I can definitely say yes to that question. This experience of living abroad has definitely allowed me to shift my values, for the better I believe. But I will be honest - one thing scares me:
I absolutely love the way of life in Denmark. There is such a focus and emphasis on people and family and relationships. Workplaces are understanding of family life, and they only expect you to work (typically) 37 hours a week. Most everyone gets 5-6 weeks of vacation a year.
In the US, I always dreamed of a busy corporate life. I dreamed of working hard, and being rewarded for that. I dreamt of nice cars, great clothes, big houses. And I still want those things, but not as much. They are less and less important to me, and people and relationships, spending time on them and cultivating them are more important - which is fantastic in my opinion. But what scares me is can I ever lead this Danish mentality of a lifestyle, in the states? Is it possible, or as soon as I get home and start working again, will I be sucked right into the vaccuum of the American dream?
Monday, June 14, 2010
Mentor Workshop - Critical Question
I participate in a mentor program via my work (the Career Centre) that my good friend Susanne is in charge of. The program consists of being matched with an ASB alumni who is in the Danish labor market, and has a desire to help guide a current student in whatever ways necessary. The pictures and profiles of the mentors are posted online, and you can select the 5 you are most interested in, and then are matched accordingly. It was a great experience, and neat insight into the Danish corporate world (my mentor was a project manager in the international marketing deparmtent for specialty cheese at Arla, which is a milk and dairy company).
Anyway, to conclude the mentor year, Susanne hired a professional who works with the mentor concept named David Clutterbuck from the UK. He came and spoke to us for half of a day, and was very interesting.
Perhaps the most insightful thing he mentioned, which of course made me think, was whether or not I had 'critical questions' that were applicable to my life. By this, he meant, what sorts of things do you ask yourself in order to ensure that you are taking the steps necessary to achieve your personal dreams and goals in life? For example:
Is this going to help me achieve my career goals?
Is this the most honest way to live my life?
Will this make me happy?
Will this give me the work-life balance I am after?
Am I settling?
This definitely made me stop and think. The idea is to come up with a critical question that is most applicable to your life, use it, and then when you have evolved past that point, pick a new question that will work. And on and on.
Anyway, to conclude the mentor year, Susanne hired a professional who works with the mentor concept named David Clutterbuck from the UK. He came and spoke to us for half of a day, and was very interesting.
Perhaps the most insightful thing he mentioned, which of course made me think, was whether or not I had 'critical questions' that were applicable to my life. By this, he meant, what sorts of things do you ask yourself in order to ensure that you are taking the steps necessary to achieve your personal dreams and goals in life? For example:
Is this going to help me achieve my career goals?
Is this the most honest way to live my life?
Will this make me happy?
Will this give me the work-life balance I am after?
Am I settling?
This definitely made me stop and think. The idea is to come up with a critical question that is most applicable to your life, use it, and then when you have evolved past that point, pick a new question that will work. And on and on.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
I Like the Sound of Seagulls...
...because it means I am close to the water.
This is a weird statement to make, I realize. But I notice the sound all the time. When I am taking Lincoln for a walk by my apartment. When I am walking outside the city center. From inside my old apartment. Wherever I am, I always take notice. And it almost brings a sense of peace and relaxation to me, because I realize there is a large amount of water nearby. There is something about being by the water that has always been calming to me, and I know one day, I will live very near water.
You often notice the sound of the seagulls more when the sky the weather is great. To this point, I must say, Danes talk about the weather all the time. There are not an abundant amount of 75 degree, blue sky, sun shining days in Denmark, so Danes cherish them when they are here. They always know when the sun will come out and when there will be a break in the overcast days and a break in the rain. It is this weird phenomena - whenever the weather is good, everyone drops everything to be outside. Whether they go for a walk, or sit at an outdoor cafe, or BBQ in the park, or just lay on a blanket and read in the park, a majority of the Danes take advantage of being outside whenever possible. This is an aspect I want to continue in my life forever, whether or not I am living in the US or not. I just know that I did not spend much time outside just enjoying nature when I was living in the states.
I think as Americans, we take the weather for granted, as we typically have much better weather than what I see in Denmark.
This is a weird statement to make, I realize. But I notice the sound all the time. When I am taking Lincoln for a walk by my apartment. When I am walking outside the city center. From inside my old apartment. Wherever I am, I always take notice. And it almost brings a sense of peace and relaxation to me, because I realize there is a large amount of water nearby. There is something about being by the water that has always been calming to me, and I know one day, I will live very near water.
You often notice the sound of the seagulls more when the sky the weather is great. To this point, I must say, Danes talk about the weather all the time. There are not an abundant amount of 75 degree, blue sky, sun shining days in Denmark, so Danes cherish them when they are here. They always know when the sun will come out and when there will be a break in the overcast days and a break in the rain. It is this weird phenomena - whenever the weather is good, everyone drops everything to be outside. Whether they go for a walk, or sit at an outdoor cafe, or BBQ in the park, or just lay on a blanket and read in the park, a majority of the Danes take advantage of being outside whenever possible. This is an aspect I want to continue in my life forever, whether or not I am living in the US or not. I just know that I did not spend much time outside just enjoying nature when I was living in the states.
I think as Americans, we take the weather for granted, as we typically have much better weather than what I see in Denmark.
Thesis/Job Search
My life the past six months has been consumed with two things: my master thesis, and my job search.
I have chosen to write about internationalization and integration of educated international students in Denmark. My thesis is challenging whether or not Denmark is prepared to handle the integration process in a Danish organization because research is showing that this tiny country of 5.5 million people needs educated foreign workers in order to keep their economy as one of the top economies in the world - they simply don't have the manpower. Yet, Danes are known for being closed-off, and integration is hard for a variety of reasons.
The topic has been interesting to me, especially because it is closely related to my internship and work I have been doing at the ASB Career Centre. I am working on an EU- and mid-Jutland (the region of Denmark that I live in) funded project whose aim is to break down barriers amongst Danish companies and help them understand the benefit of hiring international students. As it stands right now, students come to Denmark to receive their education, and then end up moving back to their home countries because they can't find a job in Denmark. Bare in mind that EU citizens can attend school in Denmark for free - therefore, Danes are paying tax dollars for these EU students to attend school, and then basically throwing that money right out the window when the student opts to leave the country.
Additionally, regarding the job search process, I am looking both in Denmark and in the US. In regards to Denmark, it is not easy because I can't speak Danish fluently. It may be easier if I was open to moving to Copenhagen, but I am not. My network and friends are in Aarhus, and if I am going to stay in this country, I would like to stay here. Otherwise, I would love to go back home. I miss my friends and family terribly. But then again, the US is so big, so what city do I am for? St. Louis? Chicago? Dallas? Vegas? And on and on and on....
I have had a fairly good response rate, I guess, considering I have been out of the job market for two years and am looking to jump back in again - I guess I am now finally feeling the effects of the crisis.
Wish me luck!
I have chosen to write about internationalization and integration of educated international students in Denmark. My thesis is challenging whether or not Denmark is prepared to handle the integration process in a Danish organization because research is showing that this tiny country of 5.5 million people needs educated foreign workers in order to keep their economy as one of the top economies in the world - they simply don't have the manpower. Yet, Danes are known for being closed-off, and integration is hard for a variety of reasons.
The topic has been interesting to me, especially because it is closely related to my internship and work I have been doing at the ASB Career Centre. I am working on an EU- and mid-Jutland (the region of Denmark that I live in) funded project whose aim is to break down barriers amongst Danish companies and help them understand the benefit of hiring international students. As it stands right now, students come to Denmark to receive their education, and then end up moving back to their home countries because they can't find a job in Denmark. Bare in mind that EU citizens can attend school in Denmark for free - therefore, Danes are paying tax dollars for these EU students to attend school, and then basically throwing that money right out the window when the student opts to leave the country.
Additionally, regarding the job search process, I am looking both in Denmark and in the US. In regards to Denmark, it is not easy because I can't speak Danish fluently. It may be easier if I was open to moving to Copenhagen, but I am not. My network and friends are in Aarhus, and if I am going to stay in this country, I would like to stay here. Otherwise, I would love to go back home. I miss my friends and family terribly. But then again, the US is so big, so what city do I am for? St. Louis? Chicago? Dallas? Vegas? And on and on and on....
I have had a fairly good response rate, I guess, considering I have been out of the job market for two years and am looking to jump back in again - I guess I am now finally feeling the effects of the crisis.
Wish me luck!
Weird Things in Denmark
My aunt Suzy asked me to start posting pictures of anything that I think is weird or different or unique in Denmark. I walked around taking a couple of pictures, but this was fun, so I believe this will be an ongoing, work-in-progress!
The train station in Aarhus
Train station again - I love it. Such a unique, different way to travel.
This is the funniest thing. Danes all stand at a crosswalk, even when there are no cars in sight, and wait for the light to turn green before they cross. I have never seen this before - we would always jaywalk in the states. It is sort of their respect for their laws, and non-desire to be different and stand out.
Notice the bike path next to the bus. I think it is weird that whenever you get off buses, you have to watch for bikes or you will get smoked!
They have this electronic number system everywhere - at city hall, at the pharmacy; much more high tech than our pull numbers out of that red thing.
Text TV. I will never understand this. There is a button on the remote that you press and it will show you the screen that says what show is on, or it will give you the opportunity to read some news, etc. This is a news story.
This gives you the option of choosing which news story you want to read
This is the first screen you see when you hit text tv. The show that is playing now is Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place.
Just a fun Manolo Blahnik Cola Light can I got
This is cool. There is a designated tree (or a few) around the city where children go and give their pacifiers to when it is time to let them go. They grow up knowing this right-of-passage, and are excited to give it up. Kind of a cool concept.
Grocery baskets you drag on the ground. I feel like an old lady when I use these.
And again...
This is a bus stop that is decorated like a football stadium, in honor of the World Cup. Pretty cool.
This one is sideways, but it is a clock/meter inside your car window. This is how Danes 'pay for parking.' You adjust the clock to the time you park, so the meter man can walk around and see that you have not been there, for example, longer than 2 hours. The clock is also backwards, so it always takes me a second when Susanne asks me to move it for her.
A grocery store. Granted, a discount store, but...tiny. And messy.
Grocery store
Grocery store with random clothes
The train station in Aarhus
Train station again - I love it. Such a unique, different way to travel.
This is the funniest thing. Danes all stand at a crosswalk, even when there are no cars in sight, and wait for the light to turn green before they cross. I have never seen this before - we would always jaywalk in the states. It is sort of their respect for their laws, and non-desire to be different and stand out.
Notice the bike path next to the bus. I think it is weird that whenever you get off buses, you have to watch for bikes or you will get smoked!
They have this electronic number system everywhere - at city hall, at the pharmacy; much more high tech than our pull numbers out of that red thing.
Text TV. I will never understand this. There is a button on the remote that you press and it will show you the screen that says what show is on, or it will give you the opportunity to read some news, etc. This is a news story.
This gives you the option of choosing which news story you want to read
This is the first screen you see when you hit text tv. The show that is playing now is Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place. 
Just a fun Manolo Blahnik Cola Light can I got
This is cool. There is a designated tree (or a few) around the city where children go and give their pacifiers to when it is time to let them go. They grow up knowing this right-of-passage, and are excited to give it up. Kind of a cool concept.
Grocery baskets you drag on the ground. I feel like an old lady when I use these.
And again...
This is a bus stop that is decorated like a football stadium, in honor of the World Cup. Pretty cool.
This one is sideways, but it is a clock/meter inside your car window. This is how Danes 'pay for parking.' You adjust the clock to the time you park, so the meter man can walk around and see that you have not been there, for example, longer than 2 hours. The clock is also backwards, so it always takes me a second when Susanne asks me to move it for her.
A grocery store. Granted, a discount store, but...tiny. And messy.
Grocery store
Grocery store with random clothes
My 28th Birthday
So, I am now 28, and embracing it. It sounds a bit older, but i guess I don't really feel it at this point. I celebrated the Saturday before my birthday by going to see Sex and the City 2, as well as dinner and drinks with some of my closest girlfriends. It was pretty low key, and everything I wanted!
On the actual day of my birthday (Monday), I had to go to work. I slept in a little, so I was in my bathrobe around 830am when someone knocked on the door. I looked through the peephole and it was non other than Susanne and Lonnie - two of my best friends. They surprised me with traditional Danish breakfast - rundstykker, ost og kage (bread, cheese and these Danish cake things). So we had a leisurely breakfast, and then I rode to work with Susanne.
In Denmark, the Danish flag is a big deal on your birthday. My coworkers put flags all over my desk. Then after work, I was scheduled to run a 10k with many of the girls from work. Susanne and I have been doing a lot of running together lately, which is a great way to get exercise and spend time together. After the run, I knew we were planning on having sandwiches on picnic benches, but when I turned around, Susanne had brought a traditional Danish kagemand (cake man) for my birthday as well. She also had Asti to celebrate, soda, coffee, tea, chips...everything you could need. That woman is amazing and one of the best friends I have ever had. She would do something like this for anyone, but I think she loves doing it for me because she knows how much I appreciate it, especially being away from family and friends.
Check out the pictures below of the kagemand. It says 'Lise Jensen, 28 aar.' Now, the name started because of this: foreigners can't say Liz the way Americans would. When I introduce myself and say Liz, they don't understand normally, and I end up saying Elizabeth. Then they get the connection, but their pronunciation is more of Lis, with an 's'. My soccer friends began calling me Lise, which is a traditional Danish name. Then obviously, Jones to Jensen was a pretty common switch, so when they want to speak Danish to me or when they want to tease me, they call me Lise Jensen. I told my coworkers this story, and they now call me Lise Jensen as well. So it was perfect that Susanne had that written on my cake!
Isn't it cute? Again, this is the cake that the birthday child gets to eat the head, and you scream when the neck is cut and the head is cut off.
On the actual day of my birthday (Monday), I had to go to work. I slept in a little, so I was in my bathrobe around 830am when someone knocked on the door. I looked through the peephole and it was non other than Susanne and Lonnie - two of my best friends. They surprised me with traditional Danish breakfast - rundstykker, ost og kage (bread, cheese and these Danish cake things). So we had a leisurely breakfast, and then I rode to work with Susanne.
In Denmark, the Danish flag is a big deal on your birthday. My coworkers put flags all over my desk. Then after work, I was scheduled to run a 10k with many of the girls from work. Susanne and I have been doing a lot of running together lately, which is a great way to get exercise and spend time together. After the run, I knew we were planning on having sandwiches on picnic benches, but when I turned around, Susanne had brought a traditional Danish kagemand (cake man) for my birthday as well. She also had Asti to celebrate, soda, coffee, tea, chips...everything you could need. That woman is amazing and one of the best friends I have ever had. She would do something like this for anyone, but I think she loves doing it for me because she knows how much I appreciate it, especially being away from family and friends.
Check out the pictures below of the kagemand. It says 'Lise Jensen, 28 aar.' Now, the name started because of this: foreigners can't say Liz the way Americans would. When I introduce myself and say Liz, they don't understand normally, and I end up saying Elizabeth. Then they get the connection, but their pronunciation is more of Lis, with an 's'. My soccer friends began calling me Lise, which is a traditional Danish name. Then obviously, Jones to Jensen was a pretty common switch, so when they want to speak Danish to me or when they want to tease me, they call me Lise Jensen. I told my coworkers this story, and they now call me Lise Jensen as well. So it was perfect that Susanne had that written on my cake!
Isn't it cute? Again, this is the cake that the birthday child gets to eat the head, and you scream when the neck is cut and the head is cut off.
The Queen's Arrival in Aarhus
On Saturday, June 5th, the Queen of Denmark arrived via boat to Aarhus, for the summer. She has a summer home in Aarhus, and every year on the date of her arrival, there is a little celebration on the boat, and then parade en route to her home.
This year was a bigger deal, because it is the year of her 70th birthday, and there was a big celebration planned at the local soccer stadium. I did not go to the celebration, but I was able to see the parade, etc.
The Queen is in the blue dress.
Lutheran priests
The flags were out for the arrival of the Queen
The Queen's boat
This year was a bigger deal, because it is the year of her 70th birthday, and there was a big celebration planned at the local soccer stadium. I did not go to the celebration, but I was able to see the parade, etc.
The Queen is in the blue dress.
Lutheran priests
The flags were out for the arrival of the Queen
The Queen's boat
Vi Rocker Concert!
I went to a music festival with some of my Danish friends. Music festivals are a HUGE thing in the summer for Danes. They all volunteer to work (set up, sell concessions, etc), in exchange for free entrance and time off to enjoy the music. Our concert was only one day, but many of the festivals are 3-4 days long.
Anyway, I have a favorite Danish band called Infernal (they sing in English). Their songs are really catchy, and Vi Rocker was my first opportunity to hear them live. I am teased when I tell Danes that I like them, because apparentely only young people or older people like them. And to be honest, when I saw their performance - while great, it seemed like it was stuck in the 80s. Needless to say, it was a great time though!
Maybe a few too many drinks? And note the use of a plastic cup as his pillow
Danish kids enjoying a concert
Thomas, Susanne, me and Jane
I love this picture!
Infernal - the key on the electric keyboard as well as a woman you will see later...
Susanne and I
Infernal
On our way to the concert
My job was to bring a 'Dizzy Mizz Lizzy' drink, named after the closing Danish band that day; it was brunch, so I brought mimosas. They had never heard of mimosas!
Brunch at Thomas' apartment
Anyway, I have a favorite Danish band called Infernal (they sing in English). Their songs are really catchy, and Vi Rocker was my first opportunity to hear them live. I am teased when I tell Danes that I like them, because apparentely only young people or older people like them. And to be honest, when I saw their performance - while great, it seemed like it was stuck in the 80s. Needless to say, it was a great time though!
Maybe a few too many drinks? And note the use of a plastic cup as his pillow
Danish kids enjoying a concert
Thomas, Susanne, me and Jane
I love this picture!
Infernal - the key on the electric keyboard as well as a woman you will see later...
Susanne and I
Infernal
On our way to the concert
My job was to bring a 'Dizzy Mizz Lizzy' drink, named after the closing Danish band that day; it was brunch, so I brought mimosas. They had never heard of mimosas!
Brunch at Thomas' apartmentSunrise in Aarhus
I went to see a sunrise by the harbor in Aarhus one morning with a friend. I was super tired, but I am amazed at the pictures I got!! Everyone should see a sunrise at least once in their life. Enjoy!
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