What Are You Doing in Denmark?

Denmark says it needs international talent. So why do so many internationals still feel uncertain about building a future here?In this episode of What Are You Doing in Denmark, Derek talks with Dan Rosenberg from Copenhagen Capacity about the reality behind working and staying in Denmark as an international. They discuss why many internationals feel “professionally stuck” in Denmark and the hidden career challenges foreigners face after getting hired that make changing jobs can feel risky - especially when your residency depends on employment.Along the way they discuss how this squares with Denmark’s growing dependence on non-EU workers and why political rhetoric often doesn’t match economic reality. It's not all doom and gloom, Dan highlights some Danish municipalities that are actually doing international retention well while explaining why welcoming internationals takes more than just work permits.The conversation also explores the future of international talent in Denmark, whether Denmark is truly competing globally for skilled workers, and what needs to change for internationals to feel wanted and not just needed.Whether you’re newly arrived, job hunting, considering permanent residency, or wondering if Denmark is really a long-term fit, this episode offers one of the most honest conversations yet about life as an international in Denmark.💼 Check out a Kintobe Bag with your EXCLUSIVE listener discount of 20% at: Kintobe.dkMentioned Resopurces:Copenhagen CapacityInternational House CopenhagenGo to SønderborgKalundborg MunicipalitySIRI (Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration)Life in Denmark

Why are Danes so obsessed with summer festivals?In this episode, Derek and Brooke dive into Denmark’s legendary festival culture with Heartland Festival founder Ulrik Ørum-Petersen. From Roskilde Festival and Smukfest to Heartland Festival, Distortion, and Copenhagen Jazz Festival, they unpack what each festival says about Danish culture, and the people who go to them.This episode explores how festivals can actually help internationals better understand Denmark, and maybe even integrate into Danish society. If you’re new to Denmark, curious about Danish culture, or planning your first Danish summer festival, this episode is your guide to navigating festival season like a local.Topics explored:Why Denmark has so many festivalsRoskilde as a “rite of passage”Why Danish summers feel so intenseFestival camping vs glampingDanish music trends and local-language artistsHow festivals became part of Danish identityTips for internationals attending their first Danish festivalUlrik (guest)Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ulrikorum/Heartland Website: https://heartlandfestival.dk/Heartland Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandfestivaldk/

Denmark's had a rough Eurovision track record in recent years, but is looking to continue a bounce back that began last year. How did the country that has struggled to qualify for the Eurovision final, suddenly become one of the favorites to win Eurovision 2026? It's thanks to one song: “Før vi går hjem.”In this episode of What Are You Doing in Denmark, Derek Hartman and Brooke Black sit down with Danish musician, producer, and songwriter Clara Sofie Fabricius, one of the co-writers behind Denmark’s Eurovision entry “Før vi går hjem,” performed by Søren Torpegaard Lund.Clara Sofie shares the incredible behind-the-scenes story of how the song came together during a songwriting camp that included an untimely injury, wine hangover, general exhaustion, and somehow resulted in Denmark’s biggest Eurovision hype in years. Oh and the heavy lifting of the song came to be in less than an hour. You have to hear this story to believe it.They also discuss:Why Denmark struggled at Eurovision after 2013How Dansk Melodi Grand Prix worksThe process of writing a Eurovision songWhy “Før vi går hjem” connected with fans across EuropeThe meaning behind the lyrics and stagingWhether Eurovision is finally becoming “cool” againWhy Eurovision matters so much in DenmarkWhether you’re a longtime Eurovision fan or completely new to the contest, this episode explains why Eurovision is such a huge cultural event in Denmark — and why this year felt different.Listen to “Før vi går hjem”: https://youtu.be/dz6P3YTNG0M?si=Pgb8nhw2Bqj_3gy9Clara Sofie (guest):Spotify profile: LINKSongs I wrote: LINKSongs I wrote and produced: LINKInstagram: LINKFacebook: LINKLinkedIn: LINK Derek Hartman:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derekhartmandkYouTube: https://youtube.com/c/robetrottingTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandkFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/robetrottingBrooke Black:https://instagram.com/brookeblackjusthttps://www.tiktok.com/@brookeblackjustTopics: Eurovision Song Contest 2026, Eurovision, Denmark in Eurovision, Danish Musicians

Randers has one of the strongest and strangest reputations in Denmark. But where does it actually come from?In this episode of What Are You Doing in Denmark, Derek, Brooke, and Conrad unpack the myths, stereotypes, and history behind Denmark’s sixth-largest city. From “Randers Champagne” to royal-approved gloves, we explore how a place can be both mocked and have a lot to be admired at the same time.Along the way, we share our own experiences, surprising facts, and the cultural reasons Danes love to joke about Randers.Is it fair… or just a really persistent meme?Referenced Episodes:Graceland Randers aka Memphis Mansion (Danish Copyright Fights)Himmelbjerget and Denmark's Highest PeaksDerek Hartman: https://www.instagram.com/derekhartmandk https://youtube.com/c/robetrottinghttps://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandkwww.facebook.com/robetrottingBrooke Black:https://instagram.com/brookeblackjusthttps://www.tiktok.com/@brookeblackjustConrad Molden:https://instagram.com/conradmoldencomedyhttps://youtube.com/c/conradmoldenhttps://tiktok.com/@conradmolden https://facebook.com/conradmoldenhttps://www.conradmolden.dk

A conversation about identity, moving abroad, and why belonging in Denmark isn’t always as simple as it seems.What does it really mean to belong, especially in a place like Denmark?In this episode, Derek sits down with French author and artist Aurélia Durand to talk about identity, moving abroad, and the often complicated reality of building a life in Denmark.Drawing from her memoir Belonging, Aurélia shares her journey growing up between Paris and La Réunion, and how living in Denmark forced her to confront deeper questions about who she is and where she fits.They explore:Why finding work and community in Denmark can feel harder than expectedThe hidden role of networks, language, and cultural “sameness”What it’s like to be included — but still feel like an outsiderThe tension between assimilation and staying true to yourselfAnd how living abroad can reshape your identity in ways you don’t expectAurélia also opens up about relationships across cultures, returning “home” and no longer fitting in, and how art became her way of processing it all.If you’ve ever struggled to feel at home in Denmark, or anywhere, this conversation will resonate.Aurélia Durand (guest):Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/4ur3lia/Order Belonging: https://atelieraureliadurand.com/pages/instagramSee All of Aurélia's Work: https://www.aurelia-studio.com/Derek Hartman:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derekhartmandkYouTube: https://youtube.com/c/robetrottingTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandkFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/robetrotting

Denmark still doesn’t have a new government weeks after the election... so what’s going on, and what does it mean for internationals living here?In this episode Derek and Brooke break down the current political stalemate and why forming a government has been so difficult this time around. Featuring a short interview with Bernardo Basilici Menini, they explain where negotiations stand, who holds the power, and what could happen next.This episode also dives into what different coalition outcomes could mean for internationals in Denmark including: changes to citizenship rules, work permits, international students, deportation policies, integration, housing, and the cost of living.Whether you’re an expat, student, or planning to move to Denmark, this episode will help you understand how the election could impact your life here.🎙️ Topics covered:Why Denmark hasn’t formed a government yetThe role of Mette Frederiksen and Lars Løkke RasmussenCitizenship and immigration policy changesWork permits and international hiringStudent visas and staying after graduationDeportation and integration policiesHousing and cost of livingBernardo Basilici Menini (guest):LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernardo-basilici-meniniCopenhagen Post: https://cphpost.dk/author/bernardo/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bernie.basilicimenDerek Hartman:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derekhartmandkYouTube: https://youtube.com/c/robetrottingTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandkFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/robetrottingBrooke Black:https://instagram.com/brookeblackjusthttps://www.tiktok.com/@brookeblackjustSubscribe to The Copenhagen Post: https://cphpost.dk/subscription/Topics: Danish election, Denmark politics explained, expats in Denmark, coalition government, minority government, immigration policy Denmark, Nordic politics