Conclusions

• The primary motivation for joining Expat in Denmark is social networking. The other main factors are wanting to maintain international contacts and professional networking;
• The most popular services and activities organised by Expat in Denmark are online news and culture updates, 100% socials, seminars and the online infocentre;
• Two thirds of the members believe the frequency of activities and events organized by Expat in Denmark to be just right, while 22 pct. answer too seldom;
• Three quarters of the members indicated that that the frequency of the newsletter is just right. 18% find it very interesting, and 60% somewhat interesting;
• 61% of the respondents were very satisfied or satisfied with the interface of the homepage, and 7% very dissatisfied or dissatisfied. Similarly, 61% were very satisfied or satisfied with the contents on the homepage, while 8% were very dissatisfied or dissatisfied with the contents.
• The overall degree of satisfaction with Expat in Denmark is high. 51% stated that they were very likely to recommend the organization to others, and 34% that they were somewhat likely to do so.

There is always room for improvement, and we take the comments – positive and negative – very serioulsy. However, all in all, we are happy with this year’s results.

Feedback & Suggestions

As mentioned, many members also took the time to provide feedback. Some of the many ideas and suggestions were:

• More activities outside of Copenhagen – notably in Esbjerg, Sønderborg, Aarhus, Odense, Holbæk, Roskilde
• A new discussion forum (idealy  one that is not infested with spam!)
• A more user-friendly user and event registration process
• Involving more Expat volunteers in planning and execution of events
• Earlier notice of upcoming events
• Events shouldn’t start until after 5-5.30 pm
• More marketing – make ourselves better known to research and business communities
• Include more Expat network events in the main calendar
• A mentorship programme
• Weekly event updates

We have listened, and will consider how we can accomodate the ideas according to the resources we have, our contract with the Ministry of Business and Economic Affairs, and our members in general.

Thanks again to all those who participated!

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”.

The many views, comments (see main attractions in 2010 below), and positive feedback convince us to continue expanding and developing our blog. As in 2010, however, we want to provide not just our own views and analysis of various topics and events, but also the experience and views of community members, and community actors. Sometimes written and analytical, other times photographically and light-hearted. In other words, we need your help to maintain an active, interesting, and relevant blog in 2011.

Therefore, if you would like to contribute, or would like to know more, please drop us a line or send us an email with your contact details, and we will get in touch!

We look forward to a full year of blogging here at blog.expatindenmark.com, and wish you a Happy New Year!

Your Expat in Denmark Team

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010:

The Hot Debate about the Cold Danes October 2010
112 comments

Does God hate Denmark? August 2010
13 comments

Darth-Pia Strikes Again August 2010
22 comments

Learn to love them: Danish taxes June 2010
2 comments

Hey Denmark, what are you doing?: Coffee and job interviews October 2010
3 comments

New Year 2011 – Photo by Tinus Løvento, Headshots.dk

To those of you who came in to support our recent production of ‘The Collector’ I say thank you. If you didn’t come then maybe my next theatre venture might be of interest…

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, apart from being one of the most perfect stories to tell at this time of year as it follows Ebeneezer Scrooge’s path to redemption, is our newly-written musical version – a fantastic vehicle for Tom McEwan and yours truly to bounce our particular brand of fun and madness off of each other. Christian Dahlberg’s music deserves to be heard by a universal audience. Our talented cast of 25 made up of professionals and non-professionals is from all over the world, and our director, Barry McKenna, who also wrote the theatre adaptation, will work his magic. We’re hoping that this will be the beginning of a beautiful friendship between us, the Copenhagen Theatre Circle and other talented non-professionals and that these 11 shows will provide a litmus paper test to see whether or not there actually is an audience for real, unashamed family entertainment in English, in Copenhagen at this time of year. My instincts tell me that there is, but only you can make sure by coming to see us…

See below for a sneak preview of some of the lyrics penned by Tom McEwan. If you can’t be sentimental at Christmas when can you? Book your tickets at: ctcircle.dk

Life should be love, life should be laughter..
In the past and the present and forever after…
I’m here to heal your haunted heart…
To help you make a brand new start…
To make your life a song and a dance…
Dear Ebeneezer, please give life a chance.

When you wake up one morning, all of Denmark is covered in 20-centimeter snow. How do you react?

a) I look out and then decide to stay inside, and to be honest, I feel kind of terrified! So much snow probably means that all the public transportation is cancelled and work is just for the really brave ones.

b) I pay all the kids a happy thought before I swear a little bit over delayed busses and how slipperiy everything gets. At the (delayed) bus to work, at work and after work I happily tell everyone that wants to hear what a surprise the snow is. I mean, everyone else seem to be talking about it all the time, so why shouldn’t I do it as well?

c) I’m delighted. I call in sick from work and throw myself out there, ready to build snow men and have snow ball fights with anyone passing. Finally I feel like I actually live in an exotic country! We better celebrate before it starts to rain again…

The correct answer is probably: B

But why?

The Danes usually get at least a little bit of snow every year. However, the surprise is just as big every time it happens. The public transportation get cancelled and delayed and everyone keeps talking about the snow like it’s exotic and kind of new. So if you don’t really know what to talk about with new people, than the weather is an even better idea than usually. And remember – disliking the snow is absolutely OK! If it’s there… let’s say for the last two weeks in December, it’s just fine. Because the Danes love a white Christmas. But if it’s there for a longer period of time, you can think whatever, as long as you are a little bit surprised…

About the blogger & photograph

Linn Katarina Grubbström is a Swedish girl, now studying her last year at a master in corporate communication at Århus School of Business and doing internships at an advertising company in Copenhagen. She’s been living in Denmark for two years. You can follow her at her blog linnkatarina.blogspot.com.

You’re meeting someone at 10 AM. When do you turn up?

a) I’m two minutes early, and when the clock is 10 AM I’m patiently sitting outside waiting for my company. Being in time shows that I think that the person I am meeting is important.

b) 10 AM? Seriously? I’m taking it slow and sleep in, because I’m pretty sure that the person I’m meeting finds 10 AM ridiculously early as well. At 11 AM, I’m ready.

c) I’m slightly late. 10 AM I rush out of my apartment, heading to the bike/bus/train. 10.15 AM I call the person that I’m meeting to say that I’m on my way. 10.30 AM I there, with the sweat pouring down. I guess you can call it “fashionably late”?!

The correct answer is probably: A

But why?

The Danes are extremely punctual, and generally have a very low tolerance when it comes to being late, even between friends. Why? Because it’s a sign of disrespect. After all, remembering the Jante Law, if you think it’s OK to keep me waiting 20 minutes (without knowing when or whether you are turning up), you indirectly claim to be worth waiting for. Being a little bit late is okay if you are meeting with your friends (just remember to let them know in advance) and definitely okay if you are going to a party or out for a beer. But when it comes to people you don’t know to well or business relations, you always turn up exactly in time.

About the author:

Linn Katarina Grubbström is a Swedish girl, now studying her last year at a master in corporate communication at Århus School of Business and doing internships at an advertising company in Copenhagen. She’s been living in Denmark for two years. You can follow her at her blog linnkatarina.blogspot.com.

Fortunately it wouldn’t happen, but yet it happens to football managers every week. Win, lose or draw, they are expected to face the TV cameras immediately after a match to give their honest opinion of the game.

This is demanded of them. We, the public it seems, have the right to know everything. The camera moves in to close-up and we analyse every tick, twitch, scratch and move they make…

They have to be careful how they reply regardless of how emotional they are feeling. Sometimes this backfires. They can’t stop themselves from accusing officials of being wrong, of making mistakes, of being the leading character in a farce.

I wonder if they have special people to train them or if they have a mantra they repeat to themselves inwardly as they come out to face the press: ‘You’ve just got to keep a level head in good times and bad times.’

Yes indeed. It must be difficult not to resort to good old Anglo-Saxon vernacular as they relive moments that changed the course of the game.

And besides, all the planning for a match and the tactics can all be made pointless by an early sending-off, an offside goal given, or a goal not given (remember England V Germany, that one by Lampard?).

Strange decisions made by referees and linesmen give ample opportunity for crowds to vent their spleens, to burst the boils and spill the bile of whatever else might be the cause of them being so uptight in their lives, but surely some of the modern technology available should be used to assist these brave human beings who make that decision to be a referee?

I can’t imagine how a slightly portly, balding man wearing glasses has the balls to be a linesman, running up and down a white line waving a little flag that close to the vitriol and the venom. Maybe they are part of a private club that enjoys being verbally abused?

Still they weren’t on the end of the best one-liner I’ve ever heard at a football match that still makes me laugh today: “I’ve seen better ****ing games of Subbuteo!”

By the way my current production of The Collector is packing them in, I’m pleased to say. There are still tickets available for Fridays and Saturdays till November 27.

Originally published in The Copenhagen Post

For the meeting, Alex has made a list of five ideas that he intends to present to the minister (see below). He would, however, love to have as much input as possible. If you have a good idea, email it to af(a)startupbootcamp.dk as soon as possible.

The ideas are mostly aimed at expat entrepreneurs, but points 2 & 4 apply to every entrepreneur in Denmark.

1. Create an elite, but open, entrepreneurship space in Copenhagen.
2. Subsidize housing for qualified foreign entrepreneurs.
3. Support more startup-creating events such as Startup Weekend
4. Create an entrepreneur tax relief scheme similar to the “Forsker skat”
5. Fix the “Iværksætter skat” issue so Danish Business Angel start investing again

Read more about each of the ideas here, and send Alex your ideas now to help create more startups in Denmark!

The “J-dag” was originally (and still is) a marketing stunt, launched for the first time in 1990. As part of the stunt, Tuborg’s iconic trucks drive around the major cities, delivering the brew, and throughout the evening at selected bars, the notorious “Nissepiger” prance around giving out free samples, spreading joy and “Christmas” spirit. Originally the brew was released on the second Wednesday in November at 23:59 (midnight). Due to problems with extraordinarily high absenteeism in schools the next day, however, Tuborg and the Brewers Association agreed to move J-dag to the first Friday, and to start at 20:59.

[Update, Nov. 5: Tuborg's campaign has just won a special acknowledgement at the Advertising Effectiveness Awards (see article in Danish). The "God jul og Godt Tub'år" advertisement campaign was launched in 1980, before the actual Tuborg Christmas Brew existed. The jury agreed that the Tuborg Julebryg campaign is "a cultural institution worth protecting"...]

Since its release in 1990, J-dag has become a public tradition, and this year it celebrates its 20th anniversary. With its iconic commercial (see below), jingle bells, and thirsty Santa, it is almost impossible to avoid during the months of November and December.

J-dag has also spurred an almost simultaneous release of a wide range of alternative Christmas brews from across the country. Ironically, Tuborg Christmas Brew always scores quite low in the experts’ annual evaluation of Christmas brews, as well as with the public. It’s very light, compared with traditional Christmas brews, not particularly spicy, or indeed special in any way.

But that’s not the point.

J-Dag is a party, it’s modern tradition, and it’s an excellent excuse to go out, look ridiculous in your blue Santa hat (see “Sneshoppen” for all kinds of crazy merchandise), and to have fun.

If you drink – drink responsably. If you don’t – check out this country-wide campaign/tradition/phenomenon anyway. It’s a sight worth seeing.

God jul og Godt Tub’år!

The famous Tuborg Julebryg commercial:

Question 2: You are out to meet a new friend. How do you greet?

Answer a)

I do it the formal way – with a firm, convincing hand shake. It shows that I am trustworthy and serious, and a respect for my friend’s private “bubble”.

Answer b)

Ohh, I smile and say “heeeeej!”, and then a cheek kiss to the right, a cheek kiss to the left and finish off with another cheek kiss to the right (à la Suisse).

Answer c)

I give my new friend a kind of awkward one-arm hug. It is somewhere inbetween the intimate cheek kisses, and the formal hand shake, even if it’s… ehh, awkward.

The correct answer is probably: C

But why?

In Denmark, most friends hug when they meet. If you haven’t known each other for long, it might just be with one arm (usually the right). It might be awkward, it might feel stiff (and it probably often is), but for most Danes the kisses-on-the-cheeks-thing feels pretentious. Either you are not close friends (= handshake) or you are proper friends (= hug). Keep in mind, though, that the hand shake is always used for first-time greetings and business relations.

The hugging might feel a bit weird to start with, but in my experience, once you’re in the hugging phase, you never go back!

About the author:

Linn Katarina Grubbström is a Swedish girl, now studying her last year at a master in corporate communication at Århus School of Business and doing internships at an advertising company in Copenhagen. She’s been living in Denmark for two years. You can follow her at her blog linnkatarina.blogspot.com.