Name: Marta González García
Age: 32
Nationality: Spanish
Company: Novo Nordisk
Title/education: Associate Manager at Novo Nordisk Kalundborg. MSc in Chemical Engineering from the Technical University of Denmark

I ended up in Denmark because…

I have always been curious to see the world and live abroad. During my bachelor’s degree I traveled with the Erasmus Program to Norway, where I lived in Stavanger for 6 months. After that, I decided to move to Denmark in 2014 to initiate my master’s degree. Studying in Denmark is free, and the job market in Spain was insecure so it was an excellent opportunity to expand my technical expertise in Chemical Engineering and start my career afterwards. I have lived in Denmark ever since.

What surprises me most about working in Denmark is…

Compared to Spain, the working culture is different. There is a strong focus on people development, and I have grown a lot personally and professionally whilst working in Denmark. I started working at Novo Nordisk Manufacturing Kalundborg as a junior engineer and have had the opportunity to grow into a leadership role. I have experienced a high degree of trust, even towards new employees. A flat organizational structure also brings the manager closer to you as an employee, which brings more confidence when working with new tasks.

My Danish colleagues are….

I have very nice and kind colleagues, and they have always been helpful. I feel everyone do their best, and that creates a nice working environment.

Even though I am part of a diverse team, with people coming from many different countries, my colleagues are always up for speaking English.

Life in Denmark is…

There is a high sense of trust between citizens and towards the institutions. For instance, I once forgot my laptop at university, and an hour later it was still there. In general, social security is very good: free health care system, good unemployment help, long maternity leave, etc.

I would recommend anybody moving to Denmark to…

Even though everyone here have a high level of English, you should be willing to learn Danish at some point. Before moving here, you can benefit from start looking for job abroad, and make sure to have good savings. If you are studying, it can be a good opportunity to get a student job or internship during your studies, which can give you good opportunities to the job market once you graduate.

Name: María Bonto
Age: 31
Nationality: Romanian and Spanish
Company: Novo Nordisk API Manufacturing
Title/education: Process Systems Engineer. PhD in Applied Mathematics from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). MSc in Petroleum Engineering from DTU. Double BSc in Chemical Engineering and Energy Engineering from Rey Juan Carlos University in Spain. 

I ended up in Denmark because…

After my BSc graduation, I wanted to pursue a MSc related to both Chemical Engineering and Energy Engineering abroad. I was considering studying Petroleum Engineering either in the UK or in Denmark. The balance leaned towards Denmark when a friend told me Danish people were extremely nice. I initially did not think of staying in Denmark after completing my master degree, but I enjoyed living here. I also met my boyfriend during my studies, and now we live in Søborg.

What surprises me most about working in Denmark is…

That the organisational structure is flat. In Spain, there is more hierarchy between managers and employees. I also experience a high degree of freedom of speech and that employees are encouraged to challenge the status quo. In general, there is a great focus on individual well-being at work, in terms of both mental and physical health such as ergonomics. The 37-hour work week allow a good balance between work and private life. After work, there is enough time left to enjoy and dedicate time to hobbies.

My Danish colleagues are…

They are nice and polite. It is nice that the company provides the opportunity to bond with colleagues in different environments apart from the regular office setup because you get to know them better. We are a quite diverse team of international and Danish people. Some work full-time and we also have several MSc students in our team. My colleagues are very helpful and enjoy talking about the Danish traditions.

Life in Denmark is…

Contrasting! You can feel the difference between the seasons. Summer is different from winter and vice-versa. I live close to Copenhagen, with easy access to both the city and nature. It is also easy to get around by bike. In general, Copenhagen is a diverse and cultural international city, where people from all over the world resides. This diversity is also imprinted in the local food, as you can find all sorts of cuisines within a short distance.

I would recommend anybody moving to Denmark to…

Do what I wish I had done when moving here, which is try to learn the language from day one. Immerse in the culture from the start, by learning about history, art, visiting museums, etc. I think that showing a genuine interest in the Danish country and history would make it easier to make friends with Danish people. And don’t forget to bring a good raincoat!

Name: Alessio Mazzella
Age: 30
Nationality: Italian
Company: Novo Nordisk API Manufacturing
Title/education: Purification Scientist. MSc in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering from Technical University of Denmark (DTU) in January 2019.

I ended up in Denmark because…

I wanted to study in Denmark because I heard that DTU is one of the best opportunities to study Biochemistry in Europe. I have lived in Denmark since 2017 when I started studying, and that was the first time I had been in Denmark. I found it attractive to study in Denmark and work besides studying, to gain experience in my work field of interest. 

What surprises me most about working in Denmark is…

I have experienced that there is a good work life balance. In general, there seems to be harmony between work and private life compared to other countries. Also, the organization is structured and there is a great deal of efficiency, as well as a higher quality mindset than I had expected.

My Danish colleagues are….

I am part of a team where my colleagues are native Danish speakers. Even though I am the only international person they have been respectful and speak English to me. As the youngest person in my team, my learning curve have been steep. I have learned a lot from them since I started on the labour market in my team. I have also become more specialised in areas, where I did not have experience and knowledge previously.

Life in Denmark is….

I feel safe living here. I am used to life in Milan and life in Denmark can sometimes feel quite simple. One thing I have noticed is that the bureaucracy makes citizens life much easier. For example, international students are assisted and prioritized when applying for residence permit or other documentation during the first introductive weeks.

I would recommend anybody moving to Denmark to….

Before I moved to Denmark, I did research to get an idea of what it would be like for expats living here. If you plan to stay for more than a few years, then I would say that you should learn the language! Even though it might seem impossible at times.

Name: Tommaso Pietro Pellini
Age: 27
Nationality: Italian
Company: Novo Nordisk Manufacturing Kalundborg
Title/education: Process Systems Engineer. MSc Biochemical Engineer from Technical University of Denmark

I ended up in Denmark because…

I wanted to study abroad during my master degree and to study within pharma. I applied to study at DTU for 2 years and found the opportunity to have an internship at Novo Nordisk. I preferred the opportunity to be in the industry instead of focusing on academia.

What surprise me most about working in Denmark is…

Even though I did not have much experience when I started on the job market, I noticed that employees receive a high amount of trust. And I feel like I have been equally valued, both as a student and new colleague. On top of that, there is a good work life balance, and flat hierarchy.

My Danish colleagues are….

My closest colleagues consist of a mixed team of young, international people. Our primary function is to use data to optimise production processes. Even though we are a young team we have proven ourselves in the field. My other colleagues are open to try to speak English, and I have also learned a bit of Danish to break the ice.

Life in Denmark is….

It is flexible. You work until 4 or 5 pm and still have time to do other activities in the evening such as sports. I commute 100 km to Kalundborg from Copenhagen daily, with the company bus. In Copenhagen, I get around by bike, because it is a very bike friendly city. There is an open culture, and everyone speaks English, and one of the plusses is that there is always an English language option on national webpages.

I would recommend anybody moving to Denmark to….

If you are considering moving to Denmark, you should find a place to stay if you are looking to live in a big city. Also, look up some of the guidelines on moving to Denmark and how to become a fully integrated citizen.

Name: Fernando Gómez
Age: 40
Nationality: Spanish
Company: Novo Nordisk Manufacturing Kalundborg
Title/education: Chemical and Software Engineer. MSc in Chemical Engineering and Plant Design from Rovira i Virgili University. 

I ended up in Denmark because…

I lived in Finland and Sweden for several years prior to moving to Denmark last year. I moved to Denmark with my partner who is Danish, to stay closer to her family. There are many similarities between living in Sweden and Denmark, so moving here felt natural when I initiated my current job.

What surprises me most about working in Denmark is…

There is a relaxed working atmosphere and a high level of trust between managers and employees. That is very positive, and a win-win situation compared to a hierarchal work culture. I believe it makes the communication much more frequent and closer. On top of that, it brings flexibility in terms of keeping a good balance between work and private life.

My Danish colleagues are…

Friendly and cool people. My colleagues also value punctuality. Most of my closest colleagues are younger than me, and many of them are newly graduates from Denmark and from all over the world. They have a high sense of what is important in terms of understanding the business dynamics. They are competent and approachable and have a high degree of teamwork skills.

Life in Denmark is…

The work and life balance is good. I travel from Copenhagen to Kalundborg several times per week, either by car or taking the company bus. In my spare time, I enjoy playing squash, running, and taking dancing lessons. To my knowledge there are many expats living in Copenhagen. In general, Denmark seems like a good place to establish a family and having children.

I would recommend anybody moving to Denmark to…

Do not be afraid to take the leap and move here. Try to integrate into the Danish society as quickly as possible by learning the language. Have an open mind because the way you are used to doing things, might get a bit challenged. Also, try to socialise and connect with other newcomers.

Age: 25
Nationality: Spanish
Company: Novo Nordisk Manufacturing Kalundborg
Title: Manufacturing Process Engineer
Education: MSc in Chemical- and biochemical engineering at Denmark’s Technical University (DTU). BSc in Chemical Engineering from Santiago de Compostela University. 

I ended up in Denmark because...

When I came to Denmark, it was a perfect moment, because I was ready to challenge myself. I was ready to go abroad somewhere in Europe after finishing my bachelor’s degree. In Denmark, I found the flexibility I was looking for in a master’s programme as there are many more options in terms of schedule, subjects, and after-school activities. That together with a higher chance to work within my field of education made up my mind about coming to Denmark. I live in Lyngby by the capital city, and I commute to Kalundborg, either by bus or taking the train when I go to work.

What surprises me most about working in Denmark is…

Everyone is willing to give their best within their position. People want to improve. There is also a strong focus on individuals, and you are valued as a person and not only as a worker. People are keeping an eye out on each other to make sure they are well. The working times can be different from the schedule in Spain but having the evening off gives you more room to be able to enjoy your free time. That is one of the aspects I value the most about working in Denmark: a good work-life balance.

My Danish colleagues are…

They have a helper-approach, which is nice when coming to a new country and adapting to a new working culture. In general, there are good opportunities to develop your professional skills. It creates a comfortable work environment, which brings the best out of the team. My colleagues also give their best in their work. They embrace different cultures, nationalities, and ways of doing things.

Life in Denmark is…

Surprising, because there is a lot to discover. There are many great places with food, art, music, and other activities. It motivates you to do things you have not tried before, and to get out of your comfort zone.

I would recommend anybody moving to Denmark to…

Do some research before coming to Denmark and find the opportunities you want to pursue. Consider that the country has a high cost of living, so you want to make sure that your financial statement is OK. When you arrive, you should be open-minded. My prejudice about Denmark has changed in a very positive way. Be bold! Try to be open and meet people, by saying yes to the opportunity there are whether it be at work, university, and leisure activities. That makes it easier to make friends with Danes, who can guide you on how to get along in Denmark. On top of that, that will give you the opportunity to see Denmark through the locals’ eyes.