A piece of home in Denmark

For many, moving to a new country does not mean leaving their culture behind. Cultural associations give internationals a place to meet people from similar backgrounds, speak their own language, and keep traditions alive while adapting to their new surroundings.  

However, staying in touch with your roots has become easier, while speaking Danish is not always necessary in everyday life. 

“New technologies make it easier to stay connected to your home country, and one particularity of Denmark is that now you don’t need to know how to speak Danish”, comments Rodrigo Cuenca, the Vice-president of Casa España in Copenhagen.  

Many foreign citizens find comfort in keeping their traditions while they're far from home. "We would like to pass down our traditions", states Cuenca on the objectives of Casa España.

Juan, an Argentinian who has been living in Denmark for almost three years says that "there are a lot of Argentinians". He also explains that in these years he has kept in touch with Argentinian culture, doing some asados, watching football and drinking mate.  

Maintaining identity through culture 

Aviaja Larsen, who has a Danish father and a Greenlandic mother, grew up in Denmark with a strong connection to Greenlandic culture. Her mother taught her and her siblings about Greenland and often brought their traditions into their everyday lives. 

However, growing up in the Danish countryside also meant that Aviaja had little contact with other Greenlanders. “We were the only Greenlanders there”, she says.

It was not until she was in her mid-twenties that she began meeting other Greenlanders her own age. For her, meeting other Greenlanders became an important part of her identity. 

For Ivalo Holm, who has lived in Denmark for more than ten years, language is another important way of maintaining her identity.

Since she started working at the Greenlandic House in Copenhagen, she has been able to use her mother tongue every day. “My Greenlandic has actually improved because I get to use it in my everyday life”, Ivalo says. 

Food and traditions also help Ivalo stay connected to Greenland. Her family brings Greenlandic food when they visit from Greenland, while it is celebrated as much like Christmas in Greenland as possible.

She also seeks out nature when she misses Greenland. “I can feel when I need Greenlandic nature and the views that remind me of where I come from”, Ivalo says.

International bubbles 

International associations can bring a lot of support for newcomers as they find people with the same cultural background. "At some point, it can also become isolating, because you might not step outside your familiar surroundings", says Emilie, a Danish citizen.  

However, many international citizens find it difficult to form relationships with Danes. The report from the Culture and Leisure Administration describes an “international bubble”, where internationals often find it easier to make friends with other internationals than with Danish people. Joining clubs, associations, or sports activities can help create new connections, although this does not work for everyone. 

Her Canadian boyfriend, Thomas, emphasizes the importance of language. He believes that learning Danish and embracing the language can help internationals become more integrated into Danish society.  

On the other hand, Juan thinks that it is difficult for an international person to be fully integrated into the Danish society: " I don’t think you can integrate completely, mainly because you grew up somewhere else." 

However, Emilie also points out that people can naturally form groups with others who share their nationality, language, or culture. “You have to find something else to have in common”, Emilie says.

Work, hobbies, sports, and other shared interests can create connections between people across nationalities. 

While Emilie highlights the importance of finding connections beyond nationality and culture, Cuenca places more responsibility on the individual. He believes that "if you choose to live in a bubble, that’s your own responsibility".

He also emphasizes that the objective of international associations is to create a community but that " it’s up to you to integrate" in the Danish society.