Help! I Might Be Moving to Denmark!

Hello,

Sorry to bug you, but I was wondering if you have some time to respond to some questions i have about Denmark. I have been hopping over to your blog now and again since last year, but I seriously started to read your archive entries since I made the decision recently to try to move to Denmark.

I am thinking about applying for the Danish Green Card and based on points I have a very good chance. I had done a lot of reading about DK before, but now that I am seriously considering the country for a move, things I didn't focus on before are really jumping out at me. One of your blog posts was especially interesting: Blackgirls on Istedgade I was shocked to see how recent the post was written. 2006! Therefore, this question may seem silly since it's only been 3 years (or less): Is the situation the same in Denmark? As someone coming over, is cleaning what one can expect to be doing for a good chunk of the early years, just to get by? Are the options to use one's education next to nil if one doesn't speak Danish? I'm really just trying to figure this out because I have a postgraduate degree, but it's certainly not in IT which would be a bonus, I think.

Based on what I've read on the blogs of some other Danish expats, I know that Islamophobia is pretty prevalent in the country. I was told by one blogger that, as an Afro-Canadian, I would probably be "spared" the worst of the racial discrimination. However, I have also read that Danish people tend to have a superior attitude towards all outsiders and that the culture is very difficult to penetrate; i.e. xenophobia is a problem.

Do you think that lack of Danish language skills is the reason for that or is that just the typical fate of non-white expats? I have been trying to find Danish classes in my city, but there is nothing available, so my only option is to self-study or find a private tutor that I can afford (only found 1 so far). But before I invest any money into Danish lessons, I'm still trying to figure out if this is a country that will kill my spirit. Like I said, based on what I read on the blogs and different DK expat fora, it seems that there will be a lot working against me. I am prepared to work hard, but sometimes I think that if a system is set up for you to fail, you will. I've already immigrated once, and I would like the experience of living in Europe. DK seems to be my best shot, but I don't want to invest time and energy in what's basically an immigration trap.

Do you think there is anything you would have done different at the start that would have prepared you better for DK? When I read blogs I often wonder how prepared some of the people were before they packed up and went in search of a job or love. For myself, when I moved to Canada I had no idea about the place or the people and that lack of preparation bit me in the ass A LOT in the early days. Then again, too much preparation, too much research sometimes... You get anxious and scared... Which is how I am now.

Thank you for any insight that you can provide and for taking the time to read this email. Also, if you find this email too intrusive, and do not wish to respond, I totally understand and will respect that.

Dear XXX,

You're not bugging me at all. However, I do have to admit that I feel uncomfortable advising you on whether or not you should move to Denmark. I think moving to any country, other than your own, will always be full of culture shock and of unique challenges. What I can tell you are some of the challenges you might face here.
If you do move here, learning the language will help a lot. I have noticed a distinct difference in the quality of life between expats who take the time to learn the language, and those who don't.

While it took me many years to get a job I am qualified for, I can't say for sure your experience will be the same. I know many expats who have found jobs in companies in which they do what they would have done at home. On the other hand, I know people who still struggle, and many of them are people of color. I think some of this has to do with Denmark, race and what I think of as the general plight of the immigrant.

You do have to be aware that if you are used to culturally diverse communities, Denmark is not as cosmopolitan as say, for example Toronto, but it helps not to compare it to other places as it is what it is. I like to think of my presence here as having a bit of a remedial effect on that, have chosen to live by the mantra that you must become what you miss.

While racism will not be in your face you might find that many peoples' idea of Blackness comes from the media, and considering what we as Americans and media export and what other cultures choose to buy in terms of image, well, it can become quite problematic. It is not unlike, however, what ones' experience would be in a culture that is unfamiliar with your own. For the most part, many are simply curious and open, and eager to learn about other experiences and in that sense you will have to be patient in explaining some very basic things (like don't touch my hair, no, I can't sing, no, I'm not a professional singer, blah blah blah) But it's not that bad most of the time.

On the other hand, I have managed to build a network of incredible people, and among them are quite a few Danes.

I'm not sure where you stand on the issue of dating, but if you are interested in meeting a person of color, that might be a challenge. I only say this because a. I miss it and b. many of my other single, Black friends miss it as well. It's not much of an option here.

I try to live by the credo to take every one as an individual. While I try my best not to generalize, it sometimes is hard not too. I think being in Denmark is a challenge I am up to, especially since I am hell-bent on putting my two-cents in. I like to think that Denmark would be a much sadder place without me! So if you come here with a commitment to contribute towards making this place a better place, aware that it will be chock-full of challenges, then, well, you should do so.

Ok, I hope that helps a bit. Let me know what you finally decide to do. Good luck!

Warm Regards,
Lesley-Ann Brown