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www.cis.dk
Before long, you’ll belong
when I’m speaking in Danish. I have to say that looking back in, I find some of the politics hard to swallow, and when I discuss it with people back there, they don’t always see why I find it so strange. That’s the price you pay,” she told me. She says that Danes should approach living with foreigners the same way they do living with anyone else. “By embracing other cultures and ways of doing things, we can create new and better ways together.” She says that Danes are the friendliest, most genuine bunch of people you’re likely to ever meet – but in order to get to know them, you need to infiltrate their habitats. “You will not meet them in bars, you will need to get invited to their houses, learn to hygge, be interesting to them and literally ask them to include you,” she advises. “Not all foreigners are the same, so I can only talk from perhaps what I understand from the British view. If I was a Brit moving to Denmark, I would become very blunt and direct, and literally tell people around me that you don’t know people – and ask to be introduced and included. Danes are always willing to help anyone, give of their last penny and genuinely do anything they can to help – but you need to ask first. And once you’re in, you’re in!”
Settling into a new country can be challenging – especially for the nonworking spouse. We know, from studies and from experience, that a successful posting depends on the happiness of the entire family – and our school is home to a very active, warm and welcoming community. Our PTA offers a wide range of opportunities: newcomers network, Spring Fair, Halloween, Yoga, Activities Fair, Wine and Cheese Evening, Dads’ Club and Ladies’ Night Out. Dedicated parents coach our sports teams, run our boy scouts and serve on the school Board. At CIS the whole family finds a place to grow roots and make friends. So to quote one of our parents: “I came for the job, but we stayed for the school.”
THE FUN SIDE OF LIFE Bronte is also an avid blogger, and writes about her experiences as a Scandinavian living abroad, taking a light-heated look into the culture, its people and how outsiders view this. “I write because it’s funny and true, to a point. It’s important to be able to look at yourself and laugh a bit, especially if you are experiencing challenging times,” she says. Her blog was turned into a book Nørth – a lot less tongue-incheek, but still funny. It has been translated into three languages and has sold very well across the world. You can read more about Bronte, Scandi Kitchen and her blogs at www.scandikitchen.co.uk THE-INTL
IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT YOURSELF AND LAUGH A BIT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING CHALLENGING TIMES. MAY 2018 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM