The International - July 2020

international

the

ISSN 2596-5220

PAVLOVA FROM DOWN UNDER

DISCOVER OUTDOOR LOCAL GEMS

SUGAR COOKIE FOOD ART

STAYCATION SUMMER READING

JULY 2020 - THE-INTL.COM

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE LOVELY

JEN SHARES HER STORY OF LIFE IN DENMARK AS AN ALASKAN NATIVE

JULY 2020 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

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THE GREAT DANISH STAYCATION

WHETHER YOU DECIDE TO EXPLORE DENMARK, OR SIMPLY STAY AT HOME. NOT BEING ABLE TO TRAVEL SAFELY SHOULDN'T PUT A DAMPER ON YOUR PLANS. LET'S HOPE THE WEATHER GODS GIVE US A GOOD SUMMER...

W

WHAT IS A Staycation? I had to look it up.

A staycation, according to the dictionary, is a holiday or vacation spent in one's home country rather than abroad or overseas. Or it can be one spent at home and involving day trips to local attractions. A staycation is a form of alternative tourism that is entirely in line with the slow tourism trend due to Covid-19. Slow tourism invites you to live in the present moment. It encourages you to take your time, discover nearby landscapes, reconnect and spend more time outdoors in nature with the people you enjoy (safely).

KICK BACK AND RELAX Think about "self-care," "me-time", "ustime", stretching yourself, trying new things and doing more of the things you love.

Here are some great staycation tips to get you started: • Don't focus on chores and jobs that need doing. Take time out to rest, enjoy and rejuvenate.

• There are new things all around you, you just need to look. New things could be in a good book, on YouTube, in your garden. Maybe that museum or historic site or countryside you haven't visited yet.

• Cook or order a take-away. It depends on what you enjoy most. Recreate favourite dishes from your travels. Cook some real comfort foods • How about a sport or activity-based staycation? Did you ever ride a horse,

•

•

go zip-lining or drive a quad bike?

Maybe there are opportunities like these close to home that you haven't tried yet.

Relaxing outside by candlelight. If there’s nothing on your evening agenda but zoning out to good music and enjoying good company, plan a date. Set out dozens of tealights, or line the edge of the patio/balcony with large candles on plates. Play your favourite songs, or simply enjoy the natural sounds of a summer evening (if you're in the country), sounds even sweeter when your senses are more attuned to them.

Take a camping trip in your own back yard. Borrow or buy a tent. Pack drinks and snacks in Ziploc bags. Bring sleeping bags or blankets, flashlights,

and mosquito repellent or citronella candles. Arm yourself with enough ghost stories to keep little ones up way past their bedtimes. Go ahead it's summer, you aren't on a schedule!

• Declare a water-game day! Buy or borrow a kiddie pool, unravel the hose, and commandeer as many spray bottles, buckets, tubs, and water pistols as possible. Declare a compulsory all-day uniform of swimsuit and bare feet (and, of course, sunscreen). All you have to do is provide the props and initial ideas for games. The kids will eventually take over with their own creativity.

• Support local! We have highlighted only a handful of events around Denmark (Pages 3-9). There are many websites with great ideas of places to go in Denmark for example: www.visitden mark.dk and for more localised events: www.kultunaut.dk

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JEN JUL

SHARES HER TRUTH ABOUT LIFE IN DENMARK

GROWING UP A WORLD AWAY, JEN TOOK A CHANCE ON A NEW LIFE IN DENMARK. THIS STRONG, INTELLIGENT WOMAN SHARED WITH THE INTERNATIONAL THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE LOVELY ABOUT LIFE HERE, AND EMBRACING HER NEW NORMAL WHILST KEEPING HER CULTURE CLOSE.

PHOTOGRAPHS CÉLINE MARTIN-PEDERSEN

Q

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP, TELL ME ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND?

TEXT LYNDSAY JENSEN

transferring to a college in Washington and then later back to Alaska, I ended up grad-

I am originally from Shageluk, Alaska, it's a small rural village on the Innoko River, a trib-

uating with a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management, a business degree from

utary of the lower Yukon River, and my culture is Deg Hti'an Athabascan, Native Amer-

Alaska Pacific University (APU).

ican. Our way of life is predominantly a subsistence way of living, everything we hunt

Life took a different journey, and I had a job, a toddler, and was a single mom. But I

and fish we put away from the long winter months ahead. Speaking of my home makes me long for the taste of fresh smoked salmon and moose meat, these were the tradition-

was determined to make a better life for myself and my daughter. It wasn't until I started working for a tribal corporation that I realised that I needed to return to school to

al foods I was raised on, and it reminds me of my strong sense of heritage and culture.

not only serve people better but make a difference. I went back to school at night/week-

Coming from a rural village didn't offer more than working at the school, store or tribal offices, and growing up, my parents supplemented their income with a general store in front of our house. Working in the store was never a treasured childhood memory, as I was always stuck behind the counter, stocking shelves or cleaning or something related to the store. I would rather be off playing with my cousins, visiting my grandparents, fishing, playing softball, or boat riding up the Innoko River.

ends for my Master's in Business Administration (MBA) all the while juggling motherhood, working fulltime as a business executive, and travelling a lot. It was the hardest two years of my life! But in 2014, I finally graduated from APU with my MBA. My life before Denmark was all about providing a living for my kids, enjoying my friends and being with family. Little did I know that my life was about to be turned upside down (yet

Q

again) by a hippie Danish music man.

While most kids went away to college, I went away to high school because the local school in our community wasn't high in terms of academia. It was at Mt. Edgecumbe my mind was opened to the limitless possibilities the world had to offer. This school was the hallmark of education for rural kids from all over the State of Alaska, and it gave us a chance to get an advanced education as well as it forged a life long bond with other Native kids from rural Alaska forming lifelong memories.

After that, I took a year off to figure out what I wanted to do with my life and moved to Anchorage with my parents. I worked at a tourist shop downtown and decided to attend school out-of-state. I had no idea how I was going to afford this, so saved and started looking for scholarships. I stumbled across the Indian Health Service Scholarship, and had to have 'reputable recommendations'. I really didn't know anyone in Anchorage, so I went down to the Native Hospital and sought the help of some doctors and walked away with three signed letters of recommendations from doctors. After sending all the

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY AND THE EARLY DAYS IN DENMARK? I met, fell in love with and had a long-distance relationship with my music man for a year. We would visit each other in Alaska and Denmark, and then I fell pregnant - that changed everything. At the time, I was juggling a stressful job, a toddler, pregnancy, and a relationship in another country, things were not simple. Kris also had kids from a previous marriage, and I was ready for a change, so we went for it. We got married in a whirlwind in Hawaii and moved to Denmark months later to start our blended family. It was a bold decision, but it felt like the right decision because we wanted to start our family on stable grounding, and starting it together with our blended family in Denmark just made sense.

I'd only ever been to Denmark as a tourist, so before moving, I had this postcard, fairytale view of what my life would be like once I lived there. As is with life, nothing is quite

documentation in I was accepted, and finally on my way to college! That fall I arrived in

as it seems. I'm so grateful that my music man has been such massive support through

Northfield, Minnesota, everyone looked predominantly blonde and blue-eyed - I wasn't in Alaska anymore, and with my exotic look I definitely stood out. This was an eye-opening experience that I would later draw a comparison to when moving to Denmark. After

all my trials and tribulations here. He's been my translator, my driver (when we had a car), and my champion. As cheesy as it sounds, he is my ying to my yang. We don't always have the answers, but he always finds a way to pay rent, feed and provide for his

JULY 2020 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

JULY 2020 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

My top picks for July Pages 10-13

Jen Jul shares her truth about life in Denmark.

Pages 14

How to be actively anti-racist.

Page 16-17

Enjoy the blue flag beaches around Denmark, and where to find them!

Enjoy your summer staycation, and please where possible, avoid crowded places. Sadly, Covid-19 is still a real threat, and we have a responsibility to each other to take care that it doesn't return full force. Our team of SoMe Ambassadors are out and about this summer. So, remember to follow us on our social media channels for events, happenings and fun in this beautiful country.

Page 22

Part 2 of our Summer travel from home series: Aussie Pavlova

Page 26

Is work-life-balance really that achievable for all in Denmark?

Page 30

North Zealand International school provides some great holiday tips, to keep the children entertained during summer

Love,

LYNDSAY JENSEN - EDITOR & FOUNDER THE-INTL.COM

MEET THE TEAM SALES For advertising sales, please contact: sales@the-intl.com

DISTRIBUTION (SEALAND) CONNOR is taking a gap year before continuing his studies in education. Born in South Africa and moving to Denmark at a young age, he realtes to internationl life. He enjoys meeting new cultures, music and hanging out with his family and friends.

HEAD OF SOCIAL MEDIA DENMARK

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NEELAM

MAVI

OLEG

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OUR SoMe AMBASSADORS AROUND DENMARK

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KENNETH MACALPINE is a Nordic Financial Manager in the Transport industry.

His degree is in Finance and business obtained in the UK. Born in Norway he moved to Denmark at the age of 22. He is of Danish Scottish ancestry and lives in southern Denmark with his large multi-national family consisting of Danish, Irish and Brazilian heritage. He is always interested in new challenges and loves to live life to the fullest. kenneth@the-intl.com

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LYNDSAY JENSEN has over twenty years' experience in the advertising and publishing industry, and holds degrees in Business and Desktop Publishing (print and repro). Born in the UK, and brought up in South Africa, she has the ability to understand different cultures, and is passionate about networking. She is a wife of twenty three years and mother to two boys aged 22 and 16. She loves travel, photography, music and art. lyndsay@the-intl.com

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EDITOR & FOUNDER

CONTACT The International ApS; +45 42676745 COVER PICTURE Céline Martin-Pedersen - www.celinephotograph.com / info@celinephotograph.com

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For home or corporate delivery of the printed edition please contact: distribution@the-intl.com The International is published 12 times a year. This issue was published on 1 July, 2020

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EVENTS IN JULY CLUB FANØ VISIT DENMARK - NICLAS JESSEN

As Denmark starts to open up slowly, so too are events.

The International will keep you updated us much as possible through our social media and website. Please note: we still encourage you to follow the governments guidelines and stay safe. Follow us on http://www.the-intl.dk/

HØJBY

STEEN PRAMMING

FANØ

2 JULY

3 JULY

BLOKART SCHOOL

OPEN AIR CONCERT

Blokart is one of the most fun things you can do on the beach on Fanø. There is nothing like whizzing down the beach with your family and friends. It takes a maximum of 10 minutes for our instructor to learn, and you need to sign a release form.

Blokart is definitely not dangerous, and you are provided with a helmet and gloves and strapped to the vehicle in a seat belt.

Please note: You need to be 12 years old to join and be at least 135cm tall.

Zididada and Steen Pramming Open Air Concert.

The style is fresh pop with good melodies and a relaxed evening of super entertainment and music everyone can sing along to.

You can quench your thirst with a cold draft beer and if you get hungry food is available too.

The doors open at 18:00 and the concert starts at 19:30.

Buy your ticket before it's too late - there is ONLY room for 500 seated audiences.

Price for tickets and parking can be purchased online.

FOR MORE INFO: HTTP://WWW.KULTUNAUT.DK/PERL/ARRMORE/TYPE-NYNAUT?ARRNR=13850480

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NÆSTVED

GAVNØ SLOT FB PAGE

SAMSØ

YOGAMO FB PAGE

VISITMARIAGERFJORD FB PAGE

HADSUND

4 JULY

ALL JULY

SEARCHING FOR AMBER

BEACH YOGA

GAVNØ GO FLY

If you want to try your luck at finding amber, join an experienced amber collector along the coast of Øster Hurup to find the "gold" of the sea. Collector Keld Zaar will run a guided tour every Wednesday and Friday during the summer holidays. The trip is approximately 6km, and during the walk, Keld will show you the very best places to gather this precious stone.

If you are lucky enough to find amber on the trip, you have the opportunity to have it fashioned into a unique piece of jewellery.

Feel like practising yoga on the beach to the sound of waves? Come and join us as we awaken the body with a small dynamic yoga series that get the energy flowing throughout your body, and get you off to a great start.

It's a nice energy boost, and with the most beautiful view of the sea.

Groups gather during the morning, with trees behind you, water to the front, and the sky and sea all around you. It doesn't get more beautiful than that!

Grab a picnic and take the whole family with to try out seven fun courses for all ages.

Several different courses are ready for fun, exciting and challenging experiences, ranging from the fun and recreational activities of the junior course to the very top of Gavnø's 150-year-old wooden crowns, where the latest courses really give an adrenaline kick if you dare!

You choose how high, how far and how long you want to experience this. Anyone can join.

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UNSPLASH.COM

VISITMARIAGERFJORD FB PAGE

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GAVNØ SLOT FB PAGE

3 JULY

H i g h Acad em i c S t an d ar d s C h ri st i an E t ho s C onv en i en t l y l o c at ed i n H el l er u p

rygaards.com JULY 2020 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

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UNSPLASH.COM

RAGNAROCK FB PAGE

SLAGELSE

KØGE

KØGE MUSEUM FB PAGE - CHRISTINE LOUW NIELSEN

ROSKILDE

5 JULY

7 JULY

9 JULY

GASOLIN' GUIDED TOUR

TIME TRAVEL IN KØGE

PLASTIC WARRIORS

Take a time-trip back to Christianshavn in the late summer of 1969, when Wili, Søren, Franz and Kim started as four slum stormers from Sofiegården and ended up together making up Denmark's most significant rock band.

During the tour, you will find the story of how the ambitious and hard-working band members met and fought together to reach the top.

The band existed for almost a decade! But despite its short life, old as well as young still enjoy singing along to their songs.

Join us on a journey through time and experience the world from the eyes of a child. During the Stone Age, children helped their parents pick berries and hunt for supper, to 19th-century children working in factories while attending school. Join us on a journey through time and experience the world through the eyes of a child.

During this process, you become acquainted with what it meant to have been a child in another time: how they lived, played, dressed, and not least how it all has a direct link on how children live it today.

In recent years there has been a great deal of focus on plastic pollution and microplastics in the seas. It is estimated that between 4 and 12 million tons of plastic end up in the waters every year. Come and join us for today's event where we find out how it's going on our local beaches. Using, among other things, plankton net and stereo loop, we investigate both the water and the sand for microplastic contents. Along the way, we talk about what we can all do in everyday life to reduce plastic pollution in nature.

Please note: Registration is required.

FOR MORE INF0: HTTPS://WWW.KULTUNAUT.DK/PERL/ARRMORE/TYPE-NYNAUT/UK?ARRNR=13876379

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COPENHAGEN

NÆSTVED

DAUNTLESS

NATIONALMUSEET FB PAGE

FREDAGSROCK PÅ TORVET FB PAGE

ODENSE

10 JULY

ALL JULY

16-18 JULY

FRIDAY ROCK IN ODENSE SQUARE

THE FIRST DANES

MOCKTAIL EVENT FOR TEENS

Take a tour and get the story of the first Danes who lived in the landscape we today call Denmark.

Doomsday has been breathing down man's neck ever since we walked on two legs. To begin with, hunger and cold almost ended us. Today, it's over-consumption and waste of natural resources that are becoming our downfall.

Two million years ago, a man grabbed a rock and killed an animal, and 6,000 years ago, a man or woman arrived with a cow from the forest and made us farmers.

Our ancestors were able to transform natural materials into weapons and use them to protect themselves in an uncertain world. When disasters drew close, they created doomsday stories and sacrificed to both ancestors and gods to ensure longevity

Learn how to mix a mocktail like a real mixologist, with this fun experience for 13 to 17 year-olds!

Mocktails - the cocktail without alcohol is trending in New York and London and now has arrived in Denmark.

Come learn how to mix them in our Dauntless workshop in Næstved.

Famous Danish musician Thomas Buttenschøn entertains and delivers feel-good music in an intimate concert.

We all miss a good concert and new experiences with family and friends.

Every Friday in July, we are ready with good music, delicious food and drinks when we open up for Friday Rock On The Square in Odense.

Here you can experience amazing Danish artists right in the middle of the authentic H.C.Andersen Quarter in the centre of Odense, a perfect location and atmosphere for events.

The tickets have been lowered in price so that everyone can join and listen to beautiful musical experiences over the summer.

Due to precautions in connection with Covid19, it is only possible to buy tables for a few people and not single tickets. Note: the area is shielded, so it's not possible to see the stage from the outside.

What can you expect at this event: - Mixology tools.

- Dauntless hoodie.

- Basic mixology skills.

- How to convert a caravan into a Mocktail bar.

- All meals.

- Camping with friends.

- Movies outdoors.

- Concert outdoors.

- How to start a band.

- 'Hygge' around the firepit.

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This is a FREE event, so book now online to reserve a spot.

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Price: 4 man's table 500 DKK - (+ fee) Price: 8 man's table 900 DKK - (+ fee)

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UNSPLASH.COM UNSPLASH.COM

UNSPLASH.COM

NATIONALMUSEET FB PAGE

NATIONALMUSEET FB PAGE

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ULVSBORG HISTORISK VÆRKSTED FB PAGE

ASNÆS

19 JULY HISTORICAL WORKSHOP Ulvsborg Historical Workshop's annual summer opening begins. We welcome the Stormandsgården from the early Middle Ages, discover how life shaped itself in Svend, Knud and Valdemar's time. Hear about knights, craftsmen, and the battle for kingdoms and gods.

Try your hand at any of the daily life of the Middle Ages.

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UNSPLASH.COM

HOLBÆK

20 JULY BECOME A SAILOR FOR THE DAY Get a day full of maritime experience at Galeasen Hjalm.

You will experience: - Sailing and viewing Holbæk from the water.

- Help to hoist the sails.

- Learning about ropes, knots and connectors.

- Participating in various collaborative exercises.

- Introduced to Holbæk Fjord's local coastal history.

- Enjoy the sun, fresh air, and good memories to take home with you.

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A focus on learning I nternational S chool for students ages 3–16 nis-ngg.dk Phone: +45 45 57 26 16 Email: nis@ngg.dk Cirkelhuset, Christianshusvej 16 DK, 2970 Hørsholm

Cambridge International School

JULY 2020 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

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RIBE

VIDEN & VADEN

AARHUS

NEMBILLET.DK

AROS ADVENTURE FB PAGE

KNEBEL

22 JULY

25 JULY

25 JULY

MOLS MOUNTAIN

TOURS OF THE PORT OF AARHUS

A TOUR OF THE WADDEN SEA AND VINEYARD

The Port of Aarhus has been transformed in recent years. Now it's your chance to take a look at all the new developments from the seafront. Hop onboard the tugboat JAKOB for a pleasant tour of the port, sailing past landmark buildings such as the Lighthouse, Navitas, DOKK1, Bestseller and Toldboden, the old Customs House, as well as around Denmark's largest container port.

No summer vacation is complete without a guided tour of the Wadden Sea from Vester Vedsted Vineyard and back to sip a few glasses of wine.

If you like good food and wine - then join the tour with a visit to Vester Vedsted Vineyard and taste the delights here.

On the way through the national park to the Wadden Sea, we take short breaks where we learn about the marsh's cultural and natural history. On our way, we will get to see Wadden Sea nature at it's best, and it's a given you will get muddy feet. Once back at the Vineyard, you can buy coffee and cake or a nice lunch. We also recommend a visit to the Wadden Sea Center, located only a few kilometres from the winery.

The tour is conducted by a certified guide, who has many years of knowledge about Mols mountains. They focus on nature and history experiences in this beautiful landscape.

The route starts at Poskær Stenhus and follows large and small paths through the woods, deepest valleys, and bronze age hills of Trehøje, where there is a fantastic view of the glacial landscape, kalø-vig, Knebel vig, Begtrup vig, Ebeltoft cove, Samsø and in good weather Zealand's Odde.

We hike to the old village of Toggerbo and past the abandoned farm of Tremosegaard through Provstgård plantation to Øvre Strandkær. The tour then continues to Mols Bjerge's highest point, the 137 meters high Agri Bavnehøj.

Note: you need to be in relatively good health as it's a distance of 20km. There will be time for short breaks to catch your breath and enjoy the surroundings.

A delicious sandwich and a bottle of spring water are served for lunch.

Who is Jakob?

JAKOB is a tugboat with a fascinating history. It was built back in 1943 at the shipyard in Orange, Texas by the US Army. The vessel took part in the Normandy invasion and afterwards spent a short period in Antwerp before entering service as a tugboat at the Port of Aarhus. Here, the boat was named after Jakob Jensen, a former mayor and chairman of the Port of Aarhus.

FOR MORE INF0: HTTPS://WWW.KULTUNAUT.DK/PERL/ARRMORE/TYPE-NYNAUT/UK?ARRNR=13925465

Please note: Registration is required as there is a limited number of seats.

FOR MORE INF0: HTTPS://WWW.KULTUNAUT.DK/PERL/ARRMORE/TYPE-NYNAUT/UK?ARRNR=13870736

Programme The organisers offer a pleasant tour around the Port of Aarhus. Experience Aarhus from an entirely new angle when we pass the Lighthouse, Navitas, DOK 1, Bestseller and Toldboden, the old Customs House, and sail around Denmark's largest container port. You can look forward to an enjoyable experience on the water.

JULY 2020 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

VIDEN & VADEN

UNSPLASH.COM

AROS ADVENTURE FB PAGE

VIDEN & VADEN

AROS ADVENTURE FB PAGE

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BEAT FABRIKKEN FB PAGE

RISSKOV

27 JULY DANCE TRAINING Dance mix is a varied introduction to the styles of Latin, Standard, Hip Hop and Showdance. A basic introduction will be taught in each of the techniques, so the teaching will be varied. You get to learn about posture, musicality, flexibility and strength, and a broader understanding of dance.

FOR MORE INF0: HTTPS://WWW.KULTUNAUT.DK/PERL/ARRMORE/TYPE-NYNAUT/ UK?ARRNR=13913530

KARPENHØJ NATURCENTER FB PAGE

KNEBEL

30 JULY SEA KAYAKING WITH A GUIDE In the waters around Mols Bjerge and Helgenæs, there is a spot in the ocean, where the waters are calm enough for you to paddle your first kayak, without being hit by strong winds and waves. Karpenhøj Nature Center is a perfect starting point for a taste of sea kayaking. Enjoy a sea experience with fresh air, calm, saltwater, and play.

Our highly trained instructors will be there to guide you in and out of the water with your kayak - a great way to explore nature in a whole new way.

Programme: A three-hour introduction with an experienced sea kayak instructor. Kayak rental, wetsuit, swim vest and other necessary equipment.

Requirements: You must be at least 14 years old and able to swim. You don't need previous kayaking experience to go on this adventure.

FOR MORE INF0: HTTPS://WWW.KULTUNAUT.DK/PERL/ARRMORE/TYPE-NYNAUT/ UK?ARRNR=13867078 For more events around Denmark, check out the KultuNaut website: https://www.kultunaut.dk/perl/arrlist/type-nynaut/UK?DefaultGenre=turist

JULY 2020 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

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JEN JUL

SHARES HER TRUTH ABOUT LIFE IN DENMARK

GROWING UP A WORLD AWAY, JEN TOOK A CHANCE ON A NEW LIFE IN DENMARK. THIS STRONG, INTELLIGENT WOMAN SHARED WITH THE INTERNATIONAL THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE LOVELY ABOUT LIFE HERE, AND EMBRACING HER NEW NORMAL WHILST KEEPING HER CULTURE CLOSE.

PHOTOGRAPHS CÉLINE MARTIN-PEDERSEN

Q

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP, TELL ME ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND? I am originally from Shageluk, Alaska, it's a small rural village on the Innoko River, a tributary of the lower Yukon River, and my culture is Deg Hti'an Athabascan, Native American. Our way of life is predominantly a subsistence way of living, everything we hunt and fish we put away from the long winter months ahead. Speaking of my home makes me long for the taste of fresh smoked salmon and moose meat, these were the traditional foods I was raised on, and it reminds me of my strong sense of heritage and culture.

Coming from a rural village didn't offer more than working at the school, store or tribal offices, and growing up, my parents supplemented their income with a general store in front of our house. Working in the store was never a treasured childhood memory, as I was always stuck behind the counter, stocking shelves or cleaning or something related to the store. I would rather be off playing with my cousins, visiting my grandparents, fishing, playing softball, or boat riding up the Innoko River.

While most kids went away to college, I went away to high school because the local school in our community wasn't high in terms of academia. It was at Mt. Edgecumbe my mind was opened to the limitless possibilities the world had to offer. This school was the hallmark of education for rural kids from all over the State of Alaska, and it gave us a chance to get an advanced education as well as it forged a life long bond with other Native kids from rural Alaska forming lifelong memories.

After that, I took a year off to figure out what I wanted to do with my life and moved to Anchorage with my parents. I worked at a tourist shop downtown and decided to attend school out-of-state. I had no idea how I was going to afford this, so saved and started looking for scholarships. I stumbled across the Indian Health Service Scholarship, and had to have 'reputable recommendations'. I really didn't know anyone in Anchorage, so I went down to the Native Hospital and sought the help of some doctors and walked away with three signed letters of recommendations from doctors. After sending all the documentation in I was accepted, and finally on my way to college! That fall I arrived in Northfield, Minnesota, everyone looked predominantly blonde and blue-eyed - I wasn't in Alaska anymore, and with my exotic look I definitely stood out. This was an eye-opening experience that I would later draw a comparison to when moving to Denmark. After

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TEXT LYNDSAY JENSEN

transferring to a college in Washington and then later back to Alaska, I ended up graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management, a business degree from Alaska Pacific University (APU).

Life took a different journey, and I had a job, a toddler, and was a single mom. But I was determined to make a better life for myself and my daughter. It wasn't until I started working for a tribal corporation that I realised that I needed to return to school to not only serve people better but make a difference. I went back to school at night/weekends for my Master's in Business Administration (MBA) all the while juggling motherhood, working fulltime as a business executive, and travelling a lot. It was the hardest two years of my life! But in 2014, I finally graduated from APU with my MBA. My life before Denmark was all about providing a living for my kids, enjoying my friends and being with family. Little did I know that my life was about to be turned upside down (yet again) by a hippie Danish music man.

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TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY AND THE EARLY DAYS IN DENMARK? I met, fell in love with and had a long-distance relationship with my music man for a year. We would visit each other in Alaska and Denmark, and then I fell pregnant - that changed everything. At the time, I was juggling a stressful job, a toddler, pregnancy, and a relationship in another country, things were not simple. Kris also had kids from a previous marriage, and I was ready for a change, so we went for it. We got married in a whirlwind in Hawaii and moved to Denmark months later to start our blended family. It was a bold decision, but it felt like the right decision because we wanted to start our family on stable grounding, and starting it together with our blended family in Denmark just made sense.

I'd only ever been to Denmark as a tourist, so before moving, I had this postcard, fairytale view of what my life would be like once I lived there. As is with life, nothing is quite as it seems. I'm so grateful that my music man has been such massive support through all my trials and tribulations here. He's been my translator, my driver (when we had a car), and my champion. As cheesy as it sounds, he is my ying to my yang. We don't always have the answers, but he always finds a way to pay rent, feed and provide for his

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family. I love his guts, and we both have the same goal in mind for keeping our family together through all the ups and downs. Our family is a truly eclectic blend, and it wasn't easy at first, but it's grown to be how it should be. We have our teenager (14) (my stepson), with a passion for futbøl. Our stepdaughter (11) is a pre-teen that adores music and the baby of the family, Kaya. Koa (6), a total boy that has a sensitive heart, and our youngest Kaya (3), she is our last and most rotten toddler. She walks to the beat of her own little lion drum. All these kids love each other, play with one another, and get along most of the time. Our place is loud, chaotic, and I'm grateful for it.

When I first moved here I was 5 months pregnant, I had a toddler, 11 bags and two dogs in tow. The novelty quickly wore off when I realised that I had to learn how to ride a bike with my huge belly and my son behind me in the bike chair. I've had my moments where I've broken down - one day in a store I couldn't understand the labels on the products, and my app (google translate) was not giving me any feedback. I broke down, left the story and cried all the way home. I felt so alone with the crushing reality of my decision that I was here and I was here to stay, this wasn't just a holiday.

Suddenly questions came up: Where are we going to settle? What am I going to do for a career after I had Kaya? Which hospital am I going to have my child in? What prenatal care am I entitled to as an international? All these questions as well as dealing with the redtape of filling out forms for family reunification. Due to my age and past complications, I was considered 'high risk', and I just didn't know what to do. After calling around to various places like the kommune, the health ministry, and even a friend's wife, who was a midwife, no one seems to know as written guidelines weren't easily accessible (well non that I could find).

From health care to the language, everything took time to adjust to, after all, it's a different culture - I just never realised how different. I used to get really upset and defensive when asked why I don't speak Danish yet. I wondered why that was, I mean, after all, I should have a basic grasp of the language by now, and it suddenly dawned on me that it had something to do with me not learning my own native language. In Alaska, other people that knew their native language would ask me the same thing, 'why don't you know your own language?' The same feelings of anger and frustration

"IT'S JUST TIRING AND FRUSTRATING AS I'M STILL ON THE HUNT FOR A JOB. I HAVE AN MBA, I'M EDUCATED, I HAVE AMPLE WORK EXPERIENCE, AND I'M WILLING AND ABLE TO WORK." would come flooding back to me when asked about Danish, and I reacted to that. There are only a handful of people who know the Deg Hit'an dialect, and it was literally beaten out of my grandparent's generation when missionaries came to our area in the mid-1900s and colonised. This is a form of 'generational trauma' that has conditioned me to have not only language issues but self-identity and self-worth issues.

Sure it's hard, dare I even say it's harder than learning Japanese, and that was the second language I ever learned after English. I know learning the language will 'open up my world,' as my husband says, so I'm trying to learn slowly, taking my time to understand the nuances, and gradually feel more comfortable with the language.

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HOW DO YOU FIND THE CULTURE IN DENMARK CO M PA R E S TO YO U R OW N ? H AV E YO U E M BRACED SOME DANISH CULTURAL TRADITIONS IN YOUR FAMILY? The culture in Denmark is entirely different than what I'm used to, and at first, I found the people to be cold. However, when you stay in a culture for a long time, you learn to adapt and make the best of what that culture has to offer. My husbands circle of musical friends are always warm and kind to me, and his family has welcomed me with open arms - this helps tremendously. I've also embraced the fact as a wife of a musician I get to meet the most exciting cultures, he frequently performs with Greenlandic Inuit musicians, and I feel a certain kinship with them because they look, speak and have similar norms as 'Alaska Natives'. I count myself extremely fortunate that I have the support of local Danish

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friends and family, as I've heard horror stories of other internationals that moved here and only have their spouse as a support, and can feel isolated and alone.

For the past year, we've lived in Ørestad area, which is right above the Amager nature preserve. This allows our family great bike rides, walks, and I LOVE running through the patches of forest and land that is not concrete - this has been my saving grace. Ørestad and Copenhagen, in general, is such an international area with a lot of people from many different cultures.

Once a grey, concrete area, there seemed to be a shortage of schools, daycares, and doctors in the past as we were waitlisted for a while. All that has changed and today is a thriving area filled with people, families, shops, and cafes. My son's school, in particular, provides nurturing teachers, a super close location, and the support that a 6-year-old needs when transitioning from børnehus (daycare) to school. I've come to love this area for the convenience of the schools, grocery stores, metro and being on the edge of the city near the forest and nature - it's a great place to live.

Perhaps I'm getting too comfortable in my little bubble of home-schools/daycare-store-home, as I really miss the fact that people are more easily approachable. In Alaska, you can strike up a conversation in the check-out line at the grocery store, pumping gas, or even if you are lost, people will help. I'm used to family and friends just dropping by for a coffee and a chat or for dinner. I even had neighbours that would send home veggies from their garden with our dog, who would visit. They'd text me to say that 'Milo' (our trusty little poodle), was at their place and that they'd walk

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"WHEN YOU STAY IN A CULTURE FOR A LONG TIME, YOU LEARN TO ADAPT AND MAKE THE BEST OF WHAT THAT CULTURE HAS TO OFFER." him home after he gets a snack with some tasty potatoes and zucchini. It was this friendliness that I was used to and miss so much.Forming friendships with other international has become crucial to me. I found a Facebook mom's group for US/Canadian expat moms (North American Moms in Copenhagen), and it was a saving grace. A whole community of other moms that I could relate to.

If I needed to know where I could find peanut butter or second-hand clothes, these gals knew where it was. From there, I sought out other expat entrepreneurial groups because I have a small marketing business, and I was ready to network. I found creative women from all over the world that have the same struggles as myself. We all shared how we struggle to find employment here and how hard it is to survive and thrive here at times. I've realised how essential it is to have a strong group of women around, guiding, mentoring and uplifting me.

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T E L L M E A B O U T F I N D I N G WO R K I N D E N MARK AND THE DIFFICULTIES YOU'VE EXPERIENCED? HOW SHOULD BUSINESSES BE ATTRACTING INTERNATIONALS? It's just tiring and frustrating as I'm still on the hunt for a job. I have an MBA, I'm educated, I have ample work experience, and I'm willing and able to work. But after an extended period of applying for jobs, having about 15 versions of my CV/resume, over 300 cover letters, calling HR departments, networking with people from prospective hiring companies, tailoring my LinkedIn profile and just showing up all the time - I'm exhausted. Understandably, internationals have an incredibly bad taste in their mouths regarding working in Denmark. It's time-consuming, stressful, anxiety-ridden, and can be soul-destroying.

This is not what I thought my journey to Denmark was going to be about. Its a strange and worrisome predicament, and I don't want to have to leave, as I feel it is a fantastic place to bring up a family in.

But as I do feel defeated at times, and like a lot of internationals have done before me, I have started my own small marketing business. As someone who comes from a background and mentality of, 'a single mom who will find a way,' I had to take notice of what I could do to make money here, and so began my long love/hate relationship with digital marketing. I took online classes, webinars and I started helping friends and family with their social media marketing and branding. It was exciting work, and did earn me a small income and kept me busy, as I continued my job search on the side.

Unfortunately, the pandemic has shut down a lot of people, including myself, no one has the same budget to pay for marketing services. The ripple effect of the epidemic resulted in our family scarcely being able to afford rent, it has literally shut all of our income down. My husband included, he's a musician and all gigs were cancelled over summer. Rent was always a concern for us as we are freelancers, and I am still continuing to apply for jobs, but the downside of living in the city is you pay high rent, so we have decided to move. It's a hard decision because we don't want to take the kids out of their stability of everything they know and put them into yet another unknown situation, as well as tearing our family apart by being further apart from the older kids who we'll see less on weekends and holidays.

I've had four interviews in my more than three years in Denmark, and I think I'm doing everything right. I don't know why internationals are having such a hard time finding a placement. I do believe the colour of my skin might be a factor and believe me when I say that I've never thought this way in the past because I've always found work, I have

a strong backbone of grit and a tenacious nature where I don't give up - however, this life in Denmark where I'm surrounded by predominantly blonde, blue-eyed, Scandinavians it's hard. Here, I stand out, I'm different. Perhaps it's changing, and I hope that's the case, but it's heartbreaking as the change is too slow. I realise change isn't easy and it doesn't happen overnight. So all I can do is stay present, grounded, strong and be there for my kids.

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TELL ME ABOUT YOUR PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE IN ALASKA, AND WORKING WITHIN YOUR CULTURAL BACKGROUND? I come from a culture where people rarely finish school, let alone go to college or even get an advanced degree. But I was brought up by strict parents with a great work ethic.

They always worked, and therefore I always worked before I came to Denmark. Previously I was an executive, President, and CEO of a tribal organisation. First, I was nominated and elected to the Board of Directors without my knowledge, then elected to the President role. It was all fun and games until you get into small-town politics. From the very beginning, I know that this role would be an uphill battle. When people fight amongst themselves, with no real role models, things tend to go nowhere. So I dedicated my life to being a better person for my community and in the job itself. I went back to school, received my MBA, painstakingly grew the organisation to have more business development opportunities, organisational structure, and transparency. It was a group effort, and we were on the cusp of great things in terms of partnering with affiliated businesses and government contracting. I was giving more to the position than to my family.

When things were at their worst with my teenage daughter, my son was at a daycare for long hours, and I was working non-stop. I wasn't present even when I was home, I was always thinking about my job, how we can improve, the next trip to DC, the next networking event, and how to grow to be there for the next generation of shareholders. It was a lot, and I felt I was failing as a parent. Somewhere through all this, I got some great exposure for our tribal organisation because I was on the cover of the National magazine, Alaska Airlines. I was the first indigenous person to be on the cover and featured along with other natives indigenous to Alaska and the U.S. Pacific Northwest. It was a huge honour. It was also mildly terrifying to see my face all over the place when I travelled. People would recognise me and point. I guess you could say that I had my five minutes of fame.

Everything came to a head when I was laying in the ER at the hospital, four months pregnant with Kaya, my daughter, and on a fluid drip, dehydrated, tired, stressed and suffering from an anxiety attack (which I didn't even know what it was other than I couldn't calm down and I couldn't breathe normally), I knew something was wrong.

I knew that something had to give. I knew that I deserved more and that my kids deserved a better parent and person. That was the moment I changed everything and began to look at my life and made changes for the better. It took a while, but I left Alaska, married, happy but unsure, and ready for the next adventure.

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THIS IS NOT YOUR FIRST ENTREPRENEUR ENTERPRISE, TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT? I started my own construction business with a partner in Alaska. It was a fun and stressful experience all at the same time. I learned a lot, and I'm glad we did it. Here in Denmark, I started my own business out of necessity. After what seemed like months and months of not getting so much as a job interview, I realised that I needed a back-

up plan. So I took stock of what I could do for myself. I grabbed my trusty laptop and began researching. There are so many 'get rich quick' schemes out there that I quickly got overwhelmed. But I started to focus on taking digital marketing and photography courses. This captivated me immediately, and I found that photography tells a story, and I was good at capturing moments. My kids are perfect muses for this line of work, so my love of lifestyle and portrait photography continues. Digital Marketing and Social Media management was a fast dive into helping others with their social media platforms and getting more exposure online. I've helped small businesses with their branding, graphic design, social media management, website design, content marketing, digital strategies, paid advertising, social media account creation and optimisation, and email marketing. Most times, it's about just helping entrepreneurs figure out just who their target audience is and how to go about finding and nurturing that audience.

I love working with people and telling their stories, their business story, and sharing their content. So I've shifted into more of a visual and content strategy marketing.

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WITH THE RECENT BLACK LIVES MATTERS PROTESTS AROUND THE WORLD, HOW HAS IT AFFECTED YOU? I think it actually began when the current US president got elected. We took two giant steps forward and then 500 steps backwards. It's like pandora's box was opened for all to do as they please. This was good in some respect as it has given people the right to openly share how they actually feel about minorities and immigrants. It's also unfortunately given the 'okay' for the world to show their colours and frankly it's not that pretty. So when racism rears its ugly head, and innocent people continue dying, like George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, it struck a nerve.

People are tired of it. I could say that Denmark is not 'as bad as it is in the United States', but it doesn't change the fact that racism is here and that we need to face it. Recently I learned of the term, 'hygge-racism.' You put the cosy Danish word 'hygge' in front of the unjust issue and make it better. It's like putting a bandaid on the issue or laughing it off like its not that serious. It's just another way to sweep it under the rug, per se.

Perhaps there needs to be some 'inclusion' and 'diversity' training to educate Danish companies on their lack of diversity in their workplace. They will probably say that there is nothing wrong with it. Therein lies the problem.

Perhaps they can take a look at what various US companies are doing. They are hiring 'diversity consultants' to help them identify and improve their hiring practices to bring more equality to the workplace. Its a start, a good one.

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WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO OTHER INTERNATIONALS LIVING IN DENMARK, ON HOW TO BEST FIT IN OR FEEL MORE AT HOME – YOUR TOP TIPS? If I can give any advice based on my experiences here, it would be to have a tenacious heart. Don't give up. If you really want to stay here long-term, stay your path, and stick to your goals. It's definitely not easy this Danish life, but its the best place for my family in terms of safety, health and raising kids. Also, be open to change, to new things. I used to think I was so open to new ideas and changes, but its completely different when you move to an entirely different country. Everything you ever knew is not there anymore. Nothing is familiar anymore. But, take time to take it all in. I think I'm finally 'okay' here and it took three years to get here. Its a constant struggle but its more familiar now and perhaps I've been here too long and am getting too comfortable with everything, but find your community to give you that support, don't give up and take risks. THE-INTL

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT JEN YOU CAN VISIT HER ON SOCIAL MEDIA: www.jenjul.com / @justjenjul

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HOW TO BE ACTIVELY

ANTI-RACIST

OPINION

PIECE

CONRAD EGBERT

COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIST

FIRST THINGS FIRST – BLACK LIVES MATTER, THEY ALWAYS HAVE AND THEY ALWAYS WILL; THE SOONER WE ACCEPT THIS, THE BETTER.

Conrad has 20 years’ experience as a journalist and editor.

He is also an aspiring author on the hunt for a suitable pub-

PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCK PHOTO

R

RACISM HAS BEEN programmed into us. Fight it.

Institutional Racism is real and needs to be uprooted. Believe it.

Avoid describing people by the colour of their skin; it’s ignorant and divisive.

Actively dress cross-culturally. Include ethnic wear into your wardrobe; buy a sexy choli or some gorgeous African prints.

"ACHIEVEMENT HAS NO COLOUR" ABRAHAM LINCOLN Racism = hate.

Don’t allow racist conversations within friend circles or at work; shut it down immediately.

Racism begins at home; no one should get away with it, not even family. Hate shall not prevail.

Patrisse Khan-Cullors, Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi. Google them.

Don’t be afraid to unfriend racists and haters; you’re better off without them. It’s the only way to bring about more significant change.

Shout out more about the wonderful people in your life, the good ones, the role models, the ones with that Markle-Sparkle.

Be Barack and Michelle Obama.

Don’t be subservient; we’re all one race – the human race.

Colin Kaepernick. Kneel.

"THE TRUE MEASURE OF ANY SOCIETY CAN BE FOUND IN HOW IT TREATS ITS MOST VULNERABLE MEMBERS" MAHATMA GANDHI Listen to those who say they’ve been victims of racism. Let them speak. Try to understand them. If possible, apologise on behalf of the entire human race; we’re all guilty for letting us get here.

Support black-owned and run businesses; literally, put your money where your mouth is.

Tamir Rice, Breonna Taylor, Rekia Boyd, Eric Garner, Aiyana Stanley-Jones, Tanisha Anderson. Their black lives mattered.

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TEXT CONRAD EGBERT

lisher. He moved to Copenhagen from France in 2019 and loves to schmooze; he believes

"DO THE BEST YOU CAN, UNTIL YOU KNOW BETTER. THEN WHEN YOU KNOW BETTER, DO BETTER" MAYA ANGELOU

a good chat is far more healing than homeopathy. He’s of mixed Indian and English her-

Actively diversify your circle of friends to include people from multiple races and cultures. Learn about them. Respect them. Some cultures were here long before your countries were.

Not all white people are racist. Don’t hate.

Not all people of colour are anti-racist. Beware.

We can never fully understand what a person is going through until we step into their shoes. Try living in their skin.

Forget what mama said and go ahead and smile at a stranger; it changes society.

Elevate white people who fight for the cause; they’re our Trojan horse in the battle against systemic racism. At the same time call out those who play the racist card to further their own agendas; they’re not our friends.

Listen to Whitney Houston, Maria Carey and Aretha Franklin.

But also listen to Dolly Parton, Shakira and Nora Jones.

Be colourblind; look past the dermis and directlyinto the soul. Stand up for each other, whether in the street, at home or in the office.

itage and has worked across

R.E.S.P.E.C.T

ring up controversy at vari-

Sit next to each other; be that Benetton Ad. Love.

Know who Emmitt Till and Elijah McClain were; the Jim Crow Laws.

Watch Hairspray and pump up the volume.

Learn about the Emancipation Proclamation, the Black Wall Street and Brown Vs. Board Of Education of Topeka.

Educate yourself about white privilege; it’s not just a cool catchphrase but history about years of white advantage vs architected black disadvantage.

Martin Luther King said ‘genuine equality is economic equality.’ Reparations must be made.

And last, but not least, George Perry Floyd Jr. THE-INTL

ous hyggelig watering holes

the Middle East, India and Europe. Earth is currently home and he considers himself a citizen of it. In winter, he loves coffee, croissants, candles and gin, but come summer, hawkers in Free-town Christiana are reduced to tears with his intrepid bargaining. He’s friendly and funny and cooks a mean curry. You can catch him at embassy parties or stir-

around the city. He’ll be your friend if you have a light. egbertconrad@gmail.com @kingegbert @egbertconrad Conrad Egbert www.linkedin.com/in/ conradegbert

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SUMMER RECHARGE OR TIME TO FIND YOUR NEXT JOB?

If you are taking a summer vacation, then it is good to completely unwind and recharge – and forget about searching for a job for the time being. If you are not having a holiday, then it just might be the perfect time to look for a job.

VISITAARHUS PHOTOGRAPHER CREDITS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: RUNI PHOTOPOP; RUNI PHOTOPOP; ROBIN SKJOLDBOR; RUNI PHOTOPOP

PHOTOGRAPHS VISITAARHUS / ISTOCK PHOTO

TEXT GREETE ELURI

W

WHATEVER YOU ARE doing, make sure you do it thoroughly, and you commit to it – doing something 50% will never lead you to your goal.

EXPLORE DENMARK

July is the perfect time in Denmark to explore the country and unwind. If you are taking a vacation, make sure you are taking a vacation. Give yourself the time you need to rewind, relax and rest. Do the things you have not yet had time to – even the small, everyday things which bring you joy. In May’s issue, I spoke about focusing on the things you can control – this is also relevant here.

It might take some days to ‘turn off’ your job seeker brain, but it is needed. No one can be productive and mentally ready to work if they are stressed. If you’re lucky enough, perhaps you can go and visit your family, but if you are staying in Denmark, then take out the map and go explore. I know I have much more exploring to do and I have already planned some smaller trips in the upcoming months.

Take time to read books, meditate, listen to your favourite music and do the things that make you happy – do things that give you joy. July is the perfect time to do it where the days are long, and sometimes it’s hard to see when one day ends and begins. Take advantage of that! Visit your friends whom you have not seen in a long time, take a swim late in the evening, indulge in the best ice-cream in town or that pastry you still have not tried.

Do anything which helps you to ‘get some downtime’ and just relax. Your body and mind will thank you for that later, I promise you.

JOB SEEKING OVER THE SUMMER It might feel that nothing happens in the

GREETE ELURI JOB CONSULTANT

summer months, but it’s not entirely true. to date, make yourself visible, so that Even though many companies might 'slow it is clear to everyone – where, why and down', it’s also a time when people change what you are looking for. The more prejobs etc. Now is the time to network and cise you are, the better. If you would like find out about posito know more details, tions which often do you are welcome to not end up online. check out the articles "DO ANYTHING Summer is an excelI have written on my TO 'GET S O ME lent time to reach out Linkedin profile. Anto managers to hear other idea could be to DOWNTIME' AND what is happening check Jobindex’s arJUST RELAX. YOUR during the summer chive – you can find months. They often o l d jo b a ds a nd g et BO DY AND MIND already have the info, lots of golden nuggets WILL THANK YO U but it is not advertised from there.

FOR THAT LATER, yet, so it is your job to Whether you are contact them and find t a k i n g a h o l i d ay o r I PRO MIS E YOU." the possible ‘holes’ focusing on your job so you could perhaps searching, make sure get in. you commit to it – this If you are actively seeking for a job, will give you the best results in the long make sure your Linkedin profile is up term. Enjoy! THE-INTL

Greete was born in Tallinn, Estonia and has lived in four countries and on four continents. After high school exchange year in the US, Greete caught a ‘travel bug’.

Since 2010, Denmark has become her second home. Her background is within international marketing.

Greete changed her career to work with her passion - to help international job seekers in Denmark. For the last two years, she has been actively creating content in Linkedin and organising different events for job seekers. Greete believes that with the right mindset, skills and tools you can be successful in the rigid Danish job market. www.linkedin.com/in/ greeteeluri/ greete.eluri@gmail.com

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STAYING IN DENMARK

THIS SUMMER TEXT ERIN GUSTAFSON

NAOISE CULHANE PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOGRAPHS ERIN GUSTAFSON / VARIOUS

MAKE A BEELINE FOR BLUE FLAG BEACHES! SUSTAINABLE BLUE FLAG beaches offer clean water and coastlines with safe access for all.

No matter where you live in Denmark, you are never further than 52 kilometres from the coast. And under Danish law, the entire span of that shore is open to the public.

But which beaches are best? That might depend on what you are looking to do on your day out. Knowing that the spot you have picked has first aid facilities, stringent water testing policies, and protections for the local environment is a great place to begin. Look for the iconic blue flag flying to find just that sort of beach.

Blue Flag International, the organization who awards all those flags, is operated under the Foundation for Environmental Education and headquartered in Copenhagen. A big part of what Blue Flag global does in cooperation with the 4,664 awarded facilities in 46 countries worldwide, is focused on environmental education. Every designated site has complied with a demanding series of criteria, including offering educational opportunities for visitors. These might be activities designed for your kids

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at the beach or information posted about the unique ecologies at each location. Here in Denmark, there are over 200 Blue Flag beaches.

I SPOKE WITH SOPHIE BACHET GRANADOS, THE INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR OF BLUE FLAG INTERNATIONAL ABOUT WHAT SHE SEES AS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ADVANTAGE FOR VISITORS TO A BLUE FLAG BEACH? “The level of excellence, because we work only with operators that are motivated and want to be awarded the Blue Flag. To do so, they first have to apply, and then they receive on-site visits. They are all very proud of their work and put a huge effort into ensuring they comply with all our criteria all during their season. They activate the local communities because Blue Flag is not only for the tourists.

If a beach (or a marina, or a tourism boat) has the Blue Flag, you know they will go the extra mile. They are the pioneers of the best practises, the 5-star beaches if you will.

It might not look like it when you visit, but there is tremendous work happening behind the scenes so that the

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ERIN GUSTAFSON WRITER & BLOGGER experience for the public is smooth.”

Another positive impact from the program is that at least one Blue Flag facility in every municipality must have adequate accessibility, affording inclusion for all. Whether you have difficulty walking or need access with a wheelchair or even just pushing your pram to the sand, there is a facility for you. Some beautiful and accessible beaches to try in Jutland are Grenaa Beach, Hvide Sand Strand and Sønderstrand near Skagen. On Funen, look to Christiansminde beach near Svendborg. For folks summering in Zealand, Tisvildeleje Strand is seriously stunning and open for all to enjoy.

Or search from a bevvy of accessible beaches right near you on the Blue Flag Global website www.blueflag.global/all-bf-sites Click on the map and add filters to find places where your crew can access the beach and even get into the water here in Denmark.

Each blue dot offers beach-specific information about when the season is open, what type of shoreline you’ll find, whether it’s lifeguarded and more. Blue Flag also shares all their data with www. wheelmap.org/ which also offers searchable maps for accessibility points around the world.

Blue Flag beaches place a priority on education, whether through information boards, online learning or entertaining and educational activities available on-site. Plan ahead to seek out some of these activities before heading to the shore. Your little ones might love trying to catch crabs or gently petting a plaice.

Older kids and adults might like learning more about local flora and fauna. The Danish Blue Flag website www.friluftsraadet.dk/ blaa-flag-strande has a searchable list of Blue Flag events. Checking your local municipality websites and Facebook pages is another great place to find more fun things for your family to do this summer in Denmark.

AS AN EXPERT ON BLUE FLAG BEACHES, I WANTED TO KNOW WHERE SOPHIE’S FAVOURITE BLUE FLAG FACILITIES WERE LOCATED AROUND DENMARK? “I have fond memories of Palmestranden, in Frederikshavn municipality, because it was such a surprise for me to see a beach with palm trees in Denmark! It was a beautiful day when I visited it, and I felt like I was almost travelling to the Caribbean. There is also an

Erin is a travel writer and culture hound exploring a life across borders in Copenhagen, Denmark. She is the creator-in-chief at Oregon Girl Around the World, a blog that

interesting and pretty beach at Østerstrand (in Fredericia municipality), with excellent facilities and on this beach, you can discover the Havfrueflojten, or “Mermaid Whistles.” Developed specifically for people with poor eyesight so they can navigate into and out of the water, it looks very beautiful. Another gorgeous spot is Hornbæk Strand Vest (in Helsingør municipality). From this long swath of soft sand, you can look over to Sweden, and there is a fun street food market, Det Fedtede Hjørne nearby. Last but not least, Ulvshale Strand (in Vordingborg municipality) is a beach located near nature and protected areas, for those who also like to take a little stroll in nature.”

In post-lockdown Denmark, Blue Flag beaches are taking extra measures to keep people healthy and safe. Municipalities are working closely with the current guidelines set forth by Danish health authorities. Additional signage and information on and near beaches will offer information regarding safe distancing and adding disinfectant in or near facilities. The new guidelines may impact environmental education and activities, so check online first or with staff once on the sand.

According to Sophie, the “link between wellbeing and nature [is] pointed out everywhere, and a beach is one of these places where you can take a break from your daily routines and troubles. We’ve seen it with the confinement that people want to reconnect with nature. It is an intrinsic need that we all have. A beach makes people happy, and we want everyone to be able to access this happiness if they wish to do so.”

So get outside this summer. Enjoy the beautiful Danish coast.

And remember when you see the iconic blue flag flying, you’ll find a clean, safe and sustainable spot to spend a day at the beach. THE-INTL

focuses on sustainable travel for the whole family.

With a background in graphic design, photography and art history, Erin has a creative way of seeing a destination and believes that travel choices can have positive impacts for both the traveller and the communities visited. A local in Denmark since 2014, Erin has embraced the green city of Copenhagen and loves to share her insider tips.

For more Scandinavian travel inspiration and Copenhagen culture, follow Erin around the world here: oregongirl aroundtheworld.com @oregongirl_

TINE UFFELMANN - VISITNORDSJÆLLAND

aroundtheworld @oregongirlworld www.facebook. com/oregongirl roundtheworld/ www.pinterest.dk/

BLUE FLAG BEACHES PLACE A PRIORITY ON EDUCATION, WHETHER THROUGH INFORMATION BOARDS, ONLINE LEARNING OR ENTERTAINING AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE ON-SITE.

TURISTHUS NORD

oregongirlworld/

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A BREATH OF OUTDOOR AIR DITCH THE CROWDS AROUND ESBJERG, AND DISCOVER SOME LOCAL OUTDOOR GEMS. TEXT CATRIONA TURNER

NICLAS JESSEN - DESTINATION SYDVESTJYLLAND

museums, such as Ribe Viking Center (see June 2019 issue) and Guldager Jernalderlandsby (Iron Age Village).

Go to udinaturen.dk for details of campgrounds and shelters locations, and suggested hiking routes. To get you started, here are a couple of my favourite recent outdoor finds:

LYSHØJEN

L

LAST MONTH I made the case for including the area around Esb-

jerg in your Danish staycation. By now the border with Germany is open (since June 15) for stays of 6 days minimum. But stays in Copenhagen are not allowed, and summerhouse rentals are now booked up for most of the summer. It’s going to be busy at those coastal resorts! Anyone who envisaged a quiet summer away from the crowds will have to look a bit harder.

With Denmark’s ‘new normal’ feeling unusually relaxed, it’s still important to travel responsibly and not be complacent. According to Pia de Place of VisitRibeEsbjerg, hotel and resort staff are receiving specialised training and all attractions have posters and signs from the health ministry (www.sst.dk/en/English) to help make sure everyone stays aware of those essential but very effective hygiene rules: frequent handwashing, cough into your elbow, stay home if you’re symptomatic. Keep an eye on the Danish police website at politi.dk/en/coronavirus-in-denmark for their list of hotspots where loitering is discouraged. (At the time of writing there are none in West Jutland, but once school holidays start that may change.)

EASY OUTDOOR LIVING But the more time I spend in Denmark, the more I realise how easy it can be to spend time in less populated areas. Outdoor life is more than just encouraged here, it’s organised, convenient, and inviting. Forests are laid out with suggested hiking or mountain biking routes, there are communal picnic and barbecue areas everywhere – often with covered shelters – and outdoor education is valued for all, with Naturskolerne (nature schools) and open-air

If you’re curious enough as you drive along the Vestkystvej between Tarp and Esbjerg Airport, you might have wondered about the sizeable grass-covered mound, dotted with white circles, that lies next to the road. In fact, it’s an art installation, created in 1995 by Danish artist Eva Koch, along with architect Steen Høyer. After dark, the white circles are illuminated by passing traffic. There’s space for one car to park on Landemærket. Close the gate behind you and make your way through a flock of sheep up to the top, for a rare elevated viewpoint of the city and harbour of Esbjerg. Although it’s surrounded by busy roads, you can lie on the grass, look at the sky, and listen: the bleats of the sheep and skylark song evoke an escape to nature.

CATRIONA TURNER WRITER AND BLOGGER Catriona is a writer and blogger currently living in Esbjerg, Denmark. A veteran of six international moves since leaving Scotland just over a decade ago, she’s also lived in France, Uganda and the Republic of Congo.

At her blog, The Frustrated Nester, she writes about Dan-

FOREST WORLD GØRDING

ish living, travel and the ex-

Head twenty minutes out of Esbjerg to the small town of Gørding, near Bramming. There you’ll find Verdensskoven (World Forest), a nature park of forest and meadow, with a particular focus on trees from around the world. It’s an ideal day out for small children: take them there on a ‘bear hunt’, and see how long it takes to find the exotic animals (just sculptures, in reality) hidden among the foliage, before letting them loose in the fun playground nestled in a clearing.

pat life. Her writing has also

ENGHAVE DYRE- OG NATURPARK Next on my list for a summer holiday day out will be this nature and animal park just half an hour from Esbjerg, with a petting zoo, horse riding, fishing lakes, a maze, and playgrounds.

As you read this, I’ll be exploring more of Jutland and beyond with my family – I’d love to know your recommendations! Comment at the-intl.com or on social media @theinternationaldenmark. THE-INTL

been published in the anthology Once Upon an Expat, and its follow-up Life on the Move, published in June 2019.

She’s working on a memoir of international living, and is also a freelance copyeditor and proofreader at thewordbothy.com www.thefrustrated nester.com www.facebook.com/thefrustratednester @thefrustratednester

"WITH DENMARK'S 'NEW NORMAL' FEELING UNUSUALLY RELAXED, IT'S STILL IMPORTANT TO TRAVEL RESPONSIBLY AND NOT BE COMPLACENT."

CREDITS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: JULI BEHRENDT BEXKENS; VISIT RIBE & ESBJERG; ISTOCKPHOTO.COM; VISIT RIBE & ESBJERG

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ULRIK PEDERSEN - DESTINATION SYDVESTJYLLAND

PHOTOGRAPHS CÉLINE MARTIN-PEDERSEN / VISIT RIBE & ESBJERG / JULI BEHRENDT BEXKENS

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STAYCATION SUMMER...

SUSAN JESSEN SPIELE LIBRARIAN Susan is a librarian at Roskilde Library, and in charge of the English section. She does English events all year; everything from expat dinners and pub quizzes, to karaoke nights and book talks. She is also busy with Roskilde Hor-

Summertime, and the living is easy. Books can be read indoors in the rain or outside, under a tree or at the beach in the sun. Here are a few Summer reads for you to enjoy.

ATMOSPHERIC, HAUNTING AND BELIEVABLE

DARK, GRITTY AND REALISTIC

THE WEIGHT OF BLOOD

BY LAURA MCHUGH

GROUND

L u c y ' s m o t h e r va n ished years ago from the town of Henbane, deep in the Ozark mountains. When one of Lucy's friends is found murdered, Lucy feels haunted by the two lost women: the mother she never knew, and the friend she could not protect.

THE COLD COLD

BY ADRIAN MACKINTY No r t h e r n I r e l a n d , spring 1981. Hunger strikes, riots, power cuts, a homophobic serial killer with a penchant for opera and a young woman's suicide.

D e t e c t i ve S e r g e a n t Duffy is a Catholic policeman trying to get to the bottom of it all.

SENSUAL, LYRICAL AND NATURE-FILLED

DARK, EDGY MIND GAMES

PRODIGAL SUMMER

BY BARBARA KINGSOLVER

BY GREER HENDRICKS

Three stories weave together in the southern Appalachia; a female wildlife biologist, a city girl turned farmer's wife and two elderly feuding neighbours.

During a humid Summer, they all find the connections to each other and the nature around them.

the day she witnesses

ror, a club dedicated to scaring the town.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Shay's life is changed a woman leap in front of a subway train. It's all she can think about, and she attends the memorial service. There, she is befriended by the glamorous Moore sisters. But they have very ulterior motives…

DID YOU KNOW? Most libraries are almost back to normal. However, there might be exceptions, so check your local library's website. Many libraries are slowly starting events again, now the limit of people gathering has been raised to 50 persons. So if you, like us, are hungry for some social and cultural happenings there might be something here for you.

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THE EMERGENCE OF ZOOM THE NEW NORMAL FOR VIRTUAL MEETINGS.

PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH.COM

TEXT MARIANO ANTHONY DAVIES

A

ALTHOUGH ZOOM HAS been a relatively successful American video communication company for the business community since 2011, the global lockdown took Zoom from being another reasonably successful American video conferencing alternative to Microsoft’s Skype and turned it into a globally known brand during the first quarter of 2020.

The global video conferencing market size was valued at USD 3.85 billion in 2019 and is expected to register a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 9.9% or higher from 2020 to 2027. Video conferencing refers to the process of conducting meetings using telecommunication technologies and involves a real-time, two-way transmission of audio and video content.

Video conferencing aids companies in faster decision making and eliminates travel time and associated costs.

MARIANO ANTHONY DAVIES PRESIDENT & CEO OXFORD BUSINESS SERVICES APS

Mariano has over 35 years

"ZOOM IS A TOOL USED WIDELY AS A SOCIAL MEDIA ALTERNATIVE. IT IS A VIDEO CONFERENCING SYSTEM THAT IS CELEBRATED FOR ITS EASE OF USE, HIGH-QUALITY HD VIDEO AND AUDIO."

global experience as a business executive. He spent ten years with KPMG, thirty years

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Zoom has been a cloud-based video conferencing application mainly used by businesses to host meetings with remote or international colleagues and clients. Like Skype, it has a basic version that is also completely free of charge. Now it is a tool also used widely as a social media alternative.

It is a video conferencing system that is celebrated for its ease of use, high-quality HD video and audio. It includes collaboration facilities such as text chat and screen sharing, and attendees can also join a Zoom meeting without signing into the app, but someone must sign up for an account to host a video conference.

BASIC FEATURES Among its free features, it includes all the basics for video conferencing. There’s no limit to the number of meetings and Users can join with the Zoom app or by calling from a phone line. Its video resolution quality is excellent (provided correct settings) and audio comes through clearly on fast Internet connections, while virtual backgrounds ensure privacy and a professional environment.

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The free Zoom version offers video conferencing for up to 100 participants, provided that these meetings do not last more than 40 minutes, at which point attendees are ejected and will need to redial into a new maximum 40-minute session to continue.

Popular features include that multiple users can share screens and annotate with whiteboard functions and Zoom works on iOS/iPadOS (with screen-sharing), MacOS, Android and Windows, so all business devices are covered. It also integrates with Chrome & Outlook and all versions include local recording, thus reducing the need for detailed minutes.

INTERFACE AND PERFORMANCE The Zoom interface is lightweight and easy to use, both on desktops and mobile apps. The app has four buttons: New Meeting, Join, Schedule and Screen Share - with a calendar for upcoming meetings.

For those prepared to pay for it, the web app offers more advanced features, such as managing your profile, managing local and cloud recordings, and scheduling webinars. Full marks to Zoom for developing an interface that is clean and easy to navigate.

In terms of performance, Zoom relays audio and video impressively fast - almost in real-time. Screen sharing was slightly slower, but not cumbersome. This speed

comes with a price, though: Zoom is heavy on system resources. It uses about 50% CPU on a 2.6 GHz 6-Core Intel Core i7, and had a high energy impact, although memory use seems to be minimal.

SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS Users should be aware that no video-conferencing software is 100% secure. Sensitive data should be sent through tried and trusted encrypted channels. A basic Zoom package does not offer end-to-end encryption. However, given the substantial level of market penetration during the global lockdown, Zoom is developing and improving their security features at lightning speed.

ALTERNATIVES TO ZOOM The pandemic has been a growth period for all video conferencing systems and has perhaps created a new formal and informal behaviour that will last beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Alternative functional video conferencing systems include Microsoft Team, Google Hangouts, RingCentral, Skype, Skype for Business and Cisco WebEx. If you are looking for a video conferencing system and want to compare those on the market to find the one that best suits your needs, you should go to www.tomsguide. com THE-INTL

with British Chambers of Commerce (while also running his own companies). 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 44 years and has held over 100 official anti-Brexit speeches since 2016. He both speaks and writes Danish without difficulty.

www.oxford-business.com

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ARE YOU AN EXPAT-PRENEUR! HAVE YOUR DREAMS OF FINDING THE PERFECT JOB HERE IN DENMARK NOT TURNED OUT QUITE AS YOU HOPED OR ARE THINGS MERELY TAKING MUCH LONGER THAN YOU EXPECTED? THERE IS ANOTHER WAY TO GET AHEAD...

PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCK PHOTO / UNSPLASH.COM

TEXT LAURA WINTEMUTE

T

THE DANISH JOB market is not an easy one, especially after this global pandemic. The number of people registering as unemployed in Denmark has more than tripled since the lockdown, which is making the market much more competitive. Perhaps it's time for a change. Maybe it's time to do something you've always wanted to do but never had the chance or the courage to do it.

Why not become an expat-prenuer?

Opening a business in a new country comes with its own set of unique challenges, from cultural differences to compliance issues and everything in between, but I can assure you, it's worth it. Denmark is a fantastic place to become self-employed, due in large part to low corruption, reliable infrastructure and pure digital bureaucracy. It may seem both exciting and scary to start your business in a foreign country with all the rules and regulations to consider, not to mention the language barrier, but I assure you …it's, not here in Denmark. The government has made entrepreneurship easy. It took me twenty minutes to create a certified registered business (CVR), and I was up and running! The Danish government also provides a range of schemes and courses aimed at helping individuals to manage their new businesses.

Not to mention many online portals for business startups, offering a variety of answers to frequently asked questions regarding how to run a business in here, such as the visa requirements and other relevant information.

THE EXPAT EXPERIENCE MAKES FOR GOOD ENTREPRENEURS The biggest challenges to starting a company in Denmark is actually coming up with a great idea, a niche and of course, building a supportive network. The idea is up to you, but the supportive network is the expat community. Approximately 100.000 internationals are living in Denmark. This is your network! If you offer a service to the expat community, which fills necessary market niches catering to other global nomads or by providing a simple personal service, you can easily succeed as an entrepreneur here. You'd be surprised at how many expats are making a living as successful entrepreneurs here in Denmark. There a r e n u m e r o u s e xpat platforms to get your name out there, it just takes some creative social media posts to get their attention.

The expat community produces entrepreneurs because we are, by our very

LAURA WINTEMUTE OWNER, HOMESTEAD

nature, entrepreneurs. We are risk-takers. We are forced to develop and perfect precisely the skills that starting a business requires. Our experience of living in a cross-cultural environment can show us newer ways of doing business and gives us a considerable advantage for thinking outside the box.

There are plenty of ways to make a living as an expat entrepreneur. Whatever you did for a living back home, you can likely make a business out of it here. Teachers, lawyers, coaches, yoga instructors, travel writers, massage therapists, you could even open an online webshop selling your homemade quilts or soaps… whatever! The opportunities are endless. If you use your skills, your expertise and your experiences, you can create a business doing it.

Now if I haven't convinced you bu now to go for it and become an "expat-preneur" and you would still like to find a new job here in Denmark, I know someone who can help you. Give me a call! THE-INTL

"I NEVER WAS MEANT TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR, NOR DID I EVER WANT TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR. I FOUNDED MY COMPANY OUT OF THE NECESSITY OF NOT ONLY FINDING MY OWN HAPPINESS BUT ALSO IN HELPING OTHER INTERNATIONALS WITH THEIR OWN HAPPINESS AND LIFE FULFILMENT WHILE LIVING IN DENMARK. BEST DECISION I EVER MADE AND I AM NOT LOOKING BACK." - KATE DAHL- FOUNDER CAREERDENMARK

Laura is Canadian. After years of living abroad and travelling the world, she moved to Denmark in 2007 and started her new life as an expat living in Denmark.

Laura’s experience working in the Danish relocation industry, encapsulating both her experience as an expat and her desire for helping people, which is WHY she started Homestead.

Homestead offers Settling in Services and Workshops focusing on the day to day challenges of expats, as well as the cultural differences in both their work and daily life.

“In House” consultations for International employees are also one of Homestead’s specialties. Customized, personal consultations focusing on the individual employee.

Homestead. We are You’re Settling in Experts. www.homesteaddenmark.com

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22

SUMMER TRAVEL FROM HOME PART 2

PAVLOVA FROM "DOWN UNDER" PHOTOGRAPHS ERIN CHAPMAN

TEXT ERIN CHAPMAN

OUR TRAVEL PLANS ARE BASICALLY STILL “STAY PUT”, WITH NO FARAWAY WANDERING FOR AWHILE. A LONG-DISTANCE DESTINATION THAT I VISITED MANY YEARS AGO, AND HAVE RECENTLY BEEN DREAMING ABOUT GOING BACK TO, IS AUSTRALIA. WITH ITS OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD NATURE AND RELAXED CROSS-CULTURAL VIBE, I LOVED IT AS A YOUNG TRAVELLER. BUT I WAS SO BUSY EXPLORING, I NEVER REALLY IMMERSED MYSELF IN ANY SORT OF FOOD CULTURE AT THAT TIME. LOOKING BACK, WHAT MIGHT I HAVE EATEN ON A SUMMER AFTERNOON VISIT TO A TYPICAL AUSSIE HOME? PAVLOVA!

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A

A COUPLE YEARS ago at the pie shop, we were contacted by an Australian/Danish couple who were going to have a wedding in Denmark. They begged and pleaded if we could make “pavlova” for their reception. At first, I didn’t know what it was, as the name wasn’t familiar to my food realm. So I quickly looked it up and found it was a crisp meringue torte, exactly like the schaum torte that my grandma – with her German background – made every summer. Different continent, different name!

As it turns out, my Aussie neighbour here in Denmark has explained to me that “the pav”, as pavlova is affectionately called in her country, is a true dessert staple down under. She also claims there is a bit of competition between Australia and

23

New Zealand about which country “owns” the pavlova, said to have been named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. But you might have to go further back to Europe to find the exact origin, as this light-as-air meringue cake has roots in Austria, Germany, France and Italy.

Wherever it came from, I ended up making multiple pavlovas for the Aussie wedding party here in Copenhagen, and it was indeed a learning curve to ensure all the delicate meringue majesties were delivered at just the right time to provide the best pavlova experience.

So, enjoy this timeless, worldly dessert on a beautiful summer afternoon, and dream about where you want to travel next…

ERIN CHAPMAN CO-OWNER, THE AMERICAN PIE COMPANY With over 20 years’ experience in the advertising industry, working both in Denmark

PAVLOVA WITH SOUR VANILLA CREAM & SUMMER BERRIES

and USA, Erin has specialised in brand building and im-

SERVES 8

age development for lifestyle, food and fashion clientele at

PAVLOVAS MUST BE TOPPED WITH CREAM AND BER-

both national and internation-

RIES JUST BEFORE SERVING TO ENSURE THE MERINGUE

al level.

STAYS CRISP. AS A TIME-SAVER YOU CAN MAKE YOUR

Erin attended DIS, Den-

PAVLOVA A DAY AHEAD OR IN THE MORNING. IT CAN BE

mark’s Study Abroad pro-

TOPPED WITH PLAIN WHIPPED CREAM, OR EVEN VANIL-

gramme in 1996 and made a

LA CUSTARD, BUT I LOVE TO ADD A BIT OF CREME FRA-

connection with Copenhagen.

ICHE TO THE WHIPPED CREAM TO GIVE IT A SMOOTH,

She moved to Denmark per-

RICH CONSISTENCY THAT IS A LUSCIOUS COMBINATION

manently in 1998 with two

WITH THE SWEET, CRISP MERINGUE AND THE JUICY

suitcases and a pocketful of

FRESH BERRIES.

change. Working in the advertising industry she worked her

PAVLOVA BASE

way up as a senior creative, as

4 egg whites (1.5 dl)

well as a voiceover artist, and

250 g sugar

then began her own brand

1.5 teaspoons cornstarch, sifted

and design business in 2006.

2 teaspoons lemon juice, or white vinegar

Merging her love for food

1 teaspoon vanilla

and art direction, she began

SOUR VANILLA CREAM TOPPING

#6 Turn the oven down to 1000C (if using convection) or

350 ml heavy cream

1100C (if using regular heat).

100 g cream fraiche

#7 Take a few dabs of the mixture and dot the bottom of

1 tablespoon powdered sugar

your parchment paper – this will help it stick to the

½ teaspoon vanilla

baking tray while you shape the pavlova.

Fresh summer berries of your choice – anything goes!

#8 Dollop the mixture onto the centre of the lined baking tray and gently spread out and shape to be a 20-23 cm diameter circle, and about 5-8 cm high,

PREPARE THE PAVLOVA

smoothing the edges and swirling the top.

#1 Allow the egg whites to come to room temperature

(PRO TIP: you can stick your parchment paper to the

(about 20-30 min).

bottom part of a springform, and that will give you a

#2 Preheat the oven to 2000C, and line a baking tray with

circle to follow as a guide, plus make it easier to

parchment paper.

transfer to a serving plate!)

#3 Using an electric mixer, or stand mixer, beat the egg

#9 Bake the pavlova at the low heat for 90 min. Then turn

whites until they start to turn foamy. Add 1 tablespoon

off the oven and leave it there until the oven has

of sugar at a time while beating the egg whites,

completely cooled. If you aren’t using the oven until

occasionally scraping down the edges of the bowl.

your company shows up, you can leave it in there to

You will beat the egg whites for several minutes.

stay dry, or store it in an airtight container.

#4 After all the sugar has been added, continue to beat the mixture another 3 minutes, or until there are no

MAKE THE SOUR VANILLA CREAM

sugar granules left in the meringue. You can test this,

Whip the heavy cream until just starting to thicken. Add the

by rubbing a bit of the mixture between your thumb

cream fraiche, powdered sugar, and vanilla, and whip un-

and forefinger. If there are still granules, continue

til smooth and combined.

to beat the meringue a bit longer.

#5 Beating on low speed, add the cornstarch, then the

TO SERVE

lemon juice or vinegar, then the vanilla and mix until

Top the pavlova with the cream mixture and top with your

combined.

favourite summer berries. Serve immediately and enjoy!

food styling and cookbook design for other authors, and then proceeded to continue with recipe development, publishing two cookbooks in Denmark. While living in Los Angeles, Erin worked with several US brands on image and recipe development and upon returning to Denmark, she partnered with Dorte Prip in 2015 to introduce The American Pie Company in Copenhagen.

Erin is happily married to her Danish husband and is the mother of a sassy seven year old daughter who speaks fluent “Danglish”. www.theamericanpieco.com

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ONE IMPORTANT STEP FOR INTERNATIONALS WE HAVE A SAY NOW IN ONE REGIONAL COUNCIL PHOTOGRAPHS VISITAALBORG / UBAT VEGGIE / ISTOCK PHOTO

TEXT NARCIS GEORGE MATACHE

T

THE GLASS CEILING has been shattered. A non-Danish citizen is now sitting in a Regional Council of Denmark. Internationals are now at the decision-making table on health politics, special sector politics and regional development. It is possible to be part of Denmark. It all depends on YOU. Give me a sign if you want to enter local and regional Danish politics.

INTERNATIONALS IN THEIR LOCAL COUNCIL My hands are sweating. I keep hitting the back of my head on the art installed on the wall, each time a smiling face comes to me with new information. I listen to their voices, but at the same time, I feel transported into an alternative universe. I look around and anxiously wait for the moment.

“I call upon Narcis… Narsis… Narzis… George Matașe... Matache to join us in the Regional Council” says Ulla Astman, president of the North Denmark Region. There is a murmur in the room because of the foreign-sounding name. “He could be Greek!”

“No, I heard he is Italian”. I start walking towards my seat while my hands are shaking.

With each step I take towards the chair, I can feel the heavy pressure on my shoulders. Hundreds of thousands of non-Danish citizens are counting on me to deliver a good first impression.

After all, I am the first among us (non-Danish citizens living in Denmark) to sit in a Regional Council. The moment, I reach the seat, I can feel how the glass ceiling shattered, my emotions are gone, and without much difficulties, slipped into the role I have chosen to play.

Soon enough, words like “healthcare”, “development”, “transport”, “COVID-19”, “innovation”, “education”, “grants”, “millions”, “billions”, start to fly around. With each new decision, with each new vote, I can understand the importance of the role I have chosen to play. Regional politics might not be as glamorous as the national ones, but they definitely affect people’s lives, and I was at the table to ensure our voice is also heard.

I am at the table of decision-making because I understood that in Denmark, to be visible and have a say you need to participate.

You can complain as much as you want about your life here, but if you don’t plan to do anything about it, then don’t expect it to change. I made a small step for internationals in Denmark. You can turn that step into a big one. Just get involved and become a candidate for the local and regional elections in November 2021.

WHAT IS A REGIONAL COUNCIL? Denmark is divided into 5 regions (North Denmark, Central Denmark, Southern Denmark, Zealand and Capital Region). Each region is governed by a council that is formed from 41 members

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elected every 4 years, led by a president of the region. The position of a regional councilman is part-time, as it involves participation in roughly 1 meeting each week, which entitle you to a monthly honorary.

The work in the Regional Council can be divided into 3 main areas: The healthcare system, the special sector and the regional development. The regions decide on how more than 100 billion DKK are distributed in areas mentioned earlier. The regions are a significant employer, as around 117.000 people work for them.

The meetings of the Regional Council are streamed online. As a person living here, you also have the option to read the minutes from the meeting or to participate in person. If you participate in person, you have the chance to address a 2-minutes question directly to the Council. Plus, you can follow the work of the committees (the council is divided further into committees) and obtain the possibility to make a 5-10 minutes address for one chosen topic.

Think about your experience with the hospitals or maybe with the psychiatry unit. Think about your experience with the public transport outside of cities, tourism, environment, education, culture, and with anything that could bring development in the region. Can you make it better? Participate. Make an address directly to the Regional Council. You cannot find support there. Then became yourself part of it in November 2021. Give me a sign, I can help you with the process of becoming a candidate. THE-INTL

NARCIS GEORGE MATACHE POLITICIAN Born in 1990 in a village in the north-east of Romania, Narcis made Aalborg his new home since 2009. Smitten by the Danish model, he decided to get involved in the local community leading to him becoming a strong voice on the topic of usage of the local political rights by the internationals. In 2017, he became the first nonDanish citizen to run for regional elections and to represent Denmark in the Council of Europe. He holds or held leadership positions in European Youth Denmark, Europabevægelsen, Socialdemokratiet Nørresundby, DSU Aalborg,

"CHANGE CAN CREATE BEAUTIFUL THINGS. EMBRACE IT AND REALISE ALL OF THE NEW POSSIBILITIES IT HAS TO OFFER." - CHRIS RICHARDSON

and Frit Forum International. www.facebook.com/ NarcisGeorge.Matache/

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FOOD ART

HAND-PAINTED SUGAR COOKIES

Decorating sugar cookies is a fun (and delicious) way to exercise your creativity! These cookies were inspired by Royal Copenhagen’s simple, elegant ‘Blå Mega Riflet’ (Blue Mega Rifle) pattern.

Here you’ll find step-by-step instructions to get started on creating your own edible works of art!

PHOTOGRAPHS CLAIRE BOGUSZ

TEXT CLAIRE BOGUSZ

SUGAR COOKIES MAKES 30 COOKIES

INGREDIENTS 225 g softened butter 200 g sugar 480 g flour (hvedemel) 40 g potato starch (kartoffelmel) 3 /4 teaspoon salt 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla sugar (vanijlesukker)

CLAIRE BOGUSZ BAKER AND BLOGGER

METHOD #1 Sift together flour, potato starch, and salt into a large bowl and give it a stir. Set aside. #2 Using an electric mixer and a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together for at least 2-3 minutes, until light and fluffy. #3 Add eggs one at a time, mix, and scrape down sides of the bowl. Mix in vanijlesukker. #4 Add in flour mixture gradually, mixing well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. #5 Divide dough into three balls, then wrap each ball in plastic wrap. Place the wrapped dough in the refrigerator to chill for one hour. #6 Once chilled, remove dough from its plastic wrap and place between two sheets of parchment paper, so the dough doesn’t stick to your rolling pin or surface.

Roll dough out until it is approximately 10 millimetres or 0.5 inches thick. #7 Use cookie cutters (or an inverted drinking glass) to cut out shapes. Gather scraps, re-roll and cut until all dough is used. #8 Transfer cut cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet, about 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) apart. Bake at 1600C for 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on it, so the edges of the cookies don’t turn brown.Transfer cookies to a cooling rack.

ROYAL ICING INGREDIENTS 60 ml liquid egg whites (æggehvider) Approximately 500 g icing sugar (flormelis) 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or flavouring (vanilje ekstrakt / vanilje aroma)

METHOD #1 Using a sieve, sift powdered sugar into a large bowl. #2 Combine egg whites, lemon juice and flavouring in the bowl of your mixer. Add a little bit of the icing sugar and start your mixer. #3 Continue adding icing sugar gradually to the bowl of your stand mixer. When the mixture looks like thick whipped cream and makes soft peaks, it’s ready. #4 Using a teaspoon, gradually add warm water to your icing mixture, bringing it to a runny, pourable consistency. Note: You’ll know your icing is the right consistency when you “cut” through the middle with a knife or spatula, and the cut formed disappears after 15 seconds. #5 Fill your pastry bag (fit with a small icing tip, or you can fill a plastic bag and snip one corner to create a small hole). Outline the surface area of your cookie with the icing. #6 Once you’ve made the outline, fill in (or “flood”) each cookie with the icing. After you’ve flooded your cookie, gently shake it side to side to help the icing settle. You can prick any remaining air bubbles with the tip of a needle or pin. #7 Let icing fully dry and harden overnight. Store cookies in an airtight container until ready to decorate.

Claire grew up moving around frequently, never imagining she’d have the opportunity to experience raising her own children as expats one day. In 2018, her husband’s job relocated the family from the USA to Copenhagen. Living in the capital city, they’ve loved biking, travelling, and the ability to immerse their three children in a foreign language.

Donuts to Danish was born out of Claire’s passion for creating art and her love of baking. She finds great joy in helping others celebrate special moments with custom-made cakes and cookies. For order inquiries, email claire@donutstodanish.com www.donutstodanish.com @donutstodanish

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DEAR DENMARK, THANK YOU! DENMARK IS KNOWN FOR ITS WORK-LIFE BALANCE BUT, WHAT DOES IT MEAN, AND IS IT ACHIEVABLE FOR ALL LIVING IN DENMARK?

PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCK PHOTO

TEXT KATHY BORYS SIDDIQUI

N

NOW, AS WITH most topics, the truth lies in the middle, and often a lot depends on from which perspective we look at things.

The work culture in Denmark provides the employees with a lot of autonomy and freedom to express their opinions. The companies tend to have flat hierarchical structures, people relate to one another as equals and address each other informally (first name basis). The atmosphere in most companies is professional as well as casual and informal. According to copcap.com “The working week in Denmark is 37 hours, giving you the freedom to pick up your children from daycare every day.

Moreover, employees in Denmark earn the right to five weeks paid holiday after 12 months of employment.“ It all sounds fantastic, and it is true for the most part. I have been living in Denmark for many years now, and I have experienced the 37-hour workweek first hand. Now, just to clear things up, the 37-hour workweek is standard but does not apply to everyone. Certain job positions, companies, careers simply require more. It is essential to clarify this and not expect the 37-hour workweek to be the norm for all. How can those who have a more demanding workweek implement work-life balance?

TAKE WHAT IS YOURS

The fact is that we all need balance - especially now during the COVID pandemic. Granted, the work-life balance may be harder to obtain in certain countries and jobs, however, we are still in control of introducing, implementing, and harvesting the fruits of good habits in everyday life. We all have the same amount of is to choose something you like, it can be as simple as taking a time - 24 hours a day - what you do with it, to whom and what 15-minute walk, dancing to your favourite tunes, running, yoyou give your attention, and what you prioritise is up to you. The ga… as long as you feel joy. There are so many beautiful ways to ball is in your court, and that means that you have control over connect with your inner self and become fully awake and aware. the choices you make.

Starting the day out in a systematic approach is a big step in obTherefore, good habits are the key that unlocks the door to taining the sought after balance. We like routines and strive to the secret garden of abundance. A morning feel in control; hence, a good habit morning routine or ritual is a fantastic way to jumpfeeds those needs. To practice good habits, " T H E W O R K I N G W E E K I N we do have to spend time on them. A slowstart the day. I have created a routine that I follow each day. I start the morning with a DENMARK IS 37 HOURS, GIV- er, structured morning is a rewarding way to swim in the sea then followed by simply enstart the day. How do you stick to a routine?

ING YOU THE FREEDOM TO You enjoy it, and you make time for it. Yes, joying the early morning stillness while sipping my java.

P I C K U P Y O U R C H I L D R E N it means that I wake up early, but the beneWhat you decide to incorporate into your fits outweigh the negatives.

FROM DAYCARE EVERY DAY." routine is up to you and your preferencThe years I have spent living in Denmark, es, however, consistency is essential. Simhave allowed me to conclude that among - COPENHAGEN CAPACITY ply open your eyes and going in autopilot to many things Danes enjoy structure and valthe coffee machine does not mean you are ue their time. This goes hand in hand with “awake”. How can you be in the here and now? Awareness. One work-life balance. To have time for the things that bring you joy, way to be present is to meditate. Never in my wildest dreams did serenity, rest and relaxation, you have to choose wisely and make I see myself meditating. But, I tried it, and now I am hooked. A yourself a priority. The fine art of living for me is being fulfilled great way to relax, to feel grounded and calm. in my personal life, and professional life and that comes with takAnother great practice is journaling. It is creative, awarenessing time for the people, tasks, and activities I value and prioriraising, and healing all at the same time. I finish off my routine tise. Denmark has taught me to be mindful of time - other peowith a morning run. Not everyone is a runner, and the solution ple’s time and especially my own time. THE-INTL

KATHY BORYS SIDDIQUI FOUNDER, ACTIVE ACTION Kathy was born in Poznań, Poland and has lived in 4 countries and on 2 continents.

Growing up as an immigrant and a cross cultural kid she was able to discover a multicultural world that shaped her into the person she is today. As an adult she experienced life as a re-pat as well as an expat and she is not a stranger to the challenges and opportunities that life abroad offers.

Just when she least expected it, she met her Danish husband and once again packed her life in boxes and set off to live the happily ever after in the land of the Vikings and Hygge.

Over the span of 10 years she has lived on Fyn, in Jylland and currently in Nordsjælland.

Kathy has a background in Cultural Studies and also a degree in American Studies. She has been able to combine her passion and profession as an Intercultural trainer, Personal Branding and Expat Spouse and Partner Specialist at Active Action.

A firm believer that if you are lacking something - create it. She is the co-founder of #BeGreatCollaborate, a running enthusiast, speaker, active lifestyle advocate, wife and Mom. www.activeaction.dk kbs@activeaction.dk https://www.linkedin.com/ in/kathybsiddiqui/

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B e s t BEAUTY BUYS

MEET THE FACE AND BODY THERAPY EXPERTS Having healthy skin and body is important for many of us. The human skin is the largest organ of the body. The skin is forever shedding old skin cells and creating new ones. Therefore having a good routine is vital. In this month’s issue, I have selected two internationals who are experts in all things face and body.

MARIA ZABRODINA FROM: RUSSIA NATURAL FACELIFT SPECIALIST AND OWNER OF AGELESSFACE www.agelessface.net @agelessface_cph

Maria is a certified manual aesthetic face correction specialist. Natural health and beauty are so much more than just a career choice for her, instead, it is a passion and a way of life.

Fine lines and wrinkles, sagging skin and other signs of ageing on the face is what she specialises in correcting. At her studio, she offers the most effective, all-natural methods of facial lifting: exclusive deep tissue massage, buccal massage, cupping, Gua Sha, aromatherapy and other all-natural rejuvenation methods to keep you looking young, fresh and beautiful. All treatments are natural and ecological with the finest therapeutic grade essential oils.

VILMA DE SALES FROM BRAZIL REGISTERED NURSE AND AESTHETIC SPECIALIST OWNER OF SHAPE BY VILMA www.shapebyvilma.dk @shapebyvilma Vilma is originally from Brazil and opened her beauty clinic in 2016. She is a life coach for her clients, and an advocate for lifestyle, fitness, wellness and healthy eating habits. Vilma is at the forefront of the beauty industry and always strives to offer the most advanced body and facial treatments to restore the beauty and self-esteem of her clients, where she offers up to date professional advice and treatments.

RECOMMENDED TREATMENTS Diamond Peeling, Microneedling, BB Glow, Oxygen Lift, Eyebrow shaping, semipermanent makeup. We also offer exclusive services in Fat reduction, anti-cellulite, skin firming procedures, massage therapy, Lymph Drainage, Waxing, Manicure and Pedicures.

BEAUTY EDITOR & MAKEUP ARTIST Barbara was born in England, London and relocated to Copenhagen, Denmark in 2017.

She has been a professional International Makeup Artist for 11 years and a professional Lash Stylist for 3 years.

After moving to Copenhagen, Denmark, Barbara became

RECOMMENDED TREATMENTS Buccal massage is the world-famous celebrities’ treatment which involves massaging muscles deep inside the mouth to release tension, improve blood circulation, and, of course, promote youthful-looking skin.

Gua Sha is an ancient healing technique where we bring about a fundamental change in the skin by clearing blockages, creating space and movement in the underlying structures, so that the skin can function better.

My second most popular treatment is the Facial cupping. Facial cupping is one of the most effective non-invasive techniques of rejuvenation. It is an alternative therapy that uses suction cups to stimulate and detoxify the skin, increase circulation, reduce puffiness and promote cell repair. It also minimises the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Cupping set 379kr - www.angelessface.net Set includes the 2 best cups for face, lips, neck and decolletage.

BARBARA MENSAH

the owner of Barbara Mensah Beauty Studio. Her stylish, cosy and chic studio provides a welcoming, comfortable space for clients to spend their time getting glammed and pampered for those special moments and occasions.

All bookings for Lash Extension and Makeup can be made via her social media or tel: +45 53564504

SPECIAL OFFER FROM AGELESS FACE 15% DISCOUNT FOR BUCCAL AND GUA SHA FACIAL FOR ALL READERS UNTIL THE END OF AUGUST 2020. ONE FREE TREATMENT FOR ONE LUCKY READER WHO MUST TAG THREE FRIENDS

barbaramensah. beauty@gmail.com @barbara.mensah.beauty @barbaramensahbeauty

SPECIAL OFFER FROM SHAPE BY VILMA ALL READERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL WILL RECEIVE 20% OFF ANY TREATMENT ON THEIR MENU

JULY 2020 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

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JUTL AND

THE CIT Y OF AARHUS

WELCOMES INTERNATIONALS TO CREATE GENUINELY, FAVOURABLE SETTINGS FOR INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYEES, A WHOLE CITY MUST BE CONTRIBUTING TO INTERNATIONALISATION.

PHOTOGRAPHS VISITAARHUS (VARIOUS)

DENNIS-BORUP-JAKOBSEN

ANDREAS HORN JENSEN

A

A WELCOMING AMBIENCE not only in the workplace is vital. VisitAarhus and their work in the city is an excellent example of that.

They are the official tourist organisation of the Aarhus Region with a history dating back to 1897. Historically, the aim has been to boost and welcome national and international visitors, and VisitAarhus has become a prestigious organisation supporting the internationalisation and welcoming, open-mindedness in Aarhus. Especially their work regarding international and academic conferences has great value to Aarhus benefitting international employees.

TALENT TRACKING AND AN INNOVATION HOTSPOT Known as the largest national centre of growth outside the capital area in Denmark, Aarhus has a strong international profile – being a leading city of knowledge, culture and education. VisitAarhus, Aarhus University and local business clusters have developed a strong collaboration on attracting international congresses and conferences to Aarhus- putting Aarhus on the international map, creating optimal conditions for knowledge and innovation hubs.

Today, Aarhus is ranked in the top 100 of the worlds’ most popular destinations for academic, international conferences. “Every year, Aarhus is hosting several conferences working with the newest

"WE WANT EVERYONE TO FEEL WELCOME AND EXPERIENCE THE INTERNATIONAL VIBE OF THE CITY." - PIA LANGE CHRISTENSEN - VISITAARHUS

VISITAARHUS - ROBIN SKJOLDBORG

knowledge within the specific scientific field. When we host these conferences, it is worth much more than the economical turnover of it. Besides the high economic value, the conferences also bring new knowledge, innovation, international networks, business opportunities and worldwide branding.

And it is proved to be an effective way to get inter-

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TEXT INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AARHUS

PER BILLE

national visibility and provide good conditions for international workspace and talent tracking,” the CEO of VisitAarhus, Pia Lange Christensen, says. She continues: “By connecting Danish businesses and local communities with the leading international scientists and specialists who visit the city every year to attend congresses, we are creating stronger international networks, collaboration and innovation. We are also promoting local solutions and Aarhus as a great place to live and work.”, Pia Lange Christensen says.

To stay on top of the competition, the Aarhus region needs to attract international talent and attract the brightest minds in the research institutions and companies. A vital platform to recruit international talent is through international conferences and events.

A WELCOMING FEEL To be an attractive city to visit and to live in, you must feel welcome as a visitor. That is also a focus in VisitAarhus. “We want everyone to feel welcome and experience the international vibe of the city.

When visiting Aarhus, you understand why it is called the City of Smiles. Aarhus is known for it’s friendly, open-minded ambience, and with more than 2000 volunteer Rethinkers, locals have joined us to give their time to welcome visitors to our city.”, Pia Lange Christensen says. THE-INTL

FREE CONFERENCE SUPPORT Are you involved with meetings or conference planning in your work? To support and boost business tourism, VisitAarhus offers free, customised assistance for everyone with interest in bringing meetings, conferences and congresses to the Aarhus Region. “With a detailed knowledge of Aarhus’ many facilities and options, our dedicated team is always ready to assist you throughout the meeting or conference planning – and always with a personal touch. Do you have questions, need inspiration, prices or local contact, please don’t hesitate to contact us.”, - Andreas Horn Jensen, Sales Manager in VisitAarhus, says.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/visitaarhusconvention-bureau/ Read more of the free conference support: https://www. visitaarhusconvention.com/our-services

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY We offer a wide range of events, seminars and online activities that help internationals get settled in Denmark.

Learn more on our website or follow us on: @internationalcommunityAarhus @internationalcommunityaarhus

www.erhvervaarhus.dk www.international community.dk

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BRUSHING YOUR PET'S TEETH We know dental health is essential for people, but did you know it is vital for pet health, too? Dental disease is one of the most common diseases affecting dogs and cats, and it can result in significant health issues.

PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCK PHOTO / UNSPLASH.COM

TEXT TAREK ABU SHAM

B

BRUSHING YOUR PETS' teeth is the best way you can preserve their oral health. Ideally, you should brush the teeth daily, but experts recommend a minimum of three times per week.

INTRODUCING TEETH BRUSHING TO YOUR PET It is best to expose your pet to teeth brushing from a young age, but you can still teach an older pet with a little patience. Lavishing your pet with praise and affection, as well as moving slowly, will help them accept teeth brushing.

Start at a quiet time, and gently lift up the lip and rub either a cloth or your finger along the gum line where most disease occurs, taking care to avoid getting bitten. For the first few sessions, rub gently along just a few teeth and then give your pet a break. If your pet is overwhelmed or nervous, try again at a less stressful time.

As your pet gets used to having the cloth rubbed along the teeth, add in a bit of toothpaste. You will want to only use pet toothpaste, which is safe to swallow and offers flavours such as liver and London broil. Pet toothpastes are often enzymatic, so you are having some effect just by brushing it on the teeth, even if you can't really brush with a lot of mechanical action. Once you have found a toothpaste that your pet likes, put a little on your finger or the cloth you are using and brush it over your pet's teeth.

Once your dog or cat has gotten used to teeth brushing with a cloth or your finger and toothpaste, it's time to add in a toothbrush. Like toothpaste, there are a few different varieties: large ones, small ones, and even ones that fit over your finger.

The good news is that the action of the tongue helps get rid of plaque on the inside of the teeth, so the area you really need to focus is on the outer portion of the teeth where the tongue doesn't touch.

WHICH PRODUCTS SHOULD YOU USE? Finding a toothbrush to use is often a matter of what is comfortable for you to use with your pet. When choosing oral care products, you can consult with your veterinarian on the type to choose.

"BACTERIA CAN ENTER THE BLOOD STREAM FROM AROUND THE ROOTS, CAUSING DISEASE AND LESIONS WITHIN THE HEART, KIDNEYS, AND LIVER."

TAREK ABU SHAM OWNER, THE PET-AGREES

Many places recommend products with the Veterinary Oral Health Council's (VOHC) Seal of Approval. This international group of veterinary dentists assesses products to meet certain levels of effectiveness.

If your dog or cat does not allow you to brush their teeth, the VOHC also lists a variety of other oral care products, including dental chews. A combination approach is often most effective for helping prevent periodontal disease.

CONSEQUENCES OF DENTAL DISEASE Halitosis, or bad breath, is often noted by owners when pets have dental disease. As your pet's gums become irritated, they can bleed and become sore. Resorptive lesions may develop on your pet's teeth, particularly in cats, and your pet may have trouble chewing food. In addition, bacteria can enter the blood stream from around the roots, causing disease and lesions within the heart, kidneys, and liver.

To help prevent their problems from developing, you should properly brush your pet's teeth regularly, making it a part of your everyday routine.

LET US HELP!

Tarek was born in Amman, Jordan and from an early age has had a love for animals.

He met his spouse in Amman and then soon embarked on an expat lifestyle that took him to Dubai, Prague, and now Copenhagen. Originally a veterinarian, Tarek reinvented himself professionally and decided to launch his own company.

With The Pet-agrees, Tarek has combined his veterinary experience with his entrepreneurial spirit. The Pet-agrees cares for pets in the Copenhagen area, offering services including pet-sitting, walking, and more to come soon. www.thepetagrees.com

The Pet-agrees is not just about providing exercise and attention for your pets while you're busy or out of town. With us, you'll have the advantage of having an educated current or future veterinarian who understands your pet's needs to look after them. If you have questions about your pets' dental hygiene or need help to start brushing their teeth, send us a message. THE-INTL

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30 SPONSORED CONTENT

THE LEARNING NEVER STOPS… At North Zealand International School, we are very proud of how our students have adapted to all the changes this year. Their resilience, combined with our great teachers means the school has made the very best of this period and flourished.

THE LONG HOT SUMMER AHEAD

FACEBOOK.COM

YOUTUBE.COM

CAFEDIVINO.DK

HAVNEGUIDE.DK

MARISKA VOLKERS

With the teaching and learning at school drawing to a close, all parents are starting to think about family activities during the summer. The best activities are always the ones that combine fun with a little learning. Here are some ideas from our parents at NIS; you won't find these in any guide books. These are the little gems our parents have discovered…

JULY 2020 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

borg.dk/283/gurre-slotsruin

OTHER SUGGESTIONS  Pick some juicy strawberries, and other summer treats at a 'Pick your own' farm: https://selvpluk.com/ We love Rokkedyssegaard for its delicious fruit and great café serving homemade ice cream.  Visit a Fredensborg Palace and enjoy a guided tour in English in the summer months: https://kongeligeslotte.dk/en/ palaces-and-gardens/fredensborg-pa aceand-palace-gardens/visit-us.html  Try tree climbing in Hornbæk: www. havreholmklatrebane.dk/aabningstid er-priser.aspx or Nivå: www.nivaacamp ing.dk/nivaa-klatrepark/  Enjoy the amazing sand sculptures at Hundested. Sculptors come from all over Europe to create these impressive designs: www.sandfestival.dk/#home  Take a trip to an organic farm or farm shop. Try Krogerup Avlsgaard in

Expats, Internationals and re-pats living in Nordsjælland can really benefit from joining the Nordsjælland International Community Group (NIC) on Facebook. You'll find a space where you can network, meet, learn from each other and enhance your life: www.facebook. com/groups/NSJIC

MARISKA VOLKERS

This year, North Zealand International School will offer our students the chance to attend a summer school.

NIS teachers have put together an exciting programme which offers sports, drama, arts, crafts, language and STEM workshops. These one-week camps are at the beginning and end of the holiday when our students and their families really need them.

 Visit a Nature playground, our favourite is Eghjorten: www.naturlegepladser. dk/. Tisvilde Nature Playground in Tisvildeleje is also a firm favourite.  Find the walkways and tree houses at the KU Forest School. Visit A to H on the map: https://skovskolen.ku.dk/ oplevskovskolen/  Try crab fishing and racing at a harbour, visit our favourite one at Rungsted Havn: www.familyfecs.com/2017/07/ rungsted-harbour-crab-catching-crab. html  Explore the statues in this statue park and find your favourite one. Rudolph Tegner: www.rudolphtegner.dk/  Discover a ruined castle: www.krone

ROKKEDYSSE.DK

OUR FIRST SUMMER SCHOOL!

Humlebæk and Stengården in Birkerød.  Spend the day at Helsingør, it has lots to do - Kronborg Castle, the Maritime Museum as well as The Culture Yard and Shipyard's Food Market.  Stretch yourselves with a puzzle. Older children (12+) will love the Escape Room in Hillerød: www.escapee.dk  If you're looking for sweet treats, try Artistico in Espergærde.

They sell delicious homemade Italian ice cream.

FREE ACTIVITIES NEAR NORTH ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

WWW.LIEBHAVERBOLIGEN.DK

PARENTS CHOOSE NORTH Zealand International School for many reasons. For some, it is the high-quality, rigorous education we provide. For others, it's the close-knit community which provides a nurturing environment for their children. Many parents love the fact that NIS is an accredited International Primary Curriculum provider (only the 28th in the world!).

Everyone agrees though that living in such a beautiful area away from the hustle and bustle is delightful.

TEXT SHANI BISHOP, NORTH ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

VISITDENMARK.SE

PHOTOGRAPHS VARIOUS

ACTIVITIES FURTHER AFIELD…  Interact with art! There's mirrors, steam and more here: Kunst park Ordrupgaard, Charlottenlund: https://ordrupgaard.dk/kun stpark/  Find the 6 forgotten giants in west Copenhagen. Our favourite is Oscar under the bridge. Take the train to Ishøj and hunt for the camouflaged bird boxes on the way to Oscar Bird boxes: https:// thomasdambo.com/works/camouflage-birdhouses/ Oscar: https:// thomasdambo.com/works/oscar-under-the-bridge/  Do a treasure hunt with your mobile, try Geocaching: www.geo caching.com/play There are 5,939 geocaches around Copenhagen to find!  Try an outdoor swimming pool, there's Friluftsbadet Badesøen which is brilliant! https://xn--badesen-u1a.albertslund.dk/  For more child-friendly ideas, google Børn i byens and Visitdenmark.com From everyone at North Zealand International School, have a great summer!

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HOW TO PREVENT INFECTION The new coronavirus typically spreads in places with many people.

Either via hand shakes and small droplets from coughing and sneezing. Protect yourself and other with these great tips.

Wash your hands frequently or use antibacterial hand spray or gel

Avoid shaking hands, kissing or hugging limit physical contact

coronasmitte.dk JULY 2020 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

Cough or sneeze into your sleeve never your hands

Double your efforts on cleaning - both at home and at your workplace

If you are elderly or have a chronic illness - avoid contact with others, and ask them to do the same

sst.dk/corona