Studies: International Business School
Country: Denmark, 5.4 million inhabitants, approximately the same size as the Netherlands.
Loves: food, travelling, challenges and The Hague
Hates: ADO-supporters and people who drop ideas but don’t finish them
Hero: my friend Brian, he is like a second brother to me
Last time you were in Denmark?
‘I was in Kolding for Christmas, but before that I had not been to Denmark for ten months, except for the weekend that my sister got married. I was very busy because I have a part-time job at the Danish Embassy in The Hague as an external export-consultant. A year after my internship they offered me a job. Yes, I speak Dutch of course. And I am chairperson of the IBS-U-travel team. We organise trips to Amsterdam and Paris this spring. We go to Paris on May 16.’
Why did you decide to study in Groningen?
‘In those days I had a Dutch boyfriend. I am really happy I came to Groningen to study. It gave me a lot of opportunities I wouldn’t have had if I’d stayed in Denmark. My friends thought I was crazy to go abroad, in Denmark education is free.
But I don’t regret it at all.’
Did you notice any typically Dutch habits?
‘The Dutch do the three-kisses-show or shake hands when they meet. They are more distant than the Danish. We hug a lot. And something really strange is that people will congratulate you on your friend’s or your father-in-law’s birthday.’
What is the biggest mistake for us to make in Denmark?
‘We aren’t that different from the Dutch. My Danish boss said we are a kind of Scandinavian mafia because we show less respect. Some people think that is arrogance, but it is not. We skip the word de (polite Danish form of address used when you speak to older people and strangers, ed.). Everyone is called by their first name. So people will laugh if you use the word de.’
What’s your favourite Dutch food?
‘I like boerenkool, Dutch cheese, bitterballen and kroketten. Your snack-walls are a big invention. My favourite Danish food is minced meat balls with potato-salad.’
Could you live here forever?
‘I don’t really like to commit myself to one place. I am an adventurous person. I still don’t know where I will be in three months. I think about doing a master in Rotterdam.’
Do you have a motto in life?
‘Den der har evnen, har pligten. The person who has the ability should use it.’
Source: Hanze Mag