#11: How Might Your Sensory Experience Effect You When Relocating to a New Country?

During my first year in Denmark, there were several factors that influenced my experience. Some were more common, such as navigating the bike paths and getting familiar with the astounding variety of milks and yoghurts. Others were more confusing, the extremely thorough social services IT systems that are almost too smart and straightforward to understand, and, of course, learning the nuances between words like "Nå," "Nåh," "Nååh," and "Nåårh."

However, there was an aspect of integration that took me by surprise. And it was only when I returned home to Australia for a visit that it truly struck me and made me realise that the environment had a profound impact on my sense of belonging and orientation.

Upon arriving at a friend's place in a country town outside of Melbourne, I was overwhelmed by the intoxicating familiarity of the elements. The smell in the air, the vibrant hues of native trees, the harmonious sounds of birds, and the gentle movement of wild grass caught me off guard and blew my senses wide open. This is what home felt like.

As I prepared to return to Denmark, my "new home," I came to the realisation that what I missed most was not just my friends, family, and community, but my body's need to form a bond and understanding with the nature that surrounded me.

I realised that I needed to prioritise spending more time being mindful of the things that held meaning for me—listening to the sounds of the birds, discovering the tiniest insects, appreciating the vibrant colours of the blooming flowers that I had previously only seen through screens.

The most notable difference I found between nature in Denmark and Australia is its subtlety, which reveals itself when you pay attention. It requires devoting time to observation. The beauty lies in the finer details of the small wildflowers and the hues that radiate during autumn and winter. The winter colours aren't just grey or brown here; they are orange, pink, purple, yellow, and more. It's simply a matter of pausing to take a moment and observe.

I realised that I needed to rewire my brain through my senses. But whenever I longed for home, I knew it was the need for something that made the cells in my body feel at home. Like many Australians, that place for me is the ocean.