Guide for establishing friendships with international individuals for Danish residents

In Denmark, Making Friendships Can Be Tough But Not Impossible

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Foreigners migrating to Denmark for work, study, or any other reason often highlight the challenges they face in forming personal relationships with Danish locals. Recent research corroborates these claims, with Denmark falling behind in countries that are easy to make friends with.

Last year, Denmark ranked 47 out of 53 countries in the "Finding Friends" category in the Internations' annual Expat Insider report. The study looked at multiple aspects of quality of life for foreigners, including ease of settling in, culture, and local friendliness. Unfortunately, Denmark didn't rank within the top 40 in any of these categories.

Other studies have echoed similar sentiments about the difficulty of forming friendships with Danes[1][2]. For instance, the 2020 "Expat Study" by Oxford Research found that 43 percent of foreigners experienced difficulty in making friends in Denmark, and around one in five struggled with settling in the country altogether. Most foreigners find their social circle among other non-Danish speakers[2].

As a foreigner in Denmark, you can give yourself the best chance of meeting Danes on their turf by following a few steps. But Danish locals can make it easier for their foreign counterparts by taking some simple actions[3].

One of these actions includes inviting a colleague over for dinner, and making an extra serving of pasta that evening[3]. Danes should also ask about the foreign person's life, find common interests, and try to include them[3]. Furthermore, Danes should be aware that new international colleagues may not have the network they have, so they should make an effort to bring them along to social events.

Danes' discomfort with spontaneity and building new friendships stems from their daily routines[3]. They have numerous obligations, individual interests, and a preference for structured plans, making it challenging for spontaneous events to take place. Despite these challenges, making friends with Danes can offer valuable cultural insights and a broader world view[3].

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Building friendships with Danes can be tricky, but it's not impossible. Here are some strategies foreigners can adopt:

1. Language Skills:

Learn Danish, as it shows respect for the culture.
Even without Danish, you can still make headway since many Danes speak English fluently.

Join clubs, groups, or hobby-based organizations that align with your interests.
Volunteer in the community to meet like-minded people.
Attend language exchange events or language cafes to practice languages and meet locals.

3. Networking:

Connect with people before arriving in Denmark using social media platforms and professional networks.
Engage with expat communities, especially in cities like Copenhagen and Aarhus.

4. Cultural Immersion:

Learn about Danish culture and traditions, such as the concept of Hygge, to connect with Danes on a deeper level.

5. Patience and Persistence:

Be patient and enduring in building these relationships, as Danes may initially seem reserved but friendships can be deep and lasting.

Advice:

Be open-minded and embrace cultural activities and traditions.
Take the initiative to connect with people instead of waiting for others to make the first move.
Be consistent in attending events and activities to build familiarity and rapport with others.

By implementing these strategies, foreigners can forge meaningful connections with Danish locals in Denmark.

[1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/katielewis/2021/09/02/the-worlds-most-friendly-and-least-friendly-nations-ranked/?sh=711ccee3d69d[2] https://study Elle.dk/en/life-and-studies/life-in-denmark/making-friends-in-denmark-as-an-international-student/[3] https://internations.org/expat-insider/2021/quality-of-life/denmark

In Denmark, although forming friendships with locals can be challenging, it's possible by learning Danish – demonstrating respect for their culture.
To expand your social circle, join clubs, volunteer, attend language exchange events, and immerse yourself in local hobbies and organizations.
Networking through social media and expat communities can help build connections before even arriving in Denmark.
Understanding Danish culture and traditions, such as Hygge, aides in fostering deeper connections with locals.
Persistence and patience are key – be open-minded, take the initiative, and be consistence in attending events to gradually build relationships.
Engaging in local arts, news, books, education, entertainment, lifestyle, home-and-garden, and exploring the space sector can provide opportunities for bonding with Danes.