How to Live in Denmark

How to Live in Denmark

Author: Kay Xander Mellish Language: English Episodes: 151
For anyone curious about or currently navigating Danish life from the outside, How to Live in Denmark serves as an essential, on-the-ground guide. Hosted by Kay Xander Mellish, an American writer who has made Denmark her home for over ten years, this conversation cuts straight to the heart of the everyday realities in one of the world's most homogenous-and often puzzling-societies. Rather than lengthy lectures, you'll find concise, ten-minute episodes packed with practical advice and cultural translation. This isn't just about travel tips; it's a deep dive into the unspoken rules of Danish social etiquette, the nuances of the local workplace, and the sometimes surprising path to feeling at home in a country frequently labeled the world's happiest. Mellish draws from her own long-term experience to explain everything from navigating the infamous Jantelov to understanding the Danish approach to business meetings and casual Friday night hygge. As Denmark's longest-running English-language podcast, it has become a trusted resource for internationals, whether they are planning a move, newly arrived, or have been settled for years but still occasionally find themselves wondering, "Why do Danes do it that way?" Each episode feels like a chat with a well-informed friend who helps decode the complexities of a fascinating culture, making your time there richer and a lot less confusing.
Episodes
Practical tips for moving to Denmark [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:19
While I'm not an authority on the Danish visa or immigration systems, I'm often asked for practical tips about moving to Denmark. So here are a few things to think about when you're packing your suitcases or, if you're d…
Gender equality in Denmark [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:04
Denmark has had two female prime ministers and about forty percent of the people elected to the Folketing, the Danish Parliament, are women. But when it comes to private industry, Danish women have one of the lowest part…
Danish beaches in winter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:37
It might seem like a counterintuitive time to talk about beaches, in the middle of a long, very cold winter. But in these times of COVID, beaches are one of the few places in Denmark you are currently allowed to meet up…
Driving in Denmark [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:17
I like to drive. I like to be on the open road, like in the American Southwest - Arizona, Nevada, Utah. Put your pedal to the metal, no one in front of you, no one in the rear view mirror. Just you and the road. You will…
Denmark and the Coronavirus Summer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:51
It's a funny kind of summer this year in Copenhagen, quieter than usual, and more like a family event than a cosmopolitan city. Coronavirus came early to Denmark, the borders were shut down early, but they're mostly open…
Animals and Denmark: Swans, pigs, and horses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:12
Among the many cultural questions I ask audiences during my How to Live in Denmark Game Show is "Which animal represents Denmark best?"? There never seems to be an obvious or generally agreed-upon answer. Sure, the bear…
The Danish Alcohol Culture [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:04
Alcohol has a long history in Denmark. The Vikings brewed four types of beverages: ale, mead, fruit wine, and syra, a fermented milk – and for many centuries Danish babies have eaten øllebrød, which is a mix of old bread…
Debt in Denmark [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:38
January, February, and March are some of the dreariest months in Denmark – it's dark, with no Christmas lights to pep it up – and many people are dealing with a heavy load of year-end debt from traveling, parties, dining…
Making Danish friends: A few tips based on experience [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:24
If you're newly arrived in Denmark, making Danish friends is not easy – in fact, surveys show that one of the main reasons internationals end up leaving is the difficulty of building a network. The irony is that Danes ar…