At this point in his expat life, Aaron is still learning a lot of things about living in Copenhagen, Denmark. Dealing with challenges like employment and homesickness -- and learning the language! -- is made easier with the help of his Danish girlfriend. But Aaron's life in Denmark is becoming more cohesive and he's determined to stick it out, come what may.	Aaron Bateman

August 03 2006

-Where were you born?
Welwyn Garden City Hospital, UK

-Are you living alone or with your family?
I am living with my girlfriend.

-In which country and city are you living now?
In Copenhagen, Denmark

-How long have you been living in Denmark?
I arrived at the start of February, so nearly six months.

-What is your age?
I am 28.

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Denmark?
I decided in about October or November last year. I had been in the same job for five years and was just going sideways - no money, few prospects for advancement etc. I had met my Danish girlfriend in October the year before and she extended her six-month stay to be with me until August and then went home to start university. We spent a couple of months traveling back and forth to be with each other and then I just thought, stuff it, I'm going to try my luck out there.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
Well, I haven't got a job yet so I haven't had to apply for one! You are allowed to stay here three months without one but I travel home a lot and have not registered as a citizen here yet.

-How do you make your living in Denmark? Do you have any type of income generated?
I have found it very hard to get a job here. I work in media, specifically journalism, and there are very few companies working solely in English so I've struggled. I have had several interviews, a couple for advertising agencies and one as a PR officer but I've been pipped to the post every time. My lack of Danish has been the main problem.

Thankfully, I have been able to get well-paid freelance work back in the UK so I tend to travel home for a week or two at a time, earn some cash and then come back here and look for jobs until that money runs out! It's not ideal but my life is a lot more interesting than it used to be!

There are several resources I use: jobsincopenhagen.dk is good, and the Copenhagen Post is a weekly English language paper which advertises jobs for expats. Copenhagen is big on engineering, IT, high-tech stuff. There is not much in the way of English media here but there are enough opportunities to keep me interested. I have been doing a bit of freelance writing for the Post and I'm part of a new organisation promoting ethical entrepreneurship and we are looking at printing our first issue soon.

-Do you speak Danish and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
For the purposes of getting a job it's pretty crucial. There are many jobs advertised (especially in the sectors I've mentioned above) which do not require Danish but the employers almost certainly favour people who are fluent in the language.

Culturally, it's not such a problem. Almost all Danes are more or less fluent and generally welcome the opportunity to speak English. My Danish is only basic but I have enough to order drinks, or ask for directions etc. Generally they appreciate the effort but they certainly won't be offended if you open a conversation in English. The Danes are very forthright people. There is no cheek-kissing, faux affection. When you meet someone new, you shake hands and say your name. Job done.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
It's not such a problem for me as I spend about half of my time back in the UK. Thanks to the magic of the worldwide interweb, I never miss an episode of The Archers!

I do feel fairly rootless at the moment though. Whenever I go home I'm kind of out of sync with my old life there, and I don't seem to be here enough to embed myself in a new life.

-Do you have other plans for the future?
My life here is slowly coming together. My initial plan was to start a business; then I set my sights on a job in the media, but now I am just determined to stay here -- come what may. If that means taking a job in a bar for a while then so be it. My girlfriend has another four years of university here so I'm not going anywhere. If all goes well, one of the little ventures I'm embarking on will take off and I'll be able to live independently.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
We rent a flat from someone we know. It's in a nice area and it's cheap. It's not going to last forever, though, so we're always thinking of contingency plans. Housing is expensive here and in short supply. You have to keep your eyes peeled.

-What is the cost of living in Denmark?
It's pretty expensive. The first thing I noticed was that a pint of beer can cost upwards of 45kr, or about £4.50. Food is comparable to the UK but is not as good a standard in my opinion. I really miss Marks and Spencer!

-What do you think about the Danish people?
Copenhageners are for the most part very friendly. It's a big tourist destination, so no-one is shocked to see a foreigner. As I've said, Danes can be a bit brusque but you quickly adapt. If anything I prefer it, you always know where you stand!

People coming from the US or other countries that place a lot of stock in customer service might be a bit perturbed by their first visit to a shop or restaurant here. Danes can be comically blunt, but not out of rudeness. As far as I can tell, it's a purely functional thing. They're not interested in ingratiating themselves to you because there is no tipping here!

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Denmark?
Denmark has just come top in a 'worldwide happiness' survey. It's a well-run country with an extremely good quality of life. There is a big emphasis on the family. People don't live to work. I remember in the UK I was expected to work hours unpaid 'out of loyalty.' That is unheard of here. People's loyalty is to their own well-being and their families.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Denmark?
Well, if you are serious about living here, learn the language. Otherwise, there's not a lot you need to know. Oh, brush up on your cycling. It's the only way to travel!

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Denmark?
I blog at Something Rotten. It's at the early stages, but I hope one day it will become a good information resource for expats and visitors to Copenhagen.

Otherwise, aok.dk has a good English language section.