With three ‘welcoming events’, Aarhus is trying to get international students and labour force more integrated. In an analysis from Internations, Denmark ended up on place 30 of a list of 52 countries who are attractive for expats. Denmark is doing good internationally when it comes to working conditions but gets stuck in the more social aspect.
By Jorik Simonides
The Spanish Ignacio Talavera experienced that by himself. He lives in Aarhus for more than a year now, but integrating was difficult, in the beginning.
The Danish culture is a bit closed, according to the Italian Arsanios Mickael. He lives in Aarhus for three years. “If you don’t take the initiative, Danes won’t talk to you. At the beginning it takes more effort from you to start the conversation.”
Introweeks
Welcoming events helps, Ignacio says. However, he does not understand that the introduction week at the university for international students is organised separately from the Danes. “If you want people to integrate, you should combine it.”
Both feel well integrated now, and almost a part of the Danes. But it doesn’t come by itself. Ignacio: “If you want to get settled here, go for the Danes. Even if it is difficult.”
