CPH Post RELOCATION Winter 2019

RELOCATION WINTER GUIDE 2019

WONDERFUL COPENHAGEN

RELOCATION GUIDE

A SAFE, GREEN AND FRIENDLY CITY

First, I would like to thank you for making the decision to move and relocate to our beautiful city of Copenhagen.

For some of you, it is the intention to pursue your future career here in Denmark that draws you to us. For others, you may come here as a spouse or a student in order to support your family or to study.

Either way you are most welcome.

We need you!

Danish society and Copenhagen as a city need eligible international labor to fill the vacant positions in many of our companies.

International labour creates growth and more jobs, and we cannot afford to lose the progress and development in which foreign labor plays such an important part.

As mayor of employment and integration, I wish to thank you for your future contribution to the Danish welfare state, in which you are about to live.

Without you, we would be a poorer society.

MAKE THE MOST OF IT Once you are here, I recommend that you make use of all the opportunities that an open and friendly city like the Danish capital has to offer.

Copenhagen is ranked as one of the safest cities in the world, and you can easily enjoy a nighttime stroll in the inner city or a picnic

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watching the sun set over the King’s Garden (Kongens Have). This is also why you will see plenty of tourists in the streets. Follow them, and you will find yourself in our many museums, castles and other cultural highlights.

Use our many sports clubs, churches and other religious places, the social gatherings at your workplace or university, or a course at an education association, and don’t give up if your first try fails. A Dane is a friend you haven’t met yet!

GREEN CITY, GOOD FOOD, COLD WEATHER We are also amongst the greenest cities on the planet, so do use our excellent bike paths as much as you can. And go see for yourselves what the different neighbourhoods of Copenhagen have to offer. When it comes to cultural and culinary experiences. Your brain and stomach will be full, I’m sure of it.

You can also engage in local politics or the democratic institutions at your child’s school or at your place of education.

Remember, we Danes take pride in the fact that Denmark is a society concerned with the well-being of all our citizens.

For some, the weather can be a bit of a drag on our latitude, so remember to buy warm clothes for all kinds of situations. But trust me, the sun will come out eventually, and you will feel the warmth and pleasant atmosphere of Copenhagen on your face and body.

So, observe and learn from the Danish way of living while you’re here, and we would love to enhance our lives and society by doing the same with all the fine and enriching elements of life you bring to us.

I’m very happy to bid you welcome to Copenhagen and I wish you a great stay.

So, go out and visit our many green spaces and the clean harbour where you can take a dip; try our city bikes and the street kitchen where you will most likely find food from your own home country.

THE WAY OF THE DANE Danes are warm and open-minded people, but sometimes we need to be unlocked from our Nordic coolness. On the outside we can seem a little distant, but if you make an effort, you will get friends for life and experience the world-famous Danish ‘hygge’.

CECILIA LONNING-SKOVGAARD Mayor of employment and integration

WONDERFUL COPENHAGEN

WELCOME TO COPENHAGEN

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Vi glæder os til at se dig “ We look forward to seeing you ” in Danish

I think we can all agree that you can indeed find Danes who are welcoming, Danes who respond well when you reach out, and Danes who become your loyal friends for a long time. Confirmed.

But, as an expat of more than 10 years in the making, I could also tell you about the Janteloven code, cold temperaments, xenophobia and the subtle arrogance that Denmark really is the best country on this planet. But I don’t want to discourage you!

THE WORD I’M LOOKING FOR IS… PROACTIVE Relocating will be full of challenges, though certainly nothing you can’t handle.

There’s this forest tower – in Camp Adventure.

It’s spiralled and has a great view. But I had to take the metro, 2 trains, 1 bus, and walk on the side of the road for a kilometre to get there. So it’s better to go by car. Info: campadventure.dk – Vijaya, Malaysia

the intriguing and insightful comments on life in this country by expats from a host of Go to Christiania and try the restaurant called countries, including India, Canada, Ireland, Loppen. – Joe, Malaysia Malaysia, the UK, Sweden and Norway. We sprinkled them throughout the issue.

Also, go to restaurant Host in Nørrebro. – Vijaya So go ahead, read the supplement, use it and make the most of your new life in Try La Fontaine, which is a live jazz venue Denmark. or the Dropp Inn, a rock venue. – Martin, Canada, hobby musician Best of luck my expat friend, and let us get started with a few suggestions of cool Eat at Alchemist – you pay 2500 kroner for places to visit in Copenhagen, courtesy of this issue’s trusted internationals. a meal that lasts for 5 hours. But it’s crazy good. – Simran, India, intern at a Michelin star restaurant

As the mayor said, observe and learn from the Danes, who will do the same with you if they’re smart – it can be easy to lose sight of the wealth of knowledge you can gain from this experience, so don’t.

Hija de Sanchez Tacos in the meatpacking district. Really good tacos. And try street food on Refshaleøen. The food and drink scene was a big reason why I came here. Then there’s the Mikkeller beer celebration. – Zef, UK

Whatever happens, always remember the bottom line shared by all expats: no matter what adversaries we might face, we are still one culture, one language and one challenging endeavour richer than we would’ve been had we not relocated.

SO WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? In this supplement, we give you all-new guides to public transportation and socialising in Copenhagen as well as information on the labour and housing markets, sports and education in Denmark.

However, some of my favourite parts are

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La Banchina. It’s a wine bar and they have a small sauna. You can swim afterwards, cause it’s right by the water. It’s tiny, really small, like a little cabin. And they have a jetty, so in the summer you can sit outside. They have a little garden as well. It’s on Refshaleøen. – Pippa, UK SOMA BIRÓ - Editor Publisher: CPH POST • CEO Hans Hermansen • Editor: Soma Biró • Journalists: Jade Emerson Hebbert, Stephen Gadd • Layout: CPH POST • Info: hans@cphpost.dk • Tel: +452420 2411

See Vestre Kirkegaard – there’s a Muslim area, a Jewish area, and a Christian area. It’s an interesting place regarding the question of citizenship – people are different but at the end of the day they can be buried in the same ground. I can also recommend Louisiana Art Museum. – Malin, Norway

WONDERFUL COPENHAGEN

HIT THE GROUND RUNNING

Tidy Tenant Tips & Tricks @ Lease Termination Time

- Is your tenancy agreement coming to an end?

- Are you moving/relocating to another property, city or country?

- Do you know your tenant responsibilities when vacating your property?

Preparing a property to hand back to the landlord is tedious and time consuming. As with any move, there are associated costs; best to prepare for them in advance!

Here is list of tidy tips to take into consideration when preparing to move. They are aimed at alleviating unpleasant surprises at the final handover: - Renovation &/or Repairs o Allow at least 2 weeks for work to be completed o More time if these weeks are close to a public holiday o Obtain 3 offers on each of the following if you are in doubt that it is the correct price: • Household goods removal - Move-In Inspection Report o A good Inspection Report [made at Move-In] with photo documen- • Floor sanding / lacquering • Painting tation is vital in resolving discrepancies when departing • Gardening, cleaning, window cleaning, etc.

• Make sure workmen are registered craftsmen – preferably recommended - Pre-Walk Through Meeting o Make an appointment with your landlord: - Professional Cleaning • At least 1 month before leaving the property o Book cleaners to arrive after the movers are done • To go through the property reporting & noting repairs/damages o Professional cleaning [including windows] costs are between DKK • Agree on what should be completed by final handover & sign it • Understand if the property is being re-rented, sold or repossessed 3,000 – 6,000. by the owner o ‘Do-It-Yourself’ cleaning helps keep costs at minimum: • Discuss how repairs & damage will be handled, & by whom • Clean the obvious • Decalcify water sources • Landlord to handle & deduct from security deposit?

• Clean washing machine & dishwasher dispensers • Tenant to handle and receive full deposit return?

• Be sure to approve offers if the landlord orders renovation (e.g. • Oven & appliances painting, treatment of floors, gardening, cleaning, etc.) o Professional cleaning services know: - Utilities • What to clean & how to clean it o It is a legal requirement to pay until the last day of the lease, unless • Correct products to use • They come back if something is forgotten or substandard otherwise agreed upon with your landlord - Tenancy Agreement o Review it to understand the contractual terms & expectations o It may state that the property must be vacated 14 days before last day of lease

At the move-out meeting with the landlord, you and the landlord must verify what needs to be done and/or repaired. There will be no more meetings after this. There is a difference in tenant responsibilities depending on when the lease agreement was signed. Anything signed after the new rental law from July 2015 should focus on making the property appear to be as it was at move in. If a property is taken over in a newly renovated state, it should be returned so that it appears like new. Walls, ceiling & woodwork should be without scratches and marks. Floors should appear without visible scratches &/or colour differences.

Most Danish landlords are fair and trustworthy. They appreciate tenants that care for their property as if they owned it. Should the process be daunting and/or should you feel deceived or cheated, get a relocation professional involved as soon as possible. Copenhagen Relocations has 30+ years of experience. They pride themselves on their long history of successful security deposit returns. They would be delighted to assist you with your departure process.

FEEL FREE TO CONTACT THEM: CONTACT@RELOCATE.DK OR +45 / 7020 9580

PIXABAY

HOW TO BUY PROPERTY IN DENMARK

IF YOU ARE THINKING OF A LONGER STAY IN DENMARK, YOU MIGHT VERY WELL WANT TO BUY PROPERTY HERE

Buying a place to live might make good sense but it can be a complicated process because there are a number of requirements which apply to non-Danish citizens.

Unless you have lived in Denmark for more than 5 years, you will need to get permission to buy from the Danish Ministry of Justice (Justitsministeriet). They will issue you with a permit, but this is not just a formality and you will have to prove that you are taking up permanent residence in Denmark. The permit is free of charge and is normally issued within 2 weeks.

However, this does not apply if you are an EU citizen and if the property is going to be your permanent residence.

Citizens from countries included in the European Economic Co-operation (EEA) are also exempt from this rule. The EEA countries are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia and Finland.

OWNER-OCCUPIED FLAT

When you buy an owner-occupied flat, you own it once you have paid off the mortgage, and you can take out home equity loans.

CO-OPERATIVE APARTMENT

Co-operative housing (Andelsboliger) is based on the idea that everyone in the co-operative has bought a small part of the whole association. Therefore you share the expenses, but you cannot take out loans in your apartment.

Co-operative housing used to be cheaper than owner-occupied apartments, but today they can be more expensive.

HOW DO I FIND A PROPERTY?

There are a number of internet property portals where you can find all the properties offered for sale by Danish estate agents.

TYPE OF PROPERTY

Boligsiden is one of the biggest, but all the information is in Danish, although the presentation of the properties is usually good in terms of pictures and hard facts. In any case, most estate agents speak passable English, so you can contact the agent for further information.

HOUSE (DETACHED OR TERRACED)

Another site, BoligPortal, has quite a lot of the information in English (boligportal.dk/ en/). Findbolig.nu has a help page where you can download some material in English to enable you to search on the site.

It is wise to consult a lawyer in order to clarify your specific options.

When you are ready to buy, you will have to decide which type of property you wish to buy. There are a number of different options, as listed below: Typically, houses are very expensive in the Copenhagen area, and they are often located a little outside the city centre. Broadly

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speaking, the further away you get from Copenhagen, the cheaper houses become.

RELOCATION WINTER GUIDE 2019

DO I NEED A LAWYER?

In short: Yes! The Danish property market is

highly regulated and the purchasing agreement is an extensive document. Sellers are typically represented by an estate agent and you need a competent advisor as well.

HOW DO I FIND A GOOD LAWYER?

There are several law firms specialising in foreign buyers. For example, Ret&Råd (retraad.dk) have a country-wide chain of law firms that specialise in the buying and selling property and they have offices across the country. Their website also has an English-friendly option.

WHAT COSTS SHOULD I EXPECT?

In Denmark the estate agent is paid by the seller, while the buyer carries the cost of his/her own advisor, usually a lawyer. The typical fee for a lawyer (including the permit application process) ranges from 10-20,000 kr.

In addition to the lawyer’s fee you must pay a deed tax of 1,660 kr plus 0.6 percent of the purchase price. If you take out a mortgage (which is available for foreigner buyers) you must pay an additional 1,660 DKK plus 1.5 percent of the mortgage value.

We moved into an unfurnished flat and went to IKEA to buy a bed. We carried it up the stairs and it turned out to be way too big and we couldn’t get it into the flat. So we had to take it back. The packaging was damaged, but they were so friendly, they were like ‘oh yeah, this happens all the time, no problem.’ People have been sooo accommodating. – Felicia Skarelid, Sweden

DEVELOPING CHARACTER values

community

Global Perspectives

critical thinking life skills

ambition character

leadership

At Skt. Josef ’s International School, we strive to have happy, knowledgable children skilled with the right character so that each child learns how to learn.

Skt. Josef ’s, located just 25 minutes from Copenhagen Central Station in historic Roskilde, provides quality international education for children aged 5 to 16 (Year 1 to Year 11).

Skt. Josef ’s International School

Frederiksborgvej 10, Roskilde

sktjosefs.com

+45 4635 2526 info@sjs-roskilde.dk RELOCATION WINTER GUIDE 2019

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Whether you are well prepared or utterly clueless, here are some of the important first things to do when tackling relocation.

Voicemail was annoying when I first got here – knowing what buttons to push when none of the voicemails had English, except for some car rental companies and the government. Back then, I didn’t know 1 is ‘et’ in Danish, so I kept pressing eight. – Martin Deller from Canada

CPR NUMBER

First things first! Do you have a CPRnumber? For most things in Denmark, you will need a CPR-number (Civil Registration Number). This is easy to obtain through the website or office of your local kommune (council).

In order to get one, you have to meet certain criteria: your stay in the country must last longer than 3 months; if you are an EU citizen, you have a registration certificate (does not apply to Nordic citizens); if you are a non-EU citizen, you have obtained a residence permit; and you have a place to live.

RESIDENCE AND WORK PERMITS

If you wish to stay in Denmark for longer than three months, you will need a residence permit. If you are not a citizen of a Nordic or EU country, you also need a work permit.

There is a fast-track scheme in place to enable certified companies to hire highly qualified foreign nationals at short notice

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without having to wait for an application to be processed by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration.

The scheme also offers foreign nationals the option of working alternately in and out of Denmark.

The easiest thing to do is to designate your basic bank account as your Easy Account.

However, you can also open a specific separate account for this purpose. More information available here: nemkonto.dk/ da/Servicemenu/Engelsk

English information on all this, and more, can be found on the ‘New To Denmark’ website: nyidanmark.dk

DANISH SOCIETY

SETTING UP A BANK ACCOUNT

You will need a bank account in order to receive your salary and any payments made to you by the authorities, such as tax refunds. Danish law allows any person with a CPR-number to open a basic bank account. This will not include overdraft facilities, credit facilities or a debit card.

These have to be agreed on with the bank individually.

EU rules stipulate that you will have to supply the bank with data such as your full name, address, and maybe other information, which has to be verifiable by the presentation of an identity document, preferably including a photo.

EASY ACCOUNT

Another thing that everyone in Denmark needs is an Easy Account (Nemkonto) because all payments from public institutions (tax refunds, child subsidies, pensions, student loans, unemployment benefits, housing support and social welfare payments) are transferred directly to this account by default.

Learning about Danish norms is crucial to understanding the social culture in Copenhagen. Denmark scores well in international polls on things as diverse as lack of corruption and happiness. It is also considered a safe and secure country to live in. Children often walk or cycle to school alone and crime rates against persons are low.

There is a high standard of living in Denmark and Danish society is very egalitarian, both economically and when it comes to gender equality. Taxes can seem very high to newcomers but they go towards providing a comprehensive cradle-to-grave welfare state and most people pay them willingly.

Among other things, the system is geared to providing child-care right from the start, and there are generous maternity and paternity leave allowances, which encourage women to return to the workplace after having children. Local councils are obliged to offer child-care places within the state regime and there are also private child-care options, which are heavily state-subsidised.

WONDERFUL COPENHAGEN

NECESSARY THINGS TO DO

Education and medical treatment are free of charge although there are private clinics and private schools available, should you wish to use them.

TRANSPORTATION

Cycling is extremely popular with people of all ages and social classes, and Copenhagen alone has over 390 kms of designated bicycle lanes. About 55 percent of the locals bike to work and school. In a city like Copenhagen, a bike is often the quickest way of getting around – and there are no parking charges. There are more bikes than cars here: last year, the number of bikes reached higher than 265.000, while there were only about 252.000 cars in the city.

Denmark has the premiere bike-infrastructure in the world. With separate traffic lights for bikes, and separate lanes. Most importantly, drivers are used to it and they pay attention to bikers. The main problem in North America with cycling is that drivers are not used to them. – Martin However, if you live too far from work to bike, or you just sweat like hell when you do it, you will need to make use of the Danish public transportation system. In this case, buses, metros, and trains will likely be essential factors of adapting to life in Copenhagen. See page 10 for a comprehensive guide to public transportation.

GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE

Familiarising yourself with the Danish terrain and weather will help you better adjust to your new home. Denmark consists of the Jutland peninsula (which is attached to Germany) and a number of islands in the Baltic Sea. The largest of these are Zealand, on which the capital city Copenhagen is situated, and Funen.

The island of Bornholm is located east of the rest of the country.

Many of the larger islands are connected by bridges: the Øresund Bridge connects Zealand with Sweden, the Great Belt Bridge connects Funen with Zealand and the Little Belt Bridge connects Jutland with Funen.

Area-wise, Denmark is a relatively small country (43,560 square kilometres) with a population slightly over 5.7 million people. Almost 2 million of them live in the four largest cities – Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg – with Copenhagen having the largest population at 1.3 million.

The country has a temperate climate characterised by mild winters, with mean temperatures in January of 1.5°C (34.7°F), and cool summers, with a mean temperature in August of 17.2°C (63.0°F).

This does not mean, though, that it cannot get very cold here – on 8 January 1982 a record -31.2°C was reported in Hørsted in Thy.

The weather in Denmark is horrible this time around. It’s damp, cold and overcast. It feels colder than Canada even though we have some really cold winters there. Forget it. And wear full Gore-Tex underwear. – Martin Deller I feel like it’s easier to not get depressed here than it is in the UK. Because it’s very cozy here. – Felicia Skarelid Yeah, just looking at every apartment – the attention to detail that people have with lighting and lamps. In Britain people will often have all the lights turned off, watching TV, or they’ll have all the lights on and it will just be bright. Here, even in bars and restaurants we see the darkness being embraced and made into an inviting thing rather than a sad thing. – Zef Cherry-Kynaston, Felicia’s boyfriend, Britain You need to plan activities to go out, because it’s so easy to be lazy and sleep in this weather. You have to force yourself to be active. I also started taking vitamins… vitamin B because we don’t get enough sun. – Vijaya Balan, associate ICT officer at UNHCR, Malaysia For me it’s normal now. I don’t mind about the sun. Sun or no sun, the sun shines in me. – Joe from Malaysia Summer is hot here. And I’m from India – if it’s hot for me, believe me, it’s hot. – Simran Redij from Mumbai, India I can tell Copenhagen is polluted. In Oslo, when there aren’t that many cars on the streets, you can feel the air is fresher. – Malin Molaug from Norway

WONDERFUL COPENHAGEN

Denmark’s most effective Danish courses! www.kiss.dk

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PIXABAY

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DANISH SCHOOLS If you have school-age children, you may be wondering what the Danish educational system is like.

There are a number of questions that will spring to mind if you are a family with young children that have just arrived in Denmark. You may want to know about day-care and what the different options are. For those with older children, the question might be how does the education system function? Is it compatible with the one back home? Is it as good? Then you may need to decide whether to go state or private. All importantly, if my children don’t speak the language, how well will they integrate and will they make friends? It may also be relevant to ask what opportunities there are for higher education and will a degree or qualification taken in Denmark be recognised abroad?

HIGH STANDARDS The Danish school system is considered one of the best in the world and traditionally, Danish governments have

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always prioritised education highly.

Denmark is a small country with few natural resources, so an educated population is vital in our globalised world.

The National Reform Program adopted in 2013 was designed to get more young people to complete their education quickly, as well as ensuring high quality and efficiency within the educational system.

a UK, US or French model, is taught in English, French, Spanish, German or Japanese. Although there may be some Danish students, the student body is typically international. These schools are private and approved by the Ministry of Education to teach in languages other than Danish, either for the whole school or parts of it.

FREE OR FEE-PAYING? All children are entitled to free tuition at Danish municipal primary and lower secondary schools, as are adult students living in Denmark, depending on the level and nature of the institution. However, private schools are also fairly common and as these are heavily state-subsidised, the fees are not as high as they might be in other European countries. Private schools may be faith-based or following particular educational precepts, such as Rudolf Steiner schools. There are also schools for the German minority in Denmark. International schools exist where the curriculum, which often follows

LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT AND TRAINING Children whose mother-tongue is not Danish and are enrolled in a daycare facility may be given a language assessment if there are linguistic, behavioural or other grounds to suggest that the child may be in need of language stimulation. The language assessment is compulsory for all children aged 3 who are not attending a day-care facility. If the assessment shows that language stimulation is needed, the local council must provide it. In primary and lower secondary schools, bi-lingual children can take ‘Danish as a second language’. If basic instruction is needed, the child will be

WONDERFUL COPENHAGEN

THE SIX STAGES There are six stages of education in Denmark: 1. Pre-school 2. Primary and lower secondary education 3. Upper secondary education 4. Vocational education and training 5. Higher education 6. Adult learning.

Before they start pre-school, most Danish children have attended day-care, either in a nursery school or kindergarten.

After preschool, which is optional, children go on to do nine years of compulsory education in primary and secondary school, with an option to take a tenth year.

Pupils are divided into year groups by age, and progression from one year to the next is automatic. The same pupils stay together for all the 9 years. Classes usually consist of between 16 and 26 children.

The tenth form can be taken in the existing school if it is offered there, but is also available at an efterskole, ungdomsskole or frifagskole. As well as providing academic programs allowing entry into higher education, upper secondary education can offer programmes of a more vocational nature.

These are aimed at giving direct entry into the labour market and are often in conjunction with internships in various top Danish companies.

assigned to a reception class, a scheme for teaching in teams, or individual instruction. Bilingual children can participate in ordinary teaching but those who need extra support are referred to supplementary teaching. The number of lessons is tailored to the needs of the individual. A limited number of bilingual children in primary and lower secondary schools are offered tuition in their mother-tongue.

KEEP ON LEARNING Denmark has a long tradition of lifelong learning and many Danes participate in adult education. It is also common for workplaces to expect staff to upgrade their skills through educational schemes throughout their working careers.

There are so-called folk high schools in Denmark: they offer a broad range of courses lasting from 4 days to 36 weeks.

No particular educational or professional qualifications are required to attend these and most students are between 18 and 24 years old. You sleep, eat, study and spend your spare time at the school. There are no exams – but you get a diploma as a proof of your attendance.

As for language schools, though studying Danish has recently become an expensive quest (unless you’re a refugee), some organisations offer free Danish courses – Red Cross and Bethesda church are two examples. Red Cross also does other relevant volunteer work such as their couples’ integration program, which provides help managing your relocation. As for digital means of language learning, you can start by checking out duolingo.com.

I think maybe the Irish system is better. Denmark is easy going – kids can choose what to do. But sometimes kids need discipline. I don’t think Danish people are well educated. – John Meagher, Ireland

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ALL PHOTOS: SOMA BIRÓ

YOUR GUIDE TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN COPENHAGEN

BY SOMA BIRÓ GETTING FROM C TO P (AND H) When commuting in the Copenhagen metropolitan area, there are three main means of public transportation: S-trains, buses and the metro – your quickest option (granted your destination lies on any of its three lines). To travel outside the capital area, you’ll find regular trains you can take from different stations in the city.

S-TRAINS S-trains have letter designations without numbers (A, B, Bx, C, D, E, F, H) and they cover a total of 84 stations in the Copenhagen metropolitan area. They run non-stop from Friday to Sunday (not including Sunday nights) and during nights before holidays. As for the rest of the week, they begin their routes at 5 in the morning and stop about half past midnight – after that, you can use buses or the metro. From

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morning to evening, S-trains arrive every ten minutes (the F-line, every 5.

On the nights when S-trains operate, they run twice every hour. You can take your bike along for free.

BUSES Buses are designated either by a number (14) or a number and a letter (2A).

There are several different types: yellow buses, A-buses, S-buses, R-buses, Ebuses, municipality-buses and +Way (or Cityline) buses – these are your greenest option as they function on CO2neutral biogas. There are also night buses, which run between about 00:30 and 06:00 – they are all designated with a number and the letter ’N’. Some of the other buses are also operational during the night: 5C, 2A, 10 and 250S are a few examples. You can easily figure out which bus to take using one of the apps and websites we’ll mention below.

THE METRO The metro never sleeps, so you’ll find a ride all day, every day of the week.

During rush hours, M1 and M2 lines run every 2-4 minutes while M3 lines run every 3 minutes. Heading back from a night out on Friday or Saturday, between 01:00 and 07:00, you’ll need to wait 7-15 minutes for M1/2 cars, and 12 minutes for M3 trains. M4 line coming soon(er or later)!

TICKETS Where to buy them At every train and metro station, you’ll find ticket machines. Some of these will accept notes, coins and credit card while others, only the latter two. You can usually buy tickets at the local 7-eleven as well, unless there is a DSB office at that station. (DSB is Denmark’s largest train operating company.)

SOMA BIRÓ

You will find train tickets at DSB’s website, dsb.dk, and their app, as well as on the DOT Tickets app, where bus tickets are also available. Bus tickets can also be purchased on the buses, assuming you have some cash with you. There are also some trains that have a ticket machine on board – don’t count on this though, it’s a rare sight.

The zone system If you buy a ticket, you will be able to use it on trains, the metro and buses in the zones it covers: so a ticket that covers 3 zones will allow you to hop on a metro and switch to a bus – inside those zones – without having to pay for a new ticket.

You don’t have to worry too much about the zone system though. As long as you know where you’re headed, you simply buy a ticket to that station and it will automatically include as many zones as you need to get there. Zones are perhaps most relevant when you already have some kind of a ticket, say, a commuter card (see below), and you suddenly need to go somewhere outside your usual commute route: in that case, it’s a good idea to check if your new destination is inside any of the zones your card covers – otherwise you’ll need to buy an additional ticket.

Single tickets You’ll find one way and round-trip tickets through all the mentioned channels. You can bring two children along for free as long as they’re under 12.

CityPass and Copenhagen Card Both are great options for tourists, but expats wishing to quickly acquaint themselves with their new city might also make good use of it. They offer unlimited travel by bus, train

A focus on learning

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

Cambridge International School

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and metro in the Copenhagen metropolitan area (zones 1-99). CityPass also comes in a smaller package that covers zones 1-4. Both can be bought for a duration of 24, 48, 72 or 120 hours – CityPass has an additional 96-hour option. CPH Card delivers the added extra of discounts (or free entry) to several museums and attractions. Buy a CityPass at citypass.dk, ticket machines or on the DOT Tickets app. Copenhagen cards are available at copenhagencard.com or the Copenhagen Card app, which also serves as a digital city guide.

COMMUTER OPTIONS Youth card (Ungdomskort) If you are between 16 and 19, doing your secondary education or studying at a higher education institution, then this is the card for you. You may travel an unlimited number of times (on train, bus and metro) between your institution and your home, as well as in one of the three sets of zones that make up Zealand – depending on which one you live in. This card will also give you discounts all over the country on regular tickets. If you are a student, you need to be approved for

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it. A youth card can span from 30 to 120 days. You can order one at ungdomskort.dk (has an English version).

A commuter card (see below) is cheaper than an Ungdomskort in two cases: if you’re studying at a higher education institution and commute through less than 4 zones, or if you are not a student but aged 16-19 and travel less than 4 zones.

Commuter card (Pendlerkort) If you commute but you’re not a student, you should probably go for this one. You’ll get an unlimited amount of trips within your range of travel for a duration of minimum 30 and maximum 59 days. This card too can be used on buses, trains and the metro (though this last one needs to be specifically selected when buying the card). You can buy a Pendlerkort in the DSB app or the DOT Tickets app – prices are the same.

REJSEKORT It hits the spot There’s a special type of card that comes in many forms and is way cheaper than a regular ticket. The Rejsekort: it can be used almost eve-

rywhere – metro, bus, S-train, etc. All you need to do is to take the card and check in before the trip by holding it to the round, blue spot on the flat, grey stand (you can’t miss it) and check out once you arrive. For buses, you check in on the bus itself. If you change (e.g. from metro to S-train), you need to check in again, without checking out, and only check out once you reach your final destination.

You can also check in and out at the special Rejsekort vending machines, where you can also fill up your card and add others (as well as dogs and bikes) to your travel. You can also add others to your travel on the Rejsekort check-in stands that read “extra” above the blue spot – push one of its buttons and follow instructions.

A plethora of options There are several types of Rejsekort: a few examples are flex (which you can share with others), personal, corporate or a Rejsekort with a commuter area.

A Rejsekort with a commuter area, for example, will cost you as much as a normal commuter card (plus 50 kroner for the card itself) with the added ability to use it as a regular Rejsekort

when you travel outside your usual route. For most cards, you can arrange an automatic top-up of your balance or do it yourself when needed (on the online self service, at Rejsekort vending machines or at retailers).

Regarding commuter cards and Rejsekort, you might ask: “Why not just have a normal Rejsekort? I just check in and out each time I travel and it’s all good.”

Because, if you travel more than about 27 times in 30 days, you will probably pay less as the owner of a commuter card (or a Rejsekort with a commuter area) than you will if you’re using a regular Rejsekort.

Don’t check in too early!

Make sure you don’t check in too early, as the number of zones you travel through is correlated with time: for example, a trip through three zones on Zealand can last no longer than 1.5 hours. So, if you check in at the station 30 minutes too early, the system will deduct two extra zones worth of money (one for each 15 minutes over the allocated time). If you go over time because your train is delayed during the trip and you end up paying more

than you should, you can contact Rejsekort or ask for compensation from the traffic company you were travelling with.

and Apple maps – all useful tools to get an overview of your trip, see where you might need to change, and find alternatives to your plan.

Shit, I forgot to check out!

All is not lost: there’s an app called Check Out (Danish: Check Udvej) that you can download and use to report the slip up. You must do this within ten days after your trip and they won’t charge you more than the price of the journey. However, you can’t use this app if you have an anonymous Rejsekort.

However, the go-to app and website for many Danes is Rejseplanen (rejseplanen.dk or journeyplanner. dk). It plans your travels in a similar fashion to the other apps (though its map function isn’t really useful) and it shows you important details such as the platform your train arrives at or how late it is. It also gives you different ticket possibilities for the same journey, including links to the sites you can purchase them on. You can click on “follow my journey” and the app will update you on any changes.

For more info, see rejsekort.dk APPS AND WEBSITES There are many more options for commuters and those wishing to buy a single ticket. To make sure you’re traveling with the best one for you, visit the following websites for more information: dsb.dk (mostly in Danish), dinoffentligtransport.dk, m.dk Besides the previously mentioned ticket apps (DSB and DOT Tickets), we must highlight Citymapper, Google

Every Great Story Needs a Great Character Far too often, education focuses on the curriculum to be delivered, the content to be learnt, and the assessment to be graded. For some, education is seen as just a series of checkpoints: primary school- secondary school- high schoolundergraduate degree- masters degree. Check, check, check, check, check.

BUY A TICKET OR HIDE IN THE BATHROOM Remember your ticket or beware of the conductors and start slowly walking the other way. Sometimes they’ll let you off with a “make sure to check in next time”, while on other occasions they are ruthless, ready to make an extra buck for the company – and what an amount that is: your wallet would bleed a total of 750 kroner.

learn discipline in order to focus their talents. That is why students at Skt. Josef ’s are explicitly taught skills such as grit, optimism and gratitude. We encourage curiosity and zest for learning. We want children to believe in themselves through a positive growth mindset and learn how to get along with others by developing the students social-emotional intelligences.

Where is the fun in that?

School provides an excellent opportunity for character building. It is a safe place where children can learn to become adults.

In order to complete and collect all these certificates and diplomas along the way, one must put in a lot of hard work, demonstrate commitment, display dedication, be persistent, show resilience, and so on. To sum all these skills up with one word one needs to possess ‘character’.

If you would like your child to build character, or if you would like to learn more about Skt. Josef ’s International School visit our website- sktjosefs.com.

Lots of blood, sweat and tears helps to form character. Trying, failing and picking yourself up again helps to build character.

You are the main character in the story of your own life and every great story needs a great character.

Skt. Josef ’s International School aims to build character by understand the true meaning of education. Students need to learn the skills that will help them to learn and to understand their learning process. Even geniuses need to

sktjosefs.com - +45 46 30 46 05 - Frederiksborgvej 10 - 4000 Roskilde

PIXABAY

THIS SPORTING LIFE FROM FOOTBALL AND RUGBY TO NETBALL One of the best ways to settle into life in a new country and also meet new people is to join a sports club. The Copenhagen area has lots of them and some cater especially for internationals, so there are good opportunities to keep up with the sports from back home, should you so wish.

Here are a few suggestions for the sports-minded new arrival to Denmark, but many other sports take place in the Copenhagen area and can be found by a diligent search of the internet.

NETBALL Copenhagen netball club offers an annual membership for 450 kr per year and promises fun and social activities on the side, so it’s a good place to start your ‘net’ work. You can try out twice for free, and if you’re ready to join, training is open for everyone – experienced or uninitiated. Training is held in Bellahøj on Wednesdays at 20:00. Contact: copenhagennetballclub@gmail.com, or visit netball.dk CRICKET Part of the Danish Cricket Federation, Copenhagen Cricket Club offers training for adults and children alike with teams for senior, youth and junior players. Training takes place in Brønshøj both in winter and summer, with morning and evening training for juniors and youth, and evening and weekend meet-ups for the senior teams.

The club also offers tutoring for young people and has an integration-orientated philosophy. Contact: info@copenhagencricketclub.dk, copenhagencricketclub.dk SOFTBALL Baseball is hard to find in Denmark, but internationals and Danes make do with the next best thing, softball, and there’s no better club in the capital than Gladsaxe Softball Club. As well as offering fun and competitive games to its adult members, the club also runs a number of different youth

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sides and is always looking for members.

Contact: gsk-softball.dk AMERICAN FOOTBALL Could American football be the sport for you – you’ll never know until you give it a try. There are also lots of youth teams should your kids fancy their chances. Contact: headcoach@copenhagen-towers.dk; copenhagen-towers.dk FOOTBALL Founded in 1982, international football club Copenhagen Celtic has close to 100 members representing at least 30 different countries, providing a great social base to them all. Whether you choose 11 or 7-a-side football, in 2018 there will be 8 active squads catering for all age levels. During winter, indoor football is also an option. Most of the training takes place in the evenings at Valby Idrætspark. New players are always welcome – Contact: copenhagenceltic@gmail. com, copenhagenceltic.com, facebook. com/CopenhagenCeltic.

AUSSIE RULES Australian rules football has established itself well in Denmark – so well in fact that it has a league of its own. Just like other sports brought over by expats, it is equally enjoyed

by Danes as well. There are three men’s teams in the Copenhagen area – Copenhagen Barracudas, Copenhagen Giants and Farum Cats, plus a women’s team – the Farum Wildcats. Training sessions for the Barracudas take place twice a week from 18:00-20:00 at Valby Idrætspark, in summer (Apr-Sept) on Tuesdays and Thursdays and in winter (NovMarch) on Mondays and Wednesdays. Contact: bcudas@gmail.com, cphaf.dk.

RUGBY UNION The Exiles are a rugby union team who welcome not only students and academics, but all internationals passionate about rugby. The club is based in Kongens Lyngby on the prem-

ises of the Danish Technical University. Exiles train twice a week. Winter training is on Tuesdays indoors at DTU (Women: 18:00-19:30/ Men’s 19:30-21:00) and Saturdays outdoors at Lyngby Stadium from 15:00-17:00. Summer Training is Tuesdays and Thursday at DTU (outdoors) from 18:00-20:00. If you’re not sure whether or not rugby union is something for you, try it out for a month free of charge first!

Contact: exiles.dk, facebook.com/ExilesRUFC GAELIC FOOTBALL The Gaelic Football Association in Copenhagen offers not only a good opportunity for exercise and competition but also a strong network and community for its members, from barbecue gatherings to help finding a place to live. And as all the games are played against foreign teams, the club tends to visit at least two European cities a season.

Outdoor training takes place from April to October on Tuesday evenings from 17:55 at Arsenalvej 2. Indoor training for the winter season (Feb-Apr) is on Tuesday evenings from 20:00 at Hvidkildevej 64, Cph NV. Contact: copenhagengaa@gmail.com, copenhagengaa.com ICE SKATING The number one place to skate in Copenhagen has to be Frederiksberg Runddel (Smallegade 1 – the rink is featured on the cover of this supplement!), where thousands flock every week during the Danish winter. It costs just 50 kroner to rent skates, and there are special penguins for the little ones who aren’t sure of their balance.

SKIING It might sound astonishing to discover that flat Denmark offers skiing, but for several months now a dry ski slope has been in action on the roof of Amager Bakke, the huge new incinerator in the south of the city. Also known as Copenhill (copenhill.dk), it costs 150 kroner to try it out. Denmark has never won a skiing medal at the Winter Olympics before …

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WONDERFUL COPENHAGEN

THE SOCIAL ASPECT

LET’S HANG OUT!

BY JADE EMERSON HEBBERT Excitement and eagerness may be two of the emotions bubbling in you as an expat ready to conquer your new country.

Yet, with the change, other feelings – like isolation and loneliness – can emerge while struggling to navigate your new social sphere.

SOCIETY OF SOLITUDE? GAME ON!

Often considered to be the home of the happiest people in the world, Denmark appears to be ideal for a seamless transition. However, the majority of expats struggle to break into the social sphere.

According to a survey by InterNations, Denmark is the third worst country for making friends. In fact, 79% said it was difficult to make local friends, while 57% struggled to make new international friends.

The reasons for this initial difficulty can be narrowed down to cultural differences. As a homogenous society, Denmark can be seen to some for its sameness. Friendships are usually formed in school, and carried throughout life. Furthermore, home life is the centre of Danish culture, constituting tight-knit family bonds. So yes, it can be tough, but don’t give up – take it as a challenge. And, by the way, people have made friends in Denmark before, and so will you!

GETTING STARTED

In an increasingly globalised world, developing connections is ever important.

By working to understand the Danish culture, traditions, and language, the

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daunting social aspect of a relocation can become an avenue for experiences and relationships that last a lifetime.

The most important aspect of developing connections after moving to Denmark is to get involved, whether that be through a sporting organisation, volunteering, or an event. A shared interest establishes a relationship rooted in experiences and memories – certainly a good start.

With a thriving nightlife and endless opportunities, Copenhagen is the perfect place to dive into your new country. Here’s how to get started…

LEARN THE LANGUAGE

First and foremost, learning Danish is not only advantageous to your new workplace but it also helps you bridge into Danish life regardless of how long your stay is.

There are over 50 language schools in Copenhagen, both public and private, allowing you to find the best learning environment and meet people along the way.

Although the high number of Englishspeaking Danes makes learning Danish non-essential, learning the language opens up a doorway into integrating by allowing you to be better equipped for social environments and to embrace everyday conversation and comprehension.

ACTIVITIES FOR THE ACTIVE

If you’re into any sport, one of the best (and most popular) ways to meet people is getting involved in an athletic club.

In addition to the bonding experiences

Back when I moved here, in the 70s, everyone was happy to speak English; there weren’t many foreigners back then. Now, there are too many foreigners so they don’t want to speak English.

The women were great, I have no complaints. You’d just walk into a park and everybody was naked; you’d see women on bikes topless… and I came here from a catholic country, you know.

When people would complain about foreigners and I’d say ‘but I’m a foreigner too’, they’d say ‘you’re not a real foreigner – you drink beer and watch football’. I did all the things they were doing. I had no issues with socialising. None.

It was an advantage being Irish. It was popular. It has nothing to do with who I am as a person. But with some other countries… people have a hang-up about them. Like, if you’re from the middle east or Eastern Europe.

– John Meagher moved here from a town of six-thousand in Ireland 40 years ago and calls himself a working class socialist. of practices and games, many sports clubs offer fun social activities. One such club is the international Copenhagen Celtic football club. With close to 100 members representing at least 30 different countries, it provides a great social base and new players are always welcome

(free trials are the norm!). Other sporting clubs in Copenhagen include netball, American Football, softball, roller derby, rugby, Gaelic football, lacrosse, and cricket.

There’s sure to be something for everyone!

If you’re looking for something with less structure than a sports team but with just as much vigour, consider plunging into the great outdoors. Take advantage of Denmark’s coastline – at 7,314 kilometres, it is the 16th longest in the world! – by joining a rowing club or by participating in surfing, sailing, fishing or spearfishing. Other outdoor activities include hiking or mountain biking through the scenic Danish countryside.

I think the best thing is to find people who have the same hobby as you and go deep into that. – Malin, here on exchange

SCHOOLS

School isn’t just for kids! Education can be a life-long endeavour in Denmark. Consider taking a long (8-40 weeks) or a short (1-7 weeks) course at a folk high school with more than a 150 subjects available for both durations, and no upper age limit (though you have to be at least 16 to attend a ‘højskole’). A good way to learn something you always dreamed of trying while also a neat (and very Danish) opportunity to socialise. danishfolkhighschools.com

DATING

Dating apps have progressively grown in popularity in Denmark, creating a modern way to build both platonic and romantic relationships. Two of the most popular apps in Denmark are Tinder, a locationbased social search, and Bumble, which can be used for dating, finding friends, or even career-building.

To meet people more organically, the Strøm bar and the Blume bar are favourites among singles. This brings us to…

NIGHT LIFE

As with any large city, Copenhagen has a thriving nightlife and, with the legal drinking age beginning at 16 (18 to be served at bars and clubs), parties are an undeniable force in the Danish social sphere. The extensive bar scene ranges from Ruby, known for its elegant atmosphere in a townhouse from 1740, to the more traditional The Dubliner and Kennedy’s as well as The Globe, which is known as a hub for expats. Clubs, too, can appeal to a variety of different tastes

For students, every university faculty has a bar where students can unwind and grab a beer after class. And for those up for an adventure, consider a bar crawl through each of the faculty bars. Some students even join the bar staff to socialise!

Additional ideas for a night out include attending a show at the Royal Danish Opera House located right on the water or catching a movie (in original language with Danish subtitles) at a local cinema.

VOLUNTEER

As an egalitarian society, there’s plenty of volunteer work in Denmark. And as an expat, volunteering is a great way to meet likeminded people, develop new skills, and give back to the community… and often you don’t even need to speak Danish!

We went to see the little mermaid with some Americans, and they said ‘she’s so little’, and I said ‘we never said she’s big.’

– Joe Christian Andersen’s fairy tale!

Tivoli, located in the heart of Copenhagen, is a charming garden, amusement park, and event venue all in one, making it the ideal place for kids and adults alike and a must for anyone staying in Copenhagen.

ADDITIONAL EVENTS

The International House hosts events in English, targeting newly relocated persons free of charge. These events span from information sessions on the Danish Tax System and Leisure Guidance to a Christmas party in December. Not only will the sessions provide invaluable information, but they’ll also put you in direct contact with other expats. See https://ihcph.kk.dk/ for more information and opportunities.

WONDERFUL COPENHAGEN

Schools are the perfect place to create a connection with other families. From a young age, school becomes the hearth of social connections for Danes, and as a parent, schools provide a chance to meet other parents.

from disco to techno. Known for an exotic atmosphere, The Drunken Flamingo is one of the many clubs popular to Danes.

Volunteer options include CPH Volunteers, an organisation with meet-ups and events for its almost 2000 members; The Volunteer Centre, which links people to meaningful projects; and Volunteering.dk, the largest volunteering portal in Denmark.

If you still aren’t sure which volunteer group is the best for you, check out the volunteer fair hosted by the International House Copenhagen twice a year.

ACTIVITIES WITH KIDS

Copenhagen is undeniably a kid-friendly city, with parks and attractions galore.

Copenhagen is home to a world-famous zoo and aquarium ideal for little ones.

There’s even a museum dedicated just to Children at The National Museum.

Finally, consider taking your child to the Copenhagen Harbour to see The Little Mermaid statue straight out of Hans The social aspect is a mixed bag. It’s hard to get to know Danes. They tend to make friends when they are younger and keep them. It’s hard to get into that circle.

I made some friends through work, but it’s not like you hang out after work for drinks.

It’s not a constant sort of thing.

I also made some international friends through the organisation InterNations. [See internations.org and choose Denmark] – Martin Deller, moved here 4 years ago for love I go to Bastard Café, where you can play board games, and I’ve met a couple of people there.

I went in and told the lady that I’m okay playing anything, and she pointed me to a group and said “these guys are regulars, you can sit with them”. Also, every Monday they have an event where you can play with strangers – for people who want to make some friends or need some company. It’s called Monday Matchup! facebook.com/BastardCafe/events There’s a group on Facebook for expats, so I’m also on that. They have a lot of events coming in. facebook.com/groups/expatsincopenhagen – Simran, moved here 4 months ago I went to church. They have English mass and Danish mass. I went to Danish mass to get to know Danish people. I go to Sakramentskirken in Nørrebro. – Joe, moved here decades ago

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PIXABAY

TAKING ON THE JOB MARKET

As they say, work is good for the soul, and if you’re looking for some guidance in trying to land a job in Denmark, you’ve come to the right place.

A LITTLE BACKGROUND

Because Denmark has a high proportion of unionised labour, it has been possible to develop a system whereby pay and working conditions are typically worked out by means of collective agreements between unions and employers’ organisations (the so-called ‘Danish Model’). Statutory regulation of the labour market is thus kept to a minimum.

The ‘flexicurity model’ regulates the market to ensure the most productive, flexible and secure working conditions possible.

It combines a flexible labour market with social security for all workers.

Work-life balance is also considered very important. The Danish working culture is based on collaboration and personal responsibility. Everyone is encouraged to contribute with ideas and the atmosphere in the Danish workplace is professional but also casual. This should enable you to balance a career with family life.

GETTING STARTED

To get a job in Denmark, you will need to be registered in the Civil Registration System (CPR) – see page 4. Once you have a CPR number, you will be able to obtain a tax card.

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If you have an educational qualification from your own country, it helps to have it assessed by the Danish Agency for Higher Eduction (Styrelsen for Videregående Uddannelser). This will provide information to potential employers on the equivalent level of education and may also indicate which Danish program your education is most similar to.

JOB PORTALS

Applying for a job in Denmark is similar to applying for a job anywhere. You can either: • Respond to a job advert that you find in a newspaper or on the internet • Send unsolicited applications to all the companies that interest you • Register your CV on the many job databases, who will then contact you once they find potential matches • Establish a professional network and make it known that you are looking for work, which may lead to good contacts and eventually a job. This is important – 58 percent of all jobs are not advertised and are landed through networking There are a number of online job portals which you can use for job-seeking, as well as several organisations and your local municipality. Here are some of them: jobindex.dk, workindenmark.dk, indeed. dk and danskdynamit.dk. Don’t forget Linkedin either.

The municipal job centre also has

information on how best to prepare job applications and tips on writing a CV. The website of the City of Copenhagen under Welcome to Denmark (international. kk.dk) has a wealth of information in English on all aspects of life in Denmark for new arrivals, including several pages on job-seeking. You’ll find information on courses about job-seeking, salaries, subsidies that might be available, internships and education in Denmark.

The website also contains a separate section on starting your own business, with details on how to do it and what permits etc. you will need to get your dream enterprise off the ground.

BUSINESS ETIQUETTE

The Danish business culture can come as a bit of a shock to people used to more authoritarian and hierarchical working practices. Most Danish companies offer very good working conditions, modern facilities and technical equipment of a high quality. Competence development through courses and education is highly prioritised.

Generally speaking, the Danish workplace culture is characterised by being rather informal. In most sectors there is no dress code (although it is wise to check this in advance), and when talking to each other, people don’t use “Sir” and “Ms”, but are on first-name basis with their colleagues,

from trainees to managers and superiors.

Your colleagues will also use your first name, and people say ‘du’ (the informal ‘you’) when they address each other. You might be slightly more formal in mail correspondence, though still addressing the other as ‘you’.

The Danish workplace is also characterised by being democratic and equal. The Danes care about equal rights, and this is reflected at work.

Employees enjoy a high degree of freedom and are expected to work independently and to show initiative. The work culture is

often open, and your manager may not be checking your work all the time, or giving you new tasks.

You are expected to work things out for yourself and work independently, though in many cases you can discuss matters with your colleagues and ask your manager for advice. You will often be given your own areas of responsibility and have a relatively high level of independence at your workplace.

THINGS TO NOTE

• Teamwork and co-operation are valued qualities

• The usual full-time working week in Denmark is 37 hours, distributed over 5 days • In addition to the set public holidays, the minimum holiday entitlement is five weeks per year for a full-time employee.

However, this is ‘earned’ at 2.08 days per month and the calculation usually starts on 1 January • There may be work-based social events, such as a summer party or Christmas party and it’s a good idea to involve yourself in these • While not unheard of, relationships at work usually do not carry over into private life. There tends to be a distinction between work and home life.

Let’s see what our expats had to say about finding jobs in Denmark and the work norms they encountered here: A big difference is that we don’t put pictures on CVs – you can easily be discriminated against this way. Here, CPR numbers include your birthdate – that can also work against you if you’re older and run into some ageism. In Canada, you can’t read people’s birthdates from their social insurance numbers. — Martin, global mobility consultant I’m doing an unpaid internship and it’s shit. I don’t recommend it to anybody. I work at a Michelin star restaurant and I was told I would have to work 38-45 hours a week – this is also what my visa said. But I work 60, sometimes 70 hours per week. 80 hours have been the most so far. I barely get sleep or have time to do much else. I asked them to reduce my hours to 40 and they responded that I might as well quit then. But my visa is tied to my internship, so I can’t quit and stay here. Visa is a bitch. – Simran, chef I’m a digital designer and I’m lucky that I can communicate how employable I am just by building my own website. I made a portfolio website, put a big yellow banner on it that said ‘I’m looking for jobs in Copenhagen’ – it was that obvious – and I shared it around on twitter and that helped me get a dialogue with a few different companies. That was more successful than traditional job seeking. – Zef, senior product designer at GoMore What people say about a better work-life balance here, I think it’s true. I was quite surprised that people left the office at like 4 or 5 o’clock. That’s not really the culture in the UK. – Pippa, fashion People tend to work longer and harder in this city than in Norway. I also hear this from a lot of my Norwegian friends who work here. – Malin, student and pedagogue Danish people are fairly direct but can also be passive aggressive. The language doesn’t have many conditionals so they don’t beat around the bushes much. At the same time, Danes are not big on confrontation and they can quickly take things personally. – Martin again I thought that it was going to be quite easy for me, that I would be able to apply for any Danish job like a Danish speaker would – I speak Swedish but I understand Danish. Turned out it was much more difficult. So… I actually ended up lying on my CV, saying that I speak fluent Danish. All of a sudden people started responding to my CV. Then, I had an interview and they asked me about this and I was like ‘no, okay, I lied, but nobody was getting back to me.’ But they just laughed and were like ‘yeah, it’s fine, you’ll survive’ and they hired me.

– Felicia, people and organisation consultant at PwC PIXABAY

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TAKING CARE OF MAN’S BEST FRIEND

Professional pet service and dog walking in Copenhagen and North Zealand They say that the dog is man’s best friend: should you move to Copenhagen or North Zealand along the Strandvejen coastline, there is a pet service company that can cater to your best pal’s daily needs during a busy day. Run by Nini Karpatoff, ProfHundelufter is Denmark’s oldest pet service company.

Nini came up with the idea over 20 years ago after a friend told her about seeing ten dogs walked at once in Central Park in New York. Inspired by the possibilities of working as a dog walker, Nini launched her company in Denmark.

AFTER TWO DECADES, IT’S A WALK IN THE PARK

With 20 years of experience in dog walking, minding and more, Nini can pick up your dog on weekdays at around noon in her canine-friendly car and take it to run-free areas that allow dogs to bound about without a leash. Happy and tired from the excursion, the dog is then dropped off at your home with a rub of the belly, a bowl full of water and a tasty treat.

You will return home to a content dog that hasn’t been alone all day. Should you feel like you are missing out on the fun, you can always check out Nini’s social media platforms for images of your happy hound frolicking about in nature.

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DANISH DOG WHISPERER

As the language of dogs is international, Nini can communicate with any type of breed and takes a maximum of 8-10 dogs along at once to ensure that everyone gets their fair share of attention. Over the years, she has looked after over 200 dogs of 50 different races. A trial period of three to four walks allows both parties to get accustomed to one another’s behaviour.

Inspecting Nini’s outstanding reviews on her website and social media, it quickly becomes apparent that her clients are loyal, satisfied, and that some of them live in Denmark permanently, while others only temporarily. Nini even has clients who have left Denmark, but still contact her for advice.

DOGS WOULD CHOOSE PROFHUNDELUFTER

Nini describes her pet service for dogs as a healthy professional life that yields a lot of love and she feels a close bond with the four-legged friends. It also helps that Nini loves being in nature. As she so fondly says, “There’s no such thing as bad weather – not for your dog, not for me.” So you can always count on your dog being picked up and walked. The only reason a photo of your dog might not be taken during the outing is if it’s pouring outside.

The demand for dogs being accompanied in cars or on airplanes is on the rise – this

is also something that ProfHundelufter can arrange. Furthermore, Nini can care for your dog in your home, or hers, should you be away on holiday or for work.

And should your dog become ill, Nini co-operates with Anicura Copenhagen Animal Hospital – they are ready to provide medical care 24/7. Additionally, Nini can also obtain vaccines from them, if required.

So, if you’ve moved to Copenhagen and you’re having doubts about your dog accompanying you, or being able to settle in its new surroundings, help is just a click or a call away with ProfHundelufter.

Everything is possible and prices are reasonable considering the level of care your dog will be met with at ProfHundelufter.

References for ProfHundelufter/Nini Karpatoff: www.profhundelufter.dk www.instagram.com/profhundelufter.dk www.facebook.com/profhundelufter www.anicura.dk Phone number for new clients: Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00 Mobile: 22 99 08 89 Email: info@profhundelufter.dk

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Do you have a taste for high-quality learning, outstanding teachers and fast progression? At Studieskolen, Danish has been on the menu for more than 40 years. We know how to serve it.

Choose from a variety of different classes at studieskolen.dk

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RELOCATION WINTER GUIDE 2019

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Bi rke rø d Gy m nas iu m H F, I B & B o ard i ng S cho ol

Study IB at a truly international school a stone’s throw from Copenhagen OPEN HOUSE Tuesday the 2 8th January 2020 7.30pm We look for wa rd to seeing you!

Birkerød Gymnasium, HF, IB & Boarding School has been an IB World School since 1991, offering Pre-IB and the upper secondary IB Diploma Programme.

A vibrant environment of more than 60 nationalities gives the school a unique international atmosphere in which not only English and Danish are spoken, but also a number of other languages. IB at Birkerød Gymnasium is a unique chance to experience both the international atmosphere of the IB programmes as well as the atmosphere of a Danish national school.

To learn more about IB at Birkerød Gymnasium visit www.birke-gym.dk