What a world

Originally printed in The Copenhagen Post, vol. 13 issue 51

These will be my last reflections on the wonderful “Expat world” that I worked with, and have come to know on a professional and social level the last 20 months. Come end of January 2011, I will be on my way to Brussels, initially for an internship in the European Parliament. Finally, after 8 years of “localisation” (following 12 years of childhood expatriation), I will myself be an Expat in Belgium. Kind of.

As promised last month, here are a few reasons why spending some time in the European Union capital, as a Dane, will be so much different from living in Denmark as an Expat. And far less daunting.

First of all, Brussels is an international city, and has been so for almost 60 years. The population is used to the 40+ nationalities residing in the city at all times. Second, “Eurospeak”, or broken English, and French are the main languages spoken. You may never master Danish 100%, but anyone can get the above two right (although after having met members like Elli in Odense and Shahar in Copenhagen, I am increasingly optimistic about the prospects of all Expats mastering Danish!). Finally, in Brussels, everyone represents their own region, nationality or organisation in a fascinatingly pluralistic environment that renders assimilation entirely meaningless. So even though identity formation is key to life in Brussels (and believe me, prejudices are alive and well there, as anywhere else in the world), you won’t constantly run into the same discussion about “integration”. At least not the Danish one!

But in a way I will miss that battle. Expat in Denmark, along with a range of other national and regional initiatives are daily, and fervidly working to promote and develop an internationally minded Denmark that is conscious, not just of attracting skilled workers, families and students, but also making it attractive for them to stay. And together with other organisations, companies, individual Danes and Expats, my impression is that we truly are making a difference.

There is still much to be done, and it will take time. But Denmark is ever transforming, and you are part of that transformation!

In fact, we have already, largely, succeeded in bringing this issue to the forefront of Danish immigration, education, and labour market policy. The impact of the recent Expat Study 2010 in the national and local media is a good indication of this. [Update 1/1/2011: The value of the Expat community was even mentioned indirectly in the Danish Prime Minister's New Years speech!]

Of course, there is still much to be done, and it will take time. But Denmark is ever transforming, and you are part of that transformation! I wish all of you, and all of those leading this movement, good luck and “bon courage”.