Educated foreigners: Danes are not open
URL: http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Andre_sprog/English/2011/11/11/11124534.htm
It has become easier to persuade engineers, doctors and other highly educated foreigners to come to Denmark to work. Convincing them to stay, however, is proving difficult, according to the Danish National Centre for Social Research (SFI), in a report just released.
One reason for leaving again is the high Danish taxes, but the biggest problems arise if the family is unhappy, the researcher behind the report, Frederik Thuesen, says to DR News.
Job for spouse
“A highly educated expatriate often also has a highly educated spouse. The spouse naturally also wants a job that matches his or her qualifications, and that can be difficult to ensure,” says Frederik Thuesen.
The City of Copenhagen is aware of the importance of the social aspects in relation to retaining foreign workers.
Foreigners can visit the City of Copenhagen’s Citizen Services twice a week, where they can get help from the tax authorities, Citizen Services and other bodies.
Social relations are important
They can also obtain information about Danish clubs and associations, cultural life and language courses.
Copenhagen has the philosophy that foreigners that become integrated in society are more likely to stay.
“Lack of contact is often the reason that people leave again,” says project manager Trine Marie Ingeberg.
The 25-year-old Polish PhD student Jakub Modrzynski agrees, adding that it is very difficult to develop close relationships with Danes. And that is necessary if he is to stay in Denmark.
