5 Strange Facts About Denmark Part I

Hej guys!

Today I decided to write you about 5 things that still amaze me here in Denmark.. And trust me.. there is much more to it!

I hope I am not a weirdo, so please, let me know, these things surprise you as well! If you have any others, please add them in the comment section, I'll be sure to include them in a part II ;)

1. Danes and a red light. OMG!! How long can you stand and wait for this green light? I was in CPH last weekend, and you know.. Big city,more people, bigger mess. Well, I thought so. But NO ladies and gentlemen. Even though the road was close from one site, plenty of people stood there and waited for a green light to come across, even though there was no car or bicycle going..
I know it's a good and safe thing, but sometimes.. you need to break the rules, or.. ?

2. Put some clothes on! Remember the story about Denmark and the vikings? Well.. Here is one example of that.. Eventhough it may be so cold outside, that I am wearing winter jacket, some of the Danes put jeans and tshirt and are ready to go. Brrrr! Ahm, almost forgot - why some of them are going on the streets with a bare feets? Please tell me something about that...

3. Do you know "Please"? In a danish dictionary, there is no such a word as 'please'..

4. Babies in front of the houses. Imagine you have e.g. 2 months old baby. You are coming back from a long and a cold walk outside - the baby in a stroller. What do you do? Well I guess come home and warm yourself and your baby up. But NO! In Denmark, they leave their babies outside for a sleep. Remember I was telling you about the vikings? Well.. :)
Ps. I think its great, but looking at the fact that in Poland parents would not go out with their small babies for a long walk when its cold.. then it may be strange for me.

5. Are you this girl I met yesterday? Most of the Danes look alike..or are trying to do so.. E.g. Girls -
Blond, long hair
Black outfit - usually something baggy on top and skinny jeans
Sneakers - in most cases from New Balance
Really, really 'mini' make-up (foundation, pink cheeks, LOTS of mascara)

Disclaimer: I am not trying to offend the Danes : the facts may be strange - doesn't mean they're bad. This is how I see it, from immigrant eyes. ;)

Guys! That's it! I am very curious your opinion. What do you think of these? Did you also notice some of these facts?

Until wednsday then, cheers! Aleksandra

Student Job in Aalborg

Dear UCN'ers!

Recentely I am getting lots of emails from you guys, about finding work in Aalborg. I also know that the video interview that I made with Adrian (available here), who is working as a bartender in Aalborg has caused controversy on facebook page. That is why I decided to create this blog post and tell you my opinion on that subject.

Honestely? Finding work in Aalborg is extremely hard! And that is, what every international student in Aalborg can tell you. Most propably you've also heared that if you really want this, you can do this. However we all know it is easy to say. So, as I am in Aalborg already 4 years and I will leave you with my tips on what has worked for me.

1. For now, I would really suggest you all, newcomers - Focus on what you came here for - and that definetely is the education. Everyone is making such a big "halo" on finding work in Aalborg, but in my opionion if you decide to take such a big step and come to a foreign country to study , you shall have some money ready for it aside. (At least that was the case for me..) Believe me that in september/october everyone is coming and everyone is going to look for work. Following the sheeps you will lose so much of your energy for finding work instead of studying.. Trust me, the situation just before christmas will be much better and then you may be a wolf :)


2. Spend time on your education at school and learning danish! Remember the blog post I made about danish for foreigners? You can find it here with explanation on every important aspect of it and interview with some of the students from UCN. Because, as I was writing, you as an international student, can learn danish totally for free (the government is paying for that) So use the opportunity people and spend the first 3 months in Denmark on getting to know the danish culture and language and I guarantee you - the Danes prefer to hire someone who is at least trying to integrate to their community!

3. I guess it is the easiest task for all of you so I am going to say it out loud - Socialise! Being honest here, networking helped me the most in finding most of my jobs in Aalborg.. and trust me, I had a lot of them here. As I was saying - through the first 3 months feel as a real student here - study, integrate and party! And you never know - maybe your friend is going away for the christmas holidays, and will leave the job for you?:) Maybe at your friend's work, they are looking for a new person and your friend will recommend you?:)

In my opinion, that are the 3 the most essential tips I can give you. I managed well (must say) following these. Hope you will as well. And remember! Be a student - you still have lots of time before you go to a real work:)

Good luck! :)

Carvinal International Parade

Dear UCN'ers

If you follow my facebook site you must know that yesterday I have been in the city center and I was watching a nice parade just on the Aalborg street. I am sure you also have seen some pictures there! :)

Remember my two posts that I wrote one year ago about huge Aalborg carneval? Here is the link to part one http://meyouucn.blogspot.dk/2012/04/carnival-2012-hello-everyone-do-you.html

This year the carneval has started already yesterday, but it's going to last almost all week, no worries, you can still experience this whole environment. Yesterday was just a 'welcoming party' for all the bands that have arrived to Aalborg! They were going through the streest, people went out to look at it all and everyone was simply enjoying  - you can see it in the video that I prepared for you all :)
In the evening, me and my friend went to get some fresh air close to the Fjord and the party apparentely moved there! So many people chilling by the water, so many dancing to the sunset, and the music played by the bands, just amazing!!

That's my favourite band! They are from Netherlands :)

Since today we have such a beautiful day, I will not stop you anymore, watch the video that I filmed yesterday, read some more about this year's Carnival Programme (it's also in english) and go, get a beer! When it's so warm in Aalborg, you can't stay home!

More pictures on Me you UCN  facebook site

UCN'ers!

Have you seen the battle? Have you seen today's concert? 

Do you have already your costumes ready for saturday?

Let me know in the comments below! :)

Aleks

Posthus Surprise

Dear UCN'ers,

Few days ago, I decided to go to the city center in order to send a letter to my family in Poland, hand out some books that I borrowed from Aalborg Library, and of course make some shopping (sales, obviously! Well, I am very good at it, pss!)

When I came in to our Aalborg Post Office (Aalborg Posthus Algade) which is on Algade 42, close to the Student House, I experienced a nice suprise.

But, well, starting all over again - I went to send a letter, with my thoughts that 

1. I go inside

2. Take out my number to stand in a line

3. When my number is shown, go the the lady 

4. Pay 8kr for the stamp and 3kr for the priority one to Poland

5. Say "Tak skal du have" and go away

However, my plans have changed when I came in, Oh, my God it was a great surprise for my ears! I've heard the Post Orchestra. Everyone playing on the instruments were dressed in post office clothes and it all looked just great. Of course I needed to film a video of that and show it to you guys!

No more talking, just look at it :

(Video under the pictures)

It was filmed with my phone, sorry for a quality!:)

Come back soon to read about my Copenhagen Experience!

Hugs and Kisses:)

-A

Glædelig Jul, Merry Christmas!

Happy New Year Everyone!

I suppose most of you are in your home countries, am I right? That was always the case for me.. However this year I decided to stay here in Denmark. Why? Well, I have my last project to hand in on the 7th of January and I wanted to stay and focus just on that. Nevertheless, I also wanted to experience Danish Christmas spirit! :) 

Christmas Calendar Candle

Today I am going to introduce you a bit closer to the Danish Christmas Traditions ;) But in exchange I would like to know what are your Christmas Traditions in your home countries? :)

In Denmark christmas starts in the beginning of December, where the families are taking part in count-down to Christmas Eve, by partly lightening up every day the Christmas Calendar Candle.

In most homes Christmas starts with lightening Christmas tree candles, where the family dance around the Christmas tree. I know! Sounds funny right? They hold each others hands and walk around the tree, singing the Christmas Carols and hymns. We do not have this tradition, that is why it is surprising for me, but HEY! I would like to try that and I think it really connects the family together:)

Of course, there are also Christmas gifts under the Christmas tree, and the same as in Poland, they are distributed on the 24th of December. Just after the Christmas Dinner. And trust me - looking for Christmas gifts is just crazy in Denmark! It all starts up in the beginning of December when you meet mass of people with full bags of presents on the beautifully decorated with fir garlands and lights  Aalborg's streets.

You are probably thinking what is served for dinner? Well, I need to disappoint here some polish readers (where we have 12 traditional dishes) but in Denmark it is usually roast goose, duck or pork with sour-sweet  red cabbage and carmelised potatoes. This year I was eating it on the second Christmas Day at my friends house in Kongerslev (20 km away from Aalborg)

roast pork in crunchy crackling - love it! - It is often served in our School's canteen, you need to try it! :)

Ris a'la mande

 On the dessert, there is a tradition in Denmark to serve a delicious Christmas rice pudding, its cold with a warm cherry sauce. Yummy,  Really! Ris a'la mande is mixed with small pieces of almonds, however it is very popular to put the whole almond inside and the person who is going to find it is going to get a Christmas gift, usually marzipan package :)

Summing everything up, I had a very good Christmas Time spent together with my beloved man, my parents who came to visit and my favourite danish-polish couple of friends who are very close to me from the beginning of my journey in Denmark. Let me know how did you spent your holidays?! :) 

For me, Christmas is all about spending time with your family, what do we do then? Play the games!:)

Visiting my friends in Kongerslev (Jola, Klaus - everything was amazing.. :) )

Freedom of Speech

Hi everyone!

Hvordan har I det? (How is it going with all of you?)

Did you start to learn danish already? I need to read 3 books and then describe one of them on the exam, but trust me - the ones for the third module are really strange!

Now, really busy times for me - Internship and writing my internship report, then bachelor project. Therefore, you need to excuse me for my absence in here.

But I am actually always trying to post something on my facebook page, to keep you kind of updated. Look for Me you UCN Blog!

Now, returning to the subject. Last time when I was in Aalborg Library to borrow some books connected to the matter of my project, I came across a book called 'The worktrotter's guide to Denmark', written by Dagmar Fink. Mentioning that, I am a member of http://blogs.denmark.dk/ group, suddenely I recalled that I know this name already. Turned out, I have read some of her posts on this site and she is the author of a book I borrowed. What a coinsidence.

In her book she writes about values of  a Danish society. One of them is Freedom of Speech.

Well, personally I had many experiences with that in Denmark already. As I was writing earlier, I come from Poland.. well, a country where it is better to keep your mouth closed, writing nicely. That's just our cultural backround, our grandparents went through and we've got raised like that. So, My Danish friends : Do not be surprised when I am sad or mad at your open style of communicating and your sarcastic humor :)

I guess I am still not used to it (after living here 3 years) and I am taking everything personally, but we can not expect that the danish culture will adapt to us, right? It is just their nature and we should totally respect that and get used to it.

Even though we should adapt to the Danes' sarcasm, a huge conflict appeared between Danes and Muslims in 2005/2008 when Danes published in Jyllands Posten newspaper, cartoons, drawn by 12 proffessional cartoonists representing e.g. a Muhammed with a picture of a bomb in his turban.

http://hecklers.wordpress.com/2009/05/page/2/

Looking at the fact that here is many, trust me, MANY Muslims living here, I totally understand their indignation towards Danes. They pressed for apologies, but they haven't heared any. The conflict became big and they started to print out the cartoons both in Denmark and Muslim countries. The results of a war of nations,you can see here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrq76I1M3CM

As a curiousity, Muslims boycotted the danish goods, This was attributed to a decline in exports to the Middle East by approximately 50%,the cost to Danish businesses was around 134 million euros. (I showed a picture ona facebook page with  protesting muslims)

But looking at this in a closer, down to earth perspective - It is really rare to notice any venskab (friendships) between the danes and muslims in Aalborg streests. I also remember  that there were some cases where danes got killed after this situations.

What do you all think about it? Did you experience when a Dane was rude to you or a bit too honest?

Did you hear earlier about this situation from 2005-2008? If yes, I would love to know what you all think about it.

Let me know in the comments below!

Aleksandra