Every year, Chung Chi College organises a series of exciting summer activities to enrich the learning experience of its students. The tour this year, “‘Hygge ’ Journey of Happiness: Denmark Summer Exchange”, which was held from 1 to 12 June, is the first-ever summer study trip to Denmark that the College has been preparing for several years. Denmark has one of the highest happiness indices in the world, and the Danish word hygge , meaning “coziness,” represents a unique Danish philosophy of life. Therefore, the social customs and culture of Denmark are worth savouring for students who are always in a hurry.
Exploring the Danish Society
During the study tour, students gained profound cultural experiences and built friendships with the locals. The itinerary encompassed destinations including the capital city, Copenhagen, the university city of Aarhus, and the rose town of Mariager.
In Copenhagen, the students had the opportunity to visit several national landmarks, allowing them to experience the social atmosphere of Denmark and reflect on Danish culture. The group visited the Christiansborg Palace, where they were introduced to the concept of constitutional monarchy and the philosophy of egalitarianism in Danish society. They also explored the Grundtvig’s Church, appreciating the innovative blend of classical and modernist architectural styles. At the Superkilen Park and its architectural centre, students interacted with installations from sixty different countries, exploring the practice of public arts. During the canal tour, students were impressed by the tour facilitator’s profound national sentiment, understanding the impact of preservation on collective memories and local culture.
Thereafter, the study tour proceeded to Aarhus, where students had the opportunities to experience the atmosphere of the local university. In Mariager, the students overcame linguistic differences through music and dance, and celebrated the Danish National Day and the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival together with locals. The cultural exchange continued with the tasting of Hong Kong food and the night-long discussion on life. In Mariager, students had their inaugural experience of traditional Danish monastic life, stayed in a 16th century monastery and attended service, embarking on a spiritual pilgrimage of body, mind, and soul.
The Cultural Origin of Hygge
In addition to on-site visits, students solidified their knowledge in the classroom. The course facilitator initiated the students’ introduction to the unique Danish concept of hygge . Hygge is an intangible, sincere, and indescribable emotional experience, which is composed of five elements: atmosphere, togetherness, comfort, nature, and simplicity. Indeed, the students had unintentionally experienced the essence of hygge, with laughter and joy always expressed throughout the tour.
The promotion of education highlights egalitarianism, which is one of the origins of hygge and the sense of happiness in modern Denmark. In Copenhagen, the director of the Grundtvig Academy introduced the profound influence of N. F. S. Grundtvig (1783-1872), a Danish educator in the 19th century, on modern Danish society. The folk high school established by Grundtvig embodies his educational philosophy of mass education and lifelong learning. This has improved the quality of the nation and fostered unity through the historical legacy.
The study tour continued to the university city of Aarhus, where a senior professor introduced students to the university’s characteristics, the relationship between religion and Danish society, and case studies of academic research. Finally, the tour arrived in Mariager, where students entered a local educational institution, interacted with local students, and taught them the calligraphic skills of writing the Chinese word “Happiness”. In the classroom, the tour further explored the life stories of philosophers Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) and Grundtvig. It is believed that the personal and social reflections made during these classroom sessions provided a solid foundation for the group’s research projects.
The group met students of Mariager and explored the meaning of happiness together.
A Pilgrimage Seeking Spiritual Enlightenment
The unique Danish customs made the students ponder the Danish approach to life and philosophy. Forgetting the bustling city life of Hong Kong, the students stayed in the picturesque Mariager for five days, living a slow-paced life, which allowed their minds to settle and become tranquil.
For two consecutive days, the students embarked on a pilgrimage with a priest, seeking their own spiritual significance. As they walked through the hills in the countryside, they were surrounded by serene beauty and lush greenery. In the beginning, the priest advised the students to meditate, and to resist the temptation to document the journey with their phones. Students were encouraged to truly connect with the present moment. With their bodies and minds fully present, they continued their journey through wind and rain. In the countryside, amidst towering fir trees and along the coastline, they finally returned to the starting point.
Along the way, the priest prompted the students to discuss various topics. Thoughts were elevated through these exchanges, and students shared their perspectives on personal identity, happiness, loneliness, and community. When the surroundings and the soul fell into silence, inner reflections emerged. One student said that this pilgrimage felt like stepping into the Peach Blossom Spring, a fabled land of peace and prosperity described by Chinese poet Tao Yuanming. On the second day after the pilgrimage, the students embarked on an introduction to mindfulness, allowing the philosophical thoughts of living in the moment to continue after the journey.
Many moments were filled with the essence of hygge . It was hand in hand, singing and dancing on the lawn of Hans Christian Andersen’s residence; it was the heart-touching music by the seaside in Mariager, which blurred the boundaries between Hong Kong people and the Danes; it was the wonderful afternoon spent with host families, where the warmth continued to be cherished. In the embrace of cross-cultural friendships, memories were captured with hugs and smiles.
During the farewell dinner, the course teacher reminded us of the true meaning of hygge . The simple and sincere shared experiences bring joy that lingers quietly in our hearts. Looking back on the entire journey, a student expressed that Mariager in Denmark has become his second home, and the host family is his extended family. When a music student played a farewell song, it was difficult for students to hold back their tears.
Students performed a Cantonese pop song to the locals at the harbour singing party at Mariager.
When Inner Salvation was Found
This overseas study tour not only allowed Chung Chi students to understand Danish systems and culture but, more importantly, it sparked their contemplation of life through travel, classroom learning, and interactions with the locals. Today, many people search for meaning externally, neglecting the possibility of searching within themselves. Through this study tour, students experienced a return to simplicity, realising that their inner selves can also be pure land. Reflecting on the five elements of hygge : atmosphere, togetherness, comfort, nature, and simplicity, can it be a remedy for the loneliness amidst the hustle and bustle experienced by modern individuals?
In the final class, the lesson quoted Hans Christian Andersen, saying, “Just living is not enough, one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower.” The study tour marked the beginning of another journey. Life is a long path, and everyone should occasionally slow down, listen to the voice within their hearts, and live in the present moment.
In the Cultural Night, students taught Chinese calligraphy to the locals. The two groups exchanged their cultures, lives, and thoughts.
Student Reporter Chu Kwai Yee, Fong Ho Fung
