Last year, I was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to teach in Denmark. In February and March of this year, I lived in Holbaek, a city of 27,000 people that is 42 miles west of Copenhagen. I taught American culture to high school students.

I also learned about Danish culture and society.

While there were many similarities between Denmark and America, the two most significant differences I experienced were the transportation system and taxes.

The difference between the transportation systems can be summarized in one word: choice. Danes have a variety of convenient ways to get around. Americans, not so much. If you don’t use a personal vehicle in the United States, it is really difficult to get around. While we have sidewalks, bicycle lanes and public transportation, they are not extensive and are often inconvenient to use.

Even though I never drove a car in my entire two months in Denmark, I managed to easily explore many parts of the country. I traveled to Copenhagen a lot, since it was so close. I took a trip to Odense, the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen. I also went to Aarhus, a large city in Jutland. I took all of those trips by train.

The Danish trains are fast, clean, efficient and convenient. They go into the center of towns, so you can get right off and be near everything. I enjoyed them because I could relax but still be mobile.

Often, I people-watched, read, or just looked out the window. Riding a train was calming. Compare that with all the mental energy spent on the seemingly endless chores of driving a vehicle: getting gas, maintenance, road conditions, how other drivers are driving, traffic — you name it.

I liked the train stations, too. I could see other people in transit, if I chose to. And I mean all of them — their faces, their wrinkles, their legs and their arms — not just their head and upper half of their body in a windshield as they went whizzing by in a car. This gave me a more connective feeling with other people than I experience driving.

I did a lot of walking. It was easy. I didn’t have to worry too much about getting hit by a car or a bicycle. In many Danish cities, there is a sidewalk for walkers and a separate lane for bicycles. Walkers and bicyclists don’t have to compete with each other for who will go first. Both can co-exist safely.

I also saw many bicycles in use. This was amazing considering it was the middle of winter. And it wasn’t just young people biking, it was also young professionals, middle-aged workers and businesspeople and senior citizens.

Here is a big generalization: Danes are mobile with their bodies while Americans are mobile with their vehicles.

What do I mean by that? All kinds of Danes carry backpacks — old and young, white collar and blue collar. Because many people walk, bike and take the train, they must carry everything they need for the trip with them on their body. Contrast this with how I (and probably a lot of Americans) usually travel — just shove everything for the day into the car.

Don’t get me wrong; many Danes have cars. It’s just that there is not a strong car culture there. They also have a commitment to environmentalism and high gas and vehicle taxes.

But it’s not just cars and gasoline that is highly taxed. Train travel itself is expensive. So is going out to eat. The top tax rate in Denmark is 55 percent. As an American, that amazed me.

I am used to hearing about how horrible taxes are. This is particularly true today, with the influence of the tea party on American public policy.

With regard to Denmark, Americans might ask if the high taxes threaten individuality? How could citizens tax themselves so much?

I believe the Danish citizens believe that they get good value for their taxes and that the country is relatively homogeneous.

Most Danes are proud of the system they have put in place. Individuality is highly valued. I found that the majority believe that high taxes and “big” government doesn’t necessarily diminish that individuality. It could be said that individuality is enhanced because there is less anxiety and uncertainty associated with paying for many basic things, such as for transportation and for treatment when sick.

However, Denmark is also struggling with integration issues surrounding the many Muslims that have immigrated there. Danish society is becoming less homogeneous. That could affect attitudes toward government.

Denmark is a fascinating country with many appealing features. I am glad I had the opportunity to experience its culture and people.

Karl Trautman is chairman of the Social Science Department at Central Maine Community College.