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.dk

Mentioned Resopurces:
Copenhagen Capacity
International House Copenhagen
Go to Sønderborg
Kalundborg Municipality
SIRI (Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration)
Life in Denmark

🎟️ Come see the show in person!
See our LIVE SHOW at Copenhagen's Comedy Zoo on 9 March at 19:00
Tickets are available HERE ➡️ https://www.comedyzoo.dk/event/1762906

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCSH6KqKooZmSx1GJu9CWZYjX8esjl2F

📢 Send your questions and/or comments.
voice: https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid
email: [email protected]

👉 Remember to tell your friends about the podcast.

👀 More living in Denmark tips:
https://instagram.com/waydidpod
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 festivals
Roskilde as a “rite of passage”
Why Danish summers feel so intense
Festival camping vs glamping
Danish music trends and local-language artists
How festivals became part of Danish identity
Tips for internationals attending their first Danish festival

Ulrik (guest)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ulrikorum/
Heartland Website: https://heartlandfestival.dk/
Heartland Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandfestivaldk/

🎟️ Come see the show in person!
See our LIVE SHOW at Copenhagen's Comedy Zoo on 9 March at 19:00
Tickets are available HERE ➡️ https://www.comedyzoo.dk/event/1762906

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCSH6KqKooZmSx1GJu9CWZYjX8esjl2F

📢 Send your questions and/or comments.
voice: https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid
email: [email protected]

👉 Remember to tell your friends about the podcast.

👀 More living in Denmark tips:
https://instagram.com/waydidpod
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 2013
How Dansk Melodi Grand Prix works
The process of writing a Eurovision song
Why “Før vi går hjem” connected with fans across Europe
The meaning behind the lyrics and staging
Whether Eurovision is finally becoming “cool” again
Why Eurovision matters so much in Denmark

Whether 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_3gy9

Clara Sofie (guest):
Spotify profile: LINK
Songs I wrote: LINK
Songs I wrote and produced: LINK
Instagram: LINK
Facebook: LINK
LinkedIn: LINK

Derek Hartman:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derekhartmandk
YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/robetrotting
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robetrotting

Brooke Black:
https://instagram.com/brookeblackjust
https://www.tiktok.com/@brookeblackjust

Topics: Eurovision Song Contest 2026, Eurovision, Denmark in Eurovision, Danish Musicians
🎟️ Come see the show in person!
See our LIVE SHOW at Copenhagen's Comedy Zoo on 9 March at 19:00
Tickets are available HERE ➡️ https://www.comedyzoo.dk/event/1762906

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCSH6KqKooZmSx1GJu9CWZYjX8esjl2F

📢 Send your questions and/or comments.
voice: https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid
email: [email protected]

👉 Remember to tell your friends about the podcast.

👀 More living in Denmark tips:
https://instagram.com/waydidpod
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Peaks

Derek Hartman:
https://www.instagram.com/derekhartmandk
https://youtube.com/c/robetrotting
https://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandk
www.facebook.com/robetrotting

Brooke Black:
https://instagram.com/brookeblackjust
https://www.tiktok.com/@brookeblackjust

Conrad Molden:
https://instagram.com/conradmoldencomedy
https://youtube.com/c/conradmolden
https://tiktok.com/@conradmolden
https://facebook.com/conradmolden
https://www.conradmolden.dk
🎟️ Come see the show in person!
See our LIVE SHOW at Copenhagen's Comedy Zoo on 9 March at 19:00
Tickets are available HERE ➡️ https://www.comedyzoo.dk/event/1762906

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCSH6KqKooZmSx1GJu9CWZYjX8esjl2F

📢 Send your questions and/or comments.
voice: https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid
email: [email protected]

👉 Remember to tell your friends about the podcast.

👀 More living in Denmark tips:
https://instagram.com/waydidpod
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 expected
The hidden role of networks, language, and cultural “sameness”
What it’s like to be included — but still feel like an outsider
The tension between assimilation and staying true to yourself
And how living abroad can reshape your identity in ways you don’t expect

Aurélia 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/instagram
See All of Aurélia's Work: https://www.aurelia-studio.com/

Derek Hartman:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derekhartmandk
YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/robetrotting
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@derekhartmandk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robetrotting

🎟️ Come see the show in person!
See our LIVE SHOW at Copenhagen's Comedy Zoo on 9 March at 19:00
Tickets are available HERE ➡️ https://www.comedyzoo.dk/event/1762906

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFCSH6KqKooZmSx1GJu9CWZYjX8esjl2F

📢 Send your questions and/or comments.
voice: https://www.speakpipe.com/waydid
email: [email protected]

👉 Remember to tell your friends about the podcast.

👀 More living in Denmark tips:
https://instagram.com/waydidpod
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.