Athina Zafeiri

Name: Athina Zafeiri
Age: 29
Nationality: Greek
Company: Lillebælt Hospital
Title/education: Nurse

I ended up in Denmark because

Me and my boyfriend wanted to move abroad to a European country. We were thinking about Denmark, Germany or England, because we already speak English, and Germany because many Greek people live in Germany, and we have relatives there. But, we chose Denmark because I was an Erasmus student seven years ago in Copenhagen, Denmark. So, I had an idea of how it is to live and work in Denmark, and I really liked it. And, of course, the most important reason was because of the job opportunity at Lillebælt hospital. They provide you with free Danish lessons, and at the same time, they give a salary. So, basically, you don’t need to have a big budget before you move. You come here, you have free lessons, and you have money from the first month. So, this program was incredible. It was the best thing that any nurse or doctor can ask for, if they want to move abroad. So, that is why we chose Denmark.

What surprises me most about working in Denmark is

Was the facilities at the hospital, the rooms are newly renovated, the equipment and IT systems we use are new and all the nurses and doctors do not write on paper but use computers.

My Danish colleagues are

Very calm, they discuss things in a peaceful manner and like team-work.

Some of my colleagues are very helpful, and they are very patient with me, because I cannot communicate fluently in Danish yet. They show me things, and they speak slowly so I will be able to understand what they say.

In Greece, it is normal to be friends with your colleagues. In Denmark, this is different. We are friendly with each other at work, but we do not socialize after work. It might become better when my Danish improves, but right now, my language skills prevent me from understanding everything. But they are nice, and they laugh a lot and enjoy each other’s company. I think that I will be a part of this when my Danish improves.

Life in Denmark is

Good! Work is great. I live in Kolding, a smaller town in Jutland, and everything closes in the evening, both shops and cafés. That is very different from what I am used to. We try to go out, and we need to find more outdoor activities. Danes meet after work at their sport or hobby, so we will try to join that too.

I would recommend anybody moving to Denmark to

Move here and work! The work conditions are better, the salary is better. Even though everything is more expensive, the salary is good enough for you to have a really nice life. You have enough to go on a holiday, have a hobby and still pay for everything.  You work with new technology, your colleagues treat you well and you will be part of a team. Life in Denmark is good!