The International - January 2024 by The International Denmark

international

the

ISSN 2596-5220

WARM APPLE CRUMBLE

CRITICAL DISABILITY GAPS IN DENMARK

HOW TO MAKE DANISH FRIENDS

BODY HARDENING - A GOOD IDEA?

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US TO DK: DEREK & MIKE'S CULTURAL JOURNEY

EXPLORING DANISH CULTURE THROUGH PODCASTING.

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REFLECTING ON SIX REMARKABLE YEARS AND EMBRACING 2024 WITH A FOCUS ON INCLUSIVITY, EDUCATION, AND YOUR STORIES.

international

EMPOWERING DIVERSITY AND NAVIGATING CHALLENGES!

the

ISSN 2596-5220

WARM APPLE CRUMBLE

CRITICAL DISABILITY GAPS IN DENMARK

HOW TO MAKE DANISH FRIENDS

BODY HARDENING - A GOOD IDEA?

JANUARY 2024 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

US TO DK: DEREK & MIKE'S CULTURAL JOURNEY

EXPLORING DANISH CULTURE THROUGH PODCASTING.

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MEET THE TEAM EDITOR & FOUNDER Lyndsay Jensen - lyndsay@the-intl.com

MANAGING DIRECTOR & PARTNER Kenneth Macalpine - kenneth@the-intl.com

CONSULTING EDITOR Conrad Egbert

GRAPHIC DESIGN The International

WRITERS TEAM Ophelia Wu; Alexandra Beck; Mariano Davies; Monika Pedersen; Sara R. Newell; Michae-

D DEAR READERS

As we enter the new year, I find great joy in reflecting on the remarkable journey we've shared at The International. Celebrating our sixth anniversary, I am deeply grateful for the thriving community that surrounds our online magazine. Your unwavering support and engagement have driven our commitment to delivering insightful and meaningful content, for which we are truly thankful. Many of us contemplate resolutions and aspirations for the year ahead in the spirit of fresh beginnings that often accompany January. At The International, we firmly believe in the collective power of a supportive community and a determined mindset - essential elements for navigating the cultural diversities encountered in Denmark. While embracing new beginnings, it is crucial to consider the social aspects of life, especially for those who have recently relocated to Denmark. Making friends in a new country can be both exciting and challenging. We encourage you to take the initiative, explore local events, join clubs, or volunteer - excellent ways to connect with fellow internationals and locals. I like to focus on specific articles for every issue, and this one is close to my heart, having a son with a disability. We take a look at the challenging and worrying issues faced by people with disabilities in Denmark - affecting both local Danes and internationals. Highlighting the report from the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, following her visit in 2023, the report acknowledges some positive legislative changes. Still, it underscores persistent gaps, including discrimination, transportation, accessibility, education, employment, healthcare, and living conditions. It calls for systemic changes to foster inclusivity and address longstanding challenges - we watch and wait to see how Denmark addresses these issues. Turning our attention to education, we highlight the importance of instilling valuable skills in our children. Planning and organisation, often introduced through calendars, are vital tools for a child's academic success. As

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la Medvedova; Natasha Liviero; Heather Storgaard; Natália Šepitková; Luke Hannon; Rikke Skak Harboe; Dominic J Stevenson parents, we can guide our children in developing these skills early on, preparing them for the challenges and opportunities ahead. In navigating education in Denmark, we encourage parents to actively involve their children in this process. Engaging them in selecting extracurricular activities, setting academic goals, and managing schedules fosters a sense of responsibility and ownership – something Denmark is well known for in their education. As we bid farewell to 2023 and embrace the promise of a fresh start in 2024, The International team extends heartfelt wishes to each of you. May this year bring you success, joy, new adventures, and happiness. We look forward to continuing this journey with you, keeping you informed about life in Denmark, and sharing stories that resonate with the diverse experiences within our community. This is why we emphasise the importance of diversity in our feature stories and how we highlight a range of people from many diverse backgrounds. However, we need help finding these stories, so please reach out to us and share them. Thank you for being an integral part of The International family. Your readership fuels our passion for storytelling, and we are excited to embark on this journey with you for another year. Here's to a fantastic beginning, reaching new heights, and the beautiful stories that await us in the coming months. Wishing you all a fantastic 2024!

COVER PICTURE COHO

SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM Head of SoMe Shivangi Singh - shivangi@the-intl.com

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

SALES sales@the-intl.com The International is published online 12 times a year. This issue was published on 19 January 2024. 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

Lyndsay Love,

EDITOR & FOUNDER THE-INTL.COM

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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A WHOLE WORLD

WITHIN DENMARK

MOVING TO DENMARK WAS OFTEN FULL OF THE UNEXPECTED FOR DEREK AND MIKE - SO THEY DECIDED TO MAKE CONTENT THEY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SEEN PRIOR TO THE MOVE.

PHOTOGRAPHS COHO

AT FIRST GLANCE, Denmark might seem like a pretty homogeneous country. But Derek Hartman and Mike Walsh know it is a home of people from different backgrounds. After all, the couple, originally from the U.S., are among them. And with their YouTube channel and a new podcast, they share these perspectives with the world.

LIKE THE MOVIES Derek and Mike met in 2014 in Philadelphia in an LGBTQ sports league. During the fall season, they played kickball and often hung out at a bar afterwards. By January 2015, they were dating. "We got married last year. Our first anniversary was actually last month," says Mike. One could say the couple met on Derek's home turf. Born and raised in the Philadelphia suburbs, he moved to the city after finishing university. Mike is originally from Syracuse, upstate New York, and moved to Philadephia for uni. They both agree they had the typical 90s suburban life. "It's funny, trying to explain to our friends, from Europe or elsewhere in the world, that life in the suburbs is pretty much what it looks like in the movies," laughs Derek. But of course, the culture gets a lot of things wrong and creates a lot of assumptions. "It's not like one of my friends was a cheerleader and another a football player. It's hard to paint America with just one brush - it's so large, with many different geographies, ways of living, and backgrounds." Being away from family and friends never gets easier when living abroad, so Derek and Mike usually go back in the summer and for Christmas - and the occasional extra trip. Given the magnitude of the U.S., Mike mentions it's lucky that both of their families live on the East Coast. "But we've been gone for almost seven years. It became almost a routine of how we keep in touch with everybody. Unlike the first couple of years,

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TEXT MICHAELA MEDVEĎOVÁ

living abroad is no longer interesting to our friends and family - it's where we live. It's just as normal as if we had moved to Seattle. You see people when you see them."

A SEVEN-YEAR-LONG WORK TRIP The couple decided to move to Denmark together, but they essentially moved for Mike's job at a company that now operates in Denmark. At the time, he was working at their headquarters in Philadephia and was asked to go to Denmark for a one or two-week trip. "They came to my desk on a Friday afternoon and said: Hey, can you be in Copenhagen on Monday morning? I called Derek, and he said, joking: Do a good job - maybe they'll ask you to stay." Soon after, the offer came to move to Denmark for an assignment for a year or two. Mike recalls deciding while on a trip to New Orleans for his birthday. "So we're in New Orleans, where only good decisions happen," laughs Mike. "We talked about it and said: Let's do it, let's move to Denmark. I basically never really came back to the States. The work trip never ended. It all happened out of the blue. We just bought a house in Philadelphia. And it just turned into: Nope, you're going to Copenhagen." It helped that they experienced Denmark just as the holiday season was rolling in Christmas markets, lights, gløgg, people walking outside, having a good time… "And then I returned after the New Year's break, and all that was gone. No more happy people on the streets. So that was a bit of an abrupt start to transition from happy winter to January," remembers Mike. Luckily, Derek missed most of the winter and did not move until March. "I had already been over in November because otherwise, it couldn't have been as easy to make that decision. I had work obligations in Philadelphia until then, but I also had to shut

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down our lives there and prepare things for transition." Mike mentions that, in some ways, they had an easy landing in the country because they could jump into a group of friends right away - a friend of a friend who had just moved there, too. "We're still friends with a number of them to this day. It was helpful for us to have that soft landing into a group of people, which is always a challenge when you move to a new place where you don't know anybody." However, Derek remembers more difficulty. "Mike was basically working two jobs while I wasn't working. I didn't have a CPR or bank account. I really couldn't do anything. I wouldn't say it was easy. Plus, we were in our 30s when we moved over, so we had three decades of acquired knowledge on how things work and how to do stuff. Suddenly, you're in a new country and don't know how to do anything." The little things we take for granted - knowing how to do laundry, go grocery shopping, ride a train, mail a package - all of a sudden get deleted from the skill set. Of course, there are also great days and experiences, enjoying the honeymoon phase of exploring a beautiful city and meeting exciting people from other countries. "Especially in the beginning, the highs are so much higher, but the lows are so much lower because the simplest thing could ruin your day. Where do I pick up this package that came from Post Nord? It's something that a child should be able to do, but I can't. Eventually, everything sort of comes back to the middle. But occasionally, there's a thing where I'm like: Well, that's a new one."

EXPERIENCING CULTURES With all the cultural influence and new experiences, both Derek and Mike agree that Denmark definitely changed them to a point. "But not so much we're Danish. We're obviously still American, so we don't completely fit in. But then we go back to the U.S., and there are things about us that Denmark fundamentally changed," says Derek. Mike chimes in with another source of influence - their social circle consists of people from many different countries and cultures. "You feel like you're around a much more global environment. The opportunity to travel is also a part of it. We've been able to experience many more places than when we lived in Philadelphia, and getting these experiences exposed us to the globe differently." Travelling abroad was definitely something they were able to do more since moving to Denmark - there's more time for holidays, and it's more accessible. "When you cross a bridge from Philadelphia to New Jersey, it's not that much of a difference. But crossing a bridge from Copenhagen to Malmø means you're in a new country, with a new language," says Derek. Initially, Mike's contract was only two years, so they decided to take the opportunity to travel a lot. "When else are we going to be able to just go to Rome or Berlin for the weekend or spend Easter in Greece? Initially, we were treating Copenhagen as a launching-off point," explains Mike. After a while of being in Denmark, however, they realised they liked living there - and wanted to get to know it to see if it could be their home for longer. So they slowed down

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"YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE AROUND A MUCH MORE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT. THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL IS ALSO A PART OF IT. WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO EXPERIENCE MANY MORE PLACES THAN WHEN WE LIVED IN PHILADELPHIA, AND GETTING THESE EXPERIENCES EXPOSED US TO THE GLOBE DIFFERENTLY." their travel. "That helped us get to know the place and realise we wanted to stay longterm." They also changed the way they travel. Mike says that when he planned a big Europe trip while still living in the U.S., there would be a packed itinerary of all the sights to see during the limited time. So when they first started travelling together, the instinct was to see as much as possible. Over time, they stopped to think - why not just enjoy where they are? So now they focus more on getting lost in a new city, sitting in a cafe and seeing what life is like seeing how the culture differs. Focusing on local life is also the go-to strategy whenever they have friends visiting them in Copenhagen. "We tell them: Yes, we can go to Tivoli. And if you really want to go see the Little Mermaid, we can do it. But the most interesting things are going to be something else. Sometimes, I just hope it rains. I want them to see what that's like. Let's go to a boardgame cafe, a cosy bar in a basement, and see how we live in this city," explains Derek.

STARTING CONVERSATIONS But the couple is not just focusing on showing off the life in Denmark to those visiting them. In December 2020, they started a YouTube channel called Robe Trotting, where they created content focused on explaining life in Denmark through their eyes. It started a lockdown project, learning how to make and edit videos. "It started with our family and friends. My uncle was subscriber number 67 and would comment on all our videos: Subscriber 67 here! We were not sure when we would see our extended family again, so we wanted to share what our life is like here, what our apartment looks like, how different the outlets look, the little things," describes Mike. They hoped the channel would take off but were still amazed at how it did in March 2021 when their video "14 Things You Don't Know About Denmark" went viral. Since then, they've been sharing videos on their experiences in Denmark, about comparisons between Denmark and the U.S., and dived into some Danish history and culture. And they have found their niche. "When we started it, we assumed that most of the audience would be American. But it's mostly people watching from Denmark, a mix of Danes who appreciate our perspective and foreigners living in Denmark who share our experiences." The feedback to their content has been overwhelmingly positive - and what is more, they have a very engaged audience. "A lot of people that comment are continuing the

conversation, adding to things we bring up in our videos," appreciates Mike. After all, the spirit of the channel is to help other people. Derek describes that when they choose their topics, they think: If I hadn't decided to move to Denmark so quickly, what would I want to watch a video about to be prepared? "Moving to Denmark was really sprung on us. Obviously, we jumped in enthusiastically, but that also meant we didn't do much research. We didn't know many of these things we try to discuss in our videos." They try to give a fair picture of Denmark, share their experiences, and let the viewers decide for themselves. "There are a lot of cultural differences, even though you think Northern Europe and the U.S. cannot be that different. There are so many unwritten rules in Denmark we didn't know about. But there is no right or wrong. One thing I've learned overall is that I can't look at things through the cultural lens I was born with - and I also realise I am judged as an American from other people's cultural lens. That's where the cultural clash happens."

THE UN-DANISH NEW YEAR'S Derek realises the one cultural shock that comes with them being American - their reputation for being so open, welcoming, and extroverted. The openness is something he misses about the States - and he realises that he carried with him to Denmark and might have "weirded" out a few people. "I now understand more how this outgoing attitude can clash with the reserved, private Danish personalities. I realised the number of people I met once or twice and said: Oh, you should come to our apartment - we're going to have brunch. I didn't go to school with them since they were four. They probably feel weird coming to my house." He thinks that's why Danes will often say Americans are superficial, wanting to be friends too early. But Derek feels sometimes it is nice to just have a conversation with somebody, with no strings attached. "It doesn't have to be deep or multi-year friendships. Sometimes, I don't have 10 years to invest in a friendship. Sometimes, I'd just like a friendly chat now." Mike recalls the most "un-Danish" things they've ever done. When they just started their Danish lessons, they invited their Danish class for a New Year's party - with an open invitation. "We ended up having the most random mix of people at our flat - someone's coworkers, someone's roommate… All of us were new. On top of that, we didn't realise grocery stores weren't open or closed super early on New Year's Eve. At 4 PM, we realised only one Netto was open in the city. So we raced there to get whatever was left in the frozen food aisle; otherwise, everyone would have 7/11 taquitos for the New Year's dinner. We had no idea about the Queen's speech. It's a funny thing to look back on - how little we knew about the place we lived in, but at the same time, how many of us were in the same boat, just needing other people to hang out with for New Year's Eve?" Derek finds it fascinating how, in Denmark, at Easter or Christmas, one could peel off the roof of any building - and the traditions of each family would look the same, varying so much from the diversity he is used to from the States. "And it depends how you look at it. You can say it's so rigid that it has no diversity. But you can also look and see how rich the tradition is." Now, at New Year's, Derek and Mike have a proper dinner and watch the Queen deliver her speech at 6 o'clock. A far cry from their first celebration. "But then I think of our social circle and how we're experiencing different cultures with them. Last year, we watched the speech - and then also watched the Norwegian king, and ate 12 grapes just like they do in Spain. And then put on the Times Square because they are still counting down."

EMBRACING NEW PERSPECTIVES Highlighting the different perspectives and backgrounds in Denmark was the driving force behind the couple's new podcast, "What Are You Doing in Denmark", which they started in the summer of 2023. "We had discussed starting a podcast for about a year, but the timing was perfect this summer. The focus of the podcast is to be able to share voices besides our own, bringing on guests who are either fellow foreigners who have made Denmark a home or Danes who can share their perspective as well." They simply like the idea of embracing Denmark - but also cultural plurality. "I strongly feel like I can embrace every part of Denmark and Danish culture and life - and have every part of my American personality and traditions. At the same time, I bring some of the Danish traditions to our families. When my oldest nephew turned five - he's nine now - I returned to the States to celebrate. I brought a table flag for him and explained the tradition to him. This year, I saw my family on my birthday, which I hardly ever do. And when I went over to have cake with my family, my nephew put the flag on the table for me," Derek said with a smile. Mike joins in: "We played pakkeleg with our families for Christmas. That's the joy we get to embrace all of this." THE-INTL

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LINKEDIN VS CV

WHICH IS BEST FOR FINDING YOUR DREAM JOB IN 2024? TALENT ACQUISITION PROFESSIONAL LUKE HANNON SHARES RELEVANT TIPS AND HINTS IN YOUR CAREER SEARCH. PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS

TEXT LUKE HANNON

LOOKING FOR A new job in 2024? You'll probably want to dust off your old CV, ready to start applying, right? Or should you start updating your LinkedIn profile? Knowing which one to focus on can be a minefield -there's so much conflicting information. Here's my breakdown to help you make a decision!

“In November of this year, LinkedIn surpassed 1 billion members."

THE CASE FOR LINKEDIN In November of this year, LinkedIn surpassed 1 billion members. Let that sink in. LinkedIn is unequalled as a website when job searching, especially if you're in the tech industry. On your LinkedIn profile, you have prime real estate to showcase your skills, experience and knowledge to LinkedIn's vast audience. Don't waste the opportunity. By filling in the "Experience" section on your profile, you'll become searchable by every recruiter using the platform. Recruiters use Boolean keyword searches to find candidates for their jobs. Including relevant keywords in your profile will dramatically increase your chances of being found. Your LinkedIn profile becomes your online CV. Now that you've got this sorted, the next thing is to start building your brand. By creating a solid personal brand, you can develop your thought leadership. Build this by writing and commenting on your expertise. But what should I write about? Write about what you know. Write about your experience. If you're a software engineer, talk about the project you've worked on. If you work in sales, share insights on your sales process. Whatever you write, ensure it's informative, interesting and (most importantly) relatable. Building a personal brand on LinkedIn is the best thing you can do to skyrocket your chances of landing your dream job. It'll mean that recruiters and hiring managers will come to you. Speaking of which… LinkedIn's biggest strength is its ability to help you build a network. LinkedIn's single most unexplored capability is how it can create lifelong connections. Not just "Please accept my invite. I'd love to connect" surface-level connections. I mean targeted connections. Mutually beneficial

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LUKE HANNON SENIOR TALENT ACQUISITION PARTNER

connections. Connections to last a lifetime. You'll multiply your chances of landing your dream job by strategically building your network of recruiters, hiring managers and industry connections. So build away friends.

want to read through the job description and then, in painstaking detail, highlight the keywords, themes and essential character traits. Specificity is key!

THE CASE FOR THE CV

The reality is both a CV and a LinkedIn profile are crucial to landing your dream job. Both are excellent tools for finding your new job, with different strengths and weaknesses. LinkedIn is best for reaching a wider audience, building your brand and connecting with your dream company. In short, it's your broad brush. On the other hand, your CV is best when you've already found the job you want to apply for. Its strength is that, unlike your LinkedIn profile, you can tailor it to each job application. You can emphasise different skills and experiences for each job, maximising your chances of an interview. Your CV is your precision instrument. To land your dream job, you must have a strong LinkedIn profile to build awareness of your skills and knowledge and a tailored CV to close the deal. Good luck finding your dream job in 2024! THE-INTL

If LinkedIn is for everyone, the perfect CV is a precision-focused tool. A recruiter will look through dozens of LinkedIn profiles a day. With the right CV, you can ensure the recruiter stops at yours. The CV's greatest advantage over LinkedIn is that you can tailor your CV specifically for the job you're applying for. You can use all the relevant keywords to maximise your chances of being invited to an interview. In short, you can make your CV unique. The key criticism people get against using a CV is its strength. Critics say a CV is worse than a LinkedIn profile because it can only be viewed by a small handful of people at a time. They say that CVs do not have the reach of a well-written LinkedIn profile. In fact, that's their greatest strength. To write a strong CV and maximise your chances of getting an interview, you

THE FINAL RESULT?

Luke is a Senior Talent Acquisition Partner at SYBO Games, t he comp a ny b e h i nd t he smash-hit game Subway Surfers. Based in Copenhagen (by way of London)!, he has been working to make SYBO grow. He spends his time finding the best talent that the games community has to offer! He is always keen to build relationships by bringing passion and enthusiasm to the recruitment process. An advocate of Employer Branding, Luke works with the talented people at SYBO to let the world know how great a place it is to work. When he's not hiring awesome talents for SYBO or cycling (he does live in Copenhagen, after all!), he's busy reading his favourite books and channelling his inner Hemingway as a writer! @Luke Hannon @ Hannon Recruits @ hannonrecruits

DENMARK'S TREATMENT OF REFUGEES

AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS

TEXT MICHAELA MEDVEDOVÁ / SARA R. NEWELL

FOLLOWING HER VISIT to Denmark in May and June of

2023, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović published a report with recommendations for the rights of people with disabilities, refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers. The report was welcomed by Monica Lylloff from the #enmillionstemmer movement, who sent an appeal to the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights in August 2021. The appeal was supported by professors, attorneys, The Danish Trade Union for Public Employees, and the Disabled People's Organisations Denmark. In this issue, we will focus on the Commissioner's findings and recommendations for the rights of people with disabilities in Denmark. You can find the entire report here and the summary of the report's conclusions. In the report, the Commissioner "calls on the authorities to foster a structural approach to improving the situation of persons with disabilities, in particular through the introduction of a general legal obligation for reasonable accommodation, as well as a comprehensive national action plan on persons with disabilities" which she states would be the most optimal approach to such a complex, multi-faceted topic. Compared to the last report the previous Commissioner carried out on Denmark in 2014, Mijatović positively notes several positive legislative changes, "including greater protection of persons with disabilities against hate speech, a law on accessibility requirements for products and services, and the Act on Prohibition of Discrimination on Grounds of Disability, adopted in 2018, which applies to all public and private activities in all areas," as well as some improvements made to ensure reasonable accommodation, even though there still isn't a general obligation. Introducing a general legal obligation is strongly recommended by the Commissioner. Furthermore, the Commissioner welcomes the fact that nationwide data is being collected through surveys as it "permits an analysis of the outcome gaps between persons with and without disabilities in the enjoyment of several human rights, and any changes over time". However, unfortunately, as she continued: "Analyses of this data confirm not only the existence of significant gaps across various areas of life but also a lack of progress in narrowing these gaps over the years."

"THE COMMISSIONER CALLS ON DANISH AUTHORITIES TO TAKE A STRUCTURAL APPROACH TO NARROWING THE GAP FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES." The following gaps for people with disabilities were identified:  Lack of protection from discrimination and violence, with no major changes between 2012 and 2020  Lack of access to public transportation, with the percentage of people with physical disabilities who can use public transportation actually decreasing from 66% in 2016 to 57% in 2020  Difficulties with accessibility, especially in older buildings  Decreased options to participate in social life, often connected with the above issues  Lack of access to education and inclusion, even though the Commissioner "welcomes in this regard the government's stated intention to develop an action plan with measures aimed at students with disabilities."  Lack of possibilities for employment  Poorer health and lower quality of healthcare.

LIVING CONDITIONS AND PROTECTION FROM VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ABUSE NEED TO BE IMPROVED. The Commissioner "strongly encourages the authorities to explore ways to strengthen persons with disabilities' freedom to choose where and with whom they live". The report

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).

also strongly recommends reducing the number of larger, institution-like residential facilities. Furthermore, the Commissioner strongly emphasizes "the need to address challenges such as the exposure to violence and abuse, including sexual abuse, in residential institutions". The report states: The Commissioner was deeply concerned by reports that persons with disabilities and living in residential care facilities were significantly overrepresented among victims of sexual abuse – according to one study, they are five times more likely to be sexually assaulted and seven times more likely to be raped, than those who do not live in residential facilities. She suggests measures to be implemented to prevent this, including improved knowledge and proper training among the staff in residential centres, and enduring incidents are reported and investigated. The Commissioner also urges the authorities to devote attention to "the reported increasing number of children and young people with severe mental health conditions being placed in closed care institutions, as well as the conditions within those institutions".

CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS MUST BE PROTECTED. The Commissioner urges the authorities to review the accessibility and practical barriers to the right to vote and the acquisition of Danish citizenship and to provide reasonable accommodation. She also focuses on the issue of guardianship, concluding: The Commissioner calls on the authorities to continue moving away from full guardianship and substitute decision-making, particularly by developing mechanisms for supported decision-making. As an interim step, the authorities may consider ways to encourage transitions from full to partial guardianship, including through increased awareness-raising for this relatively new mechanism. Lastly, the Commissioner strongly urges the authorities to "drastically reduce the use of all forms of coercion, and to end recourse to any coercive measure that may amount to ill-treatment, including, in particular, the use of belt restraints for extended periods". Unless strictly in their best interest, the Commissioner also calls for an absolute ban on coercion used against children. 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

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DE-STRESS YOUR NEW YEAR THE NEW YEAR OFTEN BRINGS A LOT OF HOPE, GREAT IDEAS, RESOLUTIONS AND MORE PLANS THAT WE NEED TO FIT INTO AN ALREADY JAM-PACKED SCHEDULE, AND LEARNING FROM THE PAST, OUT OF ALL THE WONDERFUL LISTS OF STUFF TO DO WE HAD LISTED LAST YEAR, ONLY A FRACTION HAVE BECOME “SOMETHING”.

PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS

TEXT ALEXANDRA BECK

WE TEND TO want to do two hundred different things in the hope that maybe some of them will make us happier, healthier, fitter, more active, a better partner, better parent… just better… and then we get to the year-end, assess (or not) our current status and likely set the same goals and make the same todo lists as previously. This creates brain clutter. We are human and have limited focus abilities - and I don’t mean we cannot multi-task - this is different. We cannot and should not focus on changing two hundred things at once (or per year) but instead set singular, specific, measurable, and achievable objectives to make you feel successful.

ALEXANDRA BECK

1. PICK THREE

PERSONAL TRAINER &

Specific goals, that is. Mine, for example, is to: a) Learn more about injury rehabilitation b) Improve my coaching in front of larger audiences c) Finally, book an appointment with a physio for my tennis elbow They may seem frivolous to some, but they mean a lot to me because they are things I have been consistently pushing back because of the one hundred and ninety-seven other goals on my list.

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 inde-

2. MAKE A PLAN

pendent life of an outdoor per-

On how to achieve them. In my case, I have: a) Downloaded four audiobooks, I have scheduled to listen to during walks with my dog. I will listen to nothing else during walks with my dog. Any other activity and my Spotify music lists are back on, but not while walking the dog. b) Booked an advanced training course to improve my group fitness skills. This will happen in March. It’s paid for, and I will attend it. c) This one is tricky because I kind of already know what I need to do and what they will tell me. But now that I’m saying it here, I have set a calendar reminder to call my insurance to get a referral, and I will get an appointment by the end of January.

sonal and group fitness train-

This is a mere example - of course, everyone has different goals. But if you make concrete plans to achieve them, it will be more specific to reach a successful outcome!

3. ASSESS MID-WAY AND PICK THREE MORE As you can read above, the goals I have chosen are ones that I don’t want to drag out until next year, so I will assess it all in March/ April, and if I have reached the first three, I will pick three new ones, in the same fashion. The idea is to not stress yourself out in the New Year because if your year starts with a bunch of stuff to do on top of all the other responsibilities, the likelihood of “giving up” will increase. So,

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er. She coaches people of all ages and fitness levels to find fun and consistency in movegive yourself a chance to succeed in 2024. Take a step back and thirty minutes to jot down the top three goals you have for yourself and work from there. Three is a magic number. Although I’m not a fan of uneven numbers, in this case, it’s more than one and less than two hundred (I know, my math skills are incredible). With all this said, you are doing great because you are doing your best. Don’t worry about the things you didn’t do; instead, find light in all the things you DID do. I’m sure you have succeeded in many things forgotten in the mass of “more” things to do. So here is my high five to you and the great year ahead! THE-INTL

ment 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

"THE IDEA IS TO NOT STRESS YOURSELF OUT IN THE NEW YEAR BECAUSE IF YOUR YEAR STARTS WITH A BUNCH OF STUFF TO DO ON TOP OF ALL THE OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES, THE LIKELIHOOD OF “GIVING UP” WILL INCREASE."

@alexbeck.fit @alexbeck.fit

NEW YEAR, NEW SUSTAINABLE ME 2024 IS UPON US, AND WITH THIS YEAR, MANY PEOPLE (MYSELF INCLUDED) WILL BE LOOKING TO REINVENT THEMSELVES. PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS

TEXT RIKKE SKAK HARBOE

THE NEW YEAR brings new opportunities for personal growth and positive change, causing me to think of more sustainable ways of living and consuming. One way to embrace this new sustainable self is by creating a more sustainable lifestyle. Here are a few ideas on how to kickstart your own journey towards a more sustainable "you" in the new year:

1. MY FIRST SUGGESTION IS TO REDUCE WASTE: You can try to minimise your waste by incorporating methods such as recycling, composting, and saying no thanks to single-use plastics. Examples of this could be opting for reusable shopping bags, water bottles, and coffee cups. Those new to Denmark might not know that recycling is already a normative behaviour in Denmark. The Danish government strongly emphasises sustainability and environmental consciousness, and as a result, recycling has been actively promoted and encouraged for decades. In Denmark, recycling is not just limited to household waste. We have an extensive system for sorting and recycling different types of waste, such as paper, glass, plastic, metal, and organic waste. Recycling bins are available throughout cities and towns, making it easy to separate and dispose of waste responsibly. Recently, many households have also gotten their own compost bins or started community composting initiatives. You can also try reducing food waste by planning meals and buying only what you need. Additionally, you can donate excess food to local food banks or participate in initiatives like "Too Good to Go," where you can purchase restaurant leftovers at reduced prices.

2. MY SECOND SUGGESTION IS CHOOSE SUSTAINABLE FASHION: Supporting sustainable fashion brands or thrift stores when refreshing your wardrobe, avoiding fast fashion, and investing in quality pieces that will last longer are ways to be more sustainable within your shopping habits. You can even consider repairing or altering old clothes instead of throwing them away. There are several options for choosing sustainable fashion in Aalborg, where I am located. You can explore the city's many thrift stores and vintage shops, such as Reden Genbrug, Røde Kors Genbrug, and Igen Genbrug. These stores offer unique and pre-loved clothing items. You can also look for local designers who prioritise sustainable practices. Look for brands that use organic and recycled materials and prioritise fair trade, ethical production, or even eco-friendly brands. Another idea is exploring clothing rental services. This concept has become more common in recent years, where you rent clothes for special occasions rather than buy something new. Renting allows for waste reduction and promotes the sharing economy.

3. YOU CAN ALSO START BEING MORE CONSCIOUS OF CONSERVING ENERGY: Make an effort to reduce your energy consumption by turning off lights when not in use or using energy-efficient light bulbs by replacing traditional light bulbs with energy-efficient LED or CFL bulbs. These bulbs use significantly less energy and last longer. You can also start unplugging electronics when they're not being used and adjusting your thermostat to be mindful of energy waste. Many companies also offer programmable thermostats to regulate temperature settings and lower heating and cooling costs.

4. YOU CAN SUPPORT ECO-FRIENDLY TRANSPORTATION: Whenever possible, you can switch out your car for public transportation, carpool with your colleagues to work, and use the very Danish transportation option of cycling or

even walking. If you need a car, consider purchasing an electric or hybrid vehicle, as more and more options are available. Electric and hybrid vehicles offer several advantages over traditional gas-powered cars, including lower operating costs, reduced emissions, and potential tax incentives. Another advantage of electric and hybrid vehicles is their reduced emissions. They produce fewer or no tailpipe emissions as they run on electricity or a combination of electricity and gasoline. This helps to mitigate air pollution and reduce carbon emissions, contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment. Remember, sustainability is a journey, and being kind to yourself along the way is essential. Making small changes consistently will add up to significant progress and create a positive impact on your own life and the planet. THE-INTL

JANUARY 2024 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

DENMARK’S DIGITAL FOOTPRINT MASSIVE DECREASE IN THE USE OF CASH AND POSTED LETTERS.

PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS

TEXT MARIANO ANTHONY DAVIES

OFFICIAL FIGURES STATE that there were 4.97 million social media users in Denmark in January 2022 – the equivalent of 85.3 percent of the Danish population, with 8.88 million cellular mobile connections. Denmark is in a good position to embrace the digital future. It is a small country with a population with great trust and confidence in each other and the public sector. People generally have a high level of education, good digital competence, and generally embrace digital technologies. There is a strong tradition of collaboration and finding new and practical solutions between public authorities and the public and private sectors. The public sector began introducing IT solutions early on, so it has high-quality data sets and registries which are unique from an international perspective. Denmark has built a secure and robust digital infrastructure, allowing individuals and businesses to efficiently complete their business with the public sector over the internet. All of this has enabled a huge digital transition in recent years.

MOBILEPAY Only the elderly still use cash in Denmark. MobilePay (as the name implies) is a mobile payment application used in Denmark and Finland that has replaced the need for cash. The service allowed payments by means of a smartphone application and was first introduced in 2013 by Danske Bank. Since 2017, it has been used by all banks in Denmark. As of 2022, MobilePay has more than 4.4 million users in Denmark.

TRUSTWORTHY INTERNET COVERAGE Today, the internet is the primary gateway to public administration for most Danes. Individuals and businesses all have their own digital mailboxes. Online self-service has been made mandatory for more than 100 administrative procedures. In fact, when the Central Customs and Tax Administration (SKAT) opens up for online access to tax assessments, all digitally connected Danes flood onto the website. Digital solutions are now an integral part of many public services. Even care workers use tablet computers to monitor and register any changes in the health status of their elderly clients. Teachers use digital learning tools and materials to dif-

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MARIANO ANTHONY DAVIES PRESIDENT & CEO OXFORD BUSINESS SERVICES APS Mariano has over 40 years "DANES HAVE A HIGH DEGREE OF TRUST IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, AND THAT TRUST IS ONE OF THE FUNDAMENTAL THINGS WHEN IT COMES TO DIGITISATION AND DIGITAL SERVICES THAT THE PUBLIC AUTHORITIES PRESENT TO THE CITIZENS."

global experience as a bus iness executive. He spent ten years with KPMG, so far thirty years with British Chambers

ferentiate their teaching to the individual student, and health technologies allow patients to monitor their condition in their homes. Most individuals and businesses have welcomed the developments and can easily cope, while others have taken time adjusting to new ways of dealing with things. Local and regional governments have played and are still playing an active role in ensuring that citizens and businesses are guided through the many changes and that help is available to those who stumble on the way.

LEADING DIGITAL PENETRATION Denmark is one of the highest-ranking countries in the world when it comes to digitising the public sector. With one single digital key, Danish citizens can securely access more than a hundred different public services and, on top of that, various private services. This makes it easy for citizens to do anything from signing up their children for kindergarten to paying their bills via private banking. This is also one of the reasons why Denmark is the most digitalised country in the world, according to the European Commission, which has authored the ‘International Digital Economy and Society Index 2020’. Furthermore, the UN’s ‘e-Government Survey 2018’ also puts Denmark at

the top of the digital list. Of the 193 member countries, no country performs better than Denmark regarding public digitisation.

ONE DIGITAL KEY One of the primary digital infrastructures in Denmark is the digital key ‘NemID and MitID’, or in English ‘EasyID or MyID’, which makes it simple for the citizens to access a wide range of services online. It is the secure key to digital Denmark, and what is amazing is that it works across the public and private sectors. The digital key and the cooperation between the public and the private sector is an important factor when exploring how Denmark has become one of the most digitalised countries in the world. However, the key to success lies elsewhere – the key is the high level of trust between citizens and government. In Denmark, the public sector plays a very important role in the lives of all citizens, and there is a great deal of openness and a lot of interaction with the public sector. Danes have a high degree of trust in the public sector, and that trust is one of the fundamental things when it comes to digitisation and digital services that the public authorities present to the citizens. THE-INTL

of Commerce (while also running Oxford Business Services ApS). He is a British citizen, who grew up in Kent, went to boarding school in Sussex and has a British university education. He has been married to a Dane for over 45 years and has held over 150 official anti-Brexit speeches since 2016. He both speaks and writes Danish without difficulty. oxford-business.com

FOOD ART

WARM APPLE CRUMBLE WHO CAN RESIST THE SMELL OF SPICY APPLES BAKING IN THE OVEN? THIS EASY APPLE CRUMBLE WITH JUICY APPLES AND CRISPY CRUMBLE WILL SURELY WARM YOUR SOUL ON A COLD WINTER’S DAY. PHOTOGRAPHS & TEXT: NATASHA LIVIERO / PEXELS

WARM APPLE CRUMBLE MAKES 1 X 24CM CRUMBLE

INGREDIENTS: 800g green apples (tart apples like Granny Smith works well) 90g granulated sugar 3g ground mixed spice Zest of 1 orange (optional)

FOR THE CRUMBLE: 50g granulated sugar 50g light brown sugar 50g flour Pinch of salt 50g oats 90g butter, cold and cubed 120 pecans, roughly chopped

METHOD: 1. Set oven to 2000C. 2. Butter a 24cm pie dish (or any dish of a similar size). 3. Peel and core the apples. Chop roughly into 2cm pieces. 4. Place apples, sugar, mixed spice and zest, if using, in a pan and heat until apples soften slightly and sugar has melted - around 12 minutes on medium heat. 5. Prepare the crumble by combining the sugars, flour, salt, oats and butter in a bowl. Mix the butter into the dry ingredients with your fingertips until it resembles sea sand. Mix in the pecans. 6. Pour the apples and any juices into the dish. 7. Distribute the crumble evenly over the apples. Don’t worry if the crumble becomes soft and dough-like; it will still be crisp once baked. 8. Bake for 30 minutes, until the crumble is golden brown and the apples have softened. 9. Best eaten warm and served with whipped cream, custard or vanilla ice cream.

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

JANUARY 2024 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

BODY HARDENING – A GOOD IDEA? WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE VIKING NATION? LET'S DISCOVER THE DANISH WAY OF BODY HARDENING.

PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS

TEXT NATÁLIA ŠEPITKOVÁ

AS ONE DANISH saying goes: Der findes intet der hedder dårligt vejr, kun dårligt påklædning! There's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing). Danes are not afraid of cold weather at all. Body hardening is an essential part of their lifestyle. When I came to Denmark from Slovakia, I always wore a thick sweater, even in summer. I felt that it was incredibly cold here. After four years of living in Denmark, I have started to be perfectly okay with the weather and can also enjoy the cooler Danish summers. Okay, winter is still hard for me sometimes, not because of the temperature but because of the lack of daylight. Danes are, for me, inspirational on how to live happily in lousy weather. Cold, wind, and rain would not spoil their day or change their plans. They will participate in any weather when they feel like going for a walk. It is the same with cycling. Since a bicycle is an equivalent means of transport, they use it for recreational purposes and daily transportation to work or school. And, of course, in any weather. Even if it is cold, snowing or raining heavily, the Danes will still cycle – nothing stops them!

NATÁLIA ŠEPITKOVÁ FREELANCE JOURNALIST AND WRITER Natalia is a Slovak journalist based in Aalborg, Denmark. She has around 15 years of

LEAVE THE KIDS IN THE FRESH AIR Hardening is so natural for the Danes that they also teach their children at an early age. Danish parents commonly put their babies in strollers for a nap outdoors because babies get better sleep while exposed to fresh air, which can significantly improve their immunity. Parents in Nordic countries also prioritise maximising a child's time outdoors. Kids in my daughter's kindergarten usually play outside for 3 hours daily in any weather. At first, it was such a challenge for my daughter, but now, she is used to it. Danish parents don't dress their kids in many clothes, but their kids wear more functional garments. For example, mandatory equipment for a kindergartener is a waterproof overall, rubber boots and thermal clothing. In winter, of course, a waterproof thermal overall, winter boots, gloves and a hat. Adults also wear lighter clothing and prefer to layer in winter.

SAUNA AS A LIFESTYLE Like other Scandinavian countries, the Danes also love saunas. A sauna is part of many houses or cottages (in a Danish sommerhus). If they do not own a sauna, they visit public saunas or occasionally rent one. Saunas strengthen not only their health but also the collective. They enjoy them with families, friends, partners, and small children. Many local saunas are right on the beach or at the entrance to the sea. They can thus jump directly into the cold water from the hot sauna. Speaking of swimming in the sea, the Danes love this activity too. Even though the Danish sea is quite cold, even in the summer months - the seawater temperature around Denmark, from June to August, is between 17°C (63°F) and 22°C (72˚F). In August, this can rise in some places to around 25°C (77°F), but it is

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experience in journalism. Her experiences as an editor and a reporter were founded in Slovak magazines and newspapers. She was also working as not so common. When I moved to Denmark, swimming in the sea here was impossible for me. Last September, I enjoyed the sea in Blokhus - many people in Denmark swim all year round, and for many Danes, swimming is one of the top things to do in the winter.

WHY BODY HARDENING? The benefits of hardening are indisputable. It speeds up metabolism, has a preventive effect on inflammation, optimises hormones in the body and prevents diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Hardening is also used as an alternative treatment for autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases. Several studies have also confirmed a lower incidence of respiratory diseases in people who follow this lifestyle, meaning their immune system works slightly better. Hardening increases the level of cytokines and white blood cells in the blood, and this process, if regular, accelerates the immune response. It is good to start hardening gradually, for example, with a cold shower. First, stay under the cold stream of water for a few seconds, then extend this time with every shower. In winter, shower with cold water for a maximum of 3 minutes and in summer for 5 minutes - but never wet your head and hair. Before and after a cold shower, it is advisable to engage in light exercise. To begin with, it can be hardened even in cold air or with an open window - your body will thank you! THE-INTL

a TV reporter, a TV moderator and a host in radio broadcasting. Part of her career included working with PR and marketing. Natália is also a content creator on her social media. Follow her blog www.mamavda ns k u . com , whe re s he writes about life in Denmark. @Natália Šepitková @Mama v Dánsku @Mum in Denmark

"DANES ARE, FOR ME, DAILY I N S P I R AT I O N O N H O W TO LIVE HAPPILY IN LOUSY WEATHER."

A (HIGHLY SUBJECTIVE) GUIDE ON MAKING DANISH FRIENDS THIS YEAR

PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS

TEXT HEATHER STORGAARD

THE NEW YEAR is a time of reflection, new starts and of course resolutions. Thinking about your place in Denmark in 2024? This is a guide to connecting with more Danes this year, whether you want out of your time in the country.

"Behind the directness and

LEAN INTO YOUR NETWORK

riety of slightly perplexing

reputation for cold exterior, Danes can by shy in a vaways."

This feels like a very Danish tip to give, but it’s a valuable one. Do you have Danes who have spent periods living abroad and understand your experience as an international in the country a bit more than most? Or perhaps a colleague who has shown particular curiosity about your background? Invite them to your house for coffee and cake and see how it goes. If you get invited back to theirs, remember to complement their house- they care a lot about this! Nothing tried, nothing gained is a good phrase to remember.

DIRECTNESS This may be an obvious one, but ask for what you want. Danes appreciate the clarity in this- if you want to socialise in Danish, say so. If you are looking for internationally-minded Danes to meet, ask your currently friends or colleagues if they know anyone. Danes can suddenly be much more helpful if you ask for what you want or are trying for with directness.

HEATHER STORGAARD WRITER

CURIOSITY Behind the directness and reputation for cold exterior, Danes can be shy in a variety of slightly perplexing ways. This can give whiplash- I’ve had bombastic explanations of the virtues of the Danish Welfare State, followed quickly by the same person refusing to play Danish music on the basis that it’s embarrassing in international groups. While Danes are extremely proud of certain aspects of their nation, other cultural things you would expect to be widely shared or praised get avoided. It could take time, but showing genuine curiosity about Denmark and Danish culture will hopefully get your Danish colleagues to open up and share more about their culture with you, building a more deep-rooted connection in the process.

BE CONSCIOUS OF MORE THAN LANGUAGE GAPS At a party recently, a friend from the Danish minority in Northern Germany was talking about the cross-cultural interactions that occur between the mostly-German and mostly-Danish sides of her family. We talked about what she called ‘The Danish Face’a smile of polite disinterest made by Danes during conversation they couldn’t actually care less about. The Danish speakers, native and learners, immediately felt that the story resonated, while the others seemed confused at our slightly hysterical laughter. Reflecting, I realised this is a perfect example of how learning a language is not purely linguistic- facial expressions, gestures and reading the norms of a different culture are all necessary learnings too. Conversely, it’s why fluent English speakers from Denmark can still struggle to socialise in English- although technically fluent in the language, they don’t know of the social norms that come with a group of beating-around-the-bush Brits, loud Americans or the everyone-is-learning mixed international groups speaking English.

DEAR DANISH READERS There are many ways to make newcomers, long-term internation-

als and everyone in between welcome. I am possibly preaching to the converted here, but here are a few ideas on how to make your colleagues, friends or international family feel more welcome in social settings. #1 Please don’t ask us to pronounce rødgrød med fløde or count to 100 for you. We aren’t performing monkeys, and even fluent, non-native speakers can have issues with the insane Danish numbers or famous tongue twister. #2 I recommended for internationals to be curious about Denmark- the same goes the other way! Ask about other cultures, even if it’s somewhere you’ve never heard of or have little connections with. Links can be found in very surprising places. #3 Don’t switch to English at the very first mistake in intonation, tone or not-quite-flat ‘r’. If you do think a conversation would flow better in English, try to show courtesy by asking - "ville du helst tale engelsk? Eller er det fint nok for dig med dansk?" Switching in the middle of a discussion feels very rude, although it happens a lot to learners. Some will be relieved to switch and socialise in more comfort, while others will want a chance to improve or just get back into the stride of Danish. THE-INTL

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

JANUARY 2024 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

CONCERTS TO WATCH

OUT FOR IN 2024!

PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS

TEXT DOMINIC J STEVENSEN

DENMARK MAY NOT be the largest country, but it does attract some of the biggest stars in the world to the musical venues of Copenhagen and sometimes elsewhere. It is aided by the fact that its annual Roskilde music festival has a sterling line-up year after year during the Danish summertime. In fact, I would go as far as to say it always appears to be one of the season's 'must-see' outdoor festivals. Eye-catching acts, for one reason or another, to appear this year are as follows: Depeche Mode and Pink will be performing at the Royal Arena (10th February) and Parken Stadion (6th July) in Copenhagen, respectively. Legendary 1990s guitar-wielding American punk outfit Bikini Kill will be out on another jaunt, playing at Store Vega, Copenhagen, on 9th June, as will English synth-pop legends The Human League (formed in 1977), who can be caught at the same venue on the 19th November. Oddball British punks Idles are out in support of their new album Tangk, live at KB Hallen on 19th March, and American guitar hero John Mayer is showing off his solo skills once more at the Copenhagen Royal Arena a few days earlier on 16th March. Radiohead offshoot The Smile will be touring their imminent second album by playing on stage at KB Hallen on 13th March, while other popular guitar bands The National (indie rock) – Royal Arena, Copenhagen, 16th August – and Queens of the Stone Age (heavier rock) – Valbyparken, Copenhagen, 10th August – will also hit Danish shores. Any lover of British comedy will know Bill Bailey (I am pretty sure I saw him as the support act for the controversial band Kula Shaker in the mid-90s) – from Black Books or several other great comedies as well as stand-up and quiz shows in the UK. He will do a live set at Falkoner Salon in Frederiksberg in the capital on 15th April. Nadine Shah will be touring her forthcoming fifth record by supporting legendary British synth outfit Depeche Mode in the above-mentioned concert. Legendary dance/techno duo Underworld is returning to the live scene and is including a date at the Forum Black Box in the capital on their tour (23rd March). Classical maestro Andre Rieu will be performing on two dates. The first at the Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning and the second at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen (12th and 13th June). Anoushka Shankar, wondrous musical talent in her own right as well as daughter of genius Ravi Shankar and half-sister of Norah Jones, can be seen live at DR Koncerthuset on 14th April as part of the Copenhagen Jazz Festival (5th – 14th April 2024). As one of the final acts, she makes the end of the festival a sparkling finale. Well-known rock gods Judas Priest are also hitting 2024 with

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DOMINIC J STEVENSON WRITER / MUSICIAN / ARTIST D om i n ic J Steve n s on i s a 3-time published author and the creator of the Literary Portrait / Visual Artwork pro"DENMARK MAY NOT BE THE LARGEST COUNTRY, BUT IT DOES ATTRACT SOME OF THE BIGGEST STARS IN THE WORLD TO THE MUSICAL VENUES OF COPENHAGEN AND SOMETIMES ELSEWHERE." live-action, decades after they first created, released, and performed their music. They take their Invincible Shield tour to the Royal Arena on 26th June. Finally, I must end with the live performance of legendary UK artist Tricky at Store Vega on 18th March. Catching the genius of Tricky live is an essential experience. I am hoping for new music from the brilliant Danish punk rock band Iceage. They never let fans down and have thus far released five brilliant albums with ever-evolving sounds and sparky, poetic English-language lyrics. They would inevitably do a jaunt of their homeland and further afield should that sixth album see a release. Whatever genre gives you a thrill – in headphones, speakers, or the live arena – there's plenty to be caught live in lovely little Denmark. It seems an almost unavoidable stop on any European tour of note for acts of all different levels of popularity. However, she or he who does not venture to Denmark will likely play somewhere in Scandinavia, with Norway and Sweden possessing some large venues across their chief cities. For example, Zara Larsson will play in Sweden, and Ed Sheeran will play at a Norwegian festival. English folk-rock heroine PJ Harvey will also appear at two Norwegian summer fests showcasing her cracking recent album and highlights from an extraordinary 30-year career. Put simply – unmissable! THE-INTL

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

SPRINGING INTO A NEW YEAR PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS

TEXT MONIKA PEDERSEN

FIREWORKS ARE STILL shooting into the night and exploding to share their wonderous colours, champagne corks are still popping, and the thought of a fresh start of a new year ignites excitement. And with it, the idea of possibly making changes and resolutions. A New Year’s decision I made long ago, which has been a lifesaver, is to keep a calendar.

"A New Year’s decision I made long ago, which has been a lifesaver, is to keep a calendar."

CALENDARS ARE ESSENTIAL A busy working and social life calls for a means to document activity. The former way was to write down activities on a paper calendar. It may not be the most selected option anymore, but the fact that all the tasks need to be written by hand, it can be argued, ensures that the recall is sharper as they are better committed to memory. Nevertheless, with huge technological advancements, more modern and popular laptops or mobile phone alternatives with apps such as Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, and ICal, to mention a few options, are far more preferable. There is a method for everyone, and customisation might include a pop-up notification system, colour coding, or a catchy alert sound setup. A calendar must be kept in a particular spot, so it is to be at hand and regularly checked for its purpose to come into effect.

MONIKA PEDERSEN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATOR Monika comes from the London area of the UK, where she worked in the state system and the international school system, as an English teacher of 11-18 students and then a high school principal. She has also worked in leadership roles in Germany and in Den-

SCHOOL CALENDARS Very young children may have a calendar that the family follows at home. At school, the calendar is in a strategic place, as well as the schedule for the day. Each morning, there is a ritual of two selected students informing the class of the date and, more importantly, providing the ‘road map’ for the day so students have an overview and the security of knowing what will happen. If they forget, which often happens, they can be redirected to the schedule. Older students are way beyond this activity but also need to keep a diary. Most are totally dependent on their mobile phones, so this is the device they prefer. It is imperative for students who are in their final school years to keep track of coursework deadlines, exam dates, and college paperwork requirements and interviews.

mark. She has an overview of the British, InternationKeeping a calendar also helps keep tabs on the jobs to be completed and those that need to be rescheduled. When teaching, a weekly plan is kept to provide an overview and to lessen the anxiety of time evaporating by being able to adjust activities to ensure the curriculum is covered.

cient for all the jobs demanded. Consequently, it is essential to prioritise the number of activities within a day to allocate sufficient time to do a good job, to avoid the unproductive feeling of overload or stress, and to possess a realistic overview of task and time logistics.

BEING ORGANISED

USEFUL NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

Calendars lessen the chance of a double booking or a missed appointment, while a shared calendar informs colleagues or family members of what is happening. It helps with organisation, communication, transparency, and documentation. The hours of the day are often insuffi-

The New Year’s resolution to keep a calendar has been one I have never regretted. Sadly, I can not be so lyrical about other resolutions that were not kept and faded in the first few weeks. Perhaps the quality and pertinence of the decision or resolution ensure its longevity! THE-INTL

al, American, and the Danish system. She has many years of experience and continues to enjoy the profession. She has relocated to Copenhagen and enjoys the city and summer house life with her Danish husband. @monikapedersen @monikapedersen @monikapedersen

JANUARY 2024 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

SETTING INTENTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR! PHOTOGRAPHS PEXELS

TEXT OPHELIA WU

I WONDER WHERE all the time went, and suddenly, we are here in 2024. It wasn’t too long ago that we were counting down to what was supposed or expected to be the roaring 20s in 2020, and here we are again another year. There are always New Year resolutions; I don’t know about you, but I never followed through or even remembered what I intended to achieve. So much for resolutions. Instead of beating myself up for being unable to reach a goal or make progress, I’ve decided to make it easier by setting intentions. An intention is a will, a want, a wish, an intent to set a path on something. It might not weigh the same as a resolution or a goal, but every goal starts with an intention. It’s like planting a seed; many conditions and obstacles must be considered for a healthy and beautiful plant to grow. Like any goal, our intention is the seed; the rest will depend on many things over time. There’s no plant without a seed; similarly, there is no goal without an intention. An intention can be something simple like cutting out chocolate for the next month, or it can also be the wildest dream you ever wanted. They’re essentially the same because you’re setting yourself on that trajectory. How it manifests, how long it will take, and in what way or form it will be out of our control, but that’s also fun because sometimes, things take a better form or pathway than we expected or hoped. That’s the unknown part but also the beautiful part of life. However small or big is your intention, don’t underestimate the power of it. It might be the most effortless thing you’ve done, landing a place you never thought of reaching. The intention always counts and weighs so much more, not so much the action. For example, in court, someone who killed a small animal without the intention might be considered manslaughter or negligence. However, with the intention, it is a murder. The result for the poor animal is the same, but the consequence and outcome for that person can differ.

JANUARY 2024 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM

OPHELIA WU FASHION CONSULTANT & JOURNALIST

"AN INTENTION CAN BE SOMETHING SIMPLE LIKE CUTTING OUT CHOCOLATE FOR THE NEXT MONTH, OR IT CAN ALSO BE THE WILDEST DREAM YOU EVER WANTED."

Think about what you want to happen or do in the new year - where you want to be. Take it slow and break it into little chunks. Instead of just the New Year, every day is an opportunity to set an intention. All you need to do is to be clear about what it is and think about how you will feel as if you already got that, or living that life you

want, and then just let it go. Just because you have set an intention doesn’t mean you can’t change course or your mind anytime you want. This imaginary seed in your mind will take you to places, so be careful what you intend to do. It’s heaven and hell between one fine line of our mind and thoughts. 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

JANUARY 2024 - WWW.THE-INTL.COM