The International - April 2024

THE IMPORTANCE OF USING YOUR VOICE!

DDEAR READERS

Are you an EU citizen living in Denmark? My editor's note this month is dedicated to those of us who have a voice here in our adoptive country? Why is this important? Well, because we all should recognise the power we hold in shaping our future. Whether you've been here for years or just arrived, your voice matters!

Did you know that Denmark is home to around 250,000 non-Danish EU residents? That's a pretty sizable chunk of the population, right? And guess what? Each of us has the right to get involved and make our voices heard in the democratic process.

As EU citizens living in Denmark, we are given some exceptional rights compared to other countries. We're talking about freedom of speech, the right to gather, and the ability to join forces and make some noise about the things that matter most to us (I personally will be protesting alongside #enmillionstemmer for handicap rights in May, but that's a story for another day). And trust me, with the decisions being made in the EU Parliament affecting everything from handicap rights to the economy, our voices couldn't be more important right now.

Here's the thing: When we come together and speak up about the issues that matter to us, we're a force to be reckoned with - I mean, just look at our international community, it's amazingly strong. Whether it's pushing for social justice or demanding fairer treatment for everyone, our collective voice can become a powerful tool for change. Our newest writer, Thorbern Alexander Klingert, is a European Parliament candidate and will be guiding us through the election process in the next few

issues – remember to look at his latest article in this issue, aptly entitled Empowering your voice. But it's not just about making noise for the sake of it. By participating in the EU elections, we're sending a powerful message about the kind of world we want to live in. We're showing that diversity and inclusivity aren't just buzzwords or something to be feared – they're essential values that should be reflected in our political landscape now more than ever. Here's a sobering fact: In the 2019 EU elections, the voter turnout in Denmark was only 66.1%, slightly below the EU average of 50.6%. This means that there's room for improvement, and it starts with us.

So, as we gear up for the big day, let's make an effort to get informed, get involved, and, most importantly, get out there and vote! Whether you're passionate about climate action, human rights, or something else entirely, your vote matters. And together, we can make a real difference in shaping Europe's future.

In the end, it's up to us to make our voices heard. So, let's roll up our sleeves, have those conversations, and show up at the polls ready to make our mark as EU internationals. Because when we stand together living in Denmark, there's no limit to what we can achieve. Let's make it count!

Love,

EDITOR & FOUNDER

THE-INTL.COM

MEET THE TEAM

EDITOR & FOUNDER

Lyndsay Jensen - lyndsay@the-intl.com

MANAGING DIRECTOR & PARTNER

Kenneth Macalpine - kenneth@the-intl.com

CONSULTING EDITOR

Conrad Egbert

GRAPHIC DESIGN

The International

WRITERS TEAM

Ophelia Wu; Alexandra Beck; Mariano Davies; Monika Pedersen; Anna Pawlowicz; Michaela Medvedova; Natasha Liviero; Heather Storgaard; Natália Šepitková; Luke Hannon; Rikke

Skak Harboe; Dominic J Stevenson; Thorbern

Alexander Klingert

COVER PICTURE

Anastasiaa Isaieva - @anastasiaa_isaieva

SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM

Head of SoMe

Shivangi Singh - shivangi@the-intl.com

SoMe Ambassadors

Michaela Medvedova; Aina Masood; Ane-Sophie Custura; Terumi Mascarenhas; Leslie Noygues; Shelly Pandey; Shivangi Singh; Ritika Jain; Pavlos Tsiakoumis; Sakib Akhter; Rashmi Jadhav; Shaeema Zaman

SALES

sales@the-intl.com

The International is published online 12 times a year. This issue was published on 8 April 2024.

Danish words

Lykke

(‘loega) noun

(1) A feeling that’s not based on money and sometimes not even on what you’re doing.

(2) When you roll onto the warm spot, your laptop left in your bed. (3) The feeling you get when you help others.

LOVE AND LAUGHTER HAVE NO LANGUAGE

CONRAD AND ANNA SHARE THEIR STORY OF NAVIGATING CAREERS, PARENTHOOD, AND A NEW CULTURE IN A COUNTRY THAT BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER.

CONRAD MOLDEN AND ANNA GYETVAI both decided to try life abroad. Fate - or, more likely, love of humour - brought them together in a comedy club in Aarhus.

Now, they’re a family of four, pursuing their own creative dreams - he as a household comedy name, she as an owner of a make-up business with a refreshing attitude.

DIFFERENT BEGINNINGS

C“I always imagined that I would live abroad, ever since I was a child. I graduated as a fashion designer and started looking for jobs abroad. I was completely open to moving anywhere,” says Anna. And when she says anywhere, she means it. She also applied for a job in Bangladesh. It was for an internship at Bestseller, a Danish clothing company, and needless to say, her application took them by surprise. “They were so surprised about why a Hungarian girl is applying for a job advert written in Danish that’s in Bangladesh - so surprised that they contacted me and asked if I was interested in their International Business Training programme in Denmark. It was everything I was looking for, so I applied - and a year later, I was in Denmark.”

In his words, Conrad simply wanted to get out of the United Kingdom and find a free education. “There was a course at Aarhus University, so I was either going to do that - or then I had a friend who found a job in Turkey. I didn’t think I would get the Denmark thing because I wasn’t really qualified. And then I got in because, apparently, anyone could get on that course,” laughs Conrad. So he got accepted, turned down his friend in Turkey, and moved to Aarhus.

But while the second biggest city was waiting for Conrad, Anna landed in a differ-

ent reality. “I was 26 and had been living in Budapest at the time. My lifestyle was very much about friends and parties. I knew when I joined the Bestseller programme I would be located in a small city, but I think I never had a real concept of what a small Danish city is.” Anna’s new home was Brande, a town in mid-Jutland with 7,000 inhabitantsso a far cry from her previous big city life. “There was no life. When I arrived, they invited us to an introduction event at the library where a kind lady presented us with the many potential things to do in Brande - but there was nothing I could do there. Actually, I went to the gym a lot. I was the fittest I have been in my life,” laughs Anna. “Also, I arrived in Denmark in September. In Hungary, it’s like a second summer. Here? Oh my God, it felt like November.”

She spent a year in Brande and afterwards went to China for three months - as a part of the programme, she had to visit factories and work with the suppliers. “When I was there, I was like: I’m not going back to Brande. During this programme, accommodation is a part of the salary package - so I asked to be put in one of the apartments in Aarhus. I would pay every day to commute from Aarhus to Brande, which is almost three hours a day. I wanted to do it because I wanted a social life, explore the city and date - and it was a really good decision.”

Life got kickstarted for Anna when she relocated to Aarhus. Even though she was commuting every day, she dove head-first into everything she could. She said yes to every extra activity and social circle. “A lot of the other internationals who worked at Bestseller lived in the same place, and I actually had the biggest apartment - which felt like a reward - so I hosted a lot of house parties. But in terms of culture shock, it was still

PHOTOGRAPHS ANASTASIAA ISAIEVA - @ANASTASIAA_ISAIEVA TEXT MICHAELA MEDVEĎOVÁ

weird for me that I would invite my Danish colleagues and nobody would turn up, only maybe the one guy who fancied me - otherwise, it was tough to make Danish friends. In Hungary, I used to go out with my colleagues all the time for a drink on Friday. Even if we weren’t out together, we would text each other and meet up - it was a lot more open and casual than in Denmark.”

BREAKING THE DANISH BARRIER

Meanwhile, Conrad’s first impression of Denmark was starkly different.

Before relocating to Denmark, he had moved from London to Brighton, a city similar to Aarhus both in size and its student nature. “The weather is the same - crap - so it was not a real shock to me,” laughs Conrad. “When I moved to Aarhus in 2012, I also got lucky - it was a very warm September, so I remember even going into the sea until the beginning of October.”

“You’re lucky to have seen the sea,” interjects Anna. “Where I lived was probably the place that’s furthest from the sea in any direction and has the most rain.”

But Conrad had an overall positive experience - not just with the weather. He wasn’t a fan of the course he was taking, but his classmates made up for it. “It sounds bad, but there were no Danes - only half Danes. And you know what it’s like as an international in Denmark - there are huge international communities, everybody knows each other, everybody wants to go out all the time. So I think I did more drinking and less studying than even on my Bachelor’s.”

Just like Anna, he experienced a barrier with getting to know Danes, too. “I didn’t really meet any. I went to Lærdansk and gave up pretty quickly. Otherwise, actual interaction with Danes was minimal. Sometimes, I went to a party, and there would be one. Only after about a year, when I started going into the comedy club where everyone was Danish, I met more and more Danes. Then you discover which Danes are happy to speak English with you, and you become friends.”

Conrad thinks his Danish is embarrassing for having been in the country for 11 years. “You went on the radio and spoke in Danish!” Anna disagrees. “Yes, but broken,

crappy Danish.”

Anna was really resistant to learning Danish for a long time. It was harder than expected - she still didn’t understand people, and they didn’t understand her. “When you tried to speak, they looked at you like: Oh, you’re speaking? So cute! Now, what did you want to say? But last year, I started learning again. I care way less what people’s reactions are, I’m just going to try.”

HOW CONRAD MET ANNA

The comedy club where Conrad met his first Danish friends was also at the start of his and Anna’s relationship. The first time Anna saw Conrad, it was at a comedy club while he was doing improv. As per the international community rules - everyone knows everyone - they ended up being introduced and eventually started doing improv together. “I just thought she was really, really funny, imaginative, and very good at improv. After the events, we would go out and have some drinks as a group, and we would chat together,” remembers Conrad.

Well, Anna remembers the initial stage of their courtship a little differently. “For a long time, we were just having these really short, awkward conversations that you would see in the film. One time, we had a break, and I was drinking from my water bottle. Then Conrad came up to me and said, oh, we have the same bottle. And I was like, no, no, this is mine. We had these one-minute bits for seven or eight months. I didn’t realise it had something to do with Conrad liking me.”

At that time, Conrad was already doing some traveling around Europe. He was in Slovakia, Hungary’s neighbouring country, and was chatting with Anna who was also visiting home and told him to wave to her across the border. He altered his travel plans to visit her - and after that, it didn’t take long before they were a couple.

The pair got married in Denmark in 2022 in a beautiful ceremony in a botanical garden and have a little girl and a little boy.

With three different cultures between them, they created a special little universe at home, with the kids speaking in all three languages. “I feel like we are citizens of the world. We spend so much time in Hungary and in the UK, and we love to travel together. The kids are exposed to a lot of cultures and places,” explains Anna.

But with their second baby, navigating parenthood got a whole new meaning. It was during the pandemic, and the couple felt incredibly alone without any support. It suddenly became challenging to be a family of four abroad, away from family. “One thing that is a bit easier in Denmark is that information is in English - and even though not always happy, people will explain things in English just to make sure you finally understand. So, as compared to what I imagined, if you were trying to raise a child in a country where you just had to learn the language, that would be kind of daunting,” says Conrad. He says the information is always there - although he adds, tongue in cheek, that it can just be hidden within a website or an email or an app that they did not even know they needed.

CONNECTING THROUGH COMEDY

For Conrad, all of his Danish experiences help him professionally, too - a lot of them can find their way into his comedy one-man shows.

Conrad inherited the love of stand-up comedy from his mom. They’ve listened to it or watched it since he was a little kid. One time, she took him to a comedy show, and the comedian made him laugh so much that he fell out of his chair. “I remember that this kind of door opened in my mind because I realised that as a comedian, there are no rules, there’s total freedom, and you get to connect to the audience. So the moment I turned 16 - the minimum age to perform comedy at venues in London - I started doing stand-up. I was terrible. I didn’t understand how to write a joke. I didn’t have a point of view; I was just some boring 16-year-old kid. And there were all these adults, and they were like: You’re not even funny, man, why are you here?” laughs Conrad.

Early experiences made him give up for a while, but after moving to Denmark 5 years later, he realised he was carrying around a little notebook, writing down silly things he noticed. He realised he could make Danish people laugh by saying something about their language. “I thought I could use an outlet for this, so I googled stand-up comedy Aarhus, and this comedy club came up. I went in and performed, and it’s so funny to think back on that first night - I didn’t know anybody, but some of those people are really famous now. I started at just the right time because at that moment, comedy was suddenly becoming really popular. Even five years earlier, it would have been way harder.”

But the timing was right, and Conrad became a household name, having TV2 specials and four nationwide tours under his belt.

It’s hard for him to say what the difference is between British and Danish humour. “People ask me about that a lot, but the problem is - I don’t understand it,” says Conrad. However, the sense of humour is very similar. “Danes are good at being self-ironic; they don’t take themselves too seriously. You can talk pretty critically about Denmark, and they will still listen. They can really laugh at themselves, just like the British. When immigrants in Britain do stand up and say: your country is terrible, the food is awful, and the weather is hell, we’re like - yeah, we know,” laughs Conrad.

There are tons of plans ahead for Conrad - for example a show across Europe - but comedy helped him with more than just his professional success. “If I hadn’t gone to that comedy club, I probably wouldn’t be in Denmark anymore. So many of my international friends from the beginning - probably everybody - have left. But the Danes I got to know through comedy are still here.”

PERFECT IMPERFECTIONS

However, Conrad isn’t the only creative force in the household. But Anna’s professional journey in Denmark wasn’t easy. The combination of the pandemic and a bad economic situation meant that finding a job was difficult. “Every single job application and interview I went into, they decided to go with an internal candidate. When I investigated a little, they admitted they can’t really hire new people. Time went on and on, and I was feeling depressed. Ever since I was a little girl, drawing and design have been me, not just my job. For someone creative - that was the only Anna I knew. So I was in a really dark place, and I just needed to do something that I am good at, that gives me similar creative energy because I can’t just exist as a mom, as a housewife. I can’t just feel unsuccessful. I need to create something for myself.”

Luckily, she had talents aplenty. For example, she always did make-up at friends’ weddings, and whenever she was in Hungary, friends asked her to do their hair because not even their hairdresser could do it like Anna could. So she decided to start an Instagram page and feature what she thought was beauty - and see if anyone else was interested.

And they were. “Lots of people thought my approach to make-up was refreshing. I don’t just put a mask on people’s faces - I just enhance their features. I never do the same make-up on two different people,” explains Anna. She chose a perfectly fitting name for her make-up business - Imperfectly by Anna. “I would never hide ‘imperfections’, for example freckles. I love the individual characteristics of people. I think that’s what makes them the most beautiful - and what I want to represent with my work.”

Anna’s new business gave her a lot of new energy and got her out of the dark place she was in. “I didn’t give up looking for a design job, but for now, I’m just going to keep building my make-up business and see how far it goes and what life brings.” THE-INTL

You can see a list of Conrad’s upcoming shows and explore possibilities of booking him for events at conradmolden.dk You can explore Anna’s business on Instagram: @imperfectly_by_anna

WITH THREE DIFFERENT CULTURES BETWEEN THEM, CONRAD AND ANNA HAVE CREATED A SPECIAL LITTLE UNIVERSE AT HOME, WITH THE KIDS

SPEAKING IN ALL THREE LANGUAGES. "I FEEL LIKE WE ARE CITIZENS OF THE WORLD. WE SPEND SO MUCH TIME IN HUNGARY AND IN THE UK, AND WE LOVE TO TRAVEL TOGETHER."

A value-driven community that welcomes students ages 4-16.

Rygaards has a strong reputation of a rich educational experience with a nurturing atmosphere where students learn to think for themselves, find their own voice, and engage with the world with confidence and curiosity.

• High academic standards

• Christian ethos

• Beautiful campus, located in Hellerup

• Global community

• NEASC accreditation

• Cambridge Assessment International Education Learn

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF

HOW TO NAIL YOUR ELEVATOR PITCH IN AN INTERVIEW.

HINTS IN YOUR CAREER SEARCH.

EEVERYONE CAN RELATE to this question with a smiling, expectant hiring manager sitting across from you. A question which seems innocent and straightforward can be riddled with so many pitfalls. In my 9 years of recruitment, I’ve interviewed hundreds of people and it’s a question so many still struggle with. It’s a shame because a well-planned and well-delivered elevator pitch which summarises your skills and experience can help you stand out from the crowd and set you up for interview success. In a few short minutes, I’ll show you how.

WHEN AND WHY TO DELIVER AN ELEVATOR PITCH

So you’ve been called in for an interview. Congrats! You’ve researched the company, looked up the interviewers on Linkedin, and you know your CV back to front. Most importantly, you’ve memorised examples for each of your skill areas.

In short, you’re prepared. You get to the interview, and you’re greeted by the interviewer. The interview kindly starts off the round of introductions (you’re a guest, after all!) by launching into their own elevator pitch. The elevator pitch helps you to quickly get to know each other but also helps kick things off and ease into the interview. After a few short minutes they will have finished their elevator pitch.

Now it’s your turn…

HOW TO CRAFT THE PERFECT ELEVATOR PITCH

Your elevator pitch is the first introduction you give at the start of the interview. It’s vital that you make it count.

Still, very few people know how to craft the type of elevator pitch that will set you up for success for the rest of the interview. So many people ramble on because they feel unsure about what to include.

In just one to two minutes, you need to explain:

 Who you are

 Your current situation

 Your skills and experience

 The problems you solve

Easy peasy, right?

Well, maybe not, but there’s no need to overcomplicate things. Let’s break things

down step-by-step so that you can nail your elevator pitch.

WHO YOU ARE

Here, you should give an overview of who you are.

An example could be: “Hi, I’m Luke, and I’m a Social Media Marketing Manager, with 5 years experience, specialising in social media marketing for tech companies.”

Boom!

Keep it short, snappy and high-level.

YOUR CURRENT SITUATION

Here’s where you provide an overview of your current role and responsibilities.

“I’m currently working at X, where I’m working as a Social Media Marketing Manager, creating social media strategies for Linkedin, Meta and Twitter for Tier 1 and 2 countries as well as paid campaigns.

I manage a budget of $250,000 per year.”

It’s crucial at this point to be as specific as possible. Get into the nitty-gritty of what you did, how you did it and why.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Skills pay the bills.

Before the interview, research the essential skills and experience that the company is looking for by reading the job description. Think of examples where you’ve used these skills. Always highlight the positive results you’ve achieved using these skills.

You’ll thank yourself for this small extra effort.

THE PROBLEMS YOU SOLVE

You’re not being interviewed for your winning smile.

And a great personality can only get you so far. You’re being interviewed because you’ve shown (so far) that you have the skills, knowledge and experience to solve problems for the company.

Which problems should you talk about?

Any problems you’ve been able to glean from your research of the company, the job description and learned from conversations with the recruiter.

Show you can solve the company’s problems, and you’re halfway there.

So now you know what to include in your elevator pitch.

Let’s see what a great one looks like, shall we?

Hi, I’m Luke!

I’m a Social Media Marketing Manager at X. I have 5 years of experience specialising in social media marketing, including creating social media strategies for Linkedin, Meta and Twitter for Tier 1 and 2 countries, as well as paid campaigns. I manage a budget of $250,000 per year.

I help companies to grow their following on social media, build brand authority and close more deals.

Easy peasy! THE-INTL

“Your elevator pitch is the first introduction you give at the start of the interview."

LUKE HANNON

SENIOR TALENT ACQUISITION PARTNER

Luke is a Senior Talent Acquisition Partner at SYBO Games, the company behind the smash-hit game Subway Surfers. Based in Copenhagen (by way of London)!, he has been working to make SYBO grow. He spends his time finding the best talent that the games community has to offer!

He is always keen to build relationships by bringing passion and enthusiasm to the recruitment process. An advocate of Employer Branding, Luke works with the talented people at SYBO to let the world know how great a place it is to work.

When he's not hiring awesome talents for SYBO or cycling (he does live in Copenhagen, after all!), he's busy reading his favourite books and channelling his inner Hemingway as a writer!

@Luke Hannon

@

Hannon Recruits

@

hannonrecruits

PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS TEXT LUKE HANNON

LIVING ON THE SPECTRUM: WORLD AUTISM MONTH

THE 2ND OF APRIL was World Autism Day, which marked the beginning of World Autism Month, during which we raised awareness about Autism and the contribution autistic individuals bring to the diversity of life.

At The International, we join the celebrations and share practical insights and information about helpful organisations if you or anyone in your circle is diagnosed with Autism in Denmark.

TWHAT IS AUTISM?

According to the Danish Association for Autism, Autism is a hereditary difference in brain development that affects the perception of the environment and the way one interacts with others.

Being a neurodiverse condition, Autism causes a different way of understanding and navigating the world. It’s often referred to as ‘the spectrum’, implying a variety of symptoms. For some individuals, it may affect social interactions or communication. For others, it may cause sensory or behavioural challenges.

AUTISM IN CHILDREN

Mashal Yousuf, founder of Copenhagen-based Lille Blossoms, works with parents of autistic children. In her experience, autism symptoms can manifest in children as early as 18 months old. Core symptoms can vary widely between children, but some of the most common distinguishers are:

 Social interactions, like difficulty maintaining eye contact or challenges in making friends

 Repetitive behaviour, like hand flapping, rocking or repeating the same line from a cartoon

 Sensory overstimulation, caused by bright lights or loud noises

According to Mashal, Autism can look different in boys and girls. Although the condition is considered most common in boys, the reality is different. Boys are diagnosed more commonly than girls because girls are more likely to mask (or internalise) their symptoms by following social norms and hiding the difficulties they may be experiencing. Therefore, it’s important to remember that early diagnosis and intervention are something all children deserve equally.

If you suspect your child may be on the spectrum, Mashal’s advice is not to panic. She says: ‘Autism is a new concept for a lot of parents, but there are many resources and people to support you.’ Mashal recommends consulting your family doctor and discussing your suspicions with your child’s teachers. Your doctor may refer your child for a comprehensive assessment from a psychiatrist, who can give a formal diagnosis.

Mashal strongly believes parents play a crucial role in advocating for their children and creating opportunities for them to access support services as quickly as possible, such as behavioural, speech and occupational therapy. According to Mashal, ‘Autism is now widely known, and there is an array of services your child can receive. Additionally, you as a parent receive support referred to as psychoeducation, where you’re taught about Autism from a caregiver perspective.’

Lille Blossoms can coach parents of newly diagnosed children, help navigate individualised educational plans and support your child with behavioural and emotional regulation.

AUTISM IN ADULTS

Being on the spectrum as an adult comes with numerous challenges. To illustrate the

"MASHAL STRONGLY BELIEVES PARENTS PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN ADVOCATING FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO ACCESS SUPPORT SERVICES AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, SUCH AS BEHAVIOURAL, SPEECH AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY."

support available for autistic adults in Denmark, we spoke with Carsten Lassen, CEO of Specialisterne, a socially innovative company creating meaningful job opportunities for people with Autism and other neurodiverse conditions.

Carsten explains that the main difficulty for autistic adults is adapting to the labour market, which is designed for the neurotypical community. ‘For an autistic individual, the challenge doesn’t concern the skills required for the job, but the social aspects of searching for employment, succeeding in interviews, getting the job, and then keeping it.’

Specialisterne has helped over 500 autistic individuals find employment across Denmark. Carsten explains: ‘At Specialisterne, we reach out to neurodiverse talent and look at opportunities to support them in their career aspirations. We then interact with companies wanting to be inclusive workplaces and facilitate matchmaking between the organisations looking for talent and the skills available within our neurodiverse community.’

Aside from supporting adults with Autism to find employment, Specialisterne provides coaching for newly diagnosed adults to help them understand their diagnosis better. The company also runs a school for autistic young adults, providing life skills and education to assist them in entering the labour market.

Carsten believes that regardless of the diagnosis, most adults want to participate in society. Finding employment is a key step towards a meaningful and independent life, and Specialisterne’s role is to support the autistic community in precisely that.

You can contact Lille Blossoms (lilleblossoms@outlook.com) and Specialisterne (kontakt@ specialisterne.com) if you or someone you know could benefit from their expertise. THE-INTL

MICHAELA MEDVEDOVÁ comes from Slovakia and moved to Denmark 3 years ago to study for her Master's degree. She says living in Odense is the perfect city for her because it's not too large to be intimidating, but still exciting! She works at Umbraco as a Magical Copy Whisperer and started a podcast with her friends - @humans.of.sdu. She loves watching and talking about movies, Harry Potter, karaoke nights (even though she can't sing to save her life), and pub quizzes (winning them, to be specific).

ANNA PAWLOWICZ is the founder and CEO of HumanKind, a consultancy focused on driving disability inclusion in the workplace and in our society. Anna’s mission to foster disability inclusion started with the birth of her son, who lives with a disability due to a rare genetic condition.

DDO YOU FIND a hundred excuses to skip a workout? Yeah, I know the feeling. What I have learned in my time not only as a coach but as someone who used to struggle with committing to any exercise routine is that when it comes to maximising your fitness results, knowing the importance of accountability is half of the battle!

In my experience, the main reason people quit their fitness goals and thereby reduce their chances of success is the lack of consequences for their inaction. However, it is much less the case when you have a fitness accountability partner, a personal trainer or a team that is expecting you to show up. When there’s someone else who genuinely cares about your fitness success, holding yourself accountable isn’t as challenging because there’s someone else to help you reach your fitness goals and cheer you on!

Accountability is about having a reason to do something, and it is developed through intentional planning. When it comes to health, improving it shouldn’t be challenging, but the truth is that we often run out of steam and, unfortunately, give up somewhere along the line.

ACCOUNTABILITY AND INCENTIVE

Two things effectively help change our behaviours and generate results, whether it’s committing to a weight-loss plan, exercise routine or arduous task, and those are accountability and incentive.

No matter what it is that you want to change, be it your health, specific habits, body shape, finances, or relationship, all success stories start with establishing a commitment system that will ensure you stick to the plan. You will see that once you have accountability towards a group of people or a trainer, your fitness performance will accelerate as you engage the power of social expectations - suddenly, things get done, and suddenly, you show up. And suddenly, you get results.

THE IMPACT OF WORKING WITH A FITNESS PROFESSIONAL

Literally anyone, from your sibling to your best friend, could be your accountability partner. However, the closer you are to someone, the more likely they are to turn a blind eye to you, skipping your workout for whatever excuse you may find. Hiring a personal trainer or paying for a membership in a private fitness group will be more beneficial, however, because you are paying them to make sure you show up! And we tend to value what we pay for way more than what is given to us for free. Free or cheap = easy to discard. Purchased or expensive = worth keeping.

A professional will hold you accountable and help you structure and customise your workout plan. They will keep you motivated and make you show up, and when you have spent money on a service, it’s much harder to ignore!

ACCOUNTABILITY AND YOUR OWN FITNESS SUCCESS

Achieving personalised accountability will be the most critical

"TWO THINGS EFFECTIVELY HELP CHANGE OUR BEHAVIOURS AND GENERATE RESULTS, WHETHER IT’S COMMITTING TO A WEIGHT-LOSS PLAN, EXERCISE ROUTINE OR ARDUOUS TASK, AND THOSE ARE ACCOUNTABILITY AND INCENTIVE."

factor in your fitness success. Because having the best and most comprehensive nutrition and fitness plan won’t mean a darn thing if you don’t show up and put in the work.

That’s why accountability is so important! So, if you have tried and failed at holding yourself accountable, do yourself the best favour and invest in someone who will help you define your health and fitness goals, someone who will walk the walk, provide resources, and show you how to perform exercises safely. Someone who knows how to use equipment and who can guide you step by step through the nutrition jungle will be able to help you understand that the process towards improvement is more important than perfection, and you will for sure be more inclined to enjoy your fitness journey!

If you have been procrastinating on the commitment, this is your sign to get going! THE-INTL

ALEXANDRA BECK PERSONAL TRAINER & NUTRITION COACH

Alex is a Swiss/Brit mom and wife who has lived in Copenhagen since 2009. She switched from corporate life in communications to the independent life of an outdoor personal and group fitness trainer. She coaches people of all ages and fitness levels to find fun and consistency in movement through individual and group workouts. Delivering entertainment and spreading group fitness magic is her superpower. Alex encourages you to high-five her if you see her in the capital! @alexbeck.fit @alexbeck.fit @alexbeck.fit

PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS TEXT ALEXANDRA BECK

THE POWER OF NETWORKING FOR INTERNATIONALS IN DENMARK

BUILDING BRIDGES: THE MULTIFACETED ADVANTAGES OF NETWORKING IN DENMARK.

PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS TEXT RIKKE HARBOE

FFOR INTERNATIONALS IN Denmark, networking is the key to advancing your career if you are already working, but it is essential if you are looking for a job. Networking in Denmark is essential to finding a job. According to an analysis by Konsulenthuset Ballisager, 6 out of 10 positions in the private sector are never posted and are instead being filled through networking and unsolicited applications.

In my work at International House North Denmark, where we both help international jobseekers navigate the difficult Danish job market also help companies with their international employees, networking is one of the first pieces of advice we give, along with starting to lean Danish (which is also one of the keys to succeeding with finding a job in Denmark and certainly also here in Aalborg and Northern Denmark where we are located despite many Danish people being good at English – but that is a topic for another day).

Networking can happen in many ways, for example doing a volunteer job or joining a sports or culture association. Three out of four Danish children participate in sports on a regular basis, and about half the adults in Denmark are members of a sports club. So, if you are looking to meet Danes, you will probably find us there. Many municipalities are also offering networking opportunities for accompanying spouses and partners and other internationals through buddy programmes or job searching programmes which is an excellent way of finding other people in the same situation as you are. In International House North Denmark, we have run a successful programme called Spouse Space for many years, which focuses on job searching but also on networking. We do it because we recognise the value in being able to connect with people who have the same challenges as yourself when you are new in Denmark, but also because it is about connecting with the network available to you and as a newcomer - more often than not your network will be non-existent. Often, going out and networking can also give you the feeling of 'doing something' and thereby giving you a feeling of success, which, let's be honest – 99% of job searching will leave you feeling less than.

Other than the physical side of attending networking events, volunteering and doing sports in associations, it has become more and more common in Denmark to use LinkedIn as a way of establishing a network. Being active on the platform, posting about the job search journey or event just liking and commenting on posts from people and companies within your industry can be considered networking. But of course, some industries are commonly turning to LinkedIn, so it depends on your career path and what makes the most sense for you.

If you are not currently looking for a job, do not underestimate the power of networking. Even if you are happy in your current job, networking can be beneficial to your future career. By building relationships with other professionals, you also gain valuable insights, advice, and opportunities that can help you reach your professional goals.

So, we covered LinkedIn, municipal programmes and

" I KNOW YOU'VE HEARD THIS STORY BEFORE, BUT EVEN THOUGH YOU PROBABLY COULD GET "LUCKY" AND GET BY IN DENMARK FOR YEARS WITHOUT LEARNING DANISH, YOU STILL MISS OUT ON SO MANY VALUABLE INSIGHTS INTO THE DANISH CULTURE BY NOT LEARNING THE LANGUAGE. YOU WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND YOUR COLLEAGUES' DRY DAD JOKES, SARCASM, AND SELF-IRONY AT THE COFFEE MACHINE, OR YOU WON'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOUR FAVOURITE COWORKER ANDERS IS ARGUING WITH HIS WIFE ON THE PHONE ON WHETHER TO HAVE "STEGT FLÆSK MED PERSILLESOVS" OR "KOLDSKÅL" FOR DINNER."

volunteering at either cultural or sports associations, but there are many more opportunities for networking. Perhaps you network at your local Netto while standing in line for the cashier, or maybe you have children that go to school or børnehave? Just last week, I talked to a mom in my daughter's børnehave who was looking for a job after having just moved to Aalborg, and I recommended she apply for a job that had just been posted in the municipality where I work. I even offered to set her up with a coffee date with one of the people who was responsible for the position. Most people would love to help you if they can, so don't be afraid to reach out. The Danes are a hard bunch to snuggle up to, I will admit as much. We can seem guarded and even unfriendly with our excessive demands of personal space, like on the bus, for example - but really, most of us are softies at heart.

I also cannot resist writing about the other benefits of networking - the opportunity to practice and improve your Danish language skills. I know you've heard this story before, but even though you probably could get "lucky" and get by in Denmark for years without learning Danish, you still miss out on so many valuable insights in-

to the Danish culture by not learning the language. You will never understand your colleagues' dry dad jokes, sarcasm, and self-irony at the coffee machine, or you won't understand how your favourite coworker Anders is arguing with his wife on the phone on whether to have "stegt flæsk med persillesovs" or "koldskål" for dinner. I know many internationals feel like they sound less than perfect and maybe not as professional in Danish, but in many situations, just beginning a conversation in Danish will give you an edge of endearment and respect. You can always switch to English if you feel like your point is not getting across. Okay – perhaps I'm going off track now, but you get the point I'm trying to make.

So, to leave you on a positive note, networking can be daunting to many, and you might feel like you're out of your comfort zone in a professional or personal setting. But, it has the benefits of helping you settle into your new settings in Denmark, can further your career whether you are in a job or looking for one, and it can be done both online, enjoying your favourite sport, picking up your kid from school or even at the grocery store. Now, doesn't that sound easy? THE-INTL

ROYAL COPENHAGEN

BY APPOINTMENT TO THE ROYAL DANISH COURT.

RROYAL COPENHAGEN, ORIGINALLY called "The Royal Danish Porcelain Factory", was founded in 1775 as a limited company under the patronage of the Queen Dowager Juliane Marie, Crown Prince Frederik and King Christian VII.

The factory was established at St. Kjøbmagergade 50 (the name of the street at that time) and in accordance with the Queen's wishes, the factory adopted three wavy lines as its trademark, symbolising the Great Belt, the Little Belt and Øresund. The Blue Fluted dinnerware is the first pattern produced by the porcelain factory. Hence, the identification printed on the bottom of each piece is No. 1.

POWERFUL ROYAL PATRONAGE

Queen Juliane Marie (the daughter of Duke Ferdinand Albert II of BraunschweigWolfenbüttel in Germany and the second wife of King Frederik V) was known as a modern queen and was a strong supporter of the country. It was the task of the reigning monarch to safeguard the country's economic well-being with the development of domestic products and services. Her greatest legacy was founding the Royal Danish Porcelain Factory in 1775.

As the widow of King Frederik V, Queen Juliane came to power in Denmark and Norway when her late husband's son from his first marriage became mentally ill and was unable to govern. She was a strong woman with a good grasp of the needs of the time.

She had a very extensive European contact network and understood that combining knowledge and using local raw materials would improve local living conditions. Like many other European monarchs, she supported research in natural science. They deduced that it was no longer theology but science that would improve life on earth, hence her interest in mineralogy and the raw materials for porcelain production.

PORCELAIN PRODUCTION IN DENMARK

The production of porcelain was not entirely unknown to Queen Juliane Marie. Her brother, Charles I of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, had also founded a porcelain factory in Fürstenberg (south of Hannover). In addition, their sister was married to Frederik II of Prussia, one of Europe's powerful monarchs, who, in 1763,

"THE BRAND IS HIGHLY VALUED AND RESPECTED CONTINUOUSLY, AND WITH UNTIRING ENTHUSIASM, SUSTAINING THE HIGH STANDARDS OF CRAFTSMANSHIP THAT GIVE ITS PRODUCTS THE VERY QUALITY FOR WHICH THEY ARE ALL SO WELL KNOWN."

founded a porcelain factory in Berlin. Although the siblings corresponded, the secret for porcelain manufacturing was not shared between them and it was only in 1774 that porcelain was first produced in Copenhagen. Finally, Queen Juliane Marie and the Danish royal family had their own valuable porcelain production, just like other European monarchies.

Queen Juliane Marie was adamant from the start that each piece of Royal Copenhagen porcelain would be stamped with its unique factory mark: the three handpainted waves that symbolise Denmark's waterways, the 'Øresund' or Sound, the Great Belt and the Little Belt. The Queen also introduced the royal crown stamp to highlight the factory's royal association. The crown has changed over time and can be used to date each piece of Royal Copenhagen.

In the 1700s, it was good diplomatic practice amongst royalty and aristocracy to give fine porcelain as gifts. Following the Danish defeat at the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, Lord Nelson bought Royal Copenhagen porcelain for his beloved Lady Hamilton. The Danes lost the battle. But a love of Danish porcelain was victorious.

GLOBALLY RESPECTED BRAND

Today, Royal Copenhagen is a highly dis-

tinguished brand renowned for its exclusive quality porcelain products and its immaculate design. Royal Copenhagen is known worldwide for being Danish and for maintaining its classic blue and white porcelain, both made and painted entirely by hand. It is also known for the daring nature of its renewal and innovation.

Various new collections maintain their success in modern homes, and this porcelain is a desirable symbol of an up-to-date and quality-conscious lifestyle.

The brand is highly valued and respected continuously, and with untiring enthusiasm, sustaining the high standards of craftsmanship that give its products the very quality for which they are all so well known.

Royal Copenhagen operates in the US, the EU and Asia. It is now owned by Fiskars - a leading global supplier of consumer products for the home, garden and outdoors.

The group has a strong portfolio of respected international brands, including Fiskars and Iittala (both with their roots in Finland) and Gerber (roots in the US). Founded in 1649 and listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Fiskars is Finland's oldest company, with recorded net sales of EUR 1,2 billion in 2016 and employs approximately 3,400 people in over 20 countries. THE-INTL

MARIANO ANTHONY DAVIES

PRESIDENT & CEO OXFORD BUSINESS SERVICES APS

Mariano has over 40 years global experience as a bus iness executive. He spent ten years with KPMG, so far thirty years with British Chambers of Commerce (while also running Oxford Business Services ApS). 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 45 years and has held over 150 official anti-Brexit speeches since 2016. He both speaks and writes Danish without difficulty.

oxford-business.com

PHOTOGRAPHS ROYAL COPENHAGEN TEXT MARIANO ANTHONY DAVIES

EASY ORANGE CUPCAKES WITH GLACE ICING

THESE CUPCAKES ARE SIMPLE ENOUGH TO MAKE WITH KIDS AND DELICIOUS ENOUGH TO BE ENJOYED BY EVERYONE!

PHOTOGRAPHS & TEXT: NATASHA LIVIERO / PEXELS

EASY ORANGE CUPCAKES

MAKES 18

INGREDIENTS:

270g castor sugar

5g orange zest

70g butter, room temperature

240g flour

15g baking powder

Pinch salt

10g canola/neutral oil

2 XL eggs

240g full cream milk

10g vanilla extract

260g icing sugar

10g butter, melted

30g orange juice

METHOD:

1. Set oven to 1850C.

2. Place cupcake cases into 12-hole muffin tins.

3. Place castor sugar and orange zest into the bowl of a stand mixer. With your fingertips, massage the zest into the sugar until evenly distributed and fragrant.

4. Add the butter, flour, baking powder and salt to the bowl and mix with a paddle attachment on low speed until the mixture resembles sea sand.

5. Mix the oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla in a separate bowl.

6. Slowly pour the egg mixture into the sugar mixture and mix on low speed until the batter is fully incorporated. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl and be careful of over-mixing the batter — stop mixing as soon as it is smooth and shiny.

7. Spoon 50g batter into each cupcake case and bake for 13-15 minutes until slightly browned or until a skewer inserted into the cupcakes comes out clean.

8. Leave to rest in the muffin tins for 5 minutes before removing the cupcakes and cooling completely on cooling racks.

9. Once the cupcakes have cooled, prepare the glace icing by placing the icing sugar, melted butter and orange juice into a bowl and whisking by hand until smooth. Add extra icing sugar or orange juice for a thicker or thinner consistency. You may also dilute the orange juice with water for a milder flavour.

10. Spoon the glaze over the cupcakes and decorate as desired.

11. Store the cupcakes in an airtight container for up to three days.

NATASHA LIVIERO - PASTRY CHEF

Notes:

* Swap the orange zest and juice for lemon to enjoy lemon-flavoured cupcakes.

* For kids, decorate with sprinkles and sweets. For adults, decorate with fruits like strawberries and raspberries or chopped pistachios.

Natasha is a pastry chef who is South African by birth and Croatian by blood. She spent many years working for a wellness publication but did an about-turn at the beginning of 2020 when she joined a culinary school to fulfil a lifelong dream to study patisserie. She’s passionate about European patisserie and loves spending time in the kitchen experimenting with recipes (while quibbling with her fe-line friends), and is always on the hunt for interesting new cookbooks.

natashaliviero

NATURPARK LILLEBÆLT

EXPLORING THE MARVELS OF NATURPARK LILLEBÆLT.

TTHE NATURPARK LILLEBÆLT is a vibrant and varied nature park. It is also the largest in Denmark.

The sea defines and shapes the area. You cannot go far here without seeing it swimming past, towards, and away from, as if it had some grand secret it both wanted to refrain from sharing and felt utterly necessary to whisper into one's ear. The park is more than just its waters - they are approximately 70% of this astonishing region of life. Great beauty is both under the surface and beyond its shifting marine reach.

The strip that unites Jutland and Funen like nothing else is a spellbinding collaboration between two of the main parts of Denmark. It brings them together like lust does two magnetised bodies. There is a bounty of riches to be discovered both underwater and on land. The meeting of the two provides the perfect symbiosis and is something to both support and celebrate, with extraordinarily rich animal and plant life defining the 'Little Belt,' as it is known in English.

The aquatic aspect of the park can be up to eighty metres at its deepest, and the land ranges from 1km to 15km apart at various points in its midst. So prosperous is the region that diving and snorkelling reveal fruits that might not have been expected in the little belt. Ignorance will mean, Jutland, Funen, and the treasures across the land go undiscovered. Here, there is something for everyone.

A backlog of investment in Danish tourism has fittingly seen money pumped into the Naturpark Lillebælt in recent months. After all, the jewels contained in this area need protecting, embracing, and putting on a pedestal.

The park is an open invitation to both the rest of Denmark and beyond to come to Jutland and Funen and explore the soul of a country much greater than its wellknown capital, Copenhagen. The strip that makes up the park is at the physical heart of the land, a nucleus of beauty, joy, and unparalleled riches.

There is a great deal of protected nature

here, as there should be. The region is a treasure trove of Danish waters, something to be championed nationally.

One of the world's smallest whales – the porpoise – can be found here, in one of its most abundant populations, in fact, birthing tours specially created for collective viewings. Virtual Reality offers an underwater look at the nature park as never seen before, and bridge walking, guided tours, underwater trails, and sailing trips all help to see the park from different, and all colourful, perspectives. Further events that are organised involve sea wine tours, coastal walks, mushroom tours, and fossil hunting. Angling, paddling, and kayaking are yet more activities in the local surroundings. Both locals and those from further afield are treated to a great many activities that celebrate the vast range of life here. Additionally, on land, mountain bike routes and standard cycling tours can be found to explore Fredericia and other local areas that form the naturpark.

In my time here, I have already visited and discovered immense beauty, pow-

er, and magic in the naturpark. With the often unpredictable climate, there are no two days – nay, no two hours – in which the landscapes, the atmosphere, and the soul of the region ever feel the same. Despite Denmark's small size, it always strikes me how many hotspots overspilling with wonder there genuinely are here. Even down by the nearest shore, there are signs of endless aquatic life – remnants of crabs, oysters, mussels, jellyfish, and much more within the sea here. Moving along the coast on either side of the belt brings wild inspiration and scenery to photograph, to fashion into memories, to become at one with.

The orchestral movements of the seasons, as each flourishes in its own dynamic way, can never be seen better than from multiple viewpoints around the belt. The body of the water and the shape of the land is a wholly unique earthly presence, something to be preserved and explored, appreciated, and tenderly nurtured. In changing times, we should value nature in all its spectacular might, right here on our doorstep, more than we ever have before. THE-INTL

DOMINIC J STEVENSON

WRITER / MUSICIAN / ARTIST

Dominic J Stevenson is a 3-time published author and the creator of the Literary Portrait / Visual Artwork project. He comes from Nottingham, England (Robin Hood land) and is a husband and father. He is a writer, musician, and artist. His writing has been published on many platforms - both online and in magazine format. He has lived in Denmark since 2022, in several European countries before that, and has recorded one album as Vincent Bella (The Dark Side Pulling At Us) and speaks fluent Spanish. He is enjoying learning Danish, albeit rather slowly. He loves the arts (music, film/ TV, literature, impressionism and more), tennis, football (Nottingham Forest FC), travel, languages, laughter, and Lego.

Dominic J Stevenson

PHOTOGRAPHS NATURPARK LILLEBÆLT TEXT DOMINIC J STEVENSEN

DENMARK'S COCKTAIL RENAISSANCE

FROM BEER TO BESPOKE BARS.

PHOTOGRAPHS

ANYONE WHO HAS gone out to a bar in Denmark will know that beer is the eponymous drink of the nation of Carlsberg and Tuborg. Like their German neighbours, the Danes are internationally renowned for the beer they export across the world and famous among their Nordic neighbours for their drunken antics and relaxed alcohol laws. But there's beginning to be much more than beer to look out for if you're exploring Denmark's cities.

There's a sense that, in stark contrast to Nordic Cuisine, Denmark is still catching up somewhat when it comes to high-quality cocktail bars. Only five years ago, I remember well-regarded Aarhus bars not knowing or stocking tonic water and once being served gin as a shot, as if it was an aquavit replacement. Of course, that has all changed since, with Nordic-produced alcohols, including beer, wine and spirits being given pride of place in many bars and restaurants across the country. International bartenders have also brought trends and techniques to Denmark and shone a light on products little-known to Danish audiences. In many of my favourite drink spots, the working language is English or perhaps Spanish, with bartenders from around the world creating a perfect fusion of local and international tastes in a glass.

THE START

Widely considered the first and still the finest modern Danish cocktail establishment, Copenhagen's Ruby opened in an 18thcentury townhouse in the very centre of the city in 2007. It is, therefore, no surprise that it is internationally renowned, although it may shock you to hear that it remains Denmark's only entry in the global 50 Best Bar list last year, placing at number 87.

Beyond Ruby, Copenhagen now has a range of well-established cocktail bars, including Lidkoeb and Duck & Cover around the corner from one another on Vesterbrogade.

TO JUTLAND

In recent years, top-quality bars have also spread far beyond Copenhagen. The bar Gedulgt has a real speak-easy vibe (it took me ten minutes to find my way inside last year!) with bases in both Aarhus and Aalborg. At Christmas, they went as Danish as you can get with an Æbleskiver-themed cocktail that was pure decadence. In the new Aarhus Ø area, Latinequartet favourite Force Majure has recently opened their new bar, Hella, serving a menu inspired by music and art. In such a new area, the space and open possibilities allow for new endeavours and innovation that were previously sometimes hard to see working in Aarhus's charming yet sometimes static narrow streets.

AT HOME?

Last year, Bo Nygaard Larsen's book "Danske Cocktailbarer" lifted a lid on the magic behind some of the creations made in the best bars in the country, with a focus on Danish-produced spirits and native ingredients. If you can read Danish or pressure someone into working as a translator for you for an evening, creating some of the cocktails inside can be a fun evening with friends or adult family members. While you might not naturally reach for Aquavit or know your way around the new world of award-winning Danish whisky, the book will teach you how to add a local touch to your drinks. THE-INTL

"There's a sense that, in stark contrast to Nordic Cuisine, Denmark is still catching up somewhat when it comes to highquality cocktail bars."

HEATHER STORGAARD WRITER

Heather Storgaard comes from Northern Scotland, grew up in Switzerland, and lived in England and Germany. She met her Danish and soon-tobe British husband back in 2017, and they now split their time between Central Scotland and Helgenæs, a peninsula in rural Eastern Jutland. Suitably for a Scot, Heather works with whisky, spending her time writing and translating, with a particular softspot for the up-and-coming world of Nordic Whisky.

@heatherstorgaard

PEXELS TEXT HEATHER STORGAARD

LIFE AWAY FROM HOME

WHAT DO EXPATS MISS IN DENMARK? I WAS TALKING WITH FOREIGNERS AROUND ME ABOUT THEIR POINTS OF VIEW ON LIFE IN SCANDINAVIA.

IIN THE FIRST quarter of 2024, international persons with an officially listed address in Denmark accounted for 15.9% of the population. Many come here because of work and study; others flee war or a crisis in their homeland; some decide to go due to family reunification. But they all have one thing in common. They long for a better and more satisfied life in a country that has long been ranked among the happiest countries in the world. But will they find true happiness here, or do they often feel lonely, missing home and unable to fit into society completely?

TWO CHALLENGES

Choosing Denmark as your future settlement will challenge you in finding a good job and making the right friends. Now, I am not sure which is more complicated. The first requires building a solid network and being lucky, and the second requires the same.

“I consider Denmark my home, although my family is not here, and I miss them,” admits Alex from Romania, who has lived here for five years. He came to Denmark because of his education, and now he works as a sales manager in a Danish company. “It is not always easy; being a foreigner sometimes comes with limitations, but if I were to choose to be a foreigner in any country, I would choose Denmark. Most of the population speaks English, making life easy.”

MORE SUNSHINE

Studying also brought Matea from Croatia to Denmark. She is a full-time student at Aalborg University and an event manager at the Aalborg Institute for Development. Despite being happy with life here, Matea misses the sunny days. “One of the best things in Denmark is the long summer days. Winter months can be depressing. Furthermore, I miss Croatian bakeries and the Croatian way of meeting for a coffee. These are two simple things but are not even remotely similar in Denmark,” she adds.

The same goes for the Brazilian expat. “Rays of sunshine clear our minds and shine bright on our hearts. I think Denmark needs more sunny-hearted people, like in Brazil,” Natacha says. She has a Danish husband and came to Denmark more than four years ago. The educated engineer and designer claims that her liking of life here is directly connected to the people she met. “I met my husband and great international friends who fulfil my need to have a life surrounded by different cultures.”

TO BUILD NETWORKS

Breaking into Danish social circles is more complicated than it might seem. Marian from Germany came to Denmark because of his Danish fiancée and an internship at the hospital as a medical student. He appreciates the work-life balance and the well-digitalised and bike-friendly country but misses a social network outside work and language school. “That is mainly because there is

not much more time left but also because it is hard to get into existing friend groups.”

The Italian Giorgio also knows his own story, for whom finding friends in Denmark was a big challenge. “It is quite difficult to socialise with locals and other internationals,” he admits. After five years of living in Denmark, he moved back to Italy. “I could not find a job in my field. Despite hundreds of applications I sent over a year and a half, I could not land a job. The most frustrating aspect of the job hunting was when I asked about the reason for rejection; most of the time, the reason was that I could not speak Danish fluently, but none would say it directly.”

BETTER LIFE – BETTER FUTURE

British couple Sandy and Lisa are delighted with the Danish lifestyle. They left their homeland after Brexit, and considering Denmark scored very well on many metrics, they settled here. Sandy works remotely in the IT business, and Lisa is currently unemployed. “It is a bit quieter around here than it was in London, unsurprisingly, but generally similar in approach,” Sandy describes his ongoing life. His wife adds: “I like the relaxed way of life here and that people care about improving their community. Apart from friends and family, I do not miss much about England. I sometimes crave Marmite, though!”

Irina also tries to find a better life in Scandinavia. “I came to Denmark four years ago to change my life. I felt that I was standing in one place, and I decided to move on,” explains Irina, who is working on a pig farm. “Life in Denmark is different from life in Ukraine. Not everything is perfect, but I like the standard of living, nature, and delicious food. I love people and their attitude to life.” She misses her family and friends the most. The war separated them, so they rarely see each other.

Each of us internationals has a different story, but we all want to be accepted by the country we choose to live in, to offer our talents and skills there, and to create a better future for all. THE-INTL

NATÁLIA ŠEPITKOVÁ

FREELANCE JOURNALIST AND WRITER

Natalia is a Slovak journalist based in Aalborg, Denmark. She has around 15 years of experience in journalism. Her experiences as an editor and a reporter were founded in Slovak magazines and newspapers. She was also working as a TV reporter, a TV moderator and a host in radio broadcasting. Part of her career included working with PR and marketing. Natália is also a content creator on her social media. Follow her blog www.mamavdansku.com , where she writes about life in Denmark.

@Natália Šepitková

@Mama v Dánsku

@Mum in Denmark

"CHOOSING DENMARK AS YOUR FUTURE SETTLEMENT WILL CHALLENGE YOU IN FINDING A GOOD JOB AND MAKING THE RIGHT FRIENDS."

TIME: WHY IS THERE NEVER ENOUGH OF IT?

TTIME IS A very precious commodity, and it has a will of its own, almost. To be able to have a handle on it is a falsehood, but the effort to manage time is what many of us try to do. Time management is trying to use time as effectively and wisely as possible. This is usually a goal for many students, working people, and parents.

Though not a master of time management, there is always the endeavour to maximise a day, especially the older you become!

Despite rising early to enjoy quiet, reflective time each morning, the minutes disappear as the checklist of jobs for the day is reviewed, emails are checked, a couple of news stories are read, and an essential coffee is drunk. We have no children in the house, so our morning schedule is not as chaotic as it is for parents with little people. Then there is the morning bathroom scene, breakfast, lunch packs to be made, the school drop-off, the cycle to work, etc.

It is often a stream of work, emails, discussions, and job-specific tasks punctuated by a trip to the coffee machine, bathroom, and canteen. Once work is over or the allocated hours, then for many, it is the child pick up, school clubs, grocery collection, homework help, and finally, a little time to enjoy a meal and a family discussion before clean up, bedtime stories, etc.

Finally, there might be time and energy to enjoy some television, a book, music, or a hobby, and then it is bedtime. The day has disappeared, however productive it may have been, and the time spent never to be recouped.

With this being the regular schedule with a little more flexibility at the weekend, the question remains: how can we buy back or make more time?

STRATEGIES THAT MAY HELP:

There are no magical formulae, only a few strategies to reallocate time:

#1 Plan the day or overview what needs to be done. Be realistic as to how long a task may take. Consider whether the plan is feasible and whether tasks or activities need reallocation.

#2 Prioritise the tasks and activities using a number scale and then allocate the tasks for the week.

#3 Some days will not go to plan, which can bring upset and irritation, so try to be philosophical and reallocate tasks to stay upbeat. Not every day will run smoothly; this is just a regular part of life.

#4 Observe work hours and work effectively, but unless it is unavoidable or in the day’s plan, be protective of your time and leave to carry on with the other activities that need to be covered. Most adults wear several hats, which must be respected and observed.

#5 It may be hard but necessary to turn down a request for adding tasks to a workload. To manage this, a longer time frame is required, or other duties need to be removed to manage the workload effectively and healthily.

#6 Develop some routines so that there is a smoothness to your day and not a sudden roadblock. For example, when are the groceries bought or is this an online activity? When is it laundry day or household cleaning time? So, these basic chores are built into the schedule and are part of the standard functional order. Can there be a sharing of tasks with a friend or a family member, so one party does the

delivery of children and the other the collection if they are younger etc. Is there a rota to make the evening meal, so time is regained.

#7 Multitasking can also help be efficient, so listening to podcasts whilst on the exercise bike or jogging whilst taking the dog for a ‘walk’ and other versions.

#8 Avoid procrastination or distractions as these do not give time but reduce it and increase stress levels, so try to take challenges face on and en joy the completed result!

#9 Try not to waste time but use time well. If there is a delay at the dentist or on the train, check emails, read a book or use the time to reflect over the day and refocus to feel re-energised and ready to embrace the remainder of the day.

#10 Aim to be as organised as possible using systems such as files for your information on your computer or labels for piles of papers on your desk or have tidy cupboards at home, so time is not lost searching or dealing with wardrobe explosions!

There are only 24 hours in the day and sleep is also needed even if some of us need less than others. We can only try to use our time as best as we see fit to enjoy life and manage the things we need to do. THE-INTL

"There might be time and energy to enjoy some television, a book, music, or a hobby, and then it is bedtime."

MONIKA PEDERSEN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATOR

Monika comes from the London area of the UK, where she worked in the state system and the international school system, as an English teacher of 11-18 students and then a high school principal. She has also worked in leadership roles in Germany and in Denmark. She has an overview of the British, International, American, and the Danish system. She has many years of experience and continues to enjoy the profession. She has relocated to Copenhagen and enjoys the city and summer house life with her Danish husband.

@monikapedersen

@monikapedersen

@monikapedersen

PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS TEXT MONIKA PEDERSEN

RECONNECTING AND HONOURING ANCESTORS

AAS APRIL ADORNS the world with her fresh blooms and longer clear blue skies, people across the planet rekindle timeless customs. Within this bouquet of rituals, the Ching Ming Festival emerges as a cherished day for many who share Chinese heritage and culture. This festival is akin to Memorial Day in the West, yet it's painted with the distinct hues of Chinese tradition. More than mere formality, Ching Ming is an intertemporal embrace, a seamless connection between today and previous generations. Falling on calendars on the 4th or 5th of April, those rooted in Taoism or Buddhism find a poignant means to celebrate and remember. The day's essence isn't captured by sizzling grills but by the delicate glow of incense. Instead of frolicking by the waves, families congregate at ancestors' resting spots. Here, they tend to the graves with tenderness, trimming grass and sharing the whispered lore of their lineage.

RESPECT AND LEGACY

In the Chinese tradition, paying respect to our ancestors moves beyond custom; it's believed to bless the living with good fortune, success, and a wealth of blessings. This conviction spans back through histories and cultures, mirroring the way ancient Egyptians and dynastic rulers revered their departed. With careful intention, Chinese families often choose burial sites and offerings, aiming to honour their family members with the same reverence reserved for royalty. Adorned with flowers and fruits, people embark on a heartfelt journey to mountains shrouded in mist or tranquil temple grounds—the objective being to connect across generations. The burning and offering of paper money and other paper items symbolizes deep respect and lasting remembrance, a hopeful gesture for those who have passed into another realm. The rigorous adherence to these rituals may be particularly pronounced in prominent families, their complex ceremonies a reflection of their social standing. But the inherent message of Ching Ming is all-encompassing: the legacy left by our ancestors helps light our own path. The belief that protective gazes from the past still rest upon us endears us with a sense of comfort and honour. Buddhists hold these moments in even greater reverence, considering this time an opportunity to free ancestors from karmic debts and cycles of rebirth. This sense of ancestral redemption underscores the transcendent beauty of Ching Ming—a reverie that is both solemn and liberating.

THE SPIRIT OF CHING MING

The spirit of Ching Ming is somehow a testament to the bonds that anchor generations, and maybe, just maybe, in a gentle whisper, you will hear your ancestors thanking you for not forgetting. It's a time-honoured vow of devotion and affection, a celebration of the roots that sustain our very existence: their sacrifice and sufferings paved the way for our current, comfortable life. Through its observance, we weave ourselves into the fabric of enduring kinship and heritage. It invites us not only to be observers of our history but active participants in it. By reconnecting with the souls who shaped our former days, we walk this bridge

OPHELIA WU FASHION CONSULTANT & JOURNALIST

Like her hometown Hong Kong, Ophelia has a diverse background and upbringing. She moved to Copenhagen in 2019 after 10 years of living in London. Her fashion and journalism career began in 2007 at ELLE Hong Kong magazine, and later on as an online stylist at Net-A-Porter.com in the UK; she has worked with all sorts of creatives, brands and celebrities globally. She now works on everything fashion and communicationrelated. With her love of travelling and places her work brought her to, people she met from all walks of life inspired her to start her own business M for Minimal: a place to raise the awareness of going back to basics through conscious consumption and mindfulness with a touch of spirituality - something she has been practising since her teenage years.

@mforminimal.com

@mforminimal.mfm

@opheliawu

side by side—a bridge not only anchored in remembrance but suspended in the timeless embrace of continuity. THE-INTL

PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS TEXT OPHELIA WU

EMPOWERING YOUR VOICE

THE

EEVERY FIVE YEARS, voters across the 27 member states of the European Union (EU) cast their ballot to determine the makeup of the next European Parliament (2024-2029). The sheer number of eligible voters makes the European Parliamentary (EP) election the second largest behind only India and ahead of those held in the United States. In a continent wherein the EU is the focal point, that makes the EP election significant. Nevertheless, voter turnout is notoriously low compared to national elections despite the uniqueness of the EP. The EP election is unique because the elections combine both the local with the international. The local element takes the shape of such elections being contested locally by national parties. The international element takes the form of populations of 27 different countries in the EU elect legislators to represent them at the EP who in turn are grouped by ideology rather than nationality. The number of representatives sent to Brussels (the EU’s de facto capital) depends on the size of member states’ populations. In Denmark, there will be 15 members of the EP following the election due on the 9th of June. Any individual who is a citizen of a member state of the EU is eligible to vote in Denmark. That could make the roughly 250,000-strong non-Danish EU population in Denmark decisive. But there is a catch. An EU citizen residing in Denmark who has not participated in earlier elections is required to register at least five weeks before the election (so by the 13th of May at the latest). This is meant to avoid double voting in both Denmark and the country of origin. If you have not received a letter via digital post prompting your registration, you can still register here, which includes both instructions and the application form to be sent (digitally or physically).

A LOOK AT THE CONTESTING PARTIES IN THE EU ELECTION

Each party is associated with a unique letter, which is present on the ballot paper. Since the last EP election, all parties have primarily supported the environment, emphasising different solutions to decrease CO2 emissions. Confusingly, 11 parties are contesting the election (ordered from most right to left wing):

#1 O – Dansk Folkeparti (Danish People’s Party): a rightist party that has, similar to the Social Democrats, supported centreleft economic policies while backing support for the monarchy, limiting immigration, and opposing the EU.

#2 Æ – Danmarksdemokraterne (Denmark-Democrats): a rightist party that supports limiting immigration, increased police funding and decentralising power from the EU.

#3 I – Liberal Alliance: classical liberal party with a strong economic focus, including lowering taxes and abolishing registration fees associated with car ownership. Historically mildly Euroscep-

tic, they have now warmed up to the EU.

#4 C – Konservative Folkeparti (Conservatives People’s Party): historically representing the urban Bourgeois with a belief in “King and Country,” the Conservatives now support an environmentally friendly agenda, law and order and the armed forces.

#5 V – Venstre (Liberal Party): Denmark’s oldest party is a broad church with an internationalist stance supporting the EU and NATO. The Liberals have supported efficiencies in the public sector, limiting taxes and improving conditions for small to medium-sized enterprises.

#6 M – Moderaterne (Moderates): centrist party aiming to create progress by amalgamating the right and left.

#7 B – Radikale Venstre (Social-Liberals): a modern liberal party that split from Venstre in 1905 and focused on progressiveness, tolerance, and globalisation.

#8 A – Socialdemokratiet (Social-Democrats): values economic equality, supports workers’ conditions, and increasing public spending. Unlike its sister parties across Europe, the Danish variant has tended to support a hawkish immigration stance and elements of socially conservative policies since 2015.

#9 F – Socialistisk Folkeparti (Socialist People’s Party): a leftist party with stances including equality in economic and social spheres, support for higher taxation and promoting the environment.

#10 Å – Alternativet (Alternative): a movement promoting personal freedom, social dignity, and sustainable society.

#11 Ø – Enhedslisten (Unity-List): leftist party originating from former communists focused on economic equality of outcome, proimmigration and EU scepticism.

ADDRESSING THE REPRESENTATION GAP

There are many reasons why EU citizens might not vote – language barriers, lack of information, and other reasons. However, the inability to fully access one’s democratic rights results in a representation gap. That challenges the idea of representative democracy - this very real problem has the potential to be addressed. Doing so would minimise this gap, help involve internationals further and serve as an example to other democratic nations. That alone, alongside getting one’s voice heard, makes voting vital. I urge you to be the difference. THE-INTL

THORBERN ALEXANDER KLINGERT POLITICAN

Thorbern is a European Parliamentary candidate for Venstre (Denmark’s Liberal Party). Born abroad to a Filipino mother and a Danish father, he spent large chunks of his life living in various countries. The international perspective gave rise to his interest in European politics, particularly following Brexit when he was based in London at the time. On a daily basis, he works in a global consultancy, working with colleagues and clients across the world, reinforcing the international element that has been with him throughout his life.

@Thorbern Alexander Klingert

IMPORTANCE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION AND WHY YOUR VOTE MATTERS.

PHOTOGRAPHS EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT FB PAGE TEXT THORBERN ALEXANDER KLINGERT