OCTOBER IN DENMARK
A MONTH OF AUTUMN CHANGES, MARKED BY SCHOOL HOLIDAYS, FESTIVE HALLOWEEN CELEBRATIONS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITY IN THE JOB MARKET.
DEAR READERS
As the country prepares for the chilly winter months ahead, with people engaging in various preparations and enjoying the beauty of autumn. Here, we delve into the key aspects that make October a bustling and cosy month in Denmark.
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS AND FAMILY TIME
The Danish school system enjoys a week-long autumn break in October, known as "Efterårsferie" or the autumn holidays. This break typically falls in the middle of the month, when students and families take a muchneeded break from the academic calendar. Many families use this time to travel, either within Denmark or to nearby countries, taking advantage of the last of the mild weather. Popular activities during this period include visiting amusement parks like Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, exploring the Danish countryside, or engaging in cultural activities such as museum visits and theatre performances.
HALLOWEEN CELEBRATIONS
Although not traditionally a Danish holiday, Halloween has grown in popularity over the past decade. Danish cities and towns now embrace the spooky spirit of Halloween with various events and activities. Pumpkin carving has become a fun pastime, and neighbourhoods often organise trick-or-treating for children. Additionally, many restaurants, cafes, and shops decorate their premises with Halloween themes, offering special treats and discounts. Tivoli Gardens, in particular, transforms into a Halloween wonderland with themed decorations, haunted houses, and festive entertainment.
JOB MARKET DYNAMICS
October is a pivotal month in the Danish job market. As companies finalise their budgets for the coming year, recruitment activities surge. Many businesses seek to fill positions before the end of the fiscal year, making it a busy period for job seekers and recruiters alike. This heightened activity is evident across various sectors, including technology, healthcare, and finance. Job fairs and networking events are common during this time, providing opportunities for internationals to connect with potential employers and advance their careers.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN DANISH NEWS
October 2024 has been notable for several key developments in Denmark:
Climate initiatives: Denmark continues to lead in climate action, with new government policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy. Recent initiatives include significant investments in wind energy and public transportation.
Healthcare advancements: The Danish healthcare system has introduced new digital health solutions to improve patient care and streamline operations. These advancements are part of a broader effort to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of healthcare services.
Cultural highlights: October has seen a series of cultural events and festivals celebrating everything from literature to music. The Copenhagen Jazz Festival and the Aarhus Food Festival have attracted both locals and tourists, showcasing Denmark's rich cultural and culinary excellence.
Political landscape: Denmark's political climate remains dynamic, with ongoing discussions about immigration policies, economic reforms, and social welfare programmes. Recent debates in parliament have focused on balancing economic growth with social equity, which reflects Danish society's values and priorities.
As we navigate the challenges and opportunities of the season, it remains a time of cultural richness, innovation, and community. Whether it's through taking time off to enjoy family activities, a job change, or preparing your homes for winter, remember to embrace October with a blend of family togetherness.
MEET THE TEAM
EDITOR & FOUNDER
Lyndsay Jensen - lyndsay@the-intl.com
MANAGING DIRECTOR & PARTNER
Kenneth Macalpine - kenneth@the-intl.com
CONSULTING EDITOR
Conrad Egbert
GRAPHIC DESIGN
The International
WRITERS TEAM
Ophelia Wu; Alexandra Beck; Mariano Davies; Monika Pedersen; Anna Pawlowicz; Michaela Medvedova; Natasha Liviero; Heather Storgaard; Natália Šepitková; Leslea Petersen
COVER PICTURE
Pic Tours Lisbon
SOME AMBASSADORS
Michaela Medvedova; Ane-Sophie Custura; Terumi Mascarenhas; Leslie Noygues; Shelly Pandey; Ritika Jain; Pavlos Tsiakoumis; Sakib Akhter; Rashmi Jadhav; Shaeema Zaman
SALES
sales@the-intl.com
The International is published online 12 times a year. This issue was published on 16 October 2024.
Lyndsay
Love, EDITOR & FOUNDER THE-INTL.COM
Notice: The publishers regret that they cannot accept any liability for error or omissions contained in this publication. The opinions and views presented need not necessarily reflect those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek special counsel before acting on any information contained herein. All rights reserved. No part of this publication or contents thereof may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without written permission from the publishers. Published by and © 2021 The International ApS. Registered in Denmark / CVR Number: 39118181
CRISIS PREPPING CHECKLIST!
BE PREPARED FOR THREE DAYS
The Danish authorities recommend that you and your household be self-sufficient for at least three days in a crisis.
WHY
IT'S IMPORTANT
If you are prepared and able to take care of yourself and your loved ones, authorities can focus their efforts where the needs are greatest, helping to normalise the situation. The more people who can fend for themselves and assist others during and immediately after a crisis, the stronger we stand as a community.
PRACTICAL ADVICE
Here are some simple steps to help you prepare. These recommendations have been developed in collaboration with various Danish authorities and represent a joint assessment of how to respond to crises:
Basic supplies: Ensure you have enough food, water, and essential medications for at least three days.
Communication: Have a plan for staying informed and communicating with family members.
First aid: Keep a first aid kit and know basic first aid procedures.
Utilities: Know how to turn off utilities like gas, water, and electricity if necessary.
Safety: Have tools and supplies for essential home repairs and personal safety.
COMMUNITY EFFORT
You might only need to use some of this advice, but it's good to be prepared. Do what you can to help yourself and those around you family, neighbours, and friends. Denmark is known for its strong community spirit, and by following these guidelines, we can be even better prepared for future crises.
HERE IS AN ESSENTIAL LIST OF WHAT EVERY HOUSEHOLD SHOULD HAVE:
DRINKING WATER:
Drinking water (3L per person per day)
Water for animals or livestock
FOOD:
Long-lasting food that doesn’t need to be cooked
MEDICINE & FIRST AID:
Prescription medications
First aid kit
Iodine tablets (for people under 40, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers)
HYGIENE PRODUCTS:
Toilet paper
Hand sanitiser
Nappies, tampons and sanitary towels
WARMTH:
Blankets, duvets and warm clothes
OTHER NECESSITIES:
Power bank for your mobile phone
Torch
OTHER NECESSITIES:
Batteries
Physical payment cards (remember your PIN code)
Cash (coins and small notes)
Candles & matches
COMMUNICATION:
AM/FM radio that runs on battery, solar power or hand crank (a car radio is an alternative)
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:
Are there children or older adults in your house?
Do you live exposed to a flooding area?
Do you have alternative transport options in the event of a flood?
Can you help or get help from family, neighbours or friends?
MARIAM’S MESSY MOBILE LIFE
SHARING HER STORY ON HOW TO SHAPE YOUR IDENTITY ACROSS MULTIPLE EXPAT EXPERIENCES,
MARIAM SHOWS THE BEAUTY OF A TRULY MULTICULTURAL LIFE.
RPHOTOGRAPHS PIC TOURS LISBON / MARIAM NAVAID OTTIMOFIORE TEXT MICHAELA MEDVEDOVÁ
RELOCATING ABROAD CAN shape one’s identity like not much in life. Mariam Navaid Ottimofiore has tried and tested this in 10 different countries.
With each move adding new layers to her messy, beautiful mobile life, she’s sharing her experiences in books aimed at helping expats and multicultural families like hers.
A MOBILE CHILDHOOD
Born to expatriate parents, Mariam became a globetrotter very early on, growing up in 3 countries before the age of 10. Her parents are Pakistani, but at the time of her birth, they were living and working in Bahrain. “My mom did fly back when I was supposed to be born, so I was born in Pakistan, which I’m very happy about. But when I was two weeks old, I joined my parents in their life in Bahrain. I joked I’ve been an expat since birth - I was born into this kind of life and didn’t know any different.”
Eventually, her parents decided to repatriate after a decade of living abroad - in both Bahrain and the US. Her global childhood helped her embrace new cultures and new people and taught her to be open to everything that would ultimately prepare her for her life on the move. “Just being bilingual - from birth, I took a lot of it for granted. I didn’t realise not everyone grew up this way, not everyone is exposed to new cultures and languages and switches schools and meets new people by the time they’re 10.”
Even when you’re moving as a young child, it can come with culture shocks - especially if you move from the Arabian desert to New York in the middle of the winter. “I’ve never seen snow before. There are photos of me too hesitant to step on it as a toddler,” laughs Mariam. “There were downsides for me as well. When I moved back to Pakistan, I could speak Urdu, but I spoke it with an American accent, and other kids made fun of me for that, so I had to work really hard to get rid of it. But when you’re marked as
the other, it’s also the identity you embrace. As a result of these experiences, I am very comfortable with being an outsider. It’s my strength and not a weakness. Being an insider can be quite boring. My goal has always been to have a little bit of both, to have one foot on each side.”
STARTING HER ADVENTURE
It can come as no surprise when you learn Mariam decided to spread her wings on her own when she was 19 and move to Boston to start her university education. What prompted her? Finally being in charge. “It was my own adventure. I wanted to set off and explore the world - and do it on my own terms, not following my parents.” Mariam does not believe her thirst for adventure is something that was decided by her globally mobile childhood. After all, she has a sister who decided to live in Pakistan for most of her life. On the other hand, Mariam knew she’d live abroad already as a teenager. “The only question was where.”
So, she’d been applying for colleges in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and many other countries. And she ended up in Massachusetts. However, her uni experience was shaped by forces completely out of her control. “I arrived in the US shortly after 9/11 happened. It was a crazy time, but it was especially crazy for someone like me who is brown, Muslim, female Pakistani, a teenager moving to the other corner of the world on her own. When I arrived on campus, I was pulled into a meeting for brown students, and we were given guidelines and help on what to do if we experience racism or Islamophobic comments.” The politically charged atmosphere of the post-9/11 United States was a challenging environment to step into. On the other hand, it forced Mariam to grow up quickly. “It forced me to take charge of my own identity and be very proud of who I was, and
to express it in a way that helped to bridge cultures.” During her junior year, US college students can go study abroad for a year. While technically, Mariam was already abroad, she took that opportunity anyway. She got into a few universities in the UK. “I specifically didn’t want to go to London, so I chose the University of Sussex in Brighton. I was in love with the whole idea of the English countryside and seaside. And the plot thickens - that’s where I met my half-German, half-Italian husband, an exchange student from his university in Berlin.”
While Mariam’s husband did not have the same mobile childhood as his cultural background may suggest, he and Mariam shared the experience of being exposed to different cultures from an early age. “He grew up with two languages, two cultures, having a bicultural identity from birth. Being well-versed in crossing different cultures definitely helped us connect.”
However, they were only together in England for a year - after that, it was time for Boston and Berlin again. That meant dating long-distance. “We called it our transatlantic love, always flying over the ocean to see each other. We were trying to get our lives together - him finishing up his Master’s, me working my first job in Houston. Eventually, we said: Preferably, we should live on the same continent. So after three years of dating, we got married and had a big, multicultural, two-part wedding, first in Germany and then in Pakistan.”
Thus, Mariam left Houston one day in 2006 and never looked back. “It’s a big thing. People, especially in Texas, will say: You’re leaving the US, like, forever? How can you do that? This is the best country in the world. And you honestly don’t know what to say to that person, in this case, the bank manager, because you’re just there to close your bank account. But I knew this was going to be our life. So I closed my bank account and life there and moved to Berlin for love.”
BREADCRUMBS CRISIS
What came next was very hard for Mariam. She’s never relocated for anyone else, and suddenly, being in Germany required a lot of soul searching. “Being in a country where you don’t speak the language is a big reorientation of who you are. I found that I really struggled with it. And it was years before iPhones and Google Translate.” Mariam started learning German immediately through an integration course which also covered the culture, history, and societal norms. It was important for her to learn the language as she knew that one day, her husband would be using German with their kids. Within six months, she was fluent in it. “But I was struggling with my sense of self-worth. My friends and colleagues back in the US or UK were going for those corner office jobs, and I was having a meltdown in the German supermarket because I couldn’t figure out what breadcrumbs are called in German. I just felt so far detached from my old life.” But as fate would have it, Mariam’s husband found a job in Denmark, so it was goodbye Berlin; hello Copenhagen.
"WHEN YOU MOVE TO A NEW COUNTRY, OFTEN IT’S NOT REALLY ABOUT THE NEW COUNTRY - IT’S HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THE OLD ONE THAT CAN REALLY INFLUENCE YOUR MOVE. I WASN’T DONE LIVING IN BERLIN AND FELT INDIFFERENT TOWARDS COPENHAGEN. I DIDN’T HAVE ANY CONNECTION TO IT; WE WERE MOVING ONLY FOR WORK. ON THE FLIP SIDE, I STRUGGLED SO MUCH IN BERLIN THAT ARRIVING IN COPENHAGEN ALMOST FELT LIKE A FRESH BREATH OF AIR."
As anyone who’s lived in Denmark can imagine, moving to the country in the middle of winter is not the best time. But the harsh January weather wasn’t the problem. “When you move to a new country, often it’s not really about the new country - it’s how you feel about the old one that can really influence your move. I wasn’t done living in Berlin and felt indifferent towards Copenhagen. I didn’t have any connection to it; we were moving only for work. On the flip side, I struggled so much in Berlin that arriving in Copenhagen almost felt like a fresh breath of air.”
TOM HANKS AND JANTELOVEN
As it turned out, Denmark did have some advantages - even the small joys of finding out that, unlike Germans, Danes do not dub their movies and TV shows, so suddenly, Tom Hanks sounded like himself again. “Context is so important. Had I been moving from another corner of the world, maybe my experience would be different. But after struggling with my identity in Berlin, facing unemployment, and trying to learn a new language - I found that Denmark gave me a lot more opportunities. Right at the beginning of 2008, the unemployment rate was really low, and they were looking for skilled professionals to join the Danish labour force. I went from being unemployed in Berlin to finding a job within three months in Copenhagen based on an unsolicited application. So, in my experience, what Denmark gets right is that if you are skilled, if you are a professional, you have opportunities to work - and work in your field.”
Mariam also enjoyed the famed Danish work culture, so diametrically different from the very hierarchical one she was coming from in the US. She really had to understand the Janteloven and all the other aspects of the culture to know what she had just stepped into. “What really stood out to me was the non-hierarchical nature of Danish society and the focus on egalitarianism. I could confidently walk into my boss’s boss’s office and say: I have this idea! I love that everyone was so down-to-earth and approachable. I love that our CEO biked into work every morning.” Denmark also introduced her to a new conceptwork-life harmony. “It was such a change in perspective for me that both of these aspects of my life shouldn’t compete; they should complement each other in order to be thriving.”
Of course, she did not enjoy all aspects of the Danish culture - especially not the emphasis on conformity as it, in her view, stifled creativity. Mariam found that people were less likely to think outside of the box and present a radically new idea. “The thing I struggled with the most was how conformity was expressed through people’s clothes. Everyone around would be wearing black, and they would look at me in bright yellow or turquoise and think: What are you doing sticking out? Colour is how I express my identity, but I found myself toning down who I was at times and had to consciously fight against this conformity culture.”
But you can’t live somewhere for four years without adopting a lot of the characteristics and habits of the people there. “There are certain aspects of Danishness, as we call it, that we adapted and continue to embrace - Danish design, the Danish flag still sitting on our bookshelves and coming out for birthdays. The concept of hygge, which we were introduced to and happily continue to practice. And the language. I started learning Danish, and still understand so much of it I continually happen to shock Danes abroad. The language, as foreign as it sounded to me back then, now sounds like home. For me, languages become home.”
PASTRIES AND CHANGE
But after four years of living Danishly, Mariam’s husband came home one day with a box of Danish pastries, her weakness, and said: I’ve been offered the opportunity to move to Singapore. “I’ve moved a lot. But whenever I am presented with a move, I’m not jumping at the opportunity because relocating is a big thing. Moving is not something that comes naturally to us.” But the reason Mariam did not want to move at this point was that after a long battle with infertility and hospital appointments, she was finally pregnant with their first child. “It was a high-risk pregnancy, and the first few months were tough. Thankfully, the pregnancy got more stable in the second trimester.
I’ll never forget the words of my midwife: Now it is time for you to really settle down and not plan too much for the next three months. And that night, my husband came home and proposed a move halfway around the world.”
Her initial gut feeling was no - she wanted to raise their daughter in Denmark and take advantage of the one-year paid maternity leave. But eventually, the couple decided it was in their best interest to take this opportunity up and move their life to Singapore. For Mariam, it once again felt like a sense of loss of identity. “I had grown fond of Denmark. Now, I was unemployed again, five months pregnant. Initially, I really struggled, especially when my husband left for his first day at work. I had nowhere to be.”
But in Mariam’s memory, Singapore will forever be the country where she became a
mom for the first time - and soon, she grew to love it for other reasons, like how the country embraces and practices multiculturalism. “It taught me that this should be the natural way each country operates. I’d never lived in a place where there were four official national languages and such an emphasis on cultural cohesion. We celebrated everything - Christmas, Diwali, Eid, and Chinese New Year. And we were not just off - members of that community actually invited us to come and celebrate with them.”
After three years of living in multicultural Singapore, Mariam was pregnant with baby number two - and that’s when her husband got the opportunity to move to the United Arab Emirates. So after Singapore, the family then moved to Dubai, afterwards to Ghana, and then to Portugal, where they currently live. “I have always moved at the time when I’m at my most vulnerable. Well, when we then moved from Dubai to Ghana, I was not pregnant, but joked that I sort of was because I was working on my first book which was published while I lived in Ghana,” laughed Mariam.
With her third pregnancy, however, came another relocation - and Mariam went into labour on day four of moving to Portugal. She was only 26 weeks pregnant. “Because of the pandemic restrictions at the time, I had to be hospitalised alone, give birth alone, and do the NICU part by myself. I kept telling myself: At least you’re in the right place when things go wrong. Ghana wouldn’t have the medical facilities needed, and Portugal did. That saved our baby’s life, and now we have a happy and healthy four-year-old.”
STITCHING YOUR MOLA
With three children, each born in a different country, Mariam’s family is the definition of multicultural. That’s why she wrote her book - This Messy Mobile Life, about how to blend and fuse different cultures, languages, and senses of identity into one family unit.
For every globally mobile family like theirs that needs to figure out its own dynamic, Mariam came up with a framework and toolbox called mola, which takes its name from a South American style of shirt made from several layers of brightly coloured cloth. “I realised what we were doing through our expat life was stitching our own mola. In my book, it’s also an acronym: mixing your cultures, bringing order to the languages you speak, layering your different identities - and having your sense of adventure because I believe that without it, nothing is complete.”
Mariam made a conscious decision to step away from her corporate career in the economics field when living in Singapore. She started writing for different travel magazines, but she realised that it did not really represent who she was. After all, moving abroad and travelling abroad are two very different things. “I find that in each country, I am a different version of myself. Dubai Mariam is very different from Portugal or Danish Mariam. It’s not just a dif-
ferent place, it’s a different stage in your life. I often don’t know where the place ends and the person begins, because I have meshed them like colourful Play-Doh, and you can’t unmesh the giant blob. After living in 10 countries, I am a giant blob. But writing my first book helped me pull out the messy threads and examine their impact on me.”
The story of her own life might not have an ending or even the next chapter yet - but that shouldn’t be the point, anyway. “The challenge for internationals like us is to live fully in the moment, not knowing how long the moment is going to last. To invest fully into relationships, knowing that one day, you might have to say goodbye. Taking the time to learn Portuguese, knowing that one day you
won’t need it. It’s a paradox of nostalgia and pragmatism.” They’ve now been living in Portugal for four years, and Mariam’s second book is an unofficial love letter to the country. “Every time I leave a country, I write a goodbye letter to it to sort of acknowledge the breakup, to acknowledge what the place has meant for me, what it has taught me, how it has shaped me. This time, I thought: why wait till I might leave Portugal one day to write about it? Why not start writing about it now while I’m still here?” Mariam’s second book ‘The Guilty Can’t Say Goodbye’ shows no matter the country, culture or language, when you touch down on foreign soil, the yearning for identity and belonging is the same the world over. THE-INTL
A value-driven community that welcomes students ages 4-16.
Rygaards has a strong reputation of a rich educational experience with a nurturing atmosphere where students learn to think for themselves, find their own voice, and engage with the world with confidence and curiosity.
• High academic standards
• Christian ethos
• Beautiful campus, located in Hellerup
• Global community
• NEASC accreditation
• Cambridge Assessment International Education
HOW DO YOU CHOOSE YOUR DREAM COMPANY?
"BACK IN THE UK, WHERE I AM FROM, EXPERIENCE COUNTS FOR A LOT, BUT IN DENMARK, EDUCATION IS FREE, SO PROFESSIONAL ROLES REQUIRE A CERTAIN LEVEL OF EDUCATION."
Now you know what type of environment is important, what skills do you require to do your job effectively? Check out your competition! Search on LinkedIn who is doing your role in the organisations where you want to work. What are their qualifications or courses that they have covered that would be something you could add to your portfolio? Do you need to upskill to achieve an even playing field? Do your job aspirations really meet Danish requirements? Back in the UK, where I am from, experience counts for a lot, but in Denmark, education is free, so professional roles require a certain level of education. Keeping abreast of the latest technology to remain competitive might mean signing up for a course or going back to university.
WHAT’S YOUR STORY?
LESLEA PETERSEN CEO OF ENGLISH JOB DENMARK
WWITH A BUOYANT JOB market in Denmark, jobseekers are posting about their new roles daily on LinkedIn. As an empath, it’s a joy to join in their excitement but it always makes me think how others feel who are also applying for jobs but not getting that final ‘yes’. Happiness that some have found employment but twinged with disappointment that it’s not them, maybe?
For those that know me well, you will have heard me say this many times, ’Job seeking in Denmark as an international is not for the fainthearted!’ It can feel like an endless slog - you can lose your confidence and wonder what you can still offer in the workplace. September and October are historically some of the busiest months to find employment, with jobs aplenty after the post-summer holiday changes. If you have been job searching for a while, you might be wondering what it is that you need to do to land your dream role when it becomes available.
WHAT GETS YOU EXCITED ABOUT YOUR JOB?
I recommend, before you even start looking, that you really know what you can offer and what type of company you want to work for, and this takes time. It’s not just about tailoring your CV and cover letter or building your LinkedIn so you stand out in the marketplace. You must first think about what is important to you. What part of your job gets you excited? What is essential to your happiness when you think about your dream role? Is it working in an office or working remotely? Working within a team or on your own - create a list of what you want and what you don’t want.
Although you adapt your job applications to the Danish style, you are unique, and what makes you happy in the workplace will not be the same as someone else in your field. Don’t lose yourself in the process because you are panicking about getting a job (Been there and done that, and it doesn’t help). I recommend to my clients that they complete a ‘values’ exercise which really gets them to narrow down what it is that will bring them happiness at work. No point in accepting a job offer when in six months you are job searching again because you don’t like the company! Understanding what drives and inspires you will help you define the right role, and your excitement will be evident in your application.
Defining your values not only helps you communicate your unique offer and skills but also gives recruiters clearer insight into who you are and whether you will be the best fit for their team. Telling your story and expressing your motivation is so much easier when you know what drives you and where you will thrive in Denmark.
All good companies go through the process of defining their values and a great company will involve everyone to realise that so each individual buys into the vision. It’s no different to you, job seekers! If you have just started your job search or have been looking for a while, spend some time deciding on what you want and where you will be the most content. You can then target companies where you are a good fit for them but more importantly, also a good match for you. You and your soon-to-be company will thank you for it. THE-INTL
Leslea Petersen is the CEO of English Job Denmark, an organization dedicated to coaching professionals and businesses in retaining international talent. Originally from Britain, Leslea moved to Denmark 16 years ago, marrying into Viking heritage. With over 20 years of communications experience in both business and not-for-profit sectors, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Leslea is deeply passionate about helping organisations navigate the complexities of international recruitment and fostering a diverse workplace. Her commitment to excellence has made her a prominent figure in the Danish job market.
www.englishjobdenmark.dk
info@englishjobdenmark.dk
PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH TEXT LESLEA PETERSEN
UNDERSTANDING CEREBRAL PALSY: AWARENESS AND SUPPORT
PHOTOGRAPHS PRIVATE / CEREBRAL PALSY RESEARCH TEXT MICHAELA MEDVEDOVÁ / ANNA PAWLOWICZ
WWORLD CEREBRAL PALSY DAY was celebrated on the 6th of October - a global movement that started in 2012. It brings together people living with CP, their families, and supporters. Over 17 million people live with CP worldwide, navigating the world with mobility and posture affected by CP in varying degrees.
CP is a complex condition which affects a number of areas of life. According to worldcpday.org, 1 in 4 children with cerebral palsy cannot talk, 1 in 4 cannot walk, and 1 in 4 suffer from epilepsy. CP is the most common motor disability in childhood, caused when damage occurs to the brain, either during pregnancy, birth or in a newborn’s brain. 110 to 130 children are born every year with cerebral palsy.
We spoke to Mogens Wiederholt, Director of CP Danmark, an organisation that works to improve the conditions and quality of life for people with CP and their relatives. CP Danmark's goal is to ensure that individuals living with this condition have the same opportunities for an active, rich, and independent life as anyone else.
WHAT IS CP DANMARK FOCUSING ON?
Mogens shared with us that his organisation works towards this goal in several areas. One is influencing legislation to create equal opportunities for disabled people in Denmark. Another is addressing challenges in finding employment for individuals with CP and equalising their access to the labour market. Additionally, an essential area of focus for CP Danmark is community building. In Mogens’ words: ‘Living with a disability is tough for both the disabled individual and their family. At CP Danmark, we create a space for those affected by CP to come and go as they are, a space where they can feel at home, a space where they can be themselves and where they don’t have to compete with the rest of the world.’
In Denmark, there are more than 10,000 individuals living with CP. Most of those individuals frequently face misconceptions related to their disability, and according to Mogens, one of the main misconceptions is the assumption that physical disability like CP always causes an intellectual impairment. Mogens says: ‘This particular assumption is the root cause of high levels of unemployment of individuals with CP, while in reality, they’re competent and willing to contribute to society and to be employed. The stigmatisation of disability needs to stop.’
HOW CAN CP DANMARK HELP MEMBERS OF THE ORGANISATION?
CP Danmark’s focus on reducing the stigma surrounding disability is also reflected in the practical support they offer to individuals and families affected by CP. The website of CP Danmark offers resources and guidance for people with CP in different stages of life as well as for their relatives. Members of CP Danmark can contact the organisation if they are in need of help with navigating the processes in place to support their daily lives. The organisation offers consultations with both psychologists and social workers to receive the right mobility aids and any equipment needed for independent living, as well as help with accessing daycare and education. This practical approach ensures that regardless of the age of the person living with CP, there is a team of specialists who can assist them with all aspects of life.
HOW CAN YOU BECOME A MEMBER OF CP DANMARK?
Whether it’s through a referral from the hospital or direct contact with CP Danmark (you can contact them at +45 38 88 45 75 or cpdanmark@cpdanmark.dk if you need help with registration), in a genuinely inclusive manner, Mogens highlights that all families affected by CP are welcome to become members of CP Danmark, and that includes international families living in Denmark. CP Danmark offers four types of membership - single membership, household membership, and lifetime membership, and you can also become a support member to contribute to CP Danmark’s important work to improve the conditions and quality of life for people with cerebral palsy and their relatives. THE-INTL
MICHAELA MEDVEĎOVÁ MARKETING DISTRIBUTION SPECIALIST
Originally from Slovakia and now living in Odense, is a seasoned marketing technology expert. She excels in managing and optimising email and social media marketing platforms through data-driven insights. Michaela streamlines and automates marketing processes, enhances email deliverability, and ensures compliance. Collaborating closely with Lead Gen and sales teams, she supports successful marketing campaigns and conversion tracking.
ANNA PAWLOWICZ FOUNDER AND CEO OF HUMANKIND
Hailing from Poland and the UK, Anna is the Founder and CEO of HumanKind, a consultancy focused on driving disability inclusion in the workplace and in our society. Anna's mission to foster disability inclusion started with the birth of her son, who lives with a disability due to a rare genetic condition.
LinkedIn www.wearehumankind.dk
BJØRN JENSEN IS A 20 YEAR OLD MAN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY.
EMBRACING OUTDOOR EXERCISE: FOR AN IMMUNITY BOOST!
PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS TEXT ALEXANDRA BECK
AAS THE WINTER chill sets in, so do the sneezes, sniffles, and the oh-so-lovely sound of your co-worker sneezing in the next cubicle. But before you stockpile soup and cough drops like it’s the apocalypse, let me introduce you to a secret weapon that’s more fun than hibernating under a blanket: outdoor exercise. Yes, the great outdoors, where the air is crisp, the sky is open, and the germs (hopefully) stay far, far away.
1. FRESH AIR IS YOUR FRIEND (UNLIKE YOUR OFFICE AIR)
We all know winter means spending more time indoors, and with that comes recycled air—the kind that's filled with whatever Bob from accounting just sneezed out. Yikes. On the other hand, outdoor exercise offers you a healthy dose of fresh, germ-free(ish) air. Breathing in that cool, crisp oxygen helps clear your lungs and can even improve your immune system.
Pro Tip: Bundle up, but don’t overdo it. You want to stay warm, not end up looking like the Michelin Man, struggling to lift your arms while trying to do jumping jacks. Plus, with a group of likeminded outdoor warriors, the cold feels less, well, cold.
2. BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM NATURALLY
It’s a common myth that cold weather makes you sick. The truth is, it’s not the cold—it’s being indoors with sick people. So what better way to avoid the winter flu than by staying active outdoors? Studies show that moderate exercise helps boost your immune system, making you less likely to fall victim to seasonal sniffles. Plus, working up a sweat outside gives you a natural mood boost— take that, winter blues!
Pro Tip: If you’re worried about the cold zapping your energy, remember that you warm up quickly once you get moving. After just a few minutes of jogging, cycling, or “dancing to stay warm” (no judgment here), you’ll forget all about the cold. Want to try it in a fun, supportive group? You know where to find me.
3. SOAK UP THAT SUNSHINE (YES, EVEN IN WINTER)
Believe it or not, the sun doesn’t completely disappear in the winter, even if it does play hide-and-seek more often. When you exercise outdoors, you still get a healthy dose of Vitamin D, which helps keep your immune system strong. Vitamin D is like the bodyguard that stands at the door, keeping germs and viruses out. So, while others are sitting indoors waiting for spring, you’ll be out there soaking up the rays and building up your defences.
Pro Tip: Even on overcast days, you’re still getting some sun. So, if you’re worried about your Vitamin D levels, consider adding outdoor exercise to your weekly routine. And hey, if you're feeling a little unmotivated to go solo, let’s team up.
4. OUTDOOR WORKOUTS: THE ULTIMATE ANTIDOTE TO CABIN FEVER
Being cooped up indoors can make anyone a little stir-crazy. So, instead of waiting for warmer weather to emerge from your cocoon, why not embrace the chill? Outdoor exercise not only helps
you fight off the winter bugs but also keeps your mind sharp and your spirits high. Whether it’s a brisk walk, a hike, or a full-blown outdoor boot camp, getting outside is the ultimate remedy for winter-induced cabin fever.
Pro Tip: Try switching up your usual routine. Instead of hitting the treadmill, take a run in the park. Instead of lifting weights in a stuffy gym, join an outdoor circuit session. Trust me, it’s way more fun when you’re surrounded by nature (and not staring at a wall of mirrors).
5. SOCIALISING WITH A SIDE OF SWEAT: THE BEST COMBO
Winter can be a lonely season. People retreat indoors, Netflix becomes everyone’s new best friend, and social interactions revolve around the latest series. But outdoor exercise gives you the chance to stay connected with others while working up a sweat. Group exercise not only motivates you to push yourself harder, but it also keeps you accountable. Plus, let’s be honest, it’s way more fun to complain about burpees when you’ve got company.
EMBRACE THE COLD AND STAY HEALTHY
So there you have it—winter doesn’t have to be all flu shots and hand sanitiser. By taking your workouts outside, you can boost your immune system, improve your mood, and avoid being stuck in a germ-filled bubble. And, who knows, you might even start to enjoy the brisk air, especially when you’ve got a group of people cheering you on!
Trust me, there’s nothing quite like beating winter while staying fit and healthy, surrounded by great company. Now, get out there and let the cold know who's boss! THE-INTL
"IT’S
A COMMON MYTH THAT COLD WEATHER MAKES YOU SICK. THE TRUTH IS, IT’S NOT THE COLD—IT’S BEING INDOORS WITH SICK PEOPLE."
PERSONAL TRAINER & NUTRITION COACH
Alex is a Swiss/Brit mom and wife who has lived in Copenhagen since 2009. She switched from corporate life in communications to the independent life of an outdoor personal and group fitness trainer. She coaches people of all ages and fitness levels to find fun and consistency in movement through individual and group workouts. Delivering entertainment and spreading group fitness magic is her superpower. Alex encourages you to high-five her if you see her in the capital!
@alexbeck.fit
@alexbeck.fit alexbeck.fit
ALEXANDRA BECK
NAVIGATING LIFE'S TRANSITIONS: THE
UNCOMFORTABLE CATALYST FOR GROWTH AND WISDOM.
FFOR MANY, THE word "transition" conjures a landscape rife with uncertainty—an existential limbo where the comfort of the known recedes, leaving us suspended in the uncharted. It is in this space, this vast expanse between what was and what will be, where the raw essence of growth and learning is distilled.
THE DISCOMFORT OF CHANGE: A UNIVERSAL EXPERIENCE
The unease that accompanies change is a poignant commonality shared by humanity. Like a thick fog clouding a familiar path, it can obscure our vision and dampen our spirit. Yet, within this grey shroud of unknowns, transformation quietly brews, setting the stage for personal evolution.
For many expatriates, this feeling is a daily reality. Uprooting from native soil to replant oneself in foreign terrain is, in many ways, the embodiment of life's perpetual transitioning—a microcosm of adaptability.
THE BEAUTY IN BECOMING: EMBRACING THE UNFAMILIAR FOR PERSONAL EVOLUTION
Though fraught with challenges, the journey through the murky waters of transition is lined with opportunities for extraordinary personal development. It is in these moments, when the scripts of our lives become unwritten that we find the courage to author new chapters.
The act of surrendering to change, rather than resisting its tide, allows one to ride the wave to unexpected shores. This approach is beneficial not just for those navigating expat life but for anyone who seeks to turn ambiguity into opportunity.
CULTIVATING RESILIENCE: LEARNING TO THRIVE AMIDST VOLATILITY
Staring into the void of the unformed future can be daunting, yet it is precisely this act of gazing into the abyss that hones resilience. With every step into the unformed, the once formidable becomes manageable and, with repetition, even comfortable. This resilience becomes a trusted companion, encouraging us to embrace not just mere survival but to truly thrive.
THE EXPAT PARABLE: A JOURNEY INTO THE HEART OF ADAPTATION
Sharing the similar sentiment of exploring the geographic wanderlust of an expat, the narrative of relocating to a foreign country — with its inherent language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and perpetual sense of otherness — acts as a powerful metaphor. It is the living tale of how embracing change is beneficial and essential.
SHIFTING PERSPECTIVES: FINDING NEW VISTAS
IN CHANGE
Each transition offers a panoramic view of life's manifold possibilities. From new career paths to unforeseen relationships, every pivot promises vistas previously unimagined. It is in the acceptance of change that we often find our truest potential waiting to be unlocked.
THE ALCHEMY OF TRANSITIONS
While a universal constant, change need not be a spectre to dread. Rather, it's a dynamic force that can, with the right mindset, transmute the unknown into a crucible of growth. Like the expat journey, it presents a canvas upon which one's inner strengths, previously dormant, can emerge in vibrant colour.
In this embrace of life's flux lies a secret to an enriched existence: that the beauty of our life's tapestry is woven not in the calm but the chaos, not in stasis but in the beautiful, profound, and utterly human dance of change. THE-INTL
"THE ACT OF SURRENDERING TO CHANGE, RATHER THAN RESISTING ITS TIDE, ALLOWS ONE TO RIDE THE WAVE TO UNEXPECTED SHORES."
OPHELIA WU FASHION CONSULTANT AND JOURNALIST
Like her hometown Hong Kong, Ophelia has a diverse background and upbringing. She moved to Copenhagen in 2019 after 10 years of living in London. Her fashion and journalism career began in 2007 at ELLE Hong Kong magazine, and later on as an online stylist at Net-APorter.com in the UK; she has worked with all sorts of creatives, brands and celebrities globally.
She now works on everything fashion and communication-related. With her love of travelling and places her work brought her to, people she met from all walks of life inspired her to start her own business M for Minimal: a place to raise the awareness of going back to basics through conscious consumption and mindfulness with a touch of spirituality - something she has been practising since her teenage years.
mforminimal.com
@mforminimal.mfm
PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS TEXT OPHELIA WU
BAGSVÆRD LAKRIDS
AWARD-WINNING DANISH LIQUORICE!
FFOUNDED IN 2015, Bagsværd Lakrids quickly gained a reputation for the quality of the rich handmade liquorice caramels they produce and are now widely recognised as the world’s finest. The product was a GOLD winner at the Danish Liquorice Taste Award in 2020. Previous winners include the Danish Liquorice made by Bulow, who won the Bronze Award in 2019 and the Silver Award in 2018.
Bagsværd Lakrids started as a fun hobby, but after a year of experiments at home, the founders chose to focus on exclusive and handmade liquorice. For their dream of owning a business to come true, it required special packaging with just the right barrier properties. At the same time, the packaging should complement the exclusive content and be inviting to the end customers at the time of purchase.
Right from the start of their liquorice production, they have been nervous about whether they could package the products. Liquorice is a particularly sensitive product with a soft and moist surface, which absorbs and releases moisture to the surroundings—becoming a little liquid. Therefore, they have carried out countless packaging tests and been in contact with many manufacturers, explains Morten Kornbech Larsen, Director and one of the founders of Bagsværd Lakrids.
UNIQUE PACKAGING FOR EXCLUSIVE LIQUORICE
In the search for the perfect packaging, Morten Kornbech Larsen came across Procudan, who accepted the challenge of finding the perfect packaging for the exclusive liquorice. It was a rather special task with requirements that Procudan had not previously tried to meet. Nevertheless, they agreed to make the attempt to develop a unique packaging made exclusively for Bagsværd Lakrids, according to Jens D. Kønigsfeldt, Account Packaging Manager at Procudan.
After a period of close dialogue and several tests of the end product in different packaging, Procudan presented the entrepreneurs with possible solutions that matched the unique requirements liquorice sets for the packaging's barrier properties, strength and usability properties. They also had to harmonise with EU legislation and the general guidelines for food packaging. They chose a bag in three-layer laminate foil with outer brown paper for the minibar. The bag has tear marks, which make it easy for the end consumer to open the minibar and enjoy it ‘on-thego’. “We are very satisfied with the packaging, which exudes exclusivity and supports our high-end liquorice”, says Morten Kornbech Larsen.
GREAT FLEXIBILITY IN THE DAILY COLLABORATION
Bagsværd Lakrids has chosen to be responsible for the design of
the packaging, and they, therefore, deliver the finished print design to Procudan, who is subsequently responsible for the production. Before customers can enjoy the packaged liquorice, it is packed by hand, and the bag securely welded by Bagsværd Lakrids.
When Bagsværd Lakrids won a gold medal in the Danish Liquorice Taste Award, they subsequently wanted to tell the good news on the packaging and quickly adjusted to reflect the great recognition.
QUICK HELP IN TIMES OF CRISIS
Flexibility was also felt by the liquorice producer as the security of the supply of mini bags was seriously threatened due to corona. As Morten Kornbech Larsen explains:
“Christmas is our festive season, and suddenly, there were 60,000 mini bags missing in the middle of the autumn due to the corona situation, and we were in serious trouble with a prospect of losing around DKK 100,000. On top of the financial slap, we had to disappoint our 350 dealers and tell them that their empty shelves were unfortunately not filled up for Christmas with the expected liquorice. Fortunately, Procudan managed to find a solution at a very critical time.”
The entrepreneurs were able to breathe a sigh of relief and, without delay, deliver the handmade liquorice as agreed to selected specialty stores across the country.
They are experiencing an enormous demand for their products, and it is therefore extra important for an entrepreneurial company like Bagsværd Lakrids to prove to its customers that it is trustworthy and can, of course, deliver on time.”
There are no standard solutions at the award-winning and uncompromising liquorice producer Bagsværd Lakrids. This applies not only to the company's production of liquorice but also to the packaging. It required a series of tests to arrive at the right packaging that both frames and profiles the exclusive liquorice. Bagsværd Lakrids has a four-star rating on TrustPilot. THE-INTL
"BAGSVÆRD LAKRIDS STARTED AS A FUN HOBBY, BUT AFTER A YEAR OF EXPERIMENTS AT HOME, THE FOUNDERS CHOSE TO FOCUS ON EXCLUSIVE AND HANDMADE LIQUORICE. FOR THEIR DREAM OF OWNING A BUSINESS TO COME TRUE, IT REQUIRED SPECIAL PACKAGING WITH JUST THE RIGHT BARRIER PROPERTIES."
MARIANO ANTHONY DAVIES PRESIDENT & CEO OF OXFORD BUSINESS SERVICES APS
Mariano has over 40 years global experience as a bus iness executive. He spent ten years with KPMG, so far thirty years with British Chambers of Commerce (while also running Oxford Business Services ApS). He is a British citizen, who grew up in Kent, went to boarding school in Sussex and has a British university education. He has been married to a Dane for over 45 years and has held over 150 official anti-Brexit speeches since 2016. He both speaks and writes Danish without difficulty.
LinkedIn oxford-business.com
PHOTOGRAPHS BAGSVÆRD LAKRIDS FB PAGE TEXT
MARIANO ANTHONY DAVIES
BUTTERMILK FLAPJACKS
WITH ORANGE BLOSSOM SYRUP AND MASCARPONE CREAM
GREAT FOR BREAKFAST OR AFTERNOON TEA, FLAPJACKS ARE THE ULTIMATE QUICK AND EASY OLD-SCHOOL TREAT.
PHOTOGRAPHS & TEXT: NATASHA LIVIERO
BUTTERMILK FLAPJACKS WITH ORANGE BLOSSOM SYRUP AND MASCARPONE CREAM SERVES 6
ORANGE BLOSSOM SYRUP:
230g granulated sugar
120g water
8g lemon juice
1-2g orange blossom water to taste
METHOD:
1. Combine sugar and water, stir and bring to a boil.
2. Add lemon juice and boil for 5 minutes.
3. Remove from the heat, add orange blossom water, and pour into a serving jug to cool (or a storage jar if making ahead of timecool completely before storing in the fridge for one week).
MASCARPONE CREAM:
125g whipping cream
105g mascarpone, room temperature
16g maple syrup
5g vanilla extract
METHOD:
1. Combine the whipping cream, mascarpone, maple syrup, and vanilla in a bowl. Whisk on high until smooth with medium-stiff peaks. Keep a close eye on the cream mixture, as it will become grainy if overwhipped.
2. Spoon into a serving bowl and refrigerate until ready to use. (This is a stable cream that will hold its shape overnight.)
FLAPJACKS:
400g flour
10g baking powder
4g bicarbonate of soda
80g castor sugar
Pinch of salt
2 XL eggs
500g buttermilk
50g butter, melted
5g vanilla extract
METHOD:
1. In a large bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, sugar and salt.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, butter and vanilla.
3. Slowly pour the liquid mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients while mixing with a wooden spoon. You are looking for a thick pouring consistency (you may only need to use some of the milk mixture). The batter will be lumpy - do not overmix!
4. Grease and heat a wide, heavy-based frying pan over mediumhigh heat. Once the pan is hot, spoon a dessert spoon or 1/4 cup-
sized dollop of batter onto it, leaving enough space for the batter to spread.
5. Once bubbles rise to the surface of the flapjacks, it’s time to flip them over. They are ready once both sides are golden brown.
6. Place in a warmer drawer or clean dish towel to keep warm until ready to serve.
7. Serve with a drizzle of orange blossom syrup, mascarpone cream and fresh berries.
VARIATIONS:
*ADD FRESH BLUEBERRIES OR CHOCOLATE CHIPS TO THE BATTER BEFORE FRYING.
*SERVE WITH BUTTER AND JAM OR BACON AND MAPLE SYRUP.
Natasha is a pastry chef who is South African by birth and Croatian by blood. She spent many years working for a wellness publication but did an aboutturn at the beginning of 2020 when she joined a culinary school to fulfil a lifelong dream to study patisserie. She’s passionate about European patisserie and loves spending time in the kitchen experimenting with recipes (while quibbling with her fe-line friends), and is always on the hunt for interesting new cookbooks.
@natashaliviero
NATASHA LIVIERO PASTRY CHEF
CHOOSING A SCHOOL
PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS TEXT MONIKA PEDERSEN
TTHE WORD SCHOOL conjunctures up a vision of a building with leaders, teachers, and students; however, not one school is like another. Within these institutions, there are complexities which differentiate them through the philosophy, focus, resources, location, and people. Having worked in a few schools and visited many others, it is always interesting to observe the differences. It must feel overwhelming for parents when deciding on a school for their children, especially when moving abroad and trying to decide without always having the possibility to visit them beforehand. There is no easy formula to apply, but there are some considerations to bear in mind.
SIZE
Many schools, especially international schools, pride themselves on their exam results, which are usually published on their website. Often these results are used as a marker to indicate the prestige and quality of the academic education of the institution. Results are like statistics and do not tell the whole story, but with the need to stay ahead in a competitive world, these are taken very seriously by educational leaders and school admission officers. Some parents with very high aspirations for their children are swayed by this information. For a child who is more of an allrounder or has talents in different areas, such as sports or creative skills, these do not play such an important role.
INTERNATIONAL OR LOCAL COMMUNITY
The type of school and the experience a child will have are important. Some parents, especially those who are on short-term contracts and therefore very mobile, an international school is the best option. An international school follows a world-known curriculum, such as the Cambridge programme or the PYP, MYP, or DP programmes, which ensures a better chance of continuity for a child on their learning journey. The programmes also provide students with an international education, which will be recognised by universities across the globe. In addition, an international school is geared to providing a wrap-around programme with after-school activities and summer school options, so a child’s educational and social needs are well met. The language of instruction is English, so there not the need for a sharp learning curve regarding language acquisition, which helps a child settle in smoothly and continue his/her learning. International schools are also cognisant that they are working with an expat community who desire an instant community with the opportunity to make a new social circle easily, thereby making the transition far easier. Nevertheless, a parent’s job may have a longer contract so that the family could live in the country for five or more years. Sometimes, in these instances, parents believe that a local school and exposure to the local language and people are essential to integrating within the local community and making deep roots. They wish their child to have a more authentic experience of the coun-
try and its culture. This decision can provide better long-term prospects for a child. Parents coming to Denmark often place their children in a Danish school as there are well-resourced language programmes to support with the learning of a difficult language and, consequently, a more diverse educational path as the options after a student has completed school in year 9 are plentiful in Denmark. The child also can access ‘free’ education, so the burden of school and university fees is not a worry.
PHILOSOPHY AND PEOPLE ORIENTATION
All schools, in the same ways as businesses, are founded and operate along a mission statement which guides the way by which they function. These are not meant to be empty words but a driving force that sets the tone and atmosphere within the building and a way of being by those who work there. As mentioned before, some schools pride themselves on their academic status, while others have plentiful resources and can offer all the possible modern innovations which can deliver the most exclusive and unique learning experiences. There are also schools that may not have these accolades and, instead, have a strong emphasis on a child’s well-being, individuality, and being ‘quirky’ so everyone, students and teachers alike, can be themselves and grow in their own unique ways.
HAPPY SELECTING!
Though school selection can be challenging and perhaps stressful, there are many options, and there is always a school that fits the bill for every family. THE-INTL
"AN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL FOLLOWS A WORLD-KNOWN CURRICULUM, SUCH AS THE CAMBRIDGE PROGRAMME OR THE PYP, MYP, OR DP PROGRAMMES, WHICH ENSURES A BETTER CHANCE OF CONTINUITY FOR A CHILD ON THEIR LEARNING JOURNEY."
MONIKA PEDERSEN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATOR
Monika comes from the London area of the UK, where she worked in the state system and the international school system, as an English teacher of 11-18 students and then a high school principal. She has also worked in leadership roles in Germany and in Denmark. She has an overview of the British, International, American, and the Danish system. She has many years of experience and continues to enjoy the profession. She has relocated to Denmark with her Danish husband.
@monikapedersen
@monikapedersen
CHASING LIGHTS NORTH
PHOTOGRAPHS TUE HANSEN TEXT HEATHER STORGAARD
THE FIRST RULE of Aurora hunting is not to go Aurora hunting. This sounds contradictory, but local lore says that the 'Mirrie Dancers', as they're called in the very north of Scotland, suffer stage fright when you want to see them too much. And yet want to see them we do - some of us desperately. In September I travelled in Norway's Nordland - Northern Region - and picked up Northern Lights tips from experience and locals.
TTHE SEASON
Northern Lights season runs roughly from September until March, although they were visible in both May and August this year. During my trip, I follow the rules of not being too desperate so well that I almost miss them. I am so distracted by the beautiful Indian Summer we are experiencing on Myken that I hardly think about heading out at night. Or, a couple of times, the chatting and drinking goes on until the sun starts to appear again, and the window of darkness is gone. I carry on northwards to visit friends in Lofoten, Norway's popular and stunning chain of Northern islands and hope for more chances. The first night, we get distracted laughing at Ari Eldjárn's fantastic Netflix show and our host, Hilde, texts me to remind me to go and look. I started to realise that despite the amazing landscapes and extremities here in the north, trips are really more about people for me.
PRACTICALITIES
If you are situated on a small island, the light pollution is likely to be significantly reduced. Denmark likes to think of itself as an island country, but stats place Sweden then Norway as the two countries in the world with the most islands. Visit one of these, preferably north of the Arctic Circle, and you will get to Aurora hunt while also experiencing unique insular cultures and communities. It might seem daunting to head out to arctic islands offseason, but that also guarantees fewer other tourists. Myken was a magical stop on my northern Norway trip, for the most part, because contact with the community was so accessible. And, no matter what Danes might say, the language gap was very closeI spent so-called 'snack programme' evenings and dinner parties chatting with Norwegians and Swedes with no difficulties. If you want more infrastructure and space, the more famous Lofoten will also provide it. With breathtaking scenery everywhere, you also will be satisfied if your search for northern lights doesn’t happen. On the other hand, cities such as Norway's Tromsø or Sweden's Kiruna offer mainland accessibility and flexibility. It's cloudy, but Aurora's activity may be high. You can just walk or drive in any direction, unlike on an island where space is inherently limited. Getting there by public transport is also significantly easier: Kiruna requires only one change if you're travelling there from Copenhagen - in lovely Stockholm and Tromsis Ø, only an extra bus ride from the end of the Arctic Line in Norwegian Narvik.
Of course, if you're very lucky, the northern lights can be seen from Denmark. North-facing coasts with light pollution firmly behind you are your best bets. Thy Nationalpark or Skagen off-season will also see you escape the crowds of Danish summer holiday season. Empty summerhouses can be rented for good prices, and there's nothing cosier than late nights around a fire waiting to see if the sky will light up. Just remember not to want it too much. THE-INTL Follow this group for updates on the best times to view the northern lights in Denmark: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nordlysvarsel.dk/
"OF COURSE, IF YOU'RE VERY LUCKY, THE NORTHERN LIGHTS CAN BE SEEN FROM DENMARK. NORTH-FACING COASTS WITH LIGHT POLLUTION FIRMLY BEHIND YOU ARE YOUR BEST BETS. "
HEATHER STORGAARD WRITER
Heather Storgaard comes from Northern Scotland, grew up in Switzerland, and lived in England and Germany. In 2017 she met her Danish husband, who proudly received British duel citizenship in 2024, and they now split their time between Central Scotland and Helgenæs, a peninsula in rural Eastern Jutland. Suitably for a Scot, Heather works with whisky, spending her time writing and translating, with a particular soft-spot for the up-and-coming world of Nordic Whisky.
heatherstorgaard
DENMARK
DANISH CITIZENSHIP
AND THE PRACTICALITIES
PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS / UNSPLASH TEXT NATÁLIA ŠEPITKOVÁ
TTHE JOURNEY TO relocate to Denmark and obtain permanent residence and citizenship is challenging, but the rewards make it all worth it.
Denmark, a Scandinavian country known for its high standard of living and strong welfare system, attracts many people looking to settle permanently or gain Danish citizenship. Whether you aim for permanent residency or citizenship, it is crucial to understand the specific legal processes and requirements associated with both statuses. But let's start step by step.
To start a new life in Denmark, expect to find a job and accommodation before moving to Denmark. Danish law states that you should apply for a residence permit to work, study, seek family reunification, or stay in Denmark longer than 90 days. You can do it through the Danish Immigration Service or the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI). If you are not an EU citizen, you must apply for a visa too. Most visa types in Denmark require a work contract or a promise of one.
EU citizens don't need a visa to enter the country. So, for Nordic citizens (Icelandic, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, or Finnish), relocating to Denmark is even more accessible, with fewer bureaucratic hurdles to overcome. EU citizens also have an easier time obtaining permanent residence. After five years of uninterrupted legal residence in Denmark, they may apply for permanent residence.
A PERMANENT RESIDENCE
Obtaining a permanent residence in Denmark is a significant milestone if you plan to settle in this Scandinavian country for the long term. A permanent residence permit allows you to live and work in Denmark without any time limits or the need for additional visas or permits. Non-EU citizens are typically required to have a temporary residence permit in Denmark for eight years or more (four years in certain situations) before applying for a permanent residence permit. Other requirements include being 18 or older, having no criminal records or public debts, and not receiving certain social benefits.
Additional conditions include residence and self-support declarations, full-time employment, and passing the Danish exam (intermediate proficiency). To qualify for a permanent residence permit, you must meet at least 2 of 4 supplementary requirements (for applicants having eight years of a temporary residence permit) and all four supplementary requirements if you have four years of a temporary residence permit. Active participation in Danish society, such as volunteering or community involvement, is often valued and can aid the application.
Applicants must submit their application before their current residence permit expires, and in a way that they first create a case order ID (SB-ID) then they will be asked to pay a fee (DKK 7 475
workers and students; DKK 5 545 others). After filling in the application, they must record their biometric features. The expected maximum processing time is ten months. Having permanent residence in Denmark provides access to the Danish welfare system and social benefits, as well as the opportunity to apply for Danish citizenship after a specific time.
DANISH CITIZENSHIP
Danish citizenship offers full rights and responsibilities, including voting in all elections, holding public office, and receiving a Danish passport. While permanent residency grants many benefits, citizenship confers the highest level of integration into Danish society. To acquire Danish citizenship by naturalisation requires the fulfilment of certain conditions. Rejected applications can be re-applied at any time.
The starting point is to have a permanent residence permit in Denmark for a minimum of 2 years when the bill of naturalisation is passed. The required permanent residence period is at least one year for refugees and stateless persons. Applicants are expected to be able to support themselves financially, have advanced Danish language skills and pass the citizenship test (Indfødsretsprøven). A clean criminal record is also essential. Even a violation of the Road Traffic Act (a traffic fine of DKK 3,500 - 5,000) can affect the acquisition of Danish citizenship.
"DANISH CITIZENSHIP OFFERS FULL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, INCLUDING VOTING IN ALL ELECTIONS, HOLDING PUBLIC OFFICE, AND RECEIVING A DANISH PASSPORT. WHILE PERMANENT RESIDENCY GRANTS MANY BENEFITS, CITIZENSHIP CONFERS THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF INTEGRATION INTO DANISH SOCIETY."
NATÁLIA ŠEPITKOVÁ FREELANCE JOURNALIST AND WRITER
You must also sign a declaration of allegiance and loyalty to Denmark and Danish society. You must declare that you will comply with Danish law and constitution and respect fundamental Danish values and legal principles, including Danish democracy. Certain overdue debts to public authorities can also stop the process of obtaining citizenship. It is also necessary to have been in ordinary full-time employment or engaged in self-employment for at least three years and six months within the last four years. In addition to fulfilling the conditions, you must enclose the necessary documentation when you submit your application, pay an application fee (DKK 4,000 in 2024), and sign the application through MitID. Once you have participated in the constitutional ceremony, signed the declaration, and exchanged handshakes with the mayor, you will receive your citizenship certificate as proof that you have become a Danish citizen and are well-prepared to be part of Denmark's future. THE-INTL
Natalia is a Slovak journalist based in Aalborg, Denmark. She has around 15 years of experience in journalism. Her experiences as an editor and a reporter were founded in Slovak magazines and newspapers. She was also working as a TV reporter, a TV moderator and a host in radio broadcasting. Part of her career included working with PR and marketing. Natália is also a content creator on her social media. Follow her blog www.mamavdansku.com, where she writes about life in Denmark.
LinkedIn @Mama v Dánsku