Friendship blossomed Saturday afternoon at Bolongo Bay Beach Resort as 32 Danish students hosted a beach party for local youth. Danes invited locals to share their Virgin Islands’ culture and to learn about Danish culture in return. The students played games on the beach, danced, and shared stories.
“It’s very exciting to talk to people from here because in Denmark we don’t mingle, and we have closed personalities,” said Nanna Holmgaard, a Danish student.
After meeting several local employees at their hotel, the students decided to hold an event where they could meet more locals their age and learn about the community and culture from people who grew up here, said Holmgaard.
Danes often take what is known as a “gap year” between high school and college where they travel and learn about personal growth, teamwork, and other lessons to help them as they begin to study for their careers, said Stine Rosenlund, another Danish student.
About five local youth from the St. Thomas Governor’s Mentoring Program (GMP) attended the event. Program Coordinator for the GMP, Noel Charles, was excited to bring a few of the high school students in the mentorship program out for the event. This event is about building character and relationships, said Charles.
Jonas Lange, another Danish travelling student, said he was glad for the opportunity to travel and see the world. “There are goals for the program, but I think the community service is where we begin to dig into the whole personal development part,” he said.
The students got the word out through flyers at the Universty of the Virgin Islands (UVI) and in popular spots like Redhook and Havensight, the radio, newspapers, and even singing at Magens Bay. Several locals dropped by throughout the day, some hearing about the event through advertising and others already at Bolongo Bay.
The students are visiting with a Danish travelling school called Hojskolendk, which offers students an opportunity to travel in a structured group with pre-arranged activities and goals set for its participants.
Hojskolendk visits several other countries, but co-owner and Chief of Destination Claus Marquart said the U.S. Virgin Islands trip remains one of the most popular because of the cultural significance it holds for Danes.
While on St. Thomas, the students have enjoyed networking and making friends. They were invited to tour the campus at UVI and to be on the Real Talk radio show. Most of their time on St. Croix will be spent volunteering through Lutheran Social Service, teaching lessons in public schools, renovating areas of the Island Center for Performing Arts, and other community projects.
The trips are help bi-annually and the group is abroad for three months. Students spend three weeks teaching and learning, and have one free week each month. Participants are from all over Denmark and usually have just completed high school.
