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Denmark: considering a move to Denmark.:
Hi Mike,
Check out www.denmark.dk/en for a lot of info on Denmark. There have been a lot of posts on this, so you can read the mixed reviews.
I have been in Denmark off and on for 2 years. It has been a very difficult adjustment. It took me 2 years to just get authorized to practice psychology, but it is very necessary to be proactive in regards to a job here.
Danes, in my opinion tend to be xenophobic and of course they have been here for centuries, so unlike Americans, they do not have an especially welcoming attitude, although I think, in Copenhagen and in some industries, they are fine where the language is both English and Danish.
I think knowing Danish is the biggest plus in this country, but be prepared to take time to learn it, unless you are facile with language acquisition. It is very difficult to learn.
There is a huge government structure here that is highly socialistic and a lot of tax, so, although the salaries look great, the cost of living is high, very high.
I think the Janta law is still there, too, so do not try to think you are better than anyone else (unless, of course, you are Danish, and comparing yourself with the rest of the world).
As for happiness, I am well aware of all the hype about Denmark being so happy, and it really suprises me when I see so many people frowning, running you over with their carts, and generally living in their own little world, but really I think that the Danes have mixed up the term 'happy' with 'smug.' They believe they have it all, and in some sense, they do have a lot--very short work weeks, high pay, and lots of vacation. But, with their blinders on, they forget about their appalling national healthcare system (my husband has waited over 7 months for cancer treatment), but, they believe they are 'being taken care of' by the government--a lot of bureaucrats are being supported so that automobile tax is 3 times the cost of a car!
The charm of Denmark lies in its beautiful castles, its wonderful national bird (the swan) and H.C. Anderson. Although some would have you believe the crime rate is low, in a latest reading, I saw that the rate of theft and robbery was higher than in the old violent USA.
There are some really wonderful people here, who are not xenophobic or mean spirited, so I hate to generalize. But, there is a grain of truth inherent some cultural identities and this country is not necessarily going to welcome you with open arms just because you are from the great U.S.A. And, do not believe it will be that easy to get a job.
Well, that is just my opinion.
Lisa
South Africa: shipping cars to south africa:
Does anyone know if it is OK to ship your car to south africa if you immigrate there? I have a left hand drive vehicle from the U.S., and I really would like to ship it. Right now, I would take a loss on the car if I sold it in the States, so shipping it seems smarter. But, I hear there is some sort of rule about left-hand drive vehicles. . .
Denmark: 10 Tips for Living in Denmark:
I have to say I understand the problem. I have tried to adjust to this country for the last 2 years and have been marginally successful. I am an American, and I find the Danes to be polite, but that I am just not part of 'their club.'
I was truly, truly suprised by the difference of this culture from other cultures. I have been in Germany and other countries, but the Scandinavian culture really requires some navigating. There are unspoken rules, as you might say, and they are difficult to learn because the Danes take the rules for granted, as we Americans take our rules for granted.
I find their driving very aggressive, and their social distancing problematic. Walking down the street, many Danes are not friendly, avert eye contact, and while shopping they almost bump into you with their cart, not to mention being a pedestrian, when they almost run you down!
I live in the southern U.S. as well, and everyone there is friendly, with a hello. They drive thinking about other people, generally, letting people in when the traffic is heavy. They stop for pedestrians, too!
Denmark: veg in denmark:
I am also married to a dane and am from the U.S.
I, like you, find it difficult here. in the U.S., people tend to be friendly, but in Dk, they are much more reserved and I feel tend to look on outsiders with suspicion. It is important to adapt to their culture, but they really have a different view of outsiders. Where in the U.S., we all in a sense, are not originally from the country, in Denmark, they are. The U.S. is more adaptable to the influx of a variety of people, and we tend to identify ourselves by our nationality--for example, German, or English.
As for being a veg in Dk, you are right. i think in the U.S., the restaurants cater to the people, but in Dk, that is just not the case. The same is true with healthcare. In the u.s., we love our doctors, who nurture us, but in the Dk, you really do not want to go see your doctor!
I wish I had an answer. i am struggling, too. I think the first, most important step, is learning the language, though.
South Africa: Does anyone have a container going from US to South Africa over the next few months?:
Hi Nancy,
We are going to relocate to South Africa, and could use a container, if I am able to ship my car. Do you know anything about shipping cars from the U.S. to South Africa?
I don't think it will be in a month, though. We are thinking of shipping sometime during the summer.
Denmark: Moving To Denmark:
Hi, I am an american living in Kolding, married to a Dane, so we could help you get acquainted here. It's a lovely city. Who are you going to work for?
Denmark: I want to move to Denmark:
Coule you explain this person who assists you with assimilation? That would be really helpful. I feel fairly isolated here, maybe due to the language barrier. I know very little Danish but am going to attend language school
South Africa: Moving to South Africa:
This is good luck for me!
My husband and I are thinking of moving to phalaborwa as well. His daughter and son-in-law live there. I am a U.S. citizen and he is Danish. We want to ship a car we have from the U.S. Is this possible?
Denmark: how to work as a dentist in denmark:
I wish I could be positive about this, but I find it excessively difficult to practice in Dk. My credentials are still under review at the university and I have been a licensed and practising psychologist for 20 years in the states! I also am on the National Register. It has been over a year, and they are still looking to see if the credentials are equivalent. I have my bachelor's, master's doctorate and a postdoc.
I suppose some year, I may actually be able to practice here. . . .
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