The International - August 2022

international

the

ISSN 2596-5220

THE DANISH SMØRREBRØD

INTERNATIONAL FLUIDITY

POST HOLIDAY BLUES!

EVENTS AROUND DENMARK

AUGUST 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

AINA ADAPTS TO LIFE IN AALBORG

REDISCOVERING AND REINVENTING YOURSELF!

AUGUST 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

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MEITHEAL MENTALITY - CREATING COMMUNITIES, BRIDGING DISTANCES. MEITHEAL IS THE IRISH WORD FOR A TEAM, OR A GANG OF WORKERS, AND INHERENTLY REFERS TO A GROUP OF PEOPLE WORKING TOGETHER TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE WHERE AND WHEN NEEDED. THE INTERNATIONAL WAS BUILT ON THIS FOUNDATION – AND WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY. SO LET'S EXPLORE THE FUNDAMENTALS OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BELONG TO A COMMUNITY!

THE IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING AN ONLINE COMMUNITY Online has enabled communities to connect in digital spaces and has brought different ways to how we engage.

It can cast a wider net than traditional offline methods and draw a more extensive, diverse range of participants. Dedicated online engagement spaces can provide an array of tools and methods by which the community can provide meaningful and considered contributions.

In addition, these spaces can help us equip the community with the information they need to unpack issues and offer support as a newly arrived international.

Digital engagement for community building can borrow core values and principles from traditional offline engagement to create effective online dialogue in a safe, accessible, and welcoming environment.

For instance, access is critical in ensuring that online deliberative processes can open the doors to various perspectives and concerns.

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; Vanessa C Petersen; Alexandra Beck; Mariano Davies; Skyler Bentley Hall; Monika Pedersen; Sara R. Newell; Aina Masood;

T

THE FLUID AND often unclear concept of community can speak to a fundamental sense of shared experience, history, and interest at individual and collective levels. A community can be an acknowledgement of interdependence. Building a community describes a set of relationships created by shared meaning, need, and belonging – and are sustained by exchanging ideas, information, and experiences in their context. I had this in mind when I started the International many years ago.

Community engagement and community building can each align with a mutual set of goals built around a fundamental sense of connectedness that is, quite literally, enacted by their processes. To be effective, these processes should be able to address the ideas that sit at the heart of what it means to be a community. For example, if a community is more than the sum of its parts, what enhances and nourishes it? To do this, you would have to look beyond what makes a community to instead what makes a community tick.

For instance, trust is a crucial community component and an important marker. Trust has long been recognised as an outcome and a vital ingredient of community building and engagement. Trust can speak to a sense of mutual understanding, engaging in an exchange, and dialogue in good faith. Dialogue, in this way, provides the opportunity for the community to be able to look beyond a limited field of sight and, together, weave a more holistic understanding of the issues that affect their realm of togetherness.

Deliberative dialogue, in particular, is the careful and deep social process facilitated in an environment of mutual respect that can forge better collaborative relationships. Deliberative dialogue is not a debate - it's a model of communication and engagement for community building, can carry crucial democratic values and is increasingly recognised as a best practice approach to public participation.

AUGUST 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

The International has prided itself on our print and digital publication since we began in 2018 – something that I, for one, "coming from old school print," have been very proud of. As some of you might be sitting and scrolling through your mobile or iPad, reading our latest issue – what I'm about to share might not surprise you. Before the summer holidays, you could go out around Denmark and pick up a freshly printed free issue at your local hotspot - for others, reading it online was your norm.

We have deliberated, looked at our online vs print statistics, and decided that we won't be printing or distributing The International monthly. Due to rising costs in the print industry, the effect of Covid over the last three years, and the war, it won't be financially sustainable to continue in this medium. My team and I are purely volunteers, and we are proud to pool our efforts behind this inspiring publication – and we have loads of fun producing it. Our goal has always been to support our community and provide accessible and free inspiration to help you settle into and understand Denmark.

When we first came onto the scene in 2018 – we took off quickly. But, unfortunately, the circulation has gone from increasing to a decrease in recent years – which sadly is a trend in the publishing industry. Digital, on the other hand, has gone the other way for all of us in the industry, and The International has a solid social media influence that we will focus on from now on. This shift marks that we as a team will be even more relevant to all who follow us online – and increase our digital presence in new and incoming markets.

It is a sad decision to end our print, which I've spent many nights tossing and turning over, but we are doing it to focus all our efforts on what we are here for, which is to help you find your soft landing in Denmark and its community. So one final shout-out to the team – thank you for always supporting the direction that we take our publication in – and looking forward to continuing our shared ideas and passions in what we do.

Love,

LYNDSAY JENSEN - EDITOR & FOUNDER THE-INTL.COM

Susan Jessen Spiele; Nikolaos Papadopoulos; Michaela Medvedova; Shani Bishop; Natasha Liviero; Heather Storgaard

Events Coordinator Lyndsay Jensen - lyndsay@the-intl.com

COVER PICTURE Alex Flutur - www.instagram.com/creative.flutur

SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM SoMe Coordinator Alberte Borggreen - alberte@the-intl.com

SoMe Ambassadors Neelam Gahlaut; Michaela Medvedova; Aina Masood; Katie Noyed; Ane-Sophie Custura; Terumi Mascarenhas; Manon Coolen; Leslie Noygues; Shelly Pandey; Shivangi Singh; Ritika Jain; Pavlos Tsiakoumis; Sakib Akhter; Rashmi Jadhav; Gemma La Rocca; Isabel Pereira Lima

SALES sales@the-intl.com The International is published online 12 times a year. This issue was published on 1 August, 2022.

Notice: The publishers regret that they cannot accept any liability for error or omissions contained in this publication. The opinions and views presented need not necessarily reflect those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek special counsel before acting on any information contained herein. All rights reserved. No part of this publication or contents thereof may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without written permission from the publishers. Published by and © 2021 The International ApS. Registered in Denmark / CVR Number: 39118181

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THE FEEL-GOOD STORIES OF DENMARK

Bringing communities together through cycling.

THE REFUGEE BICYCLE CLUB

MICHAELA MEDVEĎOVÁ

NIKOLAOS PAPADOPOULOS

The Refugee Bicycle Club aims to connect refugees needing bikes with those who don’t have use for them anymore.

DANCE THE SUMMER NIGHTS AWAY IN THE FAIRYTALE GARDEN Have you ever walked around Odense during a lovely summer evening - and suddenly wondered where the dance music and the sound of people counting steps is coming from? This is pretty normal during the summer months in Fyn’s fairytale city. There is a long-standing tradition of organising open-air dance events called Sommerdans (summer dance). So if the sound of salsa or swing music makes your feet tap, join the dancers - summer dancing is back!

“Odense Kommune invites all dance communities, groups, or associations in the municipality to dance in Eventyrhaven.”

This year, the series of events kicked off on June 2, and the last opportunity to dance will be on August 26. “Odense Kommune invites all dance communities, groups, or associations in the municipality to dance in Eventyrhaven. The dancers can then apply for the dates they want. Odense Kommune then creates a programme,” says cultural consultant Thom-

MICHAELA MEDVEDOVÁ comes from Slovakia and moved to Denmark 3 years ago to study for her Master's degree. Living in Odense she says it's the perfect city for her because it's not too large to be intimidating, but still exciting!

as Schiødt. Dance associations that want to join next year can also contact him.

You can find the official programme on the Odense Municipality website, and there are usually Facebook events.

Sommerdans events have existed in Odense since 2002 - and organising them in the Eventyrhaven also has its tradition. “The dancers like the place and atmosphere,” explains Thomas. During the summer, dance events also occur all over the city - for example, in the picturesque and always-decorated Vintapperstræde or the square in front of Café Biografen.

The answer from Thomas whether they plan to continue with Sommerdans in the future is a resounding yes - which will undoubtedly make Odense’s many dance lovers jump with joy. THE-INTL

“Anyone forced to flee their country can seek them out, and they will do their utmost to help!”

ODENSE SALSA FB PAGE

Organised by the Odense Municipality, Sommerdans consists of individual events occurring every Thursday and Friday between 18:00 and 21:00. Each dance evening is hosted by a different dance school or association of various styles. This year, you can learn the basics of everything from line dance and lindy hop to salsa and Argentine tango.

The hosts for the night invite dance lovers to join them on the dance floor in Eventyrhaven at Café Siesta for a free introductory lesson and dancing afterwards. It’s common for people to stay in Eventyrhaven after the event, enjoying a cosy evening with friends.

The war in Ukraine is undoubtedly a tragedy. People are losing their lives daily, properties are destroyed, and many families have fled their homes. However, the war also brings out the best in people who can not sit idly by while their fellow humans suffer. Such is the case for Nick, Birger, and Laurenz, founders of the Refugee Bicycle Club in Copenhagen. All three have experience working with refugees in the past, and they decided to combine their skills to start this initiative to provide refugees with bikes, a staple of Danish life.

“The war in Ukraine was a huge push for us to start the club,” says Nick. But then, they noticed a massive demand in bike requests on social media and realised there was a need.

“Bikes can make a huge difference in your life in a country like Denmark, especially in Copenhagen, where biking is the best way to go around no matter your age”.

While the club started because of the war in Ukraine, its services are not meant just for Ukrainians. Anyone forced to flee their country can seek them out, and they will do their utmost to help! More importantly, the club is not only a place to get bikes for free, but it also is a social club! They now help people get to work, go to language courses, transport shopping, and keep kids entertained for free! The response of the public has been overwhelmingly positive. Danes and expats donate their old bikes, and the trio has had plenty of encouragement and help from their networks.

However, demand is ever-increasing. The club lacks sponsors, and there is always a need for more funds, spare parts, and word of mouth. Nick ends by saying, “If you want to help, please visit our website or shoot an email to Nick. If you like the idea, just come and join the club!”. THE-INTL https://refugeebicycleclub.com nick@refugeebicycleclub.com Follow on FB/Instagram: @refugeebicycleclub

NIKOLAOS PAPADOPOULOS is originally from Greece, but has been living in Esbjerg for a few years. With a Bachelor's degree in Economics and a Master's degree in Marketing from the University of Southern Denmark, he has always had a passion for creative writing.

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AUGUST EVENTS AROUND DENMARK LYNDSAY JENSEN EVENTS COORDINATOR lyndsay@the-intl.com

FUNEN

LÆSØ

LÆSØ JOMFRUHUMMERFESTIVAL FB PAGE

THE TALL SHIPS RACES AALBORG FB PAGE

VISIT DENMARK - DANIEL_RASMUSSEN

ZEALAND

AALBORG

3-7 AUGUST

6 AUGUST

THE TALL SHIPS RACES

LÆSØ LOBSTER FESTIVAL

More than 40 of the world's most beautiful tall ships, 1,500 crewmembers and 750,000 guests are expected to visit Aalborg when the city is the last port of The Tall Ships Races 2022. In connection with The Tall Ships Races 2022, the harbour areas on both sides of the fjord are set up as "event areas" with service facilities and entertainment for ships' crews and the public.

The tall ships are the main attraction, but a visit will also include musical and cultural experiences for the whole family.

This year Læsø will host their famous lobster festival after a brief interruption by covid, with no restrictions - only lack of hotel rooms!

Five chefs will compete in the chef's competition for The Golden Lobster Claw - always exciting.

There will be a big screen streamed, and broadcast live, and we hope the weather Gods bless us with sunshine. A link to this will later be provided on our Facebook page.

So, mark your calendars for an event not to be missed!

WHERE: SLOTSPLADSEN 9000, AALBORG FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/2ALTKOWPI

WHERE: ØSTERBY HAVN, LÆSØ FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/5NLH9NXT5

VISIT DENMARK - GITTE LINDEBORG_FLYING OCTOBER

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COPENHAGEN

COPENHAGEN WATERSPORT FESTIVAL FB PAGE

JUTLAND

MUSIK OVER PRÆSTØ FJORD FB PAGE

VISIT DENMARK - PETER KIRKEGAARD

PRÆSTØ

4-7 AUGUST

6 AUGUST

MUSIC NEAR PRÆSTØ FJORD

CPH WATERSPORT FESTIVAL

Welcome to an extended weekend in late Danish summer, to listen, play, sing, dance, kiss, look at the stars, eat good food, and walk barefoot in the grass.

Everyone parties together in a magical atmosphere surrounded by music. An exciting programme of more than 30 concerts with professional artists, workshops etc.

There are also children and family performances, dance workshops for children, and plenty of opportunities to make music and be creative in the children's tent.

Is it your dream to try a fun watersport at Amager Strandpark? This festival consists exclusively of volunteers who are passionate about water sports and who have worked hard to make Copenhagen the Scandinavian water sports capital. An activity ticket costs only DKK 190 and allows you to try all water sports activities.

There is free entry to all activities on land, and you can enjoy music, refreshments, street food, and try your luck with some raffles.

WHERE: SMIDSTRUPVEJ 69 4733 TAPPERNØJE FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/2VMIQADXX

WHERE: JOLLEVEJ 5, 2300 COPENHAGEN S FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/21EW1YR2P

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RADIUS DISTILLERY FB PAGE

EBELTOFT

DEN GRÆNSELØSE FESTIVAL FB PAGE

COPENHAGEN

COMMON GROUND FB PAGE

PRÆSTØ

6 AUGUST

12-14 AUGUST

12-14 AUGUST

FARMERS MARKET

COMMON GROUND FESTIVAL

THE BOUNDLESS FESTIVAL

It's time to raise the umbrellas and welcome local friends to the Farmer's Market at Radius Distillery in Præstø.

Come and meet Mosters Is, Sydkysthaven, BogøBrød, Koster Færgegård, Bryghuset Møn, MønBi, Konditoren from Hesnæs, Hårbølle mejeri, Møllebakkegård, Naturlig Blomst - and other delicious drinks from the distillery's cauldrons.

Come and eat, drink and be merry - buy local delicacies to take home and enjoy the summer sun before we head towards cooler months.

Common Ground Festival is a new festival specialising in international music. The festival's primary aim is to remove genre limitations and bring a diverse pool of artists to the same stage. So from punk to grime, to psych to hyper-pop - you will get it all under one roof.

This first year will be a small affair, allowing us to present artists in a more intimate setting than they would usually be expected to play in.

The festival will take place at KPH Volume - a truly unique space for venues in Copenhagen, which is precisely why it was handpicked as the location for the first edition of the Common Ground Festival.

The Boundless Festival is a chilled festival centred around food, nature and art, which combined become a natural catalyst for human encounters.

The Boundless Festival will create local anchoring, a space to slow down, sensuality and presence, allowing time to stand still.

The festival creates a framework for: workshops, debates, art, music, dance, sustainable ideas, communities, meals, conversations, swimming trips, walks, and human connection.

The festival leaves you with a zest for life, dreams, memories, new acquaintances, awareness, curiosity, vulnerability, openness, inspiration, impressions, and knowledge.

WHERE: OREMANDSGAARD ALLE 2 4720 PRÆSTØ FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/2L0RLPYDB

FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/29EM4ZGOM

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UNSPLASH

WHERE: HAVMØLLEVEJ 12, 8400 EBELTOFT FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/1TGWVEAPL

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COPENHAGEN

FOLKEKIRKEN I KØBENHAVN

COPENHAGEN

FOLKEKIRKEN I KØBENHAVN

DET GROENNE LOPPEMARKED FB PAGE

COPENHAGEN

14 AUGUST

16 & 30 AUGUST

20 AUGUST

THE GREEN FLEA MARKET

'OUT AND ABOUT'

PRE-PRIDE WARM UP

It's time to gather your discarded kitchenware, dusty vases, the shirt that is never worn and hangs in your closet, the books that need to be read by fresh eyes and other things that deserve a new life.

The green flea market invites you to eight completely new markets where you can book stands at www.detgroenneloppemarked.dk There is draft beer, plant-based food, chess and games, lottery, sunshine and many new initiatives.

We are looking for great ideas for speakers, debates, exhibitions and workshops. If you have a good idea, email us at info@detgroenneloppemarked.dk

GUIDED TOUR OF VESTERBRO Experience a walking guided tour of historical Vesterbro and its churches. We meet at Eliaskirken on Vesterbros Torv, finishing at Apostelkirken, where we will serve light refreshments. The tour is FREE but remember to sign up!

Sign up for 16 August via this link: https://www.eventbrite.dk/e/guided-tour-of-vesterbro-in-english-tickets-359596210947 Sign up for 30 August via this link: https://www.eventbrite.dk/e/guided-tour-of-vesterbro-in-english-tickets-356200373907

Before the pride parade passes Vesterbros Torv, we will serve cake and bubbles from 12:00-14:30. Music will be by renowned musician Olivier Antunes accompanied by Ann Falden & Eva Skipper. The event is free, and everybody is welcome!

WHERE: JAGTVEJ 16, COPENHAGEN FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/1E2DXLKBU

WHERE: 17:00-19:00 AT ELIASKIRKEN ON VESTERBROS TORV FOR MORE INFO: WWW.KOBENHAVNSSTIFT.DK/ENGLISH FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK & TIKTOK: @ FOLKEKIRKENFORINTERNATIONALS/@FFINTERNATIONALS

COPENHAGEN

WHERE: VESTERBROS TORV, COPENHAGEN FOR MORE INFO: WWW.KOBENHAVNSSTIFT.DK/ENGLISH

AARHUS

FOLKEKIRKEN I KØBENHAVN

REGATTA SILKEBORG FB PAGE

PORTVINSFESTIVAL FB PAGE

SILKEBORG

20 AUGUST

16 AUGUST

17 AUGUST

PRIDE - PANEL DISCUSSION

REGATTA SILKEBORG

'DOES GOD HAVE A GENDER?' Panelists: Ann-Christine Ruuth (She/Her/Hers) Pastor, Church of Sweden - Eir Andreas Ihlang Berg (She/Her/Hers) - Ass. Proffessor - Faculty of Theology, VID Specialised University Norway - William Salicath (He/Him/His) - Pastor, Church of Denmark - Mia Rahr Jacobsen (She/Her/Hers) - Moderator & Pastor, Church of Denmark

The regatta combines a folk music programme with cultural and movement activities beyond the usual.

The harbour is illuminated, and paddle boats transform Museum Silkeborgs Haver into a magical children's mecca with a large concert stage at Søvej with Silkeborg Langsø as a backdrop.

The party town culminates in a large and spectacular Regatta show, where we combine classic fireworks with new technologies, all in Silkeborg's scenic surroundings.

WHERE: 14:00 AT REGNBUEPLADSEN, DEBATTELTET FOR MORE INFO: WWW.KOBENHAVNSSTIFT.DK/ENGLISH

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FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/2C6ZGQRMJ

PORT WINE FESTIVAL XDen Rå Hal on Godsbanen in the heart of Aarhus is transformed into a venue lovers of port wine.

The ticket gives access to the festival, a stamp card for 10 good glasses of port wine - one at each stand - and a wristband allowing you to buy port wine at special prices.

In addition to the 10 good glasses included in your ticket, you can buy tokens and taste many other unique port wines.

It is possible to purchase a delicious tapas box with charcuterie, cheeses, bread and butter.

We welcome you to the Port Wine Festival 2022 in Aarhus!

WHERE: SKOVGAARDSGADE 3 ENTRANCE 3C 8000 AARHUS FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/3L96BHXOD

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RISSKOV

AARHUS

UNSPLASH

LOP DE LUX FB PAGE

FOLKEKIRKEN I KØBENHAVN

COPENHAGEN

21 AUGUST

21 AUGUST

24 AUGUST

PRIDE SERVICE

LOP DE LUX

ASG STREETDANCE

Join us for a special Pride and Jazz Service with some of Copenhagen's most renowned jazz musicians during the week of Gay Pride. After the service, we will serve refreshments at Vesterbros Torv.

LOP DE LUX is a famous local charity flea market in Risskov. The profit goes to the local mini-institution, Sølyst.

Toys, jewellery, kitchen items, home accessories, shoes, clothes, bicycles, furniture and other fun gizmos and knick-knacks are for sale. Stands are available if you would like to sell your own items. Excess of stand sales, food and drink go to the Sølyst orphanage.

The grill is ready, and Risskov Slagteren serves homemade sausages and bread.

At ASG Streetdance, you can enjoy community, laughter, new friendships, a focus on techniques, energy and work up a sweat!

We cover different techniques and styles, from heavy rhythms and afro to girly hip-hop and funk.

If you cannot attend the pre-training, videos of the dances will be posted so you can learn them at home. If you can also not participate in the selection, send us a video of the dances from the pre-training by 2 September at the latest.

If you want to check out our team and see what we've been up to in previous seasons, check out our Instagram: @asg_streetdance Remember to register for pre-training and selection here: https://asg.dk/events

Receive a blessing As a way of marking the 10th anniversary of same-sex marriages in the National Church in Denmark, we invite all couples to receive a blessing during service.

WHERE: 13:00 AT ELIASKIRKEN ON VESTERBROS TORV FOR MORE INFO: WWW.KOBENHAVNSSTIFT.DK/ENGLISH FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK & TIKTOK: @ FOLKEKIRKENFORINTERNATIONALS/@FFINTERNATIONALS

WHERE: FORTEVEJ 8240, RISSKOV FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/3ARQTMM59

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WHERE: DALGAS AVE 4, 8000 AARHUS FOR MORE INFO: HTTPS://FB.ME/E/2JGDSBKIE

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FINDING JOY IN LIFE'S LITTLE THINGS

INSPIRING COLUMNIST, WRITER, AND PSYCHOLOGIST AINA MASOOD REFLECTS ON HOW SOMETIMES, YOU MUST LEAVE THE COMFORTS AND CONSTRAINTS OF YOUR HOME CULTURE TO RETURN TO YOURSELF ENTIRELY.

PHOTOGRAPHS ALEX FLUTUR - WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CREATIVE.FLUTUR/

D

DESPITE BEING FROM Pakistan, Aina Masood likes winters and enjoys sitting out in the street with her jacket on, reading and having coffee. Her husband often jokes she was accidentally born in the wrong country.

After following him to Aalborg, the clinical psychologist began exploring new opportunities, trying her hand at different challenges - and she rediscovered herself along the way.

BEYOND BOUNDARIES But the thought of living halfway across the world from her home country would probably have seemed very far from reality for a younger Aina. "I come from a very small town in Pakistan, so the maximum I had thought I would be able to do is go to another city to study. But I had never thought I would go out of Pakistan. My world was limited in my head - because I was younger, and I didn't think I had the resources to do that."

The first time she travelled internationally and on her own was during her undergrad studies. And quite a leap it was - she went to the U.S. for a study exchange programme for five months. "I grew as a person, and I changed. I realised then that I love to travel because all the money I received through my scholarship, I spent on travelling," laughs Aina.

But while her love for international life came a bit later in life, she grew up with a very intercultural mindset - respecting other people's cultures was ingrained in Aina and her siblings. That's important in Pakistani culture, which is very diverse. But apart from some big cities where individualism prevails, Pakistan is generally big on hospitality and collectivism. "You have strong family ties and would go to all the major events in their lives."

It's even more understandable that Aina misses her family back in Pakistan. She's the eldest of four siblings. "I first came to Denmark in 2019, and then the pandem-

AUGUST 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

TEXT MICHAELA MEDVEĎOVÁ

ic hit shortly after. So I couldn't travel back home for the first two years. I finally got to go this January, but only for 17 days, and it just went by so fast." She's trying to find a middle ground for family reunions - meeting them in some place like Turkey because it's tough to secure a tourist visa to Denmark. "It's not very welcoming for people from Pakistan - perhaps because of politics? Denmark is a little afraid of immigrants, and Muslim immigrants especially. But, as a Pakistani, it's a different situation if you have a job." For Aina and her husband, the process wasn't complicated.

They met during their Master's in Pakistan, and while they were still dating, he got a PhD offer in Denmark. So he moved in 2018, and she followed in 2019.

Aina says that in Pakistan, arranged marriages are widespread, but more and more love marriages like hers are happening now. But there's still a specific route a couple has to take. "In Pakistan, the man's family comes over to the woman's family - they talk and decide if that's a good fit, even though he and I already knew each other. But just informing your parents: 'We're getting married!' doesn't happen. Elders have to be a part of the picture." But her family was very supportive. As she heard about other people having to go through a lot of trouble to have their families on board, she was mentally prepared for it to be more difficult. "But I was proud of how my father handled the situation. He said: I supported you to attend university and get an education so that you can think for yourself, and if you think this guy is the right one for you, you can spend your life with him."

REDISCOVERING HERSELF IN AALBORG And for the time being, that life is in Denmark.

"My move to Aalborg was well timed - I knew it would happen because the process went on for over a year and a half. But Denmark was very new. My motivation for moving here was to be with my husband, nothing else. But when I came here, I absolutely

REBEKAH JOY PORTRAITS

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loved it." Aina now considers Aalborg her home. She appreciates its size, affordability, and greenery all around the city. "It was made for me; it wasn't a hard landing at all." The struggle came a little bit later - and was career-related.

Aalborg is a home for many internationals, and recent years have seen a lot of work done to improve their city life. The International House North Denmark and the Aalborg University have their programmes. But professional opportunities can be scarce for a non-Danish-speaking clinical psychologist like Aina, who would have daily conversations with people. "At first, I was like: My husband only has two years of the PhD. When that's done, maybe we'll move. So in the beginning, I took it easy, tried different things, and was going to see what'll happen."

As she grew up as a very accepting person, rather than experiencing cultural shocks, Aina took in the differences with interest and a learning mindset. "The one shock I had was realising how similar I am to people here. I like having a schedule, and I am very punctual. I like my privacy, and I don't particularly appreciate being pestered. I don't like people just showing up at my home. All of those things gave me a lot of stress in Pakistan because that's normal there."

In her home country, when people agree to meet at six, Aina says it's normal to expect people only start driving by seven or 7:30. Because of the collectivism, it's normal to show up at someone's house saying: Hey, let's have tea. "Pakistan is also a place where women aren't very safe. That was something that bugged me enormously, but I still travelled independently. It is slightly unsafe, but I think you learn to live with it and learn some strategies. So being able to do that freely here was refreshing. It was like finding a home in Aalborg and returning to myself. I can be the person I am without any restrictions or thinking I will hurt people around me."

BATTLING STIGMAS But this is not Aina's first time being in a situation that's a far cry from Pakistani collectivism. Her solo exchange to the States while doing her undergrad in psychology shaped her career path toward clinical psychology. "When I went there, I experienced depression for the first time. I was away from home, very lonely, which was something new to me."

That's when her first episode of depression happened, connected with psychosomatic problems for which there were no medical reasons. "If I trace it back, I was experiencing all of that in Pakistan as well, a lot of stomach aches. So, I thought the doctors were inefficient because they couldn't find a reason. But there was nothing wrong with me physically." Luckily, she studied abnormal psychology in the States and recognised the psychosomatic problems.

AUGUST 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

Her experience with episodic depression, which came back regularly, motivated her to learn more to help others. She'd been through it and knew how bad it could get.

That's why, after returning to Pakistan, where there is a significant stigma around mental health, she decided to do her Master's degree in clinical psychology.

During that time, she also decided to go to the therapist because she wanted to work on herself. She had to make peace with her story and be able to see the healing process.

"It helped me find beauty in things, helped me find grounding, a way back to myself."

This has enabled her to help others. She can pull from her experiences to be there for others and realise what they might be going through. Rather than being scared of her own experience, she can use it emphatically to help.

LEARNING AND ADAPTING Unfortunately, she can't do that as much as she'd like in Denmark. She doesn't have a PhD, and people with a Master's can work as a psychotherapist, not a psychologist.

"When I came to Denmark, I wanted to study more. But there are hardly any programmes in English. And even if there were, you would have clients who speak Danish. I'm not at a point where I can have full-blown conversations about people's lives.

It will be long before I can have therapy sessions in Danish." But she still wanted to be a mental health professional - and started exploring other options besides taking online clients from Pakistan.

One of them was at Aalborg University. The International Staff Unit (ISU) helps internationals adjust and find accommodation. They also help spouses, as many trailing spouses have emotional problems and need a network. Aina attended their events and coffee meetings - and learned that they are thinking of making a spouse and partner division. Aina readily volunteered. "We would talk about the struggles everybody's having. It was like a support group. It was helpful for people to meet others going through the same issues."

Aina enjoyed collaborating with the ISU and continued pitching her ideas. One of the projects was a workshop for PhD researchers about stress management during the pandemic. Her work caught the eye of Copenhagen University, and they asked her to come and talk there. "It was a good effort - it was what I love doing - and I could earn a living. So my husband suggested that maybe I should register a business in Denmark.

But I knew nothing about businesses, and I'm terrified of the tax system here because I don't understand it. But I thought: I can always learn. And learning and adapting is what I am good at."

So she started R.A.I.N. "It's an acronym for recognise, accept, investigate, and nurture. It comes from mindfulness practices, reflects who I am because I am a big na-

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"R.A.I.N. IS AN ACRONYM FOR RECOGNISE, ACC E P T, I N V E S T I GAT E , A N D N U RT U R E . I T COMES FROM MINDFULNESS PRACTICES, REFLECTS WHO I AM BECAUSE I AM A BIG NATURE PERSON, AND I TALK ABOUT WHAT I DO IN WORKSHOPS."

ture person, and I talk about what I do in workshops."

She aims to collaborate with universities and companies to help their employees improve their mental well-being. However, she also needs to focus on having a regular job to fulfil residency requirements in Denmark and step back a bit. Currently, she's also teaching psychology to American students who come to Copenhagen for a six-week exchange programme.

ACCEPTING THE HAPPY-SAD Compared to Pakistan, there's much less stigma around mental health in Denmark and more acceptance of seeking professional help and openly discussing it with friends. Aina also appreciates other initiatives like the possibility of mental health time off work or mental health services from the municipality in case of tragedies. "But Denmark also faces many challenges - you must first go to your G.P. to get a referral to a psychologist. And it's costly - they can easily charge you a thousand DKK an hour. Even if you get a deduction, you pay half, which is challenging for many people."

The move into a new cultural setting is also a significant factor in our mental health. For example, being an expat helped Aina with handling different emotions at the same time. "You learn to be this happy-sad. I'm extremely grateful for being in Denmark. I love it - but there's the conflicting feeling of being left behind regarding my career. So you're trying to manage these two opposing emotions together." This also made a shift in her therapeutic practice. She realised that when people are trying to move on to better things, accepting what is current is also very important.

HELPFUL REFLECTIONS Besides her work, Aina also shares her reflections on her Instagram profile. "I started taking pictures and writing reflections as a part of my healing process when I went through depression. I was trying to bring beauty back to my life and find joy in little things. I was talking a lot about my feelings and experiences, and it was helping many people who were reaching out to me."

And it was social media that brought her to The International. She saw a call for volunteer social ambassadors and knew volunteering is a vital part of networking in Denmark. But there was potential for more, and Aina was also asked to start contributing as a writer. "I've never thought about writing - what would I write about?

So I thought about what I could do that would be helpful for people. I'm living in Denmark. I'm an international mental health practitioner. So I just tried to bring those together."

The result? A series of enlightening and inspiring stories told in the publication - among which she can now count her own, too. THE-INTL

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POST VACAY, HURRAY! OUR RESIDENT HEALTH AND FITNESS GURU, ALEX, KEEPS US GOING AFTER THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS.

PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH

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OH WOW, IS it already time to unpack the suitcase, do the laundry, get back to work, school and cooking dinner? Yes, it is, and what a privilege!

We often dread returning to work post-vacation, resetting the snooze alarm to the crack of dawn, getting the kids back into their school and extra-curricular activities, figuring out what to put on the grocery list for the week and answering the pile of emails. And oh my!

We have been enjoying the Tuscan wining and dining lifestyle a wee bit too much for our jeans… And yet all of this “back to normal” is what composes most of our lives. So how about a mindset switch?

Instead of feeling down about returning to “life”, let’s make the experience of returning home something we look forward to and feel grateful for. After all, we are now rested and ready to return to our everyday life and let’s face it, vacations are designed to be special. If we had them every day, we would take them for granted.

We have had some fantastic moments, fabulous experiences and delicious foods, and now we can come home to all the things we were missing during our holidays: our beautiful homes, gardens, great friends and colleagues, and the list of things we promised we would do to improve our physical and mental health.

Now, getting back to the “health” point may be the most challenging part of the grand return (and the one we may not really have been “missing”) since it’s also one of the easiest ones to set aside in favour of the list above! But hey, this could be part of your lifestyle improvement plan for a while now, and perfect timing to take action! Who needs a new year’s resolution when you have an incredible opportunity to start in August. Start? Yes, but where?

TEXT ALEXANDRA BECK

ON THE HOME FRONT, GET THE FAMILY INVOLVED IN HEALTHIER HABITS TOO, FOR EXAMPLE: #1 MINDFULLY PLANNING AND PREPARING MEALS TOGETHER: Learning about nutritious foods together can be fun and tasty!

#2 TALKING POSITIVELY ABOUT MOVEMENT: The likelihood of the family wanting to be more active may come naturally, too.

#3 GETTING TO BED A LITTLE EARLIER THAN USUAL: Feeling rested when the buzzer goes off will improve everyone’s mood.

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 Remember that the lifestyle you are returning to post vacay is one of choice and can constantly be improved with a touch of positive dust and a pinch of willpower. There is still no magic trick, but a mindset change can have that same look and feel as on the other side of a wand. And how wonderful is it to still enjoy some of the longer evenings in August at home, too? THE-INTL

AUGUST 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

@alexbeck.fit hello@alexbeck.fit

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FOOD ART

THE DANISH SMØRREBRØD SUPER SIMPLE DANISH-INSPIRED OPEN-FACE SANDWICHES IDEAL FOR ENTERTAINING. PHOTOGRAPHS & TEXT: NATASHA LIVIERO / UNSPLASH

SMOKED SALMON

EGG AND RADISH

ROAST BEEF

INGREDIENTS:

INGREDIENTS:

INGREDIENTS:

4 slices of traditional rye bread (or bread of your choice) 100 - 200g smoked salmon 1 small red onion, chopped 1 - 2 mild peppadews, chopped 20 capers (you can add more to taste) butter mayonnaise dill black pepper

4 slices of traditional rye bread (or bread of your choice) 2-3 boiled eggs, sliced 2-3 radishes, thinly sliced butter mayonnaise chives, finely chopped salt and pepper

4 Slices of traditional rye bread (or bread of your choice) 100-200g roast beef, thinly sliced 4 small gherkins, sliced butter wholegrain mustard horseradish micro greens

METHOD:

METHOD:

1. Butter the bread and place sliced eggs on top.

2. Add small dollops of mayonnaise, followed by the radishes.

3. Garnish with chives and a grinding of salt and pepper.

1. Butter the bread, spread with wholegrain mustard and then place the roast beef on top.

2. Add small dollops of horseradish, followed by the gherkins.

3. Garnish with micro greens.

METHOD: 1. Butter the bread and place the salmon on top.

2. Add small dollops of mayonnaise across the entire surface of the salmon. Sprinkle with the onions, peppadews and capers.

3. Garnish with dill and a grinding of black pepper.

NOTES: 4The ingredients for the smørrebrød are a guideline only. You can increase the quantities to taste and or according to the size and number of slices you are preparing.

NATASHA LIVIERO - PASTRY CHEF Natasha is a recently qualified 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 feline friends), and is always on the hunt for interesting new cookbooks. natashaliviero

AUGUST 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

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BACK TO (BLAZER) BUSINESS STRAIGHTEN YOUR LAPELS and fix your pocket flaps because, in this issue, we will talk about the most recognised business piece… the blazer. The blazer first made its style scene debut in the 1800s as a warm-up gear for rowers at distinguished English universities.

Although blazers are typically associated with menswear…women have been holding down the style scene with these versatile pieces.

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#1 Keeping up the tradition A freshly tailored blazer with a crisp pair of pants is a match made in textile heaven. This combo is both safe for work and play. You can dress it up for the office with some cotton trousers or join friends for happy hour with your favourite blazer and jean combo. Linen blazers always provide some relief in the transition month from summer to fall, and wool will keep you warm during the colder months. Zara, H&M, and Na-KD are great platforms to find the perfect fit.

#2 Adding the feminine touch Since the blazer is synonymous with menswear, sometimes adding a soft touch is fundamental in achieving an aesthetic. Floral, animal, and patchwork prints can help to add a pop of style to the day-to-day work week. Also, pairing a blazer with a skirt or dress can further magnify that feminine embrace. Blazers are the icing on the ensemble cake and come in many flavours. Find some daring prints at PrettyLittleThing, NastyGal, and Akira today.

#3 Who wears short shorts?

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Well, maybe not too short for the workplace, but shorts are another great pairing with blazers. The high-waist trouser short has recently seen a surge in popularity and is the perfect duds ally. So button your finest shorts, find a simple base shirt, and throw on that plaid blazer for the chef ’s kiss. ResumeCPH and NastyGal are some great brands to find both tailored blazers and shorts all in one spot.

#4 Spice it up!

As you have already guessed…I have a fringe obsession!

Implementing these summer staples all year round has become a sport for me. Before you say no, just hear me out… fringe and blazers go together. Just imagine your favourite beach fringed dress or skirt, paired with an oversized blazer…still not convinced? Well, just look at the photo - it is a trend that will be gaining more exposure in the coming months. Depending on your work environment, this outfit can leave a lasting impression. Since we know where to find the perfect blazer, I will give you a clue to find the perfect fringe dress or skirt!

#5 The blazer dress

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The blazer dress is easily the simplest fashion recipe on this list today. All you need is an oversized blazer and/ or tailored blazer dress, some funky shoes, and a model smile. There is a blazer dress out there to satisfy any office dress code. Pair the blazer with some structured boots or your most loved sandals to slay the professional catwalk. Thrifting can be a great way to find some vintage oversized blazers while maximising your green footprint.

My favourite vintage shop is SHEEK Vintage, where the owner curates some great pieces from the earlier fashion decades. Other great brands for some funky blazer dresses are Asos and Stradivarius.

VANESSA PETERSEN JEWELRY DESIGNER OWNER OF STYLEFREED Dubbed the 'Jill Of All Trades', Vanessa hails from the sunshine state of Florida. After visiting Copenhagen several times as a former International Flight Attendant, she permanently settled in Denmark in 2017 with her husband. Currently, Vanessa is the owner of the hand-crafted jewellery brand, the Style Freed. She creates personalised jewellery centred around healing crystals worldwide.

Being a creative "mompreneur' has also allowed Vanessa to focus on her son's developmental journey with autism in Denmark.

Blazing the trail “Do You Need A Blazer In Your Wardrobe?”...The short answer is ‘Hell Yes’! As mentioned earlier, these pieces are so versatile that you can incorporate them in any aspect. From clocking into work…to buying the next round of shots, blazers have your back (literally). So, even though summer is ending and settling back into work, life is upon us…we can always take a bit of summer flare along with us. So, the moral of the story is…“buy that blazer, babes”. THE-INTL

AUGUST 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

@mystylefreed @thestylefreed www.stylefreed.com

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SEASONAL TRAVEL ALTERNATIVE SEASONS TO EXPLORE THE WORLD.

PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH

TEXT HEATHER STORGAARD

I

IN DENMARK AND much of Northern Europe, summer holidays are taken by almost everybody at the same time. While this allows for lots of hygge, meeting with family and friends and summer parties, it also causes soaring prices and travel chaos if you want to venture abroad. However, if your work and lifestyle allow for it, travelling outside this holiday season, in the spring or autumn, can offer many benefits.

"Live life with no excuses, travel with no regret."

Oscar Wilde

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN A HOLIDAY? According to travel sentiment surveys, the most popular thing Danes say they want in a summer holiday is to feel connected to nature. Whether on a beach abroad or at a summer house in the Danish countryside, nature can easily be disturbed by the crowds that flock to it in July. Now, as the summer retreats and autumn is on the way, nature can really be enjoyed in tranquillity. In the later summer and early autumn, I feel the most at one with nature visiting forests, as the leaves turn yellow and golden, but the sun still has warmth.

We are lucky that Denmark is so well connected, so weekend trips to neighbouring Sweden or Germany don't take too much travel time.

Most people say they also want to meet the locals when they travel, experiencing a new culture even if just for a short time.

However, in many popular destinations, locals are fatigued from the many tourists who come in July and are not keen to engage with them. I also see this in the nearby town of Ebeltoft- locals' reactions to me speaking German for work or with friends change dramatically during the months when German camper vans descend upon the town! In contrast, if you travel earlier or later in the year, locals are more likely to take the time to get to know you, al-

lowing you a more authentic glimpse into their everyday life.

Cost is also a significant factor in choosing a holiday, and travelling outside the primary July holiday season offers better value deals and availability. For example, if you wish to enjoy boutique hotels or unique experiences, you're much more likely to find them available in the spring or the autumn. The money you have saved can then be spent on cultural events, which typically don't take place during July, when theatres, opera houses and cultural centres also send their staff on a break.

Warm weather is also, understandably, a crucial factor for many people. I may be a little bit too Scottish here, but I have often found myself sweltering in the heat when I try to holiday during the high summer.

However, travel to the south of Europe can offer high temperatures for much of the year, without the heat becoming dangerous or inconvenient. In the autumn, the sea will still be warm from the summer in many countries in the Mediterranean.

TRAVEL CHAOS Major regional and long-distance airlines have been struggling this summer after two years of rollercoaster travel restric-

tions – it has made it hard for them to retain staff and aeroplanes. Now, it is hard for them to hire new staff, and the existing staff are demanding better conditions and pay as the cost of living continues to rise.

As a result, Scandinavian SAS and German Lufthansa are two of the biggest airlines in the region that were striking over the summer. Hopefully, this situation improves as the demand for summer holidays starts to slow down.

INSPIRATION Many travel companies offer better deals outside the peak season and will be happy to help you find a perfect destination.

If you'd rather figure it out independently, many tourist boards also have content about enjoying their countries during this period. Finally, if you prefer podcasts, Low Season Traveller's Insider Guides podcasts give tips and impressions from travel professionals on precisely this theme!

THE-INTL

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.

Languages and cultural studies are a big passion, leading Heather to pursue a degree in Culture and Heritage and a career in photography and translation. @heatherstorgaard

AUGUST 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

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EDUCATIONAL COMPARISONS WRITER SHANI BISHOP DISCUSSES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BRITISH AND INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION IN DENMARK. PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH

TEXT SHANI BISHOP

S

SINCE LEAVING DENMARK, many expats who still live in Denmark have asked me this question. My children were at an international school for five years. My eldest was six when he arrived and could already read. This was unusual - generally, the teaching of reading starts later at international schools in Denmark. While many schools claim to teach a UK curriculum, I think they are more of a hybrid. This does make for an interesting mix.

WHAT ARE THE PROS OF INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS IN DENMARK? My kids enjoyed their school in Denmark, as the curriculum was creative and exciting. I liked how a topic was taught across all subjects at our school. For example, my son studied the topic of chocolate, so in art, he made packaging for a chocolate bar, while in science, he learnt about melting points, and in music, he created a jingle. The way everything pulled together was great, and I could see how it enhanced his learning.

The focus on problem solving and skills was a good start on soft skills, which will prove helpful in the future.

As you would expect, when you’re in a classroom with children from all over the world, you learn so much about culture and points of view that would be impossible to replicate anywhere. It creates children who are curious and interested in the world around them.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT SCHOOLS IN THE UK A UK education is of a higher level, and I have been impressed with the teachers and how the learning is delivered. The focus on literacy and numeracy was surprising to me. For example, my son has four books on the go simultaneously. A class book which the children read and study in class, a reading book for quiet times, the book the teacher reads and finally, the book he reads at home. Many studies show that children who read well succeed across all subjects. At the secondary level, this focus continues with a programme that rewards reading. For my son, this has motivated him; he’s read 66 books since September.

In maths, the teachers seem good at getting the children to practise differently, so my son can now manipulate numbers and process calculations very quickly.

The UK schools are also surprising international; in my son’s class, there are families from Italy, Ukraine, Korea and Sri Lanka.

AUGUST 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

FLAWS IN BOTH SYSTEMS No school or system is perfect. There are good things about every educational system. The main problem is changing systems where levels, standards and expectations differ. Moving from a relaxed system like Denmark to a UK system with high expectations has been challenging. Luckily both of my boys have risen to the challenge, but it has taken ongoing tutoring to plug gaps between the different curriculums.

If I had to point to issues within the international school system, it would be that whilst the curriculum was creative, only some teachers applied it in its full glory, so it could sometimes feel like a missed opportunity. In addition, the lesser sharp focus on numeracy and literacy meant that the academic levels were lower.

"LIVING IN DENMARK, WHERE INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT SINGLED OUT FOR PRAISE, I STILL FIND THE AWARDS THE KIDS BRING HOME IN THE UK A LITTLE ODD." My issues with the UK system are that it can sometimes feel dry. More could be done to focus on soft skills. I also feel there is too much focus on performance and testing.

Finally, living in Denmark, where individuals are not singled out for praise, I still find the awards the kids bring home in the UK a little odd.

In an ideal world, a school would combine the best of both of these systems. I wondered whether this might be the International Baccalaureate, but a mum told me they never learn any facts, and this drove her mad, so maybe not! THE-INTL

17

A NEW SCHOOL YEAR PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH

TEXT MONIKA PEDERSEN

T

THE START OF a new academic year marks a new chapter, and many opportunities waiting to unfold. It is different from returning to a regular workplace, for everyone returns together after a vacation at school. Nevertheless, there is a sense of celebration and shiny newness: new students, new teachers, newly refreshed classrooms and facilities, familiar faces, friends, and a sense of security.

"To help orientate your child, post a weekly schedule and review it together."

PREPARATIVE STEPS Before the first day of school arrives, preparation is advisable to ensure the transition back to school life and routines is smoother.

WELCOME GATHERINGS If there is a pre-school gathering such as an ice-cream social or a BBQ, then make a point of joining the event, so you and your child can make some new connections. If a child can see a familiar face in the sea of new faces on the first day, this will help their nerves and set them up for a positive first day.

MEET THE TEACHER Sometimes, these initiatives are parent-led, and others are school-led, which means there will be a possibility to meet the class teacher. Try to make early contact with the teacher, which would be advantageous as your child will know what to expect, and the teacher also benefits from the introduction. As the class teacher is the main person of contact and the overseer of your child’s academic journey, a positive working relationship will support your child.

NEW YEAR PLANS As the last weeks of the holidays arrive, consider having dialogues with your children about their hopes for the coming year.

A general chat about the aspects of school they enjoy and their aspirations in these areas will help them consider the year ahead. A suggestion to take up a new club of activity can generate excitement.

SMART CHOICES On the flip side, a gentle conversation about areas that are a challenge is help-

ful. Share some advice and devise workable strategies. Talking about the issues in a non-emotional way should give your child more confidence and a greater willingness to tackle the obstacles.

SHIFTING OF SCHEDULES The summer holidays bring about a change in pace, completely different routines, and freedom. In the last couple of weeks of the vacation, it is wise to begin returning to routines, especially bedtimes and early start times. A child needs approximately 9 hours of sleep, so re-establishing earlier bedtime hours will secure this. In addition, morning routines need to be practised, so good timekeeping regarding school arrival times can begin again.

BUYING SUPPLIES Plan a shopping trip to purchase school supplies and clothes to generate a sense of occasion and excitement about returning to school. Use any pre-school information such as a supplies list to guide you; however, allow your child to select the pattern, colour, and style, so they can feel a sense of ownership and investment in the new academic year.

PRACTISING THE JOURNEY TO SCHOOL Should your child travel independently to a new school, a rehearsal trip to school is recommended so your loved one knows the bus numbers, train schedule, the cycle route and the travel time needed?

WEEKLY CALENDAR To help orientate your child, post a weekly schedule and review it together. This is important for primary school students as it helps them organise and navigate the day. In addition, it provides a sense of security. For older students, it helps them allocate time for homework demands and deadlines and out-of-school activities, which are crucial in developing a wellrounded child.

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

END-OF-DAY RECONNECTION

a section leader. She has al-

In the first few weeks of school, very young children must know what time they will be collected from school, so they can prepare themselves and, once again, feel a sense of security. For an older student, to have a parent welcome them home and talk about their day is a supportive gesture.

so worked in Germany and

A GOOD YEAR

Danish system. She has been

now in Denmark. She has an overview of the British, International, and American educational systems and is currently learning about the

These suggestions are not exhaustive; however, they endeavour to help you and your child have a great start and another wonderful formative year at school.

THE-INTL

in education for 32 years and

Sources: https://mrjdexter.com/2018/09/03/happynew-school-year-new-beginnings/ http://parentingdialogue.com/preparingyour-child-for-the-new-school-year/ https://www.readbrightly.com/tips-toget-your-kids-focused-on-new-schoolyear/

waterside walks, and cooking.

continues to enjoy the profession. She has relocated to Copenhagen as she is married to a Dane. She enjoys jogging,

@monikapedersen @monikapedersen @monikapedersen

AUGUST 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

18

MAKING A DIFFERENCE TO ALL WE TALK WITH RICHARD ØSTERBALLE, THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF GIVSKUD ZOO, ABOUT THEIR EFFORTS TO MAKE THE ZOO AS SPECIAL NEEDS FRIENDLY AS POSSIBLE.

PHOTOGRAPHS GIVSKUD ZOO

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IN THE JULY issue, we brought you an overview of zoos, safari parks, and aquariums from all over Denmark, ranked based on their accessibility and handicap-friendly facilities and services. Givskud Zoo, a safari park near Vejle in south Jutland, won our hearts ranking. We awarded them a first place not only because they provide all the necessary facilities and services but also because they go above and beyond in their efforts, for example, by offering specially designed swings for children who are wheelchair users.

Q: WHY CATER TO PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS? A: It's a rather old initiative. Givskud Zoo is a very seasonrun institution. We're closed in wintertime, open around Easter, and close in week 43. We're in our peak season and expect 5000 visitors daily, so it's very crowded.

But in the low seasons, we tend to have a lot of people with special needs or living in institutions because they don't like being part of the rush. So in the beginning, many years ago, we had almost an agreement with some of these institutions to visit in the out season - there's no crowd, no rush, they can take their time. But we also started thinking we should try to aim to include more facilities for people with special needs.

Q: HOW DID YOU MAKE THIS POSSIBLE? A: We looked at not just the service facilities but also the options for special needs people to have a good experience with the animals and the enclosures.

For almost 20 years, we've been part of God Adgang ( or "good access"; an association that provides information about activities and companies that chose to become registered at God Adgang).

And around the time of building the gorilla enclosure, we discussed with God Adgang because we wanted to ensure that special needs people could get around the enclosure while still making it exciting. In that enclosure, we have several pathways that are specially designed for people in wheelchairs, so they also, for example, have to pass through water. Some of the passes are also a little bit too steep. But that was actually in agreement with God Aadgang, who said: Well, it's okay because we also want to have some challenges from time to time.

And about five years ago - when they became available we also started implementing special play tools designed

TEXT MICHAELA MEDVEDOVÁ / SARA R. NEWELL

for special needs people. So far, we only have these tools in the largest playground. For example, we have a specially designed swing you can enter with a wheelchair.

When you arrive as a guest and want to use the swing, you need a code from the staff to access it as there is a fence around it.

Q: WHAT OTHER FACILITIES DO YOU OFFER? A: All the standard service facilities that are a part of God Adgang. There was a star system for some years, and we were one of just five 5-star attractions. There has to be a certain number of accessible toilets, and they have to be accessible along with restaurants and other places in the zoo. There also has to be a certain number of parking spaces, and we try to put them as close as possible to the entrance.

But beyond that, it's integrating special needs people and their options to experience the animals. For example, in 2021, we were the first zoo in Denmark to start using the sunflower lanyard (or solsikkesnoren, a symbol of invisible disability).

Q: WHY DID YOU JOIN THE SUNFLOWER PROGRAMME? A: When you arrive in a wheelchair, it's obvious you have a disability, but many people have other special needs you can't see. When the Sunflower programme started in D enmark, we were the third or fourth place to join - and now, more and more are joining.

I still don't think the general public understands what it is - we included a sunflower in our name tags. People ask us whether it's connected to the wildflowers we planted along the road. But more and more will know when all major attractions in Denmark recognize the sunflower lanyard.

Q: SO, WHAT'S NEXT IN THE ZOO'S PLANS? A: We have a strategy that every time we make something new, we must integrate the skills and tools we have now.

I have a staff of people keen on new things, so if a novelty turns up, they will let me know, and we'll see if it can be implemented. At Givskud, we have regular meetings with all section leaders and safety representatives - and at every meeting, features for people with special needs are part of the plan.

We also consult God Adgang regularly - they have a visit-

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).

AUGUST 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

ing schedule and come to the zoo every second year. We still have a handful of comments and recommendations from the last visit that we need to resolve, for example, a slope is too steep, or a door is hinged in the wrong way if people are entering with a wheelchair. Working with them can be inspiring - this is what they work with every day, so they know if there are any new adjustments and will inform us.

Q: DO YOU RECEIVE ANY FUNDS OR ASSISTANCE? A: We did receive funding for the playground - for the wheelchair swing, wheelchair trampolines, and a wheelchair carousel. We also got support for buying an adultsized changing table and a lift. There are three funds that are very keen on helping us - Vanførefonden, Aage og Johanne Louis-Hansens Fond, and Bevica Fonden.

It's not a complicated process to apply - the procedure is easy, and they have a short reply time. So if others are in doubt, many funds can be donated to improve accessibility."

Q: IN YOUR OPINION, WHY ARE OTHER ATTRACTIONS NOT AS DISABILITY-FRIENDLY? A: Denmark is not that big, so all major zoos and attractions network with each other. In the association of Danish zoos, we have 15 members, but there are more in Denmark. At the top level, we have three primary goals: education, conservation, and research. For smaller zoos with fewer visitors, I would think they can't afford a lot of these facilities - spending more than a hundred thousand for just one tool.

Construction at the park can also sometimes be challenging and expensive. For instance, we've just opened a new penguin enclosure this year, possibly the most expensive we've ever made. In addition, visitors with disabilities influence a considerable part of it - whenever there are stairs, there must be a slope and the right angles. But anybody can use these facilities. It's just as fun walking up the ramp as taking the stairs. So it's not a big problem you just have to think about it.

It's a pleasure to see a zoo that tries to make all its attractions as accessible as possible and puts effort into acquiring specially designed play tools. So on your next free weekend, give Givskud a go! THE-INTL

SARA R. NEWELL is from Canada, went to high-school in Costa Rica, and has worked and studied in Iceland and Denmark. She is a disability rights activist and has a master's degree in Technological Business Development and Biomedical Engineering from Aarhus University. Sara has lived in Denmark since 2003, and lives with her husband and daughter. She hopes to contribute and share insights with others who have children with disabilities. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sararose-newell-b1904726 / https://m.facebook.com/groups/bakopomdepaarorende

19

INTERNATIONAL FLUIDITY GLOBAL BUSINESS INFORMATICS AND FREE MOVER PROGRAMMES.

PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH / JULIA TROCK-JANSEN

TEXT SKYLER BENTLEY HALL

F

FIVE MINUTES OUTSIDE Copenhagen's city centre, you will find IT University of Copenhagen (ITU), an international and modern university that encourages entrepreneurial endeavours.

Aside from PhD programmes, ITU offers three Bachelor of Science and four Master of Science degrees focused on interdisciplinary studies within the Sciences, Humanities and/or Design and Business. Julia Trock-Jansen is currently studying a BSc in Global Business Informatics, and in September, she looks forward to studying abroad in Spain as part of the Free Mover programme. Julia shares a bit about her experience so far.

SKYLER BENTLEY HALL EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANT

WHAT ARE YOU STUDYING AT ITU? We are dealing with various IT issues, primarily regarding how technology affects our society and businesses in the global world. Some say we become the "middleman" between the software developers and business people. From the second semester, we collaborate with companies as part of "IT & Work Design" and "Database Use and Design" courses. We have learned theories and methods which we put into practice, building a bridge between the practical and theoretical work. Collaborating with companies at such an early stage encourages insights into the "real world" and is a great way to create a network.

Companies are open to collaborating with students, making the cooperation a positive experience. For example, a project from a fourth-semester course, "Enterprise Systems and Information Management, " provided us with an opportunity to collaborate with a company whose goal was to optimise its workflow.

Through observations and interviews with different employees and applying theory from the lectures, we proposed a prototype to the company which would optimise a specific department in their company.

"NEARLY ALL UNIVERSITIES IN DENMARK OFFER AN EXCHANGE OR FREE MOVER PROGRAMME, ALLOWING STUDENTS TO STUDY ABROAD FOR A SEMESTER."

WHAT IS THE FREE MOVER PROGRAMME? Nearly all universities in Denmark offer an exchange or Free Mover programme, allowing students to study abroad for a semester. Exchange programmes are when the university has an agreement with another university inside and outside Europe (Erasmus or Bilateral agreements). I was initially accepted for the exchange program at Inha University in South Korea, which is on the approved list at ITU, but I have always wanted to study in Spain. Unfortunately, at the time of application, ITU did not have an agreement with a university in Spain, so I applied as a Free Mover, which means you find a university independently and arrange for the courses to be approved by the home university. Fortunately, my application was successful, and in September, I will study at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid!

ADVICE FOR POTENTIAL STUDENTS Deciding on which university to apply to can be a tough decision. I recommend reaching out to students to get as much inside of life as a university student. Most universities have an Instagram page, where students take over every week to show their daily routine. I also recommend attending Open Houses at universities or contacting the Study and Career Guidance for any concerns you may have. They are always keen to help you through the process.

You may also consider the BSc in Data Science offered in English if an international student is interested in ITU. THE-INTL

Skyler is originally from Canada, and after living in Switzerland for several years, she transitioned to Denmark with her husband and son all proud Canadians. Skyler has worked in the education sector for three decades and found her true passion for supporting students with their educational journey. As the Founder of Bentley Hall Educational Consulting, she advises on career and university options globally. Skyler enjoys spending time with family, exploring new cultures, and embracing the hygge lifestyle in beautiful Denmark. bentleyhall.ca instagram.com/skylerbent leyhall/ facebook.com/skyler.bent leyhall

Learn more: https://en.itu.dk

AUGUST 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

20

LOVE IS LOVE IS LOVE – ALWAYS

SUSAN JESSEN SPIELE LIBRARIAN Susan is a librarian at Roskilde Library, and in charge of

Fingers crossed that the weather will be great at the Copenhagen Pride this year. It is always a ball, but sunshine makes it even better! Whether you are going or not, these titles will tide you over. Enjoy!

the English section. She does English events all year; everything from expat dinners and pub quizzes, to karaoke nights

EMOTIONAL, FUN AND MAGIC LIGHT FROM

UNCOMMON STARS

BY RYKA AOKI

Shizuka made a deal with the devil and has to pay by luring seven other violin prodigies to make the same deal.

Having found the last one, Katrina, a young transgender runaway, suddenly love, and doughnuts get in the way.

BEAUTIFUL, INSIGHTFUL GRAPHIC NOVEL

BRUTAL, TENDER AND UNAVOIDABLE

VIBRANT, MAGICAL AND ORIGINAL

GENDER QUEER

YOUNG MUNGO

THE CHOSEN AND

BY MAIA KOBABE

BY DOUGLAS STUART

and book talks.

THE BEAUTIFUL

BY NGHI VO

Maia slowly realises

Growing up as a Prot-

that they are not like

estant in a housing es-

In a fantastical retelling

the other children and

tate in Glasgow, Mun-

of The Great Gatsby, we

young people. It is dif-

go should not befriend

see the story through

ficult to figure out when

Catholic James. But he

the eyes of Jordan Bak-

you don’t meet oth-

does, and their friend-

er, Daisy’s friend. A Vi-

ers like you growing

ship evolves into some-

etnamese adoptee and

up and don’t have the

thing more. However,

queer, she is never re-

words to recognise and

the working class in the

ally a part of the inside

identify who you are.

eighties are not kind to

group but sees more

boys who are different.

than most.

DID YOU KNOW? Danish public libraries are open for anybody, regardless of nationality and fixed addresses.

So wherever you are in Denmark, you can use the local library, which is often a haven for kids with great toys – especially on rainy days! Register with your yellow health card or passport if you want to check out materials. It is free and easy.

AUGUST 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

21

MENTAL HEALTH BANK ACCOUNT GUIDE TO SELF- DEVELOPMENT (PART 8) PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH

TEXT AINA MASOOD

P

PREVIOUSLY, WE HAVE been focusing on growth and working on ourselves. This month I want to draw your attention to investing, investing in yourself. Parallel to your financial bank account is the concept of having a mental health bank account. It works the same way as a financial bank account. You can make withdrawals and deposits, be in debt or be preoccupied with reducing your spending and increasing your earnings. It is essential to focus on your psychological wellness so you can avoid being mentally bankrupt.

Investing in ourselves aims to make ourselves more experienced, well-rounded people by engaging in different activities.

These activities could vary from person to person but may include reading, journaling, organising tasks, creating schedules, or taking online courses. Research suggests you experience increased productivity, satisfaction, and happiness when investing in yourself. But how do you do this while keeping your mental health bank account balanced?

AINA MASOOD PSYCHOTHERAPIST

Let’s first have a look at standard withdrawals and deposits to our mental health bank account:

WITHDRAWALS

DEPOSITS

STRESS

SELF-CARE

ANXIETY

THERAPY

WORRY

FRESH AIR

TRANSITIONS IN LIFE

SLEEP

HEALTH ISSUES

MOVEMENT

TRAUMA

MINDFULNESS

EMOTIONAL DISTRESS

HEALTHY EATING

Investing in yourself looks like feeding the column on the righthand side and keeping the column on the left-hand side at the minimum.

#1 SIT DOWN AND REFLECT: You can start by being reflective and honest with yourself. Where do you spend most of your time during the day? Are you making more withdrawals than deposits? If yes, try to explore that further. If you are making enough deposits but not seeing any positive life changes, consider if you require a different kind of deposit. For example, maybe instead of forcing yourself to read a book, you can spend an hour with a friend and see if that helps. Sometimes, all we need is to mix things up a little.

#2 MAKE DAILY DEPOSITS: Stress and worry are parts of life and often essential for survival. However, considering they aren’t going anywhere, we may be more consistent with our promises. Daily deposits can look different every day, but everything is good if you make the deposits.

"INVESTING IN YOURSELF IS THE MOST PROFITABLE INVESTMENT THAT YOU WILL EVER MAKE."

#3 INVESTMENTS: Investment is when you will be focusing on a long-term goal. Here, it is essential to remember what values in life you want to live by and try to work towards those. What are your values? How can you invest today in becoming closer to your ideal self?

#4 BEING MINDFUL: You can use mindfulness as a tool for bookkeeping your mental health bank account. Mindfully engaging in our mental health bank is crucial to monitor any red flags or keep an eye out for emotional spending habits. Ask yourself, have you been feeling drained lately? How do certain kinds of people make you feel?

Where are you spending most of your time? Are you keeping that mindless scrolling at bay?

Some investments that you can make for yourself include, but are not limited to, learning a new skill, taking online courses, nurturing a hobby, advancing your education, staying updated, being curious and creative, etc.

Conclusively, investing in yourself is the most profitable investment that you will ever make. Your consistent effort to better yourself plays a role in determining your quality of life and nurtures your personal and professional growth. Using the concept of mental health bank account helps streamline and simplify investing in yourself. THE-INTL

Aina is the founder and C.E.O. of R.A.I.N. (Recognise, Accept, Investigate, Nurture).

This company helps universities and companies take care of the mental health of their colleagues and employees.

Aina has completed her master’s in clinical psychology in Pakistan. She has lived in the U.S.A. for six months and has been in Denmark since 2019. Passionate about mental health and destigmatising mental health problems, she is working towards helping individuals and organisations be healthier, happier, and more productive. She accomplishes this by working with international clients via Skype, conducting workshops/webinars with various organisations, and researching and writing.

In addition, she is a professional photographer who uses her pictures to reflect on her daily life and share them on her blog. A psychologist, writer, speaker, mental health advocate, photographer, explorer, volunteer, and wife, Aina is making her way through the world and narrating her life story. https://www.linkedin.com/ in/ainamasood/ https://www.instagram. com/ayena_reflections/

AUGUST 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

22

POST-HOLIDAY BLUES! MINDFUL TIPS TO GET READY FOR WORK WITH A PRODUCTIVE MINDSET.

PHOTOGRAPHS UNSPLASH

TEXT OPHELIA WU

W

WE ALL KNOW that drop of energy and dreading the days with shorter sunlight again. So while we get ready to resume work after the dream holiday, some might need a little booster of motivation to kickstart productivity and get the machine running again.

There has been lots of research on how mindset determines a person’s performance, conquering goals, and basically getting through daily life. Positive psychology has become more prevalent in recent years, and it can help us navigate through emotions and take a different approach toward many things in life. Here are some very simple and doable practical tips to get ready for work with a productive mindset that I find helpful. Not only can they build a positive mindset, but they can also be part of the daily mindfulness practice in almost every situation.

OPHELIA WU FASHION CONSULTANT & JOURNALIST

SPEND TWO MINUTES CENTERING YOURSELF, IMAGINING OR VISUALISING HOW FANTASTIC THE DAY WILL BE AS SOON AS YOU WAKE UP. Do you sometimes wake up in a hurry, panicking, stressed about being late for work? That first few minutes as soon as you wake up is so crucial in determining how your day will go, so make good use of that. Simply allow two minutes in bed when you wake up, take some deep breaths, and imagine or even daydream how you would like your day to go- will you run into that very cute guy at your local café and this time say hi to each other? Will your commute be smooth like Moses has parted the Red Sea for you with smiley people? If you find yourself smiling- that’s what we want to set the tone of the day.

BREAK DOWN THE DAILY TASKS INTO SMALL CHUNKS AND FEEL ACCOMPLISHED WITH EACH COMPLETED TASK. This is really helpful, especially when you feel like there is a big, heavy project that seems never-ending. While we can’t dodge the tasks, breaking them up into small chunks make them easier to tackle, and when you finish a few small tasks, even if it’s just an email reply, you feel more satisfied with completing more.

SPEND THE FIRST HOUR AT WORK CHECKING, REPLYING AND DELETING EMAILS. IT DOES HELP GET A LOT OF SMALL STRESS OUT OF THE WAY. Personally, I find mornings are usually the make-or-break window of the day. If the mornings went well, the rest of the day usually seemed easier to get through. Spending the first hour at work to filter and detox the mailbox is both productive and therapeutic.

You get to screen what’s essential and what’s useless - deleting them instantly helps your mind to feel less burdened with information overload, and you also gain better clarity of the daily tasks.

WRITE DOWN TO-DO LISTS IN PRIORITIES IS A GREAT WAY TO OFFLOAD THE MENTAL STRESS BUT HAVING A REMINDER IN WRITING. While going through your mailbox, writing down a to-do list according to urgency is also a good idea. Prioritising tasks will help with time management, making the day more organised and

AUGUST 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

smoother. We all want to know what’s next and be prepared this list will give you a good indication and mental preparation.

TAKE LITTLE BREAKS WHENEVER POSSIBLE. We can be so easily consumed with work and forget to take a break. There are some apps allowing you to set a reminder for a mini break. Even it’s just to leave your seat and go to the pantry or have a walk, let your senses have a break and refresh them.

LEAVE WORK AT WORK. DON’T BRING IT HOME. Spend 2 minutes appreciating all the good things or positive moments during the day and imagine how great tomorrow will be before bed.

NOW BEFORE BED, WE REVERSE WHAT WE DID IN THE MORNING. When you go over your day and be grateful for all the good things, you relax your mind and shift it into a gratitude mode. While in that mode, imagine how you want tomorrow to be. Going to bed with a smile and feeling calm and relaxed will improve your sleep quality. When you’re well-rested, your mental state and productivity will surely improve. Start planning your next holiday ( I mean, who hasn’t done this before?) so you have something exciting to look forward to.

Give these a try and see how your day goes. Your mindset is very powerful - sometimes, it only takes simple changes in how we think and feel to notice a profound shift. When you free up the clutter in your mind and feel great and fresh about yourself, it’s only a matter of how much more productive you will become. THE-INTL

L i ke he r hometow n 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

23

DANISH FISH AND FISHERIES

A GLOBAL INDUSTRY DENMARK IS SURROUNDED BY SEA AND IS A NATION WITH A LONG FISHING TRADITION. NOWADAYS, IT IS FIFTH ON THE LIST OF FISH AND FISH-RELATED EXPORT WORLDWIDE. IN ADDITION, DANISH SEAFOOD CUISINE IS SERVED IN TOP RESTAURANTS ALL OVER THE WORLD.

PHOTOGRAPHS EVBOX FB PAGE

TEXT MARIANO ANTHONY DAVIES

T

THE ØRESUND STRAIT between Denmark and Sweden is rich in herring, so Scandinavians cook this delicious fish in many different ways. You’ll find it fried in butter or with curry and other spices in Copenhagen. Pickled herring is one of the most common Danish dishes and is traditionally served for Easter lunch, accompanied by snaps and beer. Another common seafood recipe is “fiskefrikadeller” – fish balls made of codfish mixed with lemon juice, onions, dill and parsley. Scandinavians also enjoy a variety of salmon dishes, and shrimp is used as a dressing for specific traditional open sandwiches.

Long before the arrival of Japanese sushi, Copenhagen had a reputation for serving superb seafood. In fact, the town and its wealth were founded on the abundance of fish from the nearby Øresund.

For its size, the Danish capital Copenhagen has an extraordinary number of fish markets dotted throughout the city. Although the number of fish that the Danes eat has decreased slightly (mainly due to increased prices), they still eat just over 22kg per year, of which herrings are a significant part.

MARIANO ANTHONY DAVIES PRESIDENT & CEO OXFORD BUSINESS SERVICES APS Mariano has over 40 years global experience as a bus

A COASTLINE INDUSTRY The fishing industry throughout Denmark operates around its coastlines from Jutland to the island of Bornholm. Although the overall contribution of the fisheries sector to the Danish economy is only approximately 0.5 percent of the country’s gross national product, about 20.000 people are employed in fishing, aquaculture and related industries. Fish is an essential ingredient within the Scandinavian diet and can be found in many local and national traditions and recipes.

Denmark’s coastline measures about 7.300 kilometres and supports three types of fishing industries – fish meal and fish oil, pelagic fishery for general human consumption and demersal fishery for white fish, lobster and deep-water prawns. Pelagic (open sea) fishing occurs near the surface, or at middle depths, whereas demersal (sea floor) fishing takes place on a sea, a lake or an ocean bed.

Fishing harbours throughout Denmark carry out pelagic fishing, whereas demersal depth fishing is concentrated in the harbours of Esbjerg, Thyborøn, Hirtshals and Skagen. The North Sea and the Skagen areas account for 80% of the demersal catches.

WORLD-LEADING SUPPLIERS Danish suppliers to aquaculture are world-leaders in solutions and technology for fish farms at sea and land-based facilities.

These core competencies also include water quality monitoring, water cleaning and purification. They cover the entire value chain within the aquaculture industry - including solutions for handling by-products to optimise the use of the raw material.

ENERGY-EFFICIENT EQUIPMENT For the international fisheries industry, Danish suppliers and service providers have many years of expertise and experience. This expertise is within fishing equipment and technology (drawn from a long fishing tradition), and the fishing industry remains one of Denmark’s most important industries. The suppliers excel in environmentally friendly and efficient solutions,

ness 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, covering trawl doors, winches, ship engines, trawls, propellers, maintenance products and much more. These skills allow ship owners and operators to lower operating and maintenance costs and reduce their environmental footprints.

THE NORTH SEA AND THE SKAGEN AREAS ACCOUNT FOR 80% OF THE DEMERSAL CATCHES.

HYGIENE AND FOOD SAFETY Danish technology and solutions for fish and seafood processing (both at sea and on land suppliers) have been developed over the years through a strong tradition of high-quality food production with strong requirements for hygiene and food safety.

This has led to constant development in the field with solutions for optimisation and automation of fish and seafood processing to a maximum.

The Danish suppliers develop and offer state-of-the-art solutions for vacuum removal of fish guts, slaughtering, filleting, automatic shrimp peeling, food-safe transport band solutions, speedy freezing, automatic de-boning, weighing and size sorting.

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

DANISH EXPORT – FISH TECH Danish Export - Fish Tech has developed into a leading network of more than 100 Danish companies, gathering industry professionals and experts within solutions, equipment, technology and services for the aquaculture, fisheries, fish and seafood processing industry. THE-INTL

AUGUST 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

24

#STAND WITH UKRAINE #PEACE FOR UKRAINE

AUGUST 2022 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM