Passionate Pursuits

The latest craze among Generation Y: follow your passion and apply it to your career. I initially came to Denmark believing I would find a professional application for positive psychology (other than research) and, to be honest, my confidence has dwindled. It seems a MAPP (Masters in Applied Positive Psychology) works best with previous career experience or an MBA, or well, a game plan. It’s been a little rough on the obsessive compulsive planner. Nevertheless, better things have risen from uncertainty!

If there is one piece of advice I could give incoming college freshman I would encourage them to find a common interest with a professor. Network up the wazoo, kiddos, because research institutions hold countless connections with professionals in practically every field. Nurture partnerships with them and see how your future unfolds. The process is mindboggling!

Our Positive Psychology teacher, Mads, offered a dinner for students inquisitive about applications for the topic over dinner. Through a question and answer session he debunked my ridiculously optimistic view of where the field is headed. No matter, I am still an idealistic realist. Teetering on the edge of hope vs. despair, a few of my peers and I followed Mads to my favorite café thus far: Café Paludan.

You walk in and see hundreds of books lining the walls like a café version of the Beauty and the Beast library. Radiohead’s “Prove Yourself” plays overhead. Inhale scents of dark cocoa and crumbly cakes from the barista’s corner to your left as he sports a chic apron. People are studying and chatting at little tables with mismatched chairs. Then you make the connection between the deep red velvet curtains and the Gryffindor common room… sparking a conversation about Harry Potter that lasts over an hour…

Troll this site and see for yourself: Paludan Cafe

Potternerds united over dark hot chocolates with whipped cream. We raved about how J.K Rowling remains the epitome of resilient individuals pursuing a dream. She created a culture, a social movement, a generational change. Rowling fostered her imagination sitting in a café like we did last night, simply inspired by a thought she had on a train. So what did we do? We related positive psychology to Harry Potter and are sketching a plan with our newfound connections J Mads looked up The Elephant House in Edinburgh where we’re headed in a few weeks for our study tour. I’m retracing my idol’s footsteps. Who says childhood must end with graduation?!

PS – A teacher called me Hermione. Can life get any better?

PSS – The Danish Potter series kept the majority of the same names and spells. However, names with connotative meanings, such as Mad-Eye Moody, were translated to convey the same quirky character structure.