international
the
ISSN 2596-5220
EASY OATS RECIPES
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
BREXIT AND LIFE IN DENMARK
SPECIAL: CHINA SUPPLEMENT INSIDE!
MARCH 2019 - THE-INTL.COM
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A BRITISH FILMMAKER’S EXPAT LIFE IN DENMARK MARCH 2019 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM
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CELEBRATING WOMEN MARCHING TO THE BEAT OF ALL THE STRONG WOMEN IN OUR LIVES. THIS MONTH WE CELEBRATE WOMEN (AND MEN) FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, TRYING TO MAKE THEIR MARK, STRIVING FOR A WORLD THAT IS A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL.
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MARCH 8 IS International Women's Day - a day to celebrate the successes and challenges women face as we strive for a more equal society. Interestingly, a new women, business and the law 2019 report by the World Bank says that surprisingly, only six countries meet the criteria for a truly equal society. Denmark is one of the six. I thought about what that means to me as a woman, and what I would have learnt from the incredible women in my life as a young girl. Growing up with a very strong mother who is a businesswoman, it's always been instilled in me that sense of never giving up, and nothing is impossible despite what certain gender norms may suggest. I never had that sense of lack of equality or balance as I'd known no different in my home environment, and was never told any different. That being said, let’s not forget all the amazing men who stand up alongside women on this special day. Fathers, husbands, sons, brothers, partners, friends and business partners. I have a very strong male influence around me, and am very blessed to have their support too. Our cover story this month (page 8), James Ackroyd, is one such example of a loving father who is
being the best man that he can be for his young daughter. This issue is also packed with inspirational stories from strong women who have taken on the challenge of life as an
expat, and succeeded. Kathy Borys Siddiqui shares the challenges of finding employment when she first came to Denmark, and how she overcame these (page 15). She shares advice on finding the perfect job for you in your new home. Daniela Trifiletti tells the story of how the making of the perfect Danish Bun helped her realise her aspiration to adapt to life in Denmark - and how you can too (page 28). Our events guru Heather Gartside has highlighted some of the fabulous events taking place around Denmark in celebration of International Women's Day - not to mention many other events to get you into the spring spirit (page 3). The International is very excited to be co-hosting one of these events in Copenhagen, so be sure to stop by to hear a few inspiring women from different backgrounds speak. As always, here’s wishing you happy, inspired reading as the days begin to lighten and life seems that much more beautiful and bright.
“Here's to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.” - Unknown
Love,
LYNDSAY JENSEN EDITOR & PARTNER THE-INTL.COM
MEET THE TEAM SALES For advertising sales, please contact: sales@the-intl.com ADDRESS
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COVER PICTURE EDITOR & PARTNER LYNDSAY JENSEN has 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 one years and mother to two boys aged 20 and 14. She loves travel, photography and art. lyndsay@the-intl.com
MANAGING DIRECTOR & PARTNER KENNETH MACALPINE is a Nordic Financial Manager in the Transport industry. His education is in Finance and he has a business degree 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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SUB-EDITOR
DISTRIBUTION
DAVID NOTHLING-DEMMER is a print and digital writer, communicator and media production manager/ editor. He has several years’ experience in the media and publishing industry, and holds a Master’s degree in media and politics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa). He is passionate about politics, publishing and people-empowerment. He is a husband of almost two years, and has a love affair with good food and wine. david@the-intl.com
SATYA PRAPANCA is married, and moved to Denmark one and a half years ago from Indonesia. His previous work experience includes; subtitle translator, documentary films, photographer, and music curator in his spare time! Satya's passion is composing music with his guitar and laptop. He enjoys nothing more than taking in the beauty of Copenhagen while enjoy coffee/tea and cake at a local cafe.
Céline Martin: www.celinephotograph.com info@celinephotograph.com
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The International is available at a range of businesses, institutions, cafés and public libraries across Denmark
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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 March 5, 2019
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WHAT'S ON IN MARCH
AROUND DENMARK HEATHER GARTSIDE AUTHOR & PHOTOGRAPHER
LET THE SPRING CLEANING BEGIN! BE IT IN THE ENVIRONMENT, IN THE MIND, BY THE KIDS WHIPPING THE PARENTS (AND CATS) AWAKE FOR FASTELAVN, OR BY RECYCLING THINGS FROM FLEA MARKETS. IT’S ALSO THE MONTH FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2019, WITH SOME OF 'THE INTERNATIONAL’S' MOST EMPOWERED AND INSPIRING SPEAKERS MAKING AN APPEARANCE/IMPRESSION IN COPENHAGEN ON MARCH 8.
Heather’s lived, worked and travelled all over the world but fell for a Dane in a train, in the rain and has lived here for “quite a while.” When asked in Danish, she replies that it’s four years and they then say that her language is great! Heather is an author, photographer, yogi, cook, mother of three and tour guide who still laughs-out-loud when her washing machine says SLUT, and has been enjoying the journey to Jutland to see he husband’s family for years just to see the sign for Middelfart. Heather’s written two novels, both set partially in Denmark - Rice Pudding In A Duvet – a warm and witty coming of age novel, each chapter inspired by a favourite recipe learnt along the way to womanhood. Her recently published second book, Middle Distance is a much darker, mystical and more sensual tale with not a recipe in sight!
www.heathergartside.com PHOTOGRAPHS VARIOUS
TEXT HEATHER GARTSIDE
ESBJERG
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KIND FACEBOOK PAGE
HERNING
7 - 10 MARCH
7-21 MARCH
HORSE AND RIDER EXHIBITION
ESBJERG ART DAY
Thoughts and actions about the environment, recycling, and sustainability abound in the month of March in Denmark. We’ve established that cars and fossil fuels are really bad for the environment, so why not think about getting alternative sources of horsepower? The annual horse and rider exhibition is on in Herning at the MCH Messecenter, where you’ll find 292 stands filling five huge exhibition halls with all the equipment, information, and expertise that you could wish for in one place.
Esbjerg Art Days holds joint exhibition in the town hall's atrium. 16 artists present their latest art. The exhibition at the Town Hall offers a varied exhibition of art and sculptures, where the materials are equally diverse, ranging from the conventional acrylic painting watercolors of ceramics, scrap metal, granite and more. The 16 artists in Esbjerg Art Days Janne Reese Kaalund, Ragna Bak Hansen, Helle Dam, Jan Houborg, Per Jørgensen, Evy Riber, Henning Peter Jorgensen, Ulla Holt, Berit Mathisen, Kim Frandsen, Solva G. Olsen, Lív Ejdesgaard, Rúna Hansdóttir Arne Gundestrup, Lilli Ann Gundestrup and Lotte Danger Pedersen.
FOR MORE INFO: FACEBOOK.COM/EVENTS/1821158041325465
FOR MORE INFO: ESBJERGKUNSTDAGE.DK
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RETROGULD KÆMPE LOPPEMARKED - AKKC FACEBOOK PAGE
COPENHAGEN
AARHUSMAKERS
KIND FACEBOOK PAGE
AARHUS
AALBORG
8 MARCH
8 MARCH
9 -10 MARCH
GALLERY EXHIBITION
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
RETRO GOLD – HUGE FLEA MARKET
#BalanceforBetter is the key phrase for this year's International Women's Day (March 8) making a call to action for accelerating gender parity. This is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women globally. Balance is not a women's issue, it's a business issue. The race is on for the gender-balanced boardroom, a gender-balanced government, gender-balanced media coverage, a gender-balance of employees, more gender-balance in wealth, and gender-balanced sports coverage. Join a crowd of women from all over the world at Café Cadeau in Frederiksberg, Copenhagen when powerful female speakers from business, investment, meditation, the arts, relocation, healing and technology invite you to a glorious day of strong, caring, and inspiring womenkind.
It's the return of the gigantic flea market held in 2,000 square metres of the Aalborg congress and cuture centre. For just DKK 40 for both days, and kids under 12-years old free, you can find all manner of second-hand and retro golden nuggets! From old industrial fittings, rustic country furniture, vintage clothing to Danish design furniture classics.
AARHUSMAKERS presents ‘Untitled Unknown’, an exhibition introducing 16 young artists from the HF Kunst og Design - Skolen for Kunst og Design. Working across a range of mediums and drawing from wide-ranging inspiration, the exhibition showcases a collection of paintings and drawings that have, until now, been mostly unseen outside the artists’ workspaces. The artists, aged between 18-24 and in years 1-3 of the school programme, have found common ground through the idea that they are all at the very beginnings of their creative careers - they are new and unknown without status or labels attached to their practice. Join the opening night on 08.03.19 from 18:00-21:00 at the END OF THE LINE gallery in Aarhus.
FOR MORE INFO: FACEBOOK.COM/EVENTS/ 565243750656101/
FOR MORE INFO: FACEBOOK.COM/ EVENTS/191599538382677
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AARHUSMAKERS
FOR MORE INFO: FACEBOOK.COM/ EVENTS/789376511396899
H i g h Acad em i c S t an d ar d s C h ri s t i an E t ho s C onv e n i en t l y l o c at ed i n H el l er u p
rygaards.com MARCH 2019 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM
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COPENHAGEN
UNSPLASH.COM
AARHUS
UNSPLASH.COM
QUIETZONE.DK FACEBOOK PAGE
COPENHAGEN
11 MARCH
12 MARCH
15 MARCH
MEDITATION – KEEP IT SIMPLE WITH MARCELLO
GAME NIGHT IN MARCH
COPENHAGEN STORYTELLING OPENSTAGE - BREAKUP
Cleansing and resting the mind by taking some time out of our hectic and busy lives, and committing to one-hours meditation is a simple, and staggeringly beneficial gift to ourselves. The technique of sitting in silence, being completely mindful, and focusing on stillness is something that American, Marcello Real’s uplifting and relaxing meditation class offers every Monday from 12:00 until 13:00 and Friday at 11:30 until 12:30. You’ll find Marcello in the calm and wonderous Quiet Zone. A haven of tranquility in the heart of Copenhagen.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: FACEBOOK.COM/ EVENTS/351585259000910
Ditch the digital world and head for a night of playing board games in the centre of Aarhus. Why reserve playing games for vacations and power cuts? These nights are about having a good time, meeting new people, playing your favourite board games, and maybe even winning. Join International Community for a jolly night at Aarhus Brætspilscafé every second Tuesday of the month, and meet and challenge other Internationals or internationally-minded Danes. The price for the game rental at Aarhus Brætspilscafé is DKK 30, and you pay directly as you sign up for the event on the website.
FOR MORE INFO: INTERNATIONALCOMMUNITY.DK/EN-US/EVENTS/EVENT/GAME-NIGHT-INMARCH-3?LANGUAGEID=LANG2
Valentine’s Day is sooo last month! March brings the theme of “Breakup” to the Copenhagen Storytelling open stage. You’re invited to step onto the stage and tell the audience of international people at Café Cadeau a tale about an experience of a breakup in your life. You can make ‘em laugh or cry, but for eight minutes the stage is yours to tell the world something special. If you’d like to participate, then contact the organisers at the link below. Alternatively, come along and enjoy the great atmosphere of this exciting event, share the pain or the glory and enjoy drinks and good things to eat at the wonderful non-profit venue, staffed by volunteers from all over the world.
FOR MORE INFO: FACEBOOK.COM/ EVENTS/766602393724440
Speak Hellerup Bernstorffsvej 20C 2900 Hellerup Speak Lyngby Klampenborgvej 221 2800 Kgs. Lyngby
hello@speakspeak.dk +45 3946 3050
speakspeak.dk
Learning Danish is expanding your horizon
Speak Frederiksberg Lindevangs Allé 8-12 2000 Frederiksberg
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ROSKILDE
GÅ FOR LIVET FACEBOOK PAGE
VEJLE
CITY VEJLE FACEBOOK PAGE
COPENHAGEN ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE - MICH NIELSEN
COPENHAGEN
17 MARCH
29 MARCH
31 MARCH
ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
LADIES NIGHT
Go green for the day? “Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day” on March 17 in Copenhagen, and people of all ages and nationalities are invited to be Irish for a day, and dress-up in anything green that they have on hand. Green and together a large crowd celebrates the Irish national day with a festive afternoon of traditional Irish music and dance and a parade through the streets of Copenhagen. The event tent on Rådhuspladsen, with an Irish bar and costume shop opens at 13:00 on the day. Throughout the afternoon you can buy Irish coffee with the legendary Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey, Irish beer and stout from O’Hara’s Brewery, hot chocolate and custom made St. Patrick’s Day cookies. The costume shop offers a variety of green gear, so everyone can get kitted up for the parade. From 14:00-17:00 there is free face paint for kids by the professionals from Sminketeatret. On the outdoor stage some of Denmark’s best musicians within traditional Irish folk music will perform from 15:30 until the parade starts at 17:00.
Possibly not in celebration of International Women’s Day, more a celebration of female spending power when Vejle city invites you to, “Ladies Night” – a night when all the major stores, cafes, and bars are open until 22:00. Looks towards the tentative start of the Spring season with promotions, new collections, new menus and red carpet treatment for all ladies, girls and their major credit cards. The guys are welcome too (let’s not forget #BalanceforBetter). At some point during all the shopping frenzy and girl power resemble the five "living Statues", who have been invited all the way from Barcelona to Vejle for this evening.
A WALK ALONG ROSKILDE FJORD – COLLECTING RUBBISH ALONG THE WAY Join a team of environmentalists, hikers and nature lovers for a beautiful 10 kilometre walk along the shores of Roskilde Fjord. You’ll be joining the National Parks and Plastic-free fjord’s project (Nationalparken/Plastfri Fjords projekt) to collect trash along the coastline. The walk begins at Lyndby and finishes at Selsø Slot. The cost of the event is a donation to the Multiple sclerosis Society (Scleroseforeningen) – via https://dk.betternow.org/ en/fundraisers/ga-for-livet-ga-sjaelland-rundt-i-kampenmod-sclerose or by MobilePay 11683 (just write "gå" with your payment).
FOR MORE INFO: FACEBOOK.COM/ EVENTS/1155377974621725
FOR MORE INFO: FACEBOOK.COM/ EVENTS/1107383409427575
UNSPLASH.COM
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PLASTIC CHANGE
UNSPLASH.COM
COPENHAGEN ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE FACEBOOK PAGE
UNSPLASH.COM
UNSPLASH.COM
FOR MORE INFO: FACEBOOK.COM/ EVENTS/341655193225452
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INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
WHY IS IT DIFFERENT?
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE® (IB) PROGRAMMES AIM TO DO MORE THAN OTHER CURRICULA BY DEVELOPING INQUIRING, KNOWLEDGEABLE AND CARING YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE MOTIVATED TO SUCCEED. PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH.COM
W
TEXT INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE®
WE STRIVE TO develop students who will build a better world through intercultural understanding and respect. IB programme frameworks can operate effectively with national curricula at all ages; more than 50% of IB World Schools are state-funded.
QUALITY PRACTICE
The IB's programmes are different from other curricula because they:
STUDENTS LEARN HOW TO LEARN
● ●
● ●
encourage students of all ages to think critically and challenge assumptions develop independently of government and national systems, incorporating quality practice from research and our global community of schools encourage students of all ages to consider both local and global contexts develop multilingual students.
In order to teach IB programmes, schools must be authorised. Every school authorised to offer IB programmes is known as an IB World School.
IB programmes incorporate quality practice from national and international research and the IB global community. They encourage students to be internationally-minded, within a complex and hyper-connected world.
Throughout all IB programmes, students develop approaches to learning skills and the attributes of the IB learner profile. Students are able to take responsibility for their own learning and understand how knowledge itself is constructed; this is further to our unique theory of knowledge (TOK) course. They are encouraged to try different approaches to learning and to take responsibility for their own educational progress.
Our programmes help IB students: ●
A CONTINUUM OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION We provide a continuum of education, consisting of four programmes that are united by the IB's philosophy and approaches to learning and teaching. The programmes encourage both personal and academic achievement, challenging students to excel in their studies and in their personal development.
● ●
ask challenging questions think critically develop research skills proven to help them in higher education.
IB programmes also encourage students to be active in their communities and to take their learning beyond academic study. For more info: www.ibo.org
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UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
A RAW, PERSONAL STORY OF LIFE AS AN EXPAT IN DENMARK CHALLENGES AND TRIUMPHS - THROUGH THE LENS OF A BRITISH FILMMAKER.
PHOTOGRAPHS CÉLINE MARTIN - WWW.CELINEPHOTOGRAPH.COM; INFO@CELINEPHOTOGRAPH.COM
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JAMES ACKROYD HAS a passion for stories. And, he has worked hard to make his passion the focus of his career. This journey has taken James through many different titles; editor, cinematographer, director, screenwriter, film consultant. He does what needs to be done in order to bring stories to life and have them heard.
TODAY, HE’S TELLING HIS OWN STORY “I guess that you could call me a video specialist. When people ask me what I do it’s hard to accurately describe in one sentence. If I’m completely honest, the past 7 years of what I now come to call my career, have been a complicated attempt to reach people through stories. Whether these are commercial, fiction, documentary; their power cannot be understated,” explains the British-born Copenhagen resident. Growing up, James’ family was scattered across England - giving him an early taste of long distance travel. “Some of the most calming times that I can remember were with a pillow under my head, travelling up the M1 at night, listening to my mother’s story tapes on the cassette player,” he recalls. Perhaps it was this familiarity with travel that led the 20-something Independent Financial Adviser on a roadtrip across Europe that would eventually see him ride into Denmark, girlfriend in hand. Or maybe it was the un-
MARCH 2019 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM
TEXT DAVID NOTHLING-DEMMER
certainty of life amidst a world in the grips of recession that drove him to chart a new life course for himself? “In 2007, the financial industry was pretty loose and it seemed that anyone could make good money if they worked hard enough. This is what I’d been led to believe was the most important, that a career was a means to make money, a necessary sacrifice of your time to enhance the life around it. That would have been that. A mortgage, a wife, 2.5 kids and a golden retriever called Dante. Little did I know that a recession was on the verge of sweeping across from America. Less than a year later my potential shiny future had been replaced with a run-down telesales office, selling boiler insurance to confused old ladies,” he says. “So, I did what any normal 20-year-old would do. I shaved all my hair off, bought a motorbike, and rode to the ferry port in Dover. Any romantic ideas of life on the road, stopping off at remote farms to offer labour for bread and milk as I travelled my way throughout europe, died after a couple of weeks. Petrol was expensive, the language barrier was near impossible to overcome. I had no idea which direction I was going half of the time. I had no phone, no sense, and my £800 savings were running dangerously low. This was all compounded by the cheap motorbike I’d bought, which had begun to randomly spout
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"DENMARK WAS COLD. DENMARK WAS EXPENSIVE," THIS WAS JAMES' FIRST IMPRESSION OF A COUNTRY HE HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED. "MY MEGAR SAVINGS COVERED THE COST OF AN AIRPORT HOTDOG." water from a seemingly purposeless tube. Still, the feeling was like nothing I’d ever experienced before.” After getting stuck in Krakow for several months, with empty pockets and a bust motorbike, James soon found himself in a relationship and relocating to Denmark. “Denmark was cold. Denmark was expensive,” this was James’ first impression of a country he had never before experienced. “My megar savings covered the cost of an airport hotdog,” he laughs. But, at the same time, Denmark was also new and exciting, and what would be the start of the journey to his new life passion. “I felt like the adventure was continuing, albeit in Albertslund and not the big city. I threw myself into the culture, trying to learn as much as I could. I needed money, so days would be spent walking around Copenhagen clutching a stack of CV’s. There was something called a CPR number that I needed to get. Where I could find one of these was a mystery but with the help of my partner we found the borger office. And just like that, my adventure came to an end,” James recalls. As many expats experience when first arriving to Denmark, the language barrier coupled with different bureaucratic procedures caused his head to spin and his heart to wander. “To get a CPR number I needed to prove my salary in Denmark for three months. To get a job I needed to have a CPR number. Whether this was legally accurate or not seemed not to matter, as the series of indiffer-
"IT TOOK A WHILE TO EMBRACE COPENHAGEN, BUT ONCE I LEARNT TO GET OUT OF MY OWN HEAD, I STARTED LOOKING PAST THE NEGATIVES AND IT WAS LIKE ANOTHER WORLD HAD OPENED UP."
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ent faces I met with over the next months presented information from what I assume to be a sadistic magic 8 ball behind the counter. I started working as a labourer under my girlfriend’s number, gradually getting the needed hours together. The strain began to show on our relationship. I became angry, taking out my insecurities on everyone but myself, blaming the world for my own inability to take control of my life. I began planning my retreat from Scandinavia, a half-baked idea to find somewhere that felt more like home, whatever that meant. Run, run, run, my problems could never catch me,” he explains.
REALITY CHECK “‘I’m pregnant’” were the words of 21-year-old James’ girlfriend that would quickly see him grounded to life in Denmark. “I did not adjust well. In my eyes I was a complete failure, struggling to provide for my soon to be family, working a series of jobs that were far from the idealistic lifestyle I had envisioned for myself. I was ‘lucky’ enough to find night shift work in a freezer warehouse on the edge of Roskilde. Denmark was cold. The warehouse was colder. I worked mostly with Danes from southern Sjælland, and while at first I was a novelty (the majority of them had never met an Englishman before), this was quickly replaced by frustration that I couldn’t speak Danish. That frustration became anger. I’ve found that a lot of anger comes from misunderstanding. My anger met depression. They
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were quick to become friends. I eventually learnt a lite version of Danish that would help me navigate these awkward encounters, thanks in no small measure to the little person growing in my then girlfriend’s stomach.” Many expats will tell you that Copenhagen is not an easy place to move to, despite constant references to the country being the happiest place on earth. “‘It must be like living in a fairytale’ has been stated to me numerous times, without a hint of irony, as though they’d never read anything by Hans Christian Andersen. I’ve watched so many faces turn from optimism, to despair, to defeat, and ultimately to anger. Sit with a group of udlanders and watch how long it takes for the conversation to turn critical of the country, but more so the people,” James says shaking his head, asking, “Anger feels good right? To clench your fists against something oppressive and scream out at the sheer injustice in the world. It feels amazing, at first. It doesn’t take long for it to spread, to bury into your brain and become part of your existence.” He says that he almost let his frustrations stemming from his new life in Denmark get to him. “By the time my daughter was born I had developed gout. Looking back at the pictures it’s as though I’d been swallowed by a manatee, my facial features barely protruding out from within some smooth-bodied marine mammal. It took a week for me to register this new child in my life. As I looked down at her through numb eyes, a smile broke out on her face. In that moment I fell madly in love. This little girl would shape my life going forward in ways that I wouldn’t fully understand for years to come."
www.cis.dk
A CHANGE IS COMING "Change didn’t happen overnight, it didn’t save my relationship with her mother, nor did it fix my problems. What it did give me was a constant, a reason to do my best that transcended my own issues. Jessica forced me to keep trying. How I got from there to my career is another story altogether, although I will say that it involved saying goodbye to any perceived sense of a comfort zone that I had left at this point. That, and an ungodly amount of overtime,” James says. Over the coming months and years, James would learn to challenge himself, cast away all doubt, face his demons. “You are more than your country, you are more than your colour, your gender, your sexuality, you are more than your perceived social worth. You are in control, but more often than not, it takes losing control to realise this,” he says. It was this realisation and his own life challenges that led James to a career in storytelling. “They are where inspiration is found, and inspiration is the greatest precursor to positive change. But more than this, these stories can help us reconcile with our own experiences. A well-crafted story will challenge our conceptions of good and evil, right and wrong, forcing us to find humanity and depth in even the worst villain. We’re complicated, the world is complicated.” “I have tried to develop a career that I can genuinely enjoy. Whether I’m learning the psychology behind which side of the screen to place your subject in an interview, or what elements of a composition constitute beauty, I find that most lessons can be pulled from the world of film and applied to everyday life,” he says. James has this bit of advice for those expats experiencing similar issues - anger, frustration, confusion - that he as an expat himself has experienced: “It might not feel like it at first but you are in an optimal position. The struggle, the isolation, the failure and hopelessness. They can all be harnessed to transform your life. Challenge yourself, Question everything. Face the hard truths about yourself and your environment. Face everything that you ever took for granted and become fearless, become truly limitless. Because you are.” He goes on to say that this requires you to be completely honest with yourself - and make peace with the reality, whatever that is. “Learn the rules but don’t let them limit you,” he says. Applying this to his own life, James says that he has begun to focus more on the people around him. “While ‘James conquers the world’ would make a great boast, the reality is that others play an essential part in our own stories, more so than we really give credit for. My studio was built on this realisation. A physical place where I could consolidate my ideas and bring others together to further build on them, adding their own thoughts and creative twists. A separate entity where ideas can grow and communities can form, where stories can develop and help can be found.” James has now come to embrace his new home of Copenhagen. “It took a while, but once I learnt to get out of my own head, I started looking past the negatives and it was like another world had opened up. It’s hard not to get excited when my daughter does, and I’ve met some truly lovely people here. I feel safe, not just on the streets but also within the social structure. The occasional stranger will still try to impose themselves on you for something or the other, but now I just smile, look past them, and leave them with their anger as I spend my time on what makes me happy,” he concludes. THE-INTL
Before long, you’ll belong Settling into a new country can be challenging – especially for the nonworking spouse. We know, from studies and from experience, that a successful posting depends on the happiness of the entire family – and our school is home to a very active, warm and welcoming community. Our PTA offers a wide range of opportunities: newcomers network, Spring Fair, Halloween, Yoga, Activities Fair, Wine and Cheese Evening, Dads’ Club and Ladies’ Night Out. Dedicated parents coach our sports teams, run our boy scouts and serve on the school Board. At CIS the whole family finds a place to grow roots and make friends. So to quote one of our parents: “I came for the job, but we stayed for the school.”
JAMES' COMPANY FILMSTUDIO.DK PROVIDES STUDIO RENTAL AND A COMMUNITY SPACE TO BRING YOUR IDEAS TO FILM, IMPROVE YOUR TECHNIQUES, AND FIND INSPIRATION FOR YOUR NEXT PROJECT. FOR MORE INFO: FILMSTUDIO.DK / DK.LINKEDIN.COM/IN/ JAMESHWACKROYD / FACEBOOK.COM/JAMESHWACKROYD
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BREXIT AND BRITS LIVING IN DENMARK
WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR BRITISH CITIZENS LIVING IN DENMARK?
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PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCK PHOTO
THE MAJORITY DECISION
of eligible voters of the United Kingdom on June 23, 2016 to leave the EU triggered a British Government submission of a Treaty of Lisbon Article 50 withdrawal from the EU. This two-year notice will take effect (unless otherwise agreed by both the EU and the United Kingdom) on Friday March 29, 2019. This means that the United Kingdom will no longer be an EU Member State and that EU legislation on the free movement of persons will no longer apply in the country. Accordingly, Danish citizens living in the United Kingdom will no longer be able to reside there on the basis of the EU’s rules on free movement. This also applies to British citizens living in Denmark who (after Brexit) will no longer be EU citizens and consequently will not benefit from the rights associated with being an EU citizen in other EU countries, including the right to free movement. The EU (and this of course includes Denmark) has since the beginning of the Brexit negotiations prioritised the issue of citizens’ rights in the withdrawal negotiations. The aim has been to ensure clear and transparent terms for Danish citizens living in the United Kingdom and for British citizens living in Denmark. Within the deal agreed between the British Government and the EU, there is a Withdrawal Agreement, which secures EU citizens in the United Kingdom and British citizens in the EU. However, since this agreement was rejected by the House of Commons, there is still some uncertainty as to the outcome.
THE WITHDRAWAL AGREEMENT – CITIZENS’ RIGHTS For the Withdrawal Agreement to apply, both the British Parliament and the European Parliament must approve the Withdrawal Agreement in its entirety when the United Kingdom leaves the EU on March 29, 2019. If the Withdrawal Agreement does not enter into force, the citizens’ rights chapter will not apply. Presuming that the Withdrawal Agreement does apply, then if you are a British citizen with a permanent residency in Denmark, there will be no change or extra demands for the two-year transition period (March 2019 to March 2022). Furthermore, British citizens who have been awarded permanent residency will be able to continue living in Denmark after the two-year transition period, which is guaranteed within the Withdrawal Agreement. However, UK nationals protected by the Withdrawal Agreement in one Member State will not be able to invoke the Withdrawal Agreement to obtain the right to move freely to another Member State, to establish themselves or to provide services
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TEXT MARIANO ANTHONY DAVIES
or cross-border services to persons established in other Member States.
POST BREXIT TRAVEL Until the end of the transition period, the Withdrawal Agreement permits EU citizens and UK nationals to continue to travel freely with just a valid passport or an identity card. After the end of the transition period, those EU citizens or UK nationals who have resided in a host State before the end of the transition period will be able to leave the host State and come back with their valid passport or identity card. Their non-EU family members will have the same rights with a valid passport. It's important to note that after five years following the end of the transition period, a host State will be entitled to no longer accept ID cards that do not comply with applicable international standards related to biometric identification. Entry rules to the UK for other EU citizens (those who have not resided in the UK at the end of the transition period) and to the EU for UK nationals (who have not resided in the EU at the end of the transition period) fall outside the scope of the Withdrawal Agreement.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN A “NO DEAL” SCENARIO? The risk of a no deal scenario is a source of great concern both for British citizens in Denmark and for Danish citizens in the United Kingdom. It is a clear priority for the Danish Government to ensure that British citizens who have chosen to live in Denmark are treated fairly, regardless of how the negotiations develop. In the event of a no deal scenario, the Danish Government will put forward a legislative proposal establishing a temporary transitional scheme by which existing EU-rights are extended for a transitional period. The envisaged law is intended to apply to British citizens and their family members, who are legally residing in Denmark on March 29, 2019 in accordance with EU rules on free movement. Under this temporary transitional scheme, resident British citizens and their families will continue to reside, work, attend school and access health care provisions much as they have done as EU citizens. THE-INTL At the time when this article was written (mid-February 2019), it is still unclear whether the Withdrawal Agreement or a Revised Withdrawal Agreement will be signed by the EU and the British Government or whether the United Kingdom will leave without signing an Agreement.
MARIANO ANTHONY DAVIES PRESIDENT & CEO BOSS CERTIFICATION UK LIMITED Mariano has over 30 years' global experience as a business executive. He spent ten years with KPMG, twenty-one years with British Chambers of Commerce (while also running his own companies) and now BOSS Certification. 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 42 years and has held over 100 official anti-Brexit speeches. He both speaks and writes Danish without difficulty.
www.boss-register.com
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SETTLING IN 101: DANISH DIGITAL BANKING Helping you unpack the challenges of being an expat in Denmark – Part 3 – banking in a digital age. PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH.COM
TEXT LAURA WINTEMUTE
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DENMARK IS THE most digital country among the 28 EU Member States according to the Digital Economy and Society Index 2016. As such, the Danish government has made a commitment to go “digital by default”, with paper used only as a last resort. Digital communication has become an accepted way to communicate with public authorities in Denmark. Here's a little information to get you digitally started in Denmark.
DANISH BANKING To open a bank account in Denmark, all you need is a CPR number, passport or national ID, your employment contract or proof of student status along with a signed lease contract. Setting up accounts for you and your family, transferring funds to your current accounts abroad, e-Banking, personal insurance and how to lease a car, are just a few of the things you need to think about when choosing a bank. There are many banks to choose from in Denmark, but only Danske Bank has an International department. They were the first movers 18 years ago when they developed a banking programme for diplomats moving temporarily to Denmark. Due to everything being provided in English, this made the diplomats more comfortable when opening an account and doing their banking in Denmark. Now, Danske Bank offers this programme to all internationals moving into Copenhagen, Aarhus and Esbjerg. “We are so digitally advanced with our E-banking, phone banking, mobile pay and we even have 24/7 customer support, all in English. I feel we provide trustworthy advisement making things easier for expats, moving here,” Christine Sadolin, Head of International Private Clients Danske Bank says with a smile.
EASY PEASY: NEMID & NEMKONTO NemID - (Easy ID) - is a system for digital signatures and secure logins used for just about everything that happens online in the public system. Once you have a bank account, you need to link it to your NemKonto (Easy Account).
LAURA WINTEMUTE NemKonto is a normal bank account that you use for receiving notifications from your municipality, such as child support payments or tax rebates from the public sector, and is also linked to your CPR number. To sign up for NemKonto you need a bank account, and to access your bank account, you need your NemID. Unfortunately, it takes up to four weeks to get a NemID, which then makes the process dreadfully long before you can actually start using your bank account and as a result your Nemkonto... Just a little glitch in the system, but once set up, it’s all worth it.
CASHLESS SOCIETY: TAPS & SWIPES The days of fumbling for small change in your wallet while the line up of customers waiting patiently behind you in line are over. Now all credit and debit cards have a chip that can simply be swiped or tapped on the payment machine avoiding having to enter in your code every time. Not only saving everyone time, but also much more sanitary. Another brilliant way to pay in Denmark is via Danske Banks, Mobile Pay App. Sending or receiving money to/from others is as easy as sending an SMS. You can even send a request to others who have the app and remind them of the amount they owe you.
LAURA'S TOP TIPS:
HOMESTEAD TIP #1: Digital Post can be accessed on either borger.dk or e-Boks.dk. Remember to register for SMS notifications when you receive a new mail, then you won’t miss anything.
OWNER, HOMESTEAD 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 ex-pat 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
HOMESTEAD TIP #2: Many institutions in Denmark charge customers a “Gebyr,” or “fee” for using a foreign credit or debit card, normally between 1-3%. It’s better to use cash until you have your own Danish card. HOMESTEAD TIP #3: Download the MobilePay App ASAP! THE-INTL
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BLOGGER COLUMN
DISCOVER DENMARK THROUGH ITS LANGUAGE While studying Danish at school, Béranger Stark Morel unexpectedly discovered more insights into Danish culture.
PHOTOGRAPHS DR 1/RADIO - MINGO / UNSPLASH.COM
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WHEN I ENROLLED at my Danish school, I had one goal: learning Danish. Little did I know that the journey would be a lot richer than expected. Denmark had many great schools and patient teachers for expats wanting to learn Danish. Not only do you learn the language, but you can expect to discover a lot more about Denmark. I'd like to share with you my top three unexpected discoveries that changed my learning journey.
DANISH HISTORY
Learning a language also comes with understanding its history and roots. While at school, we were often challenged to learn more about Danish history, by reading books from important people who shaped the way Denmark is today. For example, N.F.S Grundtvig who influenced the Danish school system or also H.C Ørsted who was and still is, one of the most famous Danish scientist. If you pay close attention when walking in the streets or on the bus, you may see Grundtvig’s name popping up on a sign. Learning the basics of Danish History at school helped me better understand Denmark and Danes. Besides, it gave me more material to talk and contribute in conversations with my Danish network. In other words, to practice every day and get better at Danish.
DANISH CULTURE We are exposed to Danish culture on a daily basis, and school helped a lot in better understanding this aspect of life. We got the fantastic opportunity to go outside the classroom, explore Danish culture and dive into it. Among many experiences, we attended a session at the Danish Parliament (Folketinget) in Christiansborg Palace (Copenhagen). That day I realised that understanding politicians debating was a true challenge. We visited various museums with guided tours in Danish and
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TEXT BERANGER STARK MOREL
even got to study the Little Mermaid in Danish! Being given the chance to do all of this, certainly impacts a lot on the way you will integrate in Denmark. If you have time, make sure to get out there and experience Danish culture.
DANISH SOCIETY Throughout my journey at school, we studied various topics that were directly linked to Danish society. We discussed themes such as Danish liberalism in the past and now, child education, the schooling system in Denmark, medias in Denmark (traditional and new forms), and Finance (real estate, saving money, the tax system, welfare state). We live in a country that does a lot for the environment, we therefore discussed environmental challenges, pollution, urban design in Copenhagen, Odense and Århus and electric cars. I gained so much insight into Danish society, that even my wife admits sometimes I know more about certain aspects of her own country than she does. Understanding the way Danes interact, also helped me appreciate their humour and therefore optimised my integration in this society, which I now consider home. Even though I am now finished learning Danish at school, the journey has actually just started. The learning system for expats in Denmark gives you enough tools and knowledge to go explore and get the most out of your integration. I think we are very fortunate to be surrounded by such dedicated teachers who want to share the best of their country. Let’s give back to the land of Denmark who is welcoming us, and show that we all want to be integrated. It is a long and hard journey, so don’t give up and keep challenging yourself. Speaking Danish will be an invaluable skill you can carry with you anywhere. THE-INTL
BÉRANGER STARK MOREL SALES EXECUTIVE & BLOGGER
Béranger is a French expat living in Copenhagen since 2014. He works in sales at Trustpilot. In his spare time, Béranger also manages a blog where he shares his tips and personal experience about the process of learning Danish in Denmark.
@learndanishblog www.learn-danish.com
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THE UNEMPLOYED CHEF HOW DO YOU FIND A JOB IN DENMARK? WHAT IS THE FORMULA TO GET NOTICED? PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCKPHOTO
TEXT KATHY BORYS SIDDIQUI
CONFESSIONS OF AN UNEMPLOYED EXPAT SPOUSE
HERE IS MY TRIED-AND-TESTED RECIPE: A dash of boldness 1 tablespoon of stepping out of our comfort zone 1 cup of networking 1 cup of luck A whole bunch of research and really looking outside of the box 1 whole LinkedIn profile 2 cups of being open to an unconventional approach
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CLEARLY WE ARE all different, looking for various jobs, with
an array of experiences and different types and levels of education. This was simply what worked for me. However, in order to find a job, we have to be willing to put ourselves out there, to be vulnerable and bold. Sometimes, we will also be confronted with the need to alter the initial plan a bit. Maybe a whole new career awaits, something we did not foresee. Applying for a position in a foreign country definitely qualifies as stepping out of your comfort zone. Networking is so important in Denmark and having a LinkedIn profile is a big part of it. If you are looking for work in Denmark, you must have a LinkedIn profile - it is your business card. A cover letter is definitely a deal breaker - it is the start of a dialogue between the potential employer and you the potential employee. It matters and can determine whether or not you get an interview. My advice is to write one for each position and not use a template. I recently received an unsolicited job application that was clearly a copy paste motivational letter.
When I arrived in Denmark in 2008, I decided to do something for myself and pursue another degree, (a wonderful experience) and in the evenings I took Danish lessons. My move to Denmark was for personal reasons and I knew that I was here for the long-haul. It was a great opportunity to take some time and invest in myself. Looking back on it now - wow, how lucky! How many people get to do that? To take a break and pursue their passion. The fact of the matter was that I was burned out, coming from a bustling professional life in Poland. I had been working 60 hour weeks as a Business English Instructor in large corporations, translator and business owner. Of course, it was tough to shift into another gear and be a student again. After finishing my studies, I began to search for a job. It was a difficult time, I had to face many challenges, unanswered application letters, emails, self-doubt, low self-confidence. I ended up questioning my move to Denmark. I left a great career, network, friends, family… for what? To feel lost, not needed and very confused. Yes, I wondered what I was doing wrong? Is it me? After a bit of a pity party, I decided to stick it out and see if a different approach would work. I looked outside the box and decided to dive into the deep waters. I started applying for jobs that did not fit my CV or education. I was very uncomfortable and felt vulnerable. I was applying for jobs that fit my skills but they were not positions I had held in the past. When I let go and stopped limiting my search things began to happen. I received four job offers and went for the one furthest away from my comfort zone. It was a great experience that taught me so much. I am very appreciative that my previous boss took a chance on me. THE-INTL
Kathy was born in Poznań, Poland and has lived in four countries and on two 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 life 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 a Cultural Transition and Expat Spouse and Partner Specialist at Active Action.
RELOCATION REINVENTION For global nomads, the definition of a job has taken on a new meaning. The time during a relocation can be used to re-invent yourself - make a plan for the future. It’s a great opportunity to think about what you would like to do, to develop a business plan, turn a passion into a career. More and more expat spouses and partners are looking at portable businesses, especially if they are leading a global nomad life. This means that they and their families will continue to travel. Some will be looking to get hired by a company and others will venture out and start their own businesses. The possibilities are there, it is a matter of really digging deep to find out what you want.
KATHY BORYS SIDDIQUI FOUNDER, ACTIVE ACTION
A firm believer that if you are lacking something - create it. She is the
“ F O R G LO B A L N O M A D S , T H E D E F I N I T I O N O F A J O B H A S TA K E N O N A N E W M E A N I N G . T H E T I M E D U R I N G A R E LO C AT I O N C A N B E U S E D TO R E - I N V E N T YO U R S E L F - M A K E A PLAN FOR THE FUTURE.”
founder of two International Mom Groups in Denmark, a running enthusiast, active lifestyle advocate, wife and mom.
kbs@activeaction.dk www.activeaction.dk
- K AT H Y B O R Y S S I D D I Q U I
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OAT YEAH! Leave your boring oatmeal days behind. Here are two easy recipes using oats as the star ingredient that will turn you into a mega-fan. PHOTOGRAPHS ANDREAS WIKING
TEXT ERIN CHAPMAN, THE AMERICAN PIE COMPANY
MAPLE ALMOND GRANOLA ON YOGHURT, SKYR, OR WITH MILK AND FRESH FRUIT… THIS CLASSIC CRUNCHY GRANOLA MAKES OATS SING! MAKES ONE LARGE BATCH
INGREDIENTS: 600g oats (rolled, grovalsede) 150g almonds, coarsely chopped 100g pumpkin seeds 100g sunflower seeds 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon nutmeg 60g vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil) 3dl maple syrup 4 tablespoons honey 2 teaspoons vanilla extract ¼ teaspoon salt 50g coconut flakes 200g raisins or dried cranberries (optional)
METHOD: Line 2 baking trays with baking paper and preheat oven to 1500C. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, almonds, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt. Toss well to blend. Set aside. In another mixing bowl, whisk together the oil, maple syrup, honey, vanilla and salt until well combined. Pour the maple mixture over the oat mixture and toss well with until the oat mixture is completely coated. Spread the mixture evenly between the 2 prepared baking trays and bake for 30-35 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Once golden brown, remove the granola from the oven and allow to cool. Meanwhile, spread out the coconut flakes in a shallow baking pan and toast for 5-7 minutes at 1500C, until just turning golden. (Remember to keep an eye on it! Coconut can burn quickly). Remove from heat and toss into the cooled granola mixture. Add the raisins or dried cranberries, if desired. Once cooled completely, enjoy! Store in an airtight container for lasting freshness.
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ERIN CHAPMAN CO-OWNER, THE AMERICAN PIE COMPANY With over 20 years’ experience in the advertising industry, working both in Denmark and USA, Erin has specialised in brand building and image development for lifestyle, food and fashion clientele at both national and international level. Erin attended DIS, Denmark’s Study Abroad programme in 1996 and made a connection with Copenhagen. She moved to Denmark permanently in 1998 with two suitcases and a pocketful of change. Working in the advertising industry she worked her way up as a senior creative, as well as a voiceover artist, and then began her own brand and design business in 2006. Merging her love for food and
TIP:
art direction, she began food
THIS RECIPE CAN ALSO BE MADE IN SMALL INDIVIDUAL BAKING DISHES. BAKE FOR 25-30 MIN INSTEAD.
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 re-
BAKED OATMEAL W/ BLUBERRIES AND CRACKLING RAW SUGAR TOPPING THIS IS COMFORT FOOD IN OAT FORM. I LOVE TO USE FRESH BLUEBERRIES, BUT FEEL FREE TO REPLACE THE BLUEBERRIES WITH GOLDEN RAISINS, BANANAS, OR PEELED, DICED APPLES. SERVES 4
INGREDIENTS: 270g oats 50g muscovado sugar 1¼ teaspoons cinnamon 200g blueberries (frozen or fresh) 750ml milk 2 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Pinch of salt 65-70g raw sugar Cream for serving
NOTE:
PAY ATTENTION TO THIS STAGE, AS THE SUGAR CAN QUICKLY BURN!
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METHOD: Preheat oven to 1750C. Grease a baking dish (approx. 20 x 20cm). In a mixing bowl, combine the oats, muscovado sugar and cinnamon and stir until combined. Gently stir in the blueberries (do not thaw blueberries if using frozen). Set aside. In another bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and a little pinch of salt. Add the egg mixture to the oats mixture and blend well with a spoon. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and bake for about 40 minutes, or until it becomes firm. Remove from the oven, and turn the oven onto “broil”. Sprinkle the baked oatmeal with the raw sugar until evenly coated and place back into the oven for about 2 minutes or until the sugar begins to turn golden brown and bubbles. Remove from oven and let cool about 5 minutes, until the topping has become crackling/crisp. Serve with milk or cream.
turning 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 sassyfive year old daughter who speaks fluent “Danglish”.
www.theamericanpieco.com
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WHAT'S ON IN AARHUS IN MARCH It’s hard to believe, but spring is finally on its way. If you feel more comfortable observing the change in seasons from indoors, here are a few venues you might consider holing up in this month. PHOTOGRAPHS VARIOUS
TEXT BARBARA BALFOUR
COMWELL AARHUS HOTEL WEBSITE
GET HYGGE AT MISS ETOILE CAFÉ
BARBARA BALFOUR
CHANGE YOUR OFFICE FOR THE DAY
■ VÆRKMESTERGADE 2, 8000 AARHUS
MISSETOILE FACEBOOK PAGE
Strong Wifi. Bottomless coffee. Lots of electrical plugs. Access to 7,000 newspapers and magazines via PressReader. All for free! If you work from home, you’ll appreciate the opportunity to change your surroundings without having to fight for a free chair at the nearest Starbucks. The Comwell Aarhus Hotel offers just that. It’s the first chain in Denmark to establish a free coworking area at all its hotels, where you don’t have to be a guest to use them. Just like having an office for the day – but much cooler.
Danish home decor company Miss Étoile recently launched its first café in a 1921 building that once housed a cinema and even a hotel. Many of the building’s original decorative elements have been retained in the adjoining fashion and housewares boutique, Bahne, including a gold Harlequin statue by legendary Danish sculptor Svend Rathsack. After you’re done sipping tea surrounded by fluffy pillows and vintage whimsy, wander over to Bahne to check out the most Instagrammable dressing rooms in the city. Plans are in the works for Miss Etoile to host events throughout the year including book readings and a knitting club.
■ WWW.COMWELLAARHUS.DK
CHECK OUT AN ENGLISH-LANGUAGE THEATRE PERFORMANCE
■ MEJLGADE 55B, 8000 AARHUS ■ WWW.GRUPPE38.DK
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■ SØNDERGADE 69, 8000 AARHUS
MISSETOILE FACEBOOK PAGE
PER PEDERSEN
Get your ticket to The Comical Tragedy, being performed at Teatret Gruppe 38 on March 21 and 22. The 75-minute performance is a one-woman show centred around the fear of failing, the inner voices of truth inside our heads and daring to follow our dreams. A professional, prizewinning theatre in existence since 1972, Teatret Gruppe 38 is led by artistic leader, writer and actor Bodil Alling and caters to non-Danish-speaking audiences. If you miss this month’s show, be sure to check what’s playing during the International Living Theatre (ILT) Festival May 23-26 - a four-day extravaganza of performances ranging from classical drama and contemporary dance to music concerts, puppetry and street performances.
TELEVISION HOST, PRODUCER, PUBLIC SPEAKER, AND INTERNATIONAL PRINT JOURNALIST.
■ WWW.MISSETOILE.DK
In addition to hosting a live talk show, she writes regularly for BBC World News, The Globe and Mail, and ELLE, to name a few. She has published two children’s books, cont r i bu te d to tou r i s m guidebooks on Iceland and Chile, and co-edited an anthology of essays on Canada-European Union relations. Her work has taken her to over 40 countries, but she currently calls Aarhus home. When she’s not curled up with a good book and a hazelnut hot chocolate, you might be able to find her spinning away on the dance floor of a salsa club, or nestled in a window seat on a plane, en route to some exotic new destination. www.barbarabalfour.com
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THE BUSINESS OF MINDFULNESS Claire Ross-Brown delves into the future of meditation and mindfulness, and it’s staggering impact on businesses and people all over the world. TEXT CLAIRE ROSS-BROWN
Henning's book
12 minutes to Success has just been
translated to English which is wonderful for all our International readers all over the world. If you want to follow Henning’s programme, download his App: Good day medi-
➥
tation and Mindfulness, or visit his website: henningdaverne.dk, where you can contact him directly.
A GREATER PRESENCE,
a sense of inner peace and, not least, more joy. That's what you can experience after meditating for just 12 minutes a day for two months. This according to author of 12 Minutes to Success, Henning Daverne. Meditation is now truly recognised as a strong pathway to building leadership skills and achieving business success. There are countless studies and research articles on how mindfulness and meditation sharpen skills such as attention, memory, and emotional intelligence. Henning Daverne is one of the leading experts when it comes to implementing meditation within the corporate world. I first met him 10 years ago, when I found the prospect of meditating quite boring and yet my introduction to it with Daverne, changed my life from that day forward. Apart from the fact that Henning defied my pre-conceived ideas about how a mediation guru would look and act, it was the ease and simplicity of how he practices what he does, that enabled me to listen and learn from him. I asked Daverne to share with The International readers, some inspiration for those wanting to know more about how meditation and mindfulness can help in all aspects of their life.
Q
YOU COME FROM A MARTIAL ARTS BACKGROUND, WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO ENTER INTO MEDITATION AND MINDFULNESS IN THE FIRST PLACE?
I practiced East Asian martial arts for 30 years and professionally for 20, teaching all over the world with the police, military and special forces to name a few. Part of the Eastern Arts is the “Body Mind Spirit”, where there is more than just a physical movement involved. There is a mental outlook on life, mental strategies and tools, such as meditation and breathing techniques and then there is also a spiritual component, which focuses and places great value on the “present” - being in the moment and not anticipating the next moment. So, having practiced this for many years, it was a natural next step for me to look deeper into the arts, which took me on a journey, over the past 25 years, where I travelled extensively to Asia and India and learnt some of the deeper aspects of mediation and spirituality from some of the leading experts in Asia.
Q
IN YOUR BOOK YOU SHARE HOW JUST 12 MINUTES OF MEDITATION A DAY CAN HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON A PERSONS LIFE – WHY 12 MINUTES?
Q
HOW DO YOU SEE MEDIATION AND MINDFULNESS IMPACTING COMPANIES AND ALL LEVELS OF EMPLOYEES IN THE FUTURE?
When I wrote the book, I was teaching meditation within many different companies, at that time much of the scientific research on meditation was conducted with people who had meditated over 10 years and for one hour a day. Despite the impressive scientific results such as disease prevention, increased mental performance and wellbeing and even anti-ageing, I somehow felt that the research was not relevant for busy business people who are not prepared to spend one hour on meditation every day, let alone waiting 10 years, for the return on investment with the time set aside, in a meditation practice. Hence, I became curious about how little time would be necessary for busy people to achieve the positive results of meditation. This led me to investigate and conduct my own research, and I came across an American neurologist named Andrew Newberg, who had done a study on the benefits of 12 minutes of meditation. These findings were profound, so I decided to try to replicate these results in Denmark, together with the co-author of the book, neurologist Troels W. Kjær, from the Neurophysiology Clinic at Copenhagen University Hospital”.
We carried out an impartial report / study on the effect of meditation in the workplace. This was an independent test conducted over a nine-month period. The participants were employees in a Danish hospital, and in spite of the fact, that all of the employees had good test results before they started the 12 minutes to success programme, the test revealed that after the nine-month programme the employees experienced: ■ Increased energy, motivation and ability to handle their role in the workplace. ■ Increased ability to focus and be present, both at home and at work. ■ Increased ability to let go of work whilst at home and vice versa. ■ Increased ability to handle stressful situations both at work and at home.
Q
IF THERE IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU COULD OFFER ANYONE WANTING TO MAKE A CHANGE AND START A NEW HABIT WITH PRACTICING MEDIATION, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
There are two pieces of advice: the first is that one needs to really give it a shot and stick to it for six to eight weeks before deciding if this is something that you want to make part of your daily routine. The second is, ‘what you put in, is what you get out’. If you really engage yourself with this and perhaps even if you have the chance to visit a talk or class on meditation, you will be better equipped, i.e. have a better tool kit and greater understanding in doing it at home. THE-INTL
CLAIRE ROSS-BROWN BUSINESS ENTREPRENEUR AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FINTECH COMPANY CASHWORKS Claire has over 26 years', experience working as both a business consultant and actress/singer. She has worked as a Headhunter in London city with Investment Banks, produced an album and invests in companies. Claire is a true Londoner, yet considers Denmark her home, where she lives with her family. She loves to run, box, snowboard and wakeboard. Her column in The International is about Entrepreneurship, interesting businesses and key business people, board member of www.boernogungeinoed.dk
www.cashworks.ch
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CELEBRATING DANISHLY Regardless of your age, celebrating birthdays in Denmark is often a very festive occasion. With giant pepper grinders, a trail of cinnamon and Danish flags being just three things to watch out for. PHOTOGRAPHS KERI BLOOMFIELD / ISTOCKPHOTO
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COMING FROM A country with a few flag identity issues (New Zealand recently spent around NZ$20 million on a referendum discussing if they should change it), I found it fascinating moving to Denmark and seeing how much the Danes use and love their flag. Especially when celebrating birthdays. The flag is often the first clue that someone is having a birthday, with small flagpoles being a common sight in most workplaces and schools. But the flag is just the tip of the iceberg. The Danes over the years have created a lengthy, somewhat unofficial, but still closely followed list, of how a birthday should typically be celebrated. So, if you’d like to celebrate your next birthday like a Dane, or if you want to just be prepared before attending a Danish birthday party (either for yourself or your children) then I hope this will help:
#1 THE DANISH FLAG As with most other moments of celebration in Denmark the Danish flag takes centre stage when celebrating birthdays. So, forget hanging balloons and instead get yourself a bulk pack of Danish flags from your local supermarket. Place them outside your home lining the path, on your door, on your cake. Everywhere. Overall, the more flags the better.
#2 THE CAKE There are typically three types of birthday cakes commonly used, with the one chosen normally being dependent on where in Denmark you come from. The first is a ‘Lagekage’ (Layer cake) which is normally chosen by those living in Zealand, it is a layered cake of cream, raspberry jam and a type of sponge cake. Alternatively, for those hailing from Fyn, you’d possibly have a ‘Brunsviger’ cake, with a spongy cake bottom and a whole lot of brown sugar on the top. And for the little people, it is common to have a Kagemand (Cake man). Shaped like a man (or woman) these can be ordered from your local bakery. Whichever cake you decide on, it then needs to be decorated. For most, that means placing as many little Danish flags in the cake as possible, as well as a few from your other home country if you are an International.
#3 TILLYKKE Tillykke (congratulations) and Tillykke med fød-
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TEXT KERI BLOOMFIELD
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selsdag (congratulations on your birthday) are the common Danish greetings that you will likely hear when wishing someone a happy birthday. If it is your child’s birthday, then you may also find that other people will say to you 'Tillykke med hendes/hans fødselsdag' (congratulations on her/his birthday).
#4 THE FOOD A typical selection of Danish food at an afternoon birthday party would be fødselsdag boller med pålæg, kaffe og varm chokolade. Which translates to small white rolls with toppings such as meat and cheese served with coffee and warm chocolate.
KERI BLOOMFIELD
#5 PRESENTS
WRITER & BLOGGER
The Danish word for presents is ‘gaver’, and while every party can be different, it would be the norm to take a present if you have been invited to a birthday celebration. This, in part, acknowledges and thanks the host for their hospitality - who typically supplies all the food and drink (including alcohol if it is that sort of party). To help you select the perfect item, some birthday hosts may even write a fødselsdag ønskeseddel (birthday wish list). This is particularly common for childrens parties.
Keri Bloomfield is a connector, writer, event manager and blogger currently living in Copenhagen. Originally from New Zealand she was lured to Denmark by a
#6 CINNAMON, PEPPER & ROUND BIRTHDAYS Not all birthdays are created equal with some getting a little bit more attention than others. If you are turning 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, or any age ending in a ‘round’ (0) number at the end, then these are known as round birthdays and will be celebrated with a bit more intensity. Maybe you have also seen some of the giant-sized pepper grinders often made roughly from drums, outside homes? This is normally done to a man who is turning 30 and is single. Similarly, for females turning 25 and single, they will have cinnamon poured over them by their friends, in the bucket loads. It is seen as an affectionate joke by the person’s friends and family.
#7 HYGGE Hygge dominates most Danish social occasions, so if you’re holding a Danish birthday party it goes without saying that you will need to ensure you inject hygge in high quantities. Slow down, enjoy your guests company, light some candles, offer some delicious food and get cozy.
#8 THE WEATHER Lastly, the saying goes if the weather is nice on your birthday it means you have been ‘good’ for the past year. If it’s rubbish, well, then you’ll need to try harder this year. With that knowledge now on board, feel empowered to go forth eat cake, and wave a flag to successfully celebrate your next birthday, danishly. THE-INTL
Dane and has since been employed by her daughter (Bilingual Backpack Baby) as editor, writer, photographer and social media manager documenting some of their adventures living in Denmark. Whether you have children
FØDSELSDAGSTOG While not strictly a Danish tradition, this is a cute idea I was introduced to just before my daughters' first birthday. Fødselsdagstog is a ‘Birthday Train’ which comes with numbers (1-9) that you can replace every year to reflect your childs age, creating a nice series of photos over the period of nine years. Friisenborg (Danish brand) and Goki, a German brand, are two companies who produce these. Both of which are popular in Denmark for children.
or not, her blog is a great source of entertaining and accurate information about finding your way in Denmark. Prior to life in Denmark, Keri navigated a corporate life in New Zealand and England working in the field of event management and people management. She is now on her way to becoming bilingual (she hopes) and is the co-organiser of ‘Post A Letter Copenhagen’. A monthly event held in Copenhagen where attendees can write and post letters for free. You can read and follow Keri’s adventures in Copenhagen with her Danish partner and daughter and learn more about Post A Letter Copenhagen at the following:
www.bilingualbackpackbaby.com www.postalettercopenhagen.com
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JUTLAND
IS AN INTERNSHIP FOR YOU? Job searches can be daunting no matter the circumstances, and with so many resources available in Denmark, it is often a cause for much confusion for internationals. This issue, we feature one such resource - workplace internship (virksomhedspraktik). PHOTOGRAPHS INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY / TAMARA HAFNER
TEXT INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AARHUS
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IT IS TEMPTING to reflexively dismiss internships, perhaps because they evoke images of student life. However, they are common in the Danish labour market and apply to jobseekers of all ages. A virksomhedspraktik is different from other types of internships, as it is usually unsolicited and not advertised. Some job centers will help facilitate introductions, but it is always better if jobseekers contact the company directly. Whatever the jobseeker and company agree on, it will need to be approved and finalised through a local Jobcenter.
WHY AN INTERNSHIP? So why would anyone with years of qualifications and experience seek out an internship? According to Camilla Johansen, Business Consultant at Jobcenter Aarhus, internships can allow jobseekers to demonstrate their competencies and see how their skills and experience from another country align with a particular job or company in Denmark. Jobseekers can strengthen their local professional network and learn about some of the differences in Danish work culture. The job search can be particularly challenging because of the language, but an internship can help jobseekers show how well they perform with their language skills, limited or not. To get the most out of an internship, Camilla advises jobseekers to approach it as a twoway street - companies provide an opportunity and jobseekers bring added value. Jobseekers should be clear about what value they bring and their objectives for the internship. Clear communication can help the company facilitate the jobseeker’s goals. An internship may not lead to a job at a particular company but through a strengthened network and new experiences, it increases the likelihood of a jobseeker eventually getting employed. When there has been a lapse in employment and numerous rejected applications, it can be easy to lose confidence and become despondent. An internship might help jobseekers demonstrate to a company that they are worth the effort. It may result in a job or not, but what does one have to lose? Rechana Geetha Jyothish, who moved from India to Aarhus in 2016 as an accompanying spouse, kick-started her career with a virksomhedspraktik. Rechana has a background in computer science and worked as an HR project coordinator and lecturer back in In-
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dia. However, by the time she moved here, she had a six-year gap in her employment. She had stopped work to earn her master’s and stayed home with her child. She was determined to work again, and so quickly adapted to the networking culture, “never wasting an opportunity to meet with people,” she says. She also volunteered as an events coordinator for Spouse Community Aarhus. Despite many of her applications being rejected, she motivated herself to keep trying. At some point, Rechana attended an event hosted by Ladies First Aarhus and Spouse Community where she met several business executives including Xenia Duffy Obel, who is a mentor to several startups in Aarhus. Xenia advised Rechana on her search strategy and eventually contacted her about a possible in-
ternship at Baser, one of the startups she was mentoring. Rechana’s meeting with the CEO went well and she was offered a 2-month internship. After a review of her first month, Baser offered her a six month contract under løntilskud. Rechana is now working full-time as the operations manager at Baser. THE-INTL
IS IT FOR ME? Camilla says that international jobseekers should give an internship a go, and suggests you consider these five points when applying: ➥ Clarify your objectives. Ask your self the hard questions and clarify your goals
for an internship.
➥ Zero income does not equal zero value. An internship provides other benefits
that can boost your career.
➥ Know your value. Approach companies strategically and be clear about what
you have to offer.
➥ Think small and medium. Compared to the big international companies, there
might be less competition and more opportunities at small and medium size
enterprises, including startups.
➥ Contact your local job center to learn more about virksomhedspraktik.
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY We offer a wide range of events, seminars and online activities that help internationals get settled in Denmark. Learn more at internationalcommunity.dk or follow us on Facebook @InternationalCommunityAarhus and Instagram @internationalcommunityaarhus. www.erhvervaarhus.dk www.international community.dk
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POTATOES!
THERE’S MORE TO THE STORY OF THIS DANISH STAPLE The story of the humble potato stretches farther back than you may think. How ingredients from around the world have become a beloved part of Danish culture - and a reminder that you can, too. PHOTOGRAPHS GINA LORUBBIO / ISTOCK PHOTO
TEXT GINA LORUBBIO
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BOILED POTATOES WITH brown sauce; potatoes atop rye bread for smørrebrød (open sandwiches); caramelised brown potatoes for Christmas; buttered new potatoes of Spring… We live in a potato-mad country. But Denmark hasn’t always been that way.
CRUCIAL CULTIVATION IN THE ANDES With his book, Potato: a history of the propitious esculent, John Reader made me realise that I’d grown up in the U.S. and now Denmark knowing but one story of the spud. The full story takes us back thousands of years to the Andes mountains in South America. With my Euro-centric view of the potato, how often did I think of the Andes in conjunction with it? Rarely, if ever. As it turns out, we potato eaters owe enormous gratitude to the indigenous Andean people who cultivated the bitter toxins out of the potato so that it could become a staple food. High up in the Andes - 3,000 meters and above to be exact - is where 36 per cent of Peru’s population (10 million people) currently call home. Most are Quechua descendants of the hunter gatherers who first settled there 12,000 years ago. These are the people who created the Inca empire, were cruelly reduced in number by the Spanish conquest, and gave us the potato. Andean farmers have named over 1,000 potato varieties. In the local Quechua language, a few of those names include; “Waka qallu - cow’s tongue; Puka pepino - red cucumber; and Papa Ilunchuy waqachi - the potato that makes the bride weep because it is so difficult to peel.”
EUROPE INITIALLY RESISTS THE TUBER From the time of the Spanish colonisation of South America in the 1500s up through the 1800s, the potato spread throughout the world. Here in Europe, folks were not quick to embrace potatoes: many believed them to cause leprosy, priests banned them because they weren’t in the Bible, and bakers were perplexed about how to turn them into bread. After people began to realise their benefits (and ran out of other options), they adopted potatoes. According to Reader, potatoes yielded up to four times more calories than grain - the mainstay of seventeenth century European diets - from the same amount of land. Mixed with the milk of one cow, those potatoes could keep a poor, rural family in good health for a year. “Today,” Reader writes, “the potato is grown in 149 countries from latitudes 65 degrees north to 50 degrees south… and
GINA LORUBBIO ARTIST & WRITER Gina is an artist, educator, and storyteller in Copenhagen. Upon arrival from the U.S., she made an art series called ‘How to Fall in Love with Denmark through Food in 100 Days.’ She’s now creating daily art in 2019 that teaches and has become the world’s fourth most important food crop (after wheat, maize and rice).” Here in Denmark, it’s been ingrained in the DNA of the food culture.
THANKING BOTH ANDEAN AND DANISH FARMERS Last year I made a pilgrimage to Samsø, an island which is lovingly revered by its inhabitants as “Denmark’s pantry.” That’s for good reason; Samsø yields some of Denmark’s proudest produce, including nye kartofler (new potatoes) that are treated like gold. These delicate tubers are eaten fresh and uncured after harvest, and people go wild over them, I can see why. They need very little prep, as boiled new potatoes with butter and parsley remains a revelation. When you see them come into season this Spring, I urge you to try them! When you taste those fresh potatoes or enjoy an old standby, remember the whole story of the tuber, the one that stretches far beyond where we live. Give thanks, not only to the Danish farmers who sow and harvest the spuds on your plate now, but also the original Andean cultivators, who transformed the poisonous tuber into something we can caramelise, smother in sauce, or stack on a slice of rye. THE-INTL
inspires us on the adventure of everyday home-cooking. To buy artwork or follow the series, visit: wwww.AmericanHeirloom Project.com @americanheirloom
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TRACK YOUR FITNESS & WELLNESS FITNESS AND WELLNESS TRACKERS ARE BECOMING MORE FEATURE-RICH AND AFFORDABLE OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE WANTING TO STAY FIT AND HEALTHY WITHOUT INVESTING IN THE MORE SOPHISTICATED SMART WATCH OPTIONS. PHOTOGRAPHS VARIOUS
TEXT SUZAAN SAUERMAN
Most fitness and wellness trackers now come complete with heart rate monitor, sports tracking, sleep statistics and will even help you feel less stressed during the day. The right fitness tracker is very much based on your individual needs and how active your lifestyle is. There is something for everyone out there, and a tip: don't get too hung up about getting the best for iOS or Android – all of these play nicely across both smartphone operating systems and work with Apple Health and Google Fit. As a small bonus, I have added the latest calorie tracker from Healbe. The device has been approved by The Foods for Health Institute at the University of California Davis. A good indication of what is coming in the future of health and wellness tech.
BEST FITNESS TRACKER FOR GYM GARMIN VIVOSMART 4 This tracker tells you how much energy you do (or don’t) have. This is not made for serious athletes like most other Garmin products, but instead it’s for those who want to be able to track the odd bit of exercise with a battery that lasts up to a week. There is also an innovation feature called body battery that you helps you learn when is the best time to exercise, depending on how much energy you have. This is great for overall recovery and wellness tracking. From DKK 1,200. garmin.com
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BEST FOR TRACKER FOR RUNNERS GARMIN VIVOSPORT
✱
EDITOR'S TOP PICK! THIS IS MY PERSONAL FAVOURITE GARMIN VIVOSMART 4
This is not for serious runners but a solid product with a battery life of seven days from a single charge, even when using the GPS features. The heart rate tracker is super accurate which makes this a great tracker for jogging and cycling. From DKK 1,300. garmin.com
BEST WATERPROOF FITNESS TRACKER MOOV NOW This is officially my favourite fitness band (even though it is a few years old). It’s cheap, offers everything you want in an everyday tracker and has six months worth of battery life (change of battery is easy). You can track your steps, rep-based training and even boxing moves. It also has a swimming mode and sleep monitoring features. This is a great everyday, basic tracker. From DKK 399. welcome.moov.cc
SUZAAN SAUERMAN TECH CONSULTANT & INVESTOR Suzaan has spend the past 19 years working around the world for various technology brands, leading & transforming global marketing organisations, developing innovative product portfolio’s, driving digital transformation and consumer driven product experiences. Today she is a consultant, advisor & investor, working within consumer technology,
BEST OVERALL FITNESS TRACKER
helping various brands to create experiences & products that impact & improves everyday lives.
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BEST CALORIE INTAKE TRACKER GOBE 2 BY HEALBE
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From DKK 2,000. healbe.com
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THE TRUE COST OF
W E L L NES S COACHI N G Warning: do not hire a personal trainer until you read this.
PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCK PHOTO
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IT’S THE INSTINCTIVE first question, it’s also the least informative. Whether personal trainer or health coach is their label, what they are to you is a problem solver. Your job when selecting a coach of any sort is to ascertain if they can solve your problem. Here’s my advice to you when on the hunt for the best person for the job:
DKK 96,000 per year. A specialist may charge double per hour but only ask for 20 hours of your time. As you can see, using price as a bench mark makes no sense at all.
DO THEY HAVE MULTIPLE ROUTES TO THE SAME OUTCOME?
DO THEY UNDERSTAND YOUR PROBLEM BETTER THAN YOU DO? T h e f i r s t t i m e yo u s p e a k whether on the phone or in person - should feel like you are being interviewed. Your coaches’ job is to get a clear understanding of what problem you wish to fix and how you see that problem. They should then repeat back to you what you have said in a way that puts more clarity on your problem. Not solving it, but simplifying it to a degree that makes it seem solvable.
HAVE THEY HELPED ANYONE SIMILAR TO YOU WITH SIMILAR CHALLENGES? The journey you are about to embark on isn’t going to be easy. There will be questions you don’t want to be asked. There will be truths you don’t want to tell. This process is not about changing your body, it is about changing your mind - the body will follow. Your would-be coach or trainer should have stories that illustrate this with previous clients. From who the client was to who they became and what realisations took them there. They should also be able to put you in touch with a previous client to get a first-hand account of what it’s like to work with them.
ARE THEY A SPECIALIST? A specialist is created by making a lot of mistakes in the same area. Each mistake gives the individual an opportunity to improve their service. A trainer or coach claiming to help everyone just doesn’t have the time to have encountered enough prob-
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TEXT ED LEY
lems to have become a specialist. Look for a specialist in you or your problem and ask them how they came to specialise in this area. It should be about meaning not marketing.
DO YOU HAVE A CONNECTION? You may think that you are purchasing this persons knowledge, and you are to a degree, but it’s more than that. It’s often said that you are the average of the five people you spend most of your time with and in hiring this person you are seeking to make them a part of you. You are seeking to see the world though their eyes, to change your world view enough to achieve the outcome you desire, and keep it. This requires a gut feeling of course but shared humour and an inquisitive nature are a good place to start. The person is about to become a friend who you disagree with at the moment. If you saw the world the way they do, you wouldn’t need their help.
Rules are many, principles are few. Rules will always change, principles never do. We require oxygen, micro and marco nutrient absorp tion in the right ratios, good blood flow, lymphatic drainage, sensory stimulation, multijoint movement and loading, nervous system balance. We are required to pay attention to these things to the degree that they create the desired outcome in the expected time. How this is achieved is up for grabs. Your personal trainer or health coach should be true to habit building and setting your expectations above all else. Dogma in their method should be a warning signal. You are looking for a result not a new religion.
Ed owns a private health coaching and personal training studio in Hellerup alongside his wife Christina. They use neuroscience techniques to help their clients build
WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO DO?
habits to move to-
As the saying goes, “you can’t solve a problem with the same level of thinking that caused it”. Whatever it is that you want help with, your current beliefs in that area are not serving you. You must be willing, at the very least, to delay your disbelief long enough to prove your current belief wrong. This takes courage and discipline and the willingness to get comfortable being uncomfortable. THE-INTL
wards their goals in
PRICE Now that we have covered the above, we can address price. You may be able to clearly see that using price per hour as a bench mark could cost you thousands and deliver little results. A personal trainer charging DKK 600 per hour might want to see you 2-3 times per week costing you 312 hours per year, including travel, raking up a bill of around
ED LEY HEALTH COACH, CONSULTANT, WRITER AND SPEAKER.
"this process is not about changing your body, it is about changing your mind the body will follow."
a way that works for them. To find out more visit our website.
www. absolute health.net
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THE BENEFIT OF BIG TAX Denmark, they say, is a GREAT place to work. But with its high levels of tax, just what makes this country a workers’ paradise? PHOTOGRAPHS COPENHAGEN MEDIA CENTER / ISTOCK PHOTO
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WHEN PUSHED, IN my experience, most Danes will tell you the thing that most puts them off working abroad is the comparatively poor working conditions and low pay. However, foreigners and the newlyarrived in Denmark can often be heard griping about the high levels of taxation on income and the ‘weird’ business culture. Denmark, they say is a TERRIBLE place to work! So who is right and who is wrong? Well of course, this is a subjective topic and everyone seems to have an opinion on it, but in terms of income tax at least, the numbers speak for themselves. Denmark, according to statistics website Trading Economics, has the second highest rate of income tax in Europe (behind Sweden), at 55.8% on average. By comparison, UK workers pay on average 45% income tax, while at the bottom of the chart, Romanians and the Balkan countries pay a measly 10%. But this is not the whole picture, of course, the more important figure is what your income after tax will buy you. Interestingly, according to analysis done by Reinis Fischer, Denmark comes out top in a list of European countries ranked by net salary, taking the lead just above Luxembourg.
So, if Denmark has almost the highest tax rates, but nevertheless manages to pay the most net income to employees, where does this leave those who complain about the high levels of tax?
DANISH BUSINESS CULTURE Working conditions cannot be so easily measured, of course, but it struck me recently just how good employees working in Denmark have it while I was doing a translation job for a Danish company which needed its personnel handbook translating to English (many Danish companies, it seems, are opting to go ‘full English’ on their paperwork). For starters, there are the eye-wateringly generous statutory benefits, which relate to maternity/paternity leave, sickness pay, data protection and the workplace environment. But that is just the tip of the iceberg, in addition to these protections, employees at this company enjoy free massage treatments, generous holidays and five extra days off a year (feriefridage), free screen glasses, an ergonomics assessment, personal development coaching, exam leave, subsidised holidays, almost-free lunches, mobile phones and a host of other perks, such as a trolley loaded with free beer making its way around the office at 4:00pm every
TEXT JASON HEPPENSTALL
Friday. Incidentally, 4:00pm, or not much later, is also the time when a lot of employees shut down their computers and head home in time to pick up their kids from the (heavily subsidised) vuggestue. You can understand, for this point of view, why Denmark is often considered a ‘workers’ paradise’. Old hands will point out that not every company is as generous as the one I allude to above, and that many offer no perks at all apart from the ones enshrined in law. Furthermore, they may say, that the ‘unusual’ (from an international perspective) management structures prevalent in Danish firms are something that foreigners may struggle with. Danish firms, you see, often have flat management structures, with no clear hierarchy to indicate who the boss is. This can be confusing to new starters, especially if they are from elsewhere in the world, and critics say that human nature tends to fill in the gaps in the absence of an official chain of command. Indeed, workplace bullying and harassment remains a big problem in Danish companies, although I can find no official figures on it, although it is something that has been repeatedly addressed by researchers and government. So, the conclusion seems to be that Danish companies both pay more and have better working conditions for their employees. Tax levels may be high but the benefits are correspondingly high. It’s the Danish model – but would it work elsewhere? Answers on a postcard please… THE-INTL
JASON HEPPENSTALL CURRENCY ANALYST AND ECONOMICS WRITER, TORFX.
Jason spent almost 10 years living and working in Denmark as an English teacher and news editor. With a degree in economics and years of experience in writing for the The Express, Jason also has a thorough knowledge of expat life in Denmark, and can convincingly say rød grød med fløde to the satisfaction of the average Dane. He is married to a Copenhagener and they live together in Cornwall, UK, with their two children.
www. torfx.com
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THE PERFECT DANISH BUN He was a 70 years old Danish man, and without hesitating a minute, took one of the warm boller (buns) I had put in the basket. He proceeded to spread a good layer of butter and gave it the first bite. Then he looked me in the eyes and convincingly said: Den er god (it is good). This was the moment I knew I had reached a personal level of adaptation in Denmark that I had been longing for.
PHOTOGRAPHS DANIELA TRIFILETTI
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I WOULD HAVE never thought that the day I'd taste the feeling of belonging in Denmark would be the day when a old Danish man would approve my homemade boller (buns). Baking your own morning buns, making the family’s birthday cakes or coming up with trays filled with homemade cookies for your co-workers or roommates might seem normal for Danes and other Scandinavians. Yet, this isn’t the case for many internationals living in Denmark. Over the past years living in this country these particular cooking skills, and specially the baking of the round bun, have been a few of my top goals in my list called: ‘adaptation to the Danish living’. Unconsciously I deposited my confidence of succeeding in the expat life on the baking of the perfect Danish bun.
THE BOLLE ISN’T JUST A BREAD In Denmark regular items like tealight candles, the national flag or normal
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bags of candy have a whole new meaning as concepts of ‘hygge’ are introduced. And the bolle was not going to be the exception. The traditional round bun is present in a wide variety of societal events and silently carries a number of additional connotations beyond being just a baked piece of bread. Its role is such that it makes it to the table anytime from a birthday celebration, office gatherings, coffee meet-ups or playdates and they are even given out at supermarkets to keep kids happy while shopping. They can be purchased in most bakeries and grocery markets, however the magic behind it comes when they are made from scratch and eventually served warm and crisp from the oven to your guests, to later receive a sober appraisal for them (Danes however seldom exceed in this last part). As good as those buns may be, they will normally share a shy sentence like ‘den er god’ (it is good) or ‘den smager godt’ (it tastes good) to highlight the quality of those buns the host has made. I’m not sure I’ll live long enough to hear a Dane saying to another Dane ‘dette er den lækreste bolle jeg nogensinde har fået’ (this is the best bun I have ever had), a thing I would say without a problem.
THE GOLDEN TICKET TO SUCCESS Watching a Danish mother perfectly juggle alone the baking of two trays of bread, while taking care of her 3-month- old baby at the same time she was hosting a gathering of moms with babies, was an eye opener. As I evidenced this amazing performance I
TEXT DANIELA TRIFILETTI
took the firm decision to move forward and try to master what I had found impossible until then. After doubting for a couple of minutes, thinking what I am about to do is going to break the rules and make me trespass the private realm of a Dane, I decided to approach her in the kitchen and boldly asked her how she does it. I needed to know the secret behind that perfect boller and specifically how she could perfectly prepare a dough, take care of her children and serve them fresh from the oven to her guest the next day. And to my own surprise, without a second thought, she pulled out her recipe book, took a handwritten note with the header ‘Fars boller’ (Dad’s buns) and described to me the steps to achieving that ultimate goal I had set for myself. Every person designs his/her own journey of life abroad. The most important thing is to set goals you want to achieve, maintaining always the positivism about reaching those milestones that will ultimately give you the amazing feeling of belonging. And as always, live your life abroad with a daily aim of jumping outside your comfort zones. Only this way will you discover not only the new you, but also a lot of others waiting for you on the other side. THE-INTL
DANIELA TRIFILETTI EXPAT FAMILY EXPERT BLOGGER AT MY DANISH FAMILY Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Daniela came to Aarhus to complete her education in Journalism in 2013. Life, however, had better plans and shortly after she became the wife of a multicultural Dane and the mother of two multilingual children, thereby making Denmark her new home. Her passion for human and social relations, writing and cultural understanding shaped her everyday life as it is today. Besides running her online community and blog at My Danish Family, she is an active member of large international communities in Denmark, engages actively in internationalisation initiatives and loves drinking coffee with new people.
www.mydanishfamily.dk
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B e s t BEAUTY BUYS
AGE GRACEFULLY Beauty guru Barbara Mensah handpicks a few of her favourite – tried-and-tested – anti-ageing creams that will have your skin feeling rejuvenated. I often hear a lot of my clients complaining about their wrinkles, fine lines and age spots when doing their make-up or when they come in for their fortnightly eyelash extension refills. Often my answer to them is that it’s all part of the inevitable aging process. Fact is, we are humans, we get older, our metabolisms slow down, and for most, our body parts drop down south. There’s absolutely no way to stop the ageing process, unless you’re able to afford cosmetic surgeries – which come with a hefty price tag. However, there are many ways to slow down the process and minimise those visible ageing signs. This can be done through a solid skincare routine and choosing a healthy lifestyle. Having said this, once those ageing signs decide to rear their un-favourable heads, the best and most affordable way to combat this, is through the use of anti-ageing creams.
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BEAUTY EDITOR & MAKEUP ARTIST
HIDDEN GEMS OF ANTI-AGEING CREAMS
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SIX OF THE BEST ANTI-AGEING CREAMS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD THAT CAN NOW BE DELIVERED AND FOUND IN DENMARK:
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#1 EDITOR'S PICK DR. DENIS - GROSS FERULIC ACID + RETINOL BRIGHTENING SOLUTION. DKK 1,009. SKINSTORE.COM
#2 BIG SPENDER LA PRAIRIE - CELLULAR POWER CHARGE NIGHT. DKK 3,900. MATAS.DK
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#3 SMOOTH LIGHT APPLICATION
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BARBARA MENSAH
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 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
Email: barbaramensah. beauty@gmail.com
DR. DENIS GROSS - SKINCARE FERULIC + RETINOL ANTI AGING MOISTURIZER. DKK 556. SKINSTORE.COM
@barbaramensah beauty
#4 BEST INGREDIENTS
@barbara.mensah. beauty
IT COSMETICS – CONFIDENCE IN A CREAM MOISTURIZING SUPER CREAM. DKK 314.25 + TAX. BEAUTYLISH.COM
#5 IF YOU'RE ON A BUDGET ROC RETINOL CORREXION DEEP WRINKLE NIGHT CREAM. DKK 285.40. BIOVEA.NET
#6 VALUE FOR MONEY OLAY REGENERIST MICRO CREAM. DKK 274.50. BIOVEA.NET
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SPEAKING IN DOG Woof, woof! What is your dog trying to tell you? Although you may not speak the same language, you’d be surprised at how much you and your dog can understand one another. PHOTOGRAPHS ISTOCK PHOTO
C
COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR dog is essential to building a healthy and happy relationship. Here are a few ways to improve your communication with your favourite furry friend:
SPEAK!
Your dog’s bark can tell you a lot about how he’s feeling. Pay attention to pitch and frequency of the bark. A low pitched sound, like a growl, typically indicates anger or aggression. This is your dog’s way of saying “keep your distance.” A higher pitched sound means just the opposite “it’s safe to come closer.” The frequency of the bark can also tell a lot about your dog’s state of mind. Barking in rapid succession with few breaks could indicate something is the matter. It can also indicate happiness or excitement, so you may need other clues to understand what your dog is trying to say.
WAG THE DOG
if you can see your dog’s teeth when his mouth is open and tongue flopping out, it probably means your dog is in a good mood and wants to play or interact with you.
DID YOU SAY SOMETHING? Like tails, ears come in all shapes and sizes – some pointy, some floppy. A dog’s ear position indicates alertness, nervousness, anxiousness, aggression, and many other states. If your dog’s ears are forward, then he is alert and interested in what’s going on. This doesn’t necessarily mean friendliness. Ears pinned back can mean anything from happiness to stress to fear. You’ll need to evaluate this in combination with other body language signals like eyes and mouth, to determine what your dog is trying to tell you.
LOOK INTO MY EYES If you’re shy or embarrassed, you might avoid eye contact, right? Well, the same is true of your dog. Confident and domi-
TEXT TAREK ABU SHAM
er body language can defuse a potentially dangerous situat i o n . I f yo u r dog’s eyes are round or almond-shaped and soft, however, with the pupils dilated appropriately, then you’ve found yourself a social, confident, and friendly dog. You should evaluate all of these communication methods to understand what your dog is saying. Dogs have personalities, just like us, so with time, you’ll come to understand each other perfectly.
WE ARE HERE FOR YOU The Pet-agrees is not just about pro viding exercise and attention for your pets while you’re busy or out of town. By choosing us you’ll have the advantage of having a veterinarian look after
They’re curly, straight, fluffy, docked, and hairless – yes, we mean tails. The tail is key in understanding your dog’s temperament, but it’s only one method of communication and shouldn’t be viewed in isolation. Many dog owners can misinterpret what tails signal. A wagging tail is a sign of willingness to engage, not necessarily excitement or eagerness. A tail held high could signal confidence, while a tail hanging between your dog’s legs means that he’s scared or nervous. A tail that “wags” the whole dog’s body is code for friendly, eager, and engaged.
MARCH 2019 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM
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. He cares for pets in the Copenhagen area, offering services including pet-sitting, walking, and more to come soon.
LET’S HAVE A LOOK AT THOSE CANINES! When a dog shows you his teeth, pay attention. A dog that curls his lip in a snarl to expose his teeth is not looking to make friends. In fact, it’s a sign to stay away. Snarling is most definitely a sign of defensiveness or aggression in dogs. However,
TAREK ABU SHAM OWNER, THE PET-AGREES
www.thepetagrees.com
nant dogs, on the other hand, aren’t afraid to make eye contact. Not giving a strange dog direct eye contact and using prop-
your pet. The Pet-agrees is owned by a trained veterinarian. Send us a message today. THE-INTL
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BOOKS THAT INSPIRE
GREAT FILMS
SUSAN JESSEN SPIELE
I used to be really bad at watching a film made from a book - I could only see the things that differed from the book. However, I have learned to appreciate both these mediums, and these titles are really good.
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 Horror, a club dedicated to scaring the town.
ONE OF MY FAVOURITES RITA HAYWORTH AND SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION BY STEPHEN KING Andy Dufresne, a banker, was convicted of killing his wife and her lover and sent to Shawshank Prison. He maintains his innocence over the decades he spends at Shawshank during which time he forms a friendship with "Red", a fellow inmate.
FUNNY AND EMOTIONAL WESTERN
BRUTAL, BRILLIANT NOIR
THE SISTERS BROTHERS BY PATRICK DEWITT
BY JAMES ELLROY
Charlie and Eli Sis ters are hired to track down and kill a prospector named Warm. The brothers journey to the Sierra foothills, running into a witch, a bear, a dead Indian, a gang of murderous fur trappers and others on the way.
the LAPD in the ear-
L.A. CONFIDENTIAL
The story revolves around three officers of ly 1950s. It all starts with a massacre at the Nite Owl coffee shop. Throughout the sto ry, we are given a tale of corruption, prostitution, racism and the horrifying underbelly of Hollywood.
DID YOU KNOW?
BOOK REVIEW!
NOT YOUR USUAL WHO-DONE-IT STORY
Qello Concerts is a wonderful database
THE POETIC MURDERER BY CHRISTOPH BURMEISTER
with over 1,500 full
An interesting detective-meetscomedy story. The story focuses on Detective Hansen who is in control of the streets of Copenhagen. Follow the twists and turns down the rabbit hole as Hansen and his sidekick try and solve a murder at the local supermarket. A very unusual and colourful read, not your usual who-done-it murder mystery, but definetly worth a read! You can purchase a copy from Owl Books - www.owlbooks.dk
and music docu-
length concert films mentaries with the greatest artists from 1920’s to now. With more than 30 different genres there is a lot to get into. So whether you love Billie Holiday, Imagine Dragons or Led Zeppelin just ask at your local library and get hooked! (Not all libraries have this service).
*Review by The International Denmark
MARCH 2019 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM
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SPONSORED CONTENT
Year of the Pig PHOTOGRAPHS SASHA KNUDSEN
TEXT HEATHER GARTSIDE
On a frosty January evening at the Royal Music Conservatory (Det Kongelige Danske Musikkonservatorium) in Copenhagen, a large crowd of elegantly attired diplomats, business leaders and their families, Chinese residents in Denmark, and a big mixed crowd of Danish and international culture lovers assembled in the beautiful music hall. The event was to welcome the Chinese New Year - the Year of the Pig. A sign associated with affluence and gentleness, with babies born under this sign believed to be energetic, optimistic and blessed with good fortune. This is the most important festival and get together for Chinese society, and after a busy past year it is the occasion to send greetings, love and friendship to friends, family, and in this case the people of Denmark. Copenhagen’s glittering event was arranged by the Chinese Embassy in Denmark, the Chinese ministry of culture, Bycirklen Commonwealth, and Horsens, Sønderborg and Aarhus municipalities, and marks a successful ten-year anniversary of trade between the two nations. Extravaganzas of this kind have toured Denmark since 2002. The ambassador of China, Her Excellency Madam Deng Ying, began the ceremonies (with the help of Danish politicians) to mark the Year of the Pig by symbolically painting the eyes of a dragon for good luck and prosperity. As we applauded and settled into our plush seats, we soon realised that we were in for a lavish and high-quality performance. First of all from a young Chinese and Danish musicians who played the traditional “Purple Bamboo” tune from southern China, then Chinese musicians played a touching tribute with the Danish melody, “Blue Anemone”. They were immaculate and touching performances, charmingly hosted and with a lavish prize draw of two return airline tickets to China and covetable woven ribbons thrown to the dazzled audience. But it was the dedicated young performers of the Song and Dance Theatre of Nanjing City, and the Sheyang County Acrobatic Troupe of Jiangsu Province who stole the show with their masterly acrobatic routines, juggling, and traditional Chinese choreographics. We were gobsmacked at their perfectly timed contortions, their strength, slickness and proud smiles. Outside, a coach stood waiting after the show to whisk the performers off to Horsens, Ballerup, Sønderborg and Aarhus until January 27. We hope that they also received rave reviews and standing ovations on their travels. We staggered home in the snow with stars in our eyes.
WELCOME ON BOARD TO OUR NEW INTERN, SASHA KNUDSEN WHO MANAGED TO CAPTURE SOME OF THE ATMOSPHERE IN HER “PICS” OF THE WONDERFUL MOMENTS OF THE CHINESE NEW YEAR OF THE PIG. SEE MORE OF SASHA’S WORK ON INSTAGRAM AT @SA.KJE AND @SASKJERSTI
MARCH 2019 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM