Here we are, the new volunteers of Kulturfabrikken! It is unbelievable that we are already three weeks in Nykoebing Falster, time goes by so fast :) 

First, let me introduce myself: I am Hanna, 18 years old and from Belgium. I love music, writing, painting, dancing and hanging out with my friends🥰!

I think I was never so nervous in my life when on the 15th of September I stepped on the train to begin the greatest adventure ever: going to Denmark and for the first time moving to another country, away from home, away from my family and friends. It was a long journey, from 6 in the morning to 8 in the evening, landscapes changed and bridges brought us over the water. I say ‘us’, because Lily and I were from Hamburg to Nykoebing on the same trains. We met in Ringsted and I was so excited and nervous to meet her. I immediately recognized her, because, like myself, she was wearing a gigantic backpack and had a big suitcase next to her. From that moment on we talked the whole time and it was so nice to get to know her😍!

At the station of Nykoebing Mette welcomed us with open arms and a big smile. She drove us to the apartment and there was Guna waiting, who had already cooked delicious food for us. Guna also welcomed us so so warmly and all together we ate dinner at the new home of Lily and me. I imagined that Mette, Guna and all our colleagues at Kulturfabrikken would be nice and open people, but they all blew my expectations away with their extraordinary kindness and deep warmth. From the first second we arrived, I absolutely had the feeling that we were well taken care of and I am so thankful for that💞!

And so the first week started! We had our first mentor meeting and the first team meeting. To finally get to know everyone on the team was really nice and everyone was and is so kind to us :). In the first week different things were on our program: Guna showed us around in the building (later also in the city), Lena told us everything about the creative workshops, together with Mette and Guna we found our way through all the paperwork, we had our first caféshifts and were creative together with Elisabeth. Then on Friday we had a day off! Lily and I went secondhand-shopping, arranged some things in the apartment, watched Bridgerton on Netflix (now we’re already watching the third season :)) and got our cards for the swimming center on Saturday. On Sunday we had a trip organized by AFS, our lead organisation, to a Forest Tower, where we met other AFS volunteers and students and had an amazing view over South Zealand. It was a very cool experience to meet everyone and enjoy nature together! 

In the other past weeks a lot happened: we participated during the open workshops, a lot of meetings about workshops and the Autumn Holiday (which is already next week!) were held, youngsters from Lithuania and Germany visited Kulturfabrikken, there were a lot of caféshifts with Guna and our Feel Good Classics-playlist😊, we went to Knuthenborg Safaripark together with Mette and Thomas and in the weekend we met Mia, our AFS contact person, who is so lovely :). 

And then Lily got Mononucleosis (also called the “kissing disease”) which knocked her out and forced her to stay in bed since two weeks. She is slowly getting better and I really hope that soon she will feel stronger, because I miss her at work! I try to take good care of her and give her everything she needs. You can do this, Lily❤️!! So I’ve been working alone the past two weeks. I for example, apart from the regular meetings and caféshifts, helped Ronni with packing the car for the GLAWOKL kidsconcert (which was so cute and nice) and we welcomed our new colleague Nanna, who will be working in the café (it is so nice that you are here!).

I’ve got the feeling that in those three weeks I already learned so much. Countless things at work, but also organizing myself at home, with cooking, household and other to-do’s. Also riding a bike is something new I love to do now, because in my hometown Brussels I did everything with the tram, bus and metro. I am so excited for everything that is coming and I will enjoy every special moment during this year🤩!

That’s it from me, I hope you have an amazing weekend and furthermore a very cozy october🍂🍁🧡

Take care and vi ses,

Hanna