Joining an association and meeting new people!

After a few years working in different countries in Europe, Ph.D. Civil Eng. Parth Domadiya decided to accept a job offer in Denmark and settle down in Esbjerg, the 5th biggest city in Denmark.

Denmark might be known for not being the easiest place on earth to make friends, but it doesn´t look like it according to Parth.

He did things his own way and it looks like he did well! Read more about what he did to penetrate the Danish tribe.

from work, I enjoy my free time and family life. So, yes, I do enjoy life in Denmark.

What are you doing when you are off work?

I play squash. When I arrived in Denmark, I tried to run, but because of the weather during wintertime, I quickly tried to find indoor activities. I started playing badminton and then, I shifted to squash.

Parth, how long have you been living in Denmark?

I have been living in Denmark for five years now. I got a PhD from Aalborg University first and now I am an engineer at Rambøll.

Do you enjoy life in Denmark?

I have a very interesting job, so I am satisfied with my professional life. And when I am off

I really enjoy squash, which is a very intense sport. I got hooked quickly.

How did you find a club to join?

I did a bit of research on the internet (Google translate was a big help) and then, I just showed up at the club one evening. I took a friend with me, and we got started right away. It was a quite easy process.

Did you feel welcome and was it easy to talk to people - you did not speak Danish when you started playing squash, right?

No, I did not, but it was not a problem. I felt welcome, and I soon got very good partners that I could regularly train with. Of course, to start with, you always feel a bit left alone, but I do not think this is specific to Denmark or to the Danish culture. I have been living in other European countries, and I think it is the same no matter where you are. You are de facto the outsider, and it takes some time for people to get to know you.

where I get the opportunity to practice my Danish.

I got involved in the Board work too. I really like the way associations work in Denmark.

Everybody has a say, no matter where you are from.

I got very fond of squash, and I think people at my club could feel it and felt that I took it seriously and wanted to spend time and energy on this. I was - and I am - a very regular player. I am there at least twice a week, and people feel like they can count on my presence. Now, I am a very good player, and it surely makes it more attractive for people to play with me.

So, basically, you are saying that if you are willing to put efforts and time in the association, you will reach out to the Danes?

Well, I think showing some interest and assiduity is a good start, and maybe being patient too. It takes time, but it is worth it. I got more and more involved in the association life. Today, I am training other expats and women. I was the first member with an international background, but now, we are many, because I talked about it with my colleagues and friends, and they wanted to try it too.

We have a lot of social activities, and I often hang around with my Danish friends. I am even getting better at Danish. I speak English at work, so the club is one of the few places

THANKS FOR SHARING, PARTH!