Frihed89
American expat in Denmark
Forum posts
39
About me
American
Lives in Copenhagen
Registration: 18 August 2009
The best apps for expats in Denmark
Apps didn't exist when I planned an made my move from the US. I used e-mail and a telephone and and Office for a Mac, plus Skype to network into an English job. It took me about three years from start to finish to get here, including several ... Read More
Traffic in Denmark
It took me 45-50 minutes to drive from Brrønshøj to my work, (32 km) just outside of Roskilde. Then when my institution moved to the UN building in Nordhavn, it also took 45 minutes (abut 5 km)! Public transit took the same amount of ... Read More
Recognition of foreign qualifications in Denmark by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Were your professional qualifications recognised in Denmark? What country did you complete your qualifications in? What profession are you in? Did you have to go through any formalities to get your qualifications recognised, ...
When I came here 21 years ago, there wasn't that much fuss about qualifications. In addition, I was under a 2 year contract to a research institution that hired primarily people from outside Denmark, since we were affiliated with UNEP and much ... Read More
The best services to use when moving to Denmark
Not really. Things were pretty lax 20+ years ago. The police took care of my permissions, etc. I came alone for a 2-year contract research job. I never went to the Udlst. until I applied for family reunification a couple of years later. I ... Read More
How has your life changed in Denmark
Well, after 21 years, here, I guess I have graduated into immigrant status. To answer your questions: I have two kids in the US and it's harder to get see them and I see them less often. On the other hand, I have been adopted by my wife's ... Read More
Best usages and practices in Denmark
Learn the language, one way or another. Don't worry about making mistakes. Danes are approachable, but they only rarely will approach you. The best way to learn Danish or get into a Danish social circle is through a Danish ... Read More
Are you happy in Denmark? by Priscilla
Hello everyone! According to the 2016 UN World Happiness Survey, Denmark, Switzerland and Iceland are the happiest countries on earth. How about you? Are you happy in Denmark? Do you feel happier today in your host country than before in your ...
Happiness is an inside job, but certainly has something to do with the environment in which we place ourselves. I came to Denmark a little over 20 years ago. I have adjusted to the cultural shock. I am still learning. I am satisfied that Denmark ... Read More
Common misconceptions and clichés about life in Denmark
My own understanding of Denmark was based on a lot of experience in the country from 60s-until the mid-90s. It changed a lot during those years. Now , it's changed even more. What country hasn't? I've been here a little over 20 ... Read More
Customer care in Denmark
You have to be careful, as more and more stores have turned to high pressure sales tactics with uneducated (low wage) sales people who don't know their products very well. As for everything else i Denmark, there is a buying law that governs ... Read More
bank account in USD
Yes, Nordea will give you a USD account. Another hint. If you transfer $ to Denmark. Transfer the amount in dollars and let your danish bank do the conversion to DKK. It's generally cheaper that way. You don't need a USD account at ... Read More
Sports in Denmark by Priscilla
Hello everyone, The Olympic Games are now just a few days away and we would like to talk about sports. What sports are the most popular and/or unusual in Denmark? Are sports facilities easily accessible there? Where and how can one find ...
I joined the Copenhagen Lacrosse Club. They have both men's and women's teams. There are lacrosse clubs in Odense and århus as i recall, pehaps Aalborg as well. Soccer, badminton, team handball, long-distance running are the most ... Read More
From London to Copenhagen with same Salary. Worth it? by Thor_Linus
Hi, We are a family of four with children of 10 and 12 years of age. My firm has offered me a job in Copenhagen. They are providing help with relocation but no increase in pay. We live in London suburb with a rental of around £1600 for a 3bed ...
Hi Linus, Go here for comparative costs of services Copenhagen vs. London. On housing/rent: Denmark still has a lot of subsidized (council) housing, which pulls the average cost down in relation to the UK. Non-subsidized housing for you and your ... Read More
Moving to Denmark with your family by Bhavna
Hello everybody, When settling abroad with your spouse and children, the expatriation process requires an extensive preparation. What are the considerations to take into account when moving to Denmark with your family? What challenges have you ...
Learn the language. Put your kids in danish schools. Don't wait for people to approach you. You have to make the effort to meet people and make new friends. Most danes are NOT stand-offish, but they already have a close circle of friends, ... Read More
In retrospect, would you move again to Denmark? by Christine
Hi all, If you had to look back on your expat experience in Denmark, would you heartily say "lets do it again"? From the preparation stage to your actual everyday life in your new country, what did you enjoy the most? Would you do certain ...
I came with a government research job in hand. I was already familiar with DK as I had lectured, here, a number of times and had developed a network of researchers in my field, environmental economics. Although I thought I was pretty familiar with ... Read More
Assessment of your education qualification letter
You need to have papers from your institutions, showing that you completed the education, as supporting evidence. The same with getting into a union. This is particularly important if you were educated in a developing country, the USSR or Russian ... Read More
Alert: Green card visa program may be discountinued soon by jaypnarayan
Hello, This news may be discouraging to many new aspirants who want to apply for a danish green card. http://cphpost.dk/news/majority-want-green-card-scheme-scrapped.html This is being discussed in the danish parliament. And, it appears that ...
So far, the Venstre is unwilling to negotiate Read More
Dealing with emergency situations in Denmark
If you are a US citizen and not a dual citizen, you can get an emergency passport at the US Embassy while you wait. They have you in their data base. In the process, you can fill out an application for a new one. I got mine in 10 days. Be sure to ... Read More
In retrospect, would you move again to Denmark? by Christine
Hi all, If you had to look back on your expat experience in Denmark, would you heartily say "lets do it again"? From the preparation stage to your actual everyday life in your new country, what did you enjoy the most? Would you do certain ...
I came for 2 years as an expat and have stayed for about 21 years. I guess that makes me an immigrant. The greatest benefit: my danish wife and family. Read More
Essentials to live in Denmark by Christine
Hi, As an expat living in Denmark, what would you advise the ones about to pack to bring along? What are the items you can easily find in Denmark? On the other hand, what is less common or quite expensive? Share with us what you would ...
I am an immigrant from the US, here for twenty + years. What you bring depends on how long you plan to be here. Everything is more expensive in DK than the US, and you just have to use your common sense in combinations with the expected duration ... Read More
Your experience of culture shock in Denmark by Christine
Hi, Living in a foreign country implies to discover its culture, to learn and master the cultural codes. How did you deal with that? Share with us your culture shock stories where you experienced a funny or awkward moment in Denmark. What ...
I was prepared, having been here many times before I immigrated. On the other hand, I had a full time job waiting for me and picked up a danish wife and her sweet and tolerant family a couple of years after i arrived. In the process, I found out ... Read More
How to make friends in Copenhagen by expat.com
We have been talking about [url=https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=891]loneliness when you are abroad[/url], let's now talk about how to make friends (locals or expatriates) when you're living in Copenhagen :top: [b]Which are your best ...
So how do you???There are helpful comments if you look at previous posts. As a newly arrived immigrant I met danes and developed friendships through: sports clubs, danish classes, meditation classes, dance lessons and dance places, my building ... Read More
I think we should have some kind of a meeting or outing club!!!
Look on meetup.com. There are a number of active groups in Copenhagen. I don't know about other cities. Read More
Employment w/ limited language skills by DrVanNostrand
Hello all, I recently applied for a Danish residency permit based on previous citizenship and was curious what my chances for employment might be upon moving to Denmark. I am a certified teacher (Social Studies) here in the States and have very ...
If you want to teach in non-International private schools of various kinds where danish is the main language, you will have to speak danish at a fairly high level and, for primary and early secondary education 1-10, have a danish teacher's ... Read More
Just thought i would say hi
Danes are hard to get to know by American standards, but worth knowing. I started trying to make friends the moment I arrived. Danes are more approachable than they look. I don't drink and I couldn't dance, but I struck up conversations with ... Read More
School for young kids by LEW
Hej allesammen! We are planning a year in Denmark from later this year. We have 2 kids, the eldest turning 6 around Christmas time. I am contemplating the options we have for him entering school. Here in Australia he has commenced prep and is ...
My "foreign" colleagues who do not send their kids to danish school for primary education send them to Rygaards school in Hellerup: http://www.rygaards.com/. Bernedotte School, close by, is another possibility: ... Read More
Taking My car To Denmark Should I or Not? by johnty_m
I have been trying to find out if it is worth me bringing my car across with me when I move or if it would be cheaper just to buy a new scond hand car over there. Can anyone please tell me how it works,or if I should keep it registered in the UK if ...
You'll have to pay the danish car tax on your used car. For a new car it's 1.8 x the actual sale price, and is graduated by the tax authorities for used cars. You'll need your original sales document to prove the price; otherwise the tax ... Read More
How to make friends in Copenhagen by expat.com
We have been talking about [url=https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=891]loneliness when you are abroad[/url], let's now talk about how to make friends (locals or expatriates) when you're living in Copenhagen :top: [b]Which are your best ...
12-13 years ago, I came here a single middle-aged guy with limited danish skills and job. The job proved useless as a way to meet people. I don't drink, and don't go to bars, but i do like to dance. So, I went to disco clubs and danced and sat ... Read More
Living in Copenhagen by expat.com
You are an expatriate living in Copenhagen, or you used to work and live in Copenhagen. [b]Share your expat experience![/b] How would you describe life in Copenhagen? Has it been complicated to settle down, to find a job, and an accomodation? ...
Alisha, What a great attitude. Your a true Aussie. Mac Read More