From first steps in Danish to new opportunities

25. August 2025

From first steps in Danish to new opportunities

Sofia from Italy and Katrin from Germany arrived in Denmark for very different reasons – yet both found their way through Danish lessons at UCplus and share the same goal of building a good life in Copenhagen.

Sofia and Katrin on their way to Danish lessons at UCplus in Copenhagen. The classes have provided them with language skills as well as new opportunities in Denmark.

Starting over in a new country takes both courage and curiosity. For Sofia, a quick internet search after a stay in New Zealand led her to book a ticket to Copenhagen. Katrin, on the other hand, came as an accompanying spouse when her husband was offered a position at ITU. While Sofia quickly created a new life from scratch, Katrin has been taking her first steps towards continuing her career in the Danish healthcare sector.

Sofia’s spontaneous start in Denmark

After finishing her university degree in Italy, Sofia knew she wanted to try something completely new. When her stay in New Zealand came to an end, she began looking for countries that could offer a similar lifestyle – and Denmark appeared on her screen. Without speaking the language or knowing anyone here, she booked a 10-day trip to Copenhagen.

“The moment I stepped out of the central station and saw all the bicycles, I just knew this was the place for me,” she recalls.

On her very first day in the city, she walked into a barefoot shoe shop she was fond of. Two days later, the owner called her back with a job offer. A quick trip to Italy to pick up more clothes – and her new life in Denmark had begun.

For the first six months she tried to teach herself Danish with a book, but soon realised she wanted to meet others who were learning the language as well. That led her to UCplus. Today she has completed Module 4 and recently landed a job as a nursery assistant – a position she won among 74 applicants, with a glowing reference from her UCplus teacher.

Katrin’s first steps towards a career in Denmark

Katrin moved to Copenhagen in April 2024 as a trailing spouse, when her husband started working at ITU. Back in Cologne, she worked as a diabetes consultant at a medical clinic, and she hopes to eventually continue her career in the Danish healthcare sector.

For now, she is focusing on improving her Danish at UCplus and building a network in her new neighbourhood. Through Sofia, she got a part-time job at the same barefoot shoe shop where Sofia first worked in Copenhagen. It gives her the chance to practice Danish in daily situations and connect with new people in Ørestad, where she and her family live.

“It’s important for me to learn Danish because I want to integrate into the country. I want to be able to speak Danish with my son, and I hope to find a job in the healthcare sector,” says Katrin.

Language as a stepping stone

For Sofia, learning Danish has opened the door to an entirely new line of work. For Katrin, it is the foundation she needs to return to her profession in a new country. Both

highlight how the Danish lessons give them the confidence to use the language in real-life situations – whether that’s at a playground, in a shop or during a job interview.

Learn Danish at UCplus

UCplus offers the three official Danish courses, which give you access to official tests and a good start in Denmark. The education is offered at 3 levels, each of which consists of 6 modules. You will be offered to start at exactly the level that suits the number of years of schooling you have and your qualifications.

New language centre director brings extensive experience in Danish language teaching and integration

13. August 2025

New language centre director brings extensive experience in Danish language teaching and integration

From teenage dreams of becoming a medieval archaeologist to leading a language centre – life has taken an unexpected yet rewarding turn for Lilian Olsen, who stepped into the role of manager at UCplus’ language centre in Holbæk on 1 August. With decades of experience in Danish language education and integration, she brings both solid professional expertise and a deep personal commitment to the job.

Driven by people’s potential

Since the mid-1990s, Lilian Olsen has been teaching Danish to newcomers, motivated by a genuine curiosity about her students’ backgrounds and their potential. For her, teaching Danish is about far more than words and grammar – it is about giving people the tools they need to take part fully in Danish society.

Even in a time when artificial intelligence is evolving rapidly and English is widely used in the workplace, she believes Danish remains the key to deeper integration. It is about being able to read letters from the authorities, take part in parent–teacher meetings, talk with in-laws, or start a conversation with a neighbour. Language is also the gateway to Danish culture – including its humour, wordplay, and shared references.

A career spanning local and global experience

Lilian’s path into language and integration work began with a master’s degree in history and Arabic in 1995, followed by a temporary position at Copenhagen Language Centre and then a role at the Danish Refugee Council’s language school. Her career took her abroad through postings with the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the USA, Uganda, and Niger, where she worked on microcredit projects and school initiatives.

Back in Denmark, she continued her work in the language centre sector as a teacher, module tester, examiner, intake assessor, and project coordinator. She has also taught quota refugees in Asia and Africa as part of the Danish Immigration Service’s pre-departure courses.

Since 2022, she has been part of SIRI’s mobile assessment team and most recently worked as coordinator for substitute teacher coverage and intake at UCplus in Copenhagen.

Committed to collaboration and the right learning environment

Lilian brings to Holbæk a wealth of experience from teaching, intake assessment, coordination, and project management – both in Denmark and internationally. She looks forward to using this broad background to create the best possible environment for both students and teachers. Collaboration with the municipalities of Holbæk and Odsherred will be a key part of her work, with the ambition of making the language centre a strong and visible presence in the local community.

Danish lessons help international employees at Landal Holiday Park

30. June 2025

Danish lessons help international employees at Landal Holiday Park

At Landal Holiday Park in Søhøjlandet, the management has introduced Danish lessons for the cleaning team, aiming to strengthen daily communication and build a genuine sense of community among the staff. The goal has been to create a solid foundation for teamwork, wellbeing, and staff retention, with language as the key.

The international staff in the cleaning team at Landal Holiday Park are learning Danish at work to improve their communication the sense of community.

Language improves team spirit and efficiency

When Kirstine Bruun took over as head of the cleaning team three years ago, she quickly recognised the need to bring the team closer together. Having previously worked with international employees in agriculture, she knew how crucial language is to creating a well-functioning team. So, she arranged for Danish lessons during working hours—and everyone agreed to take part.

“I wanted to create a ‘third culture’—a shared workplace culture where we could truly understand one another through language,” Kirstine explains.

It has proved to be a worthwhile investment. The Danish lessons have enabled staff to become more independent, take on greater responsibility, and engage more confidently in their work.

Kirstine herself plays an active role in supporting staff language development. In her office, she keeps a basket filled with useful Danish words relevant to the team’s work.

When new employees join, they each pick out two new words every day—words like ‘gulvmoppe’ (floor mop) or ‘køkkenbord’ (kitchen table).

“This helps them build their vocabulary day by day. It also shows we value them by investing in their development, and it boosts their confidence in speaking Danish,” Kirstine adds.

Lessons focused on Danish Society and workplace culture

The Danish course at Landal is part of an FVU Start programme, taught by UCplus language consultant Sussi Brøndum Riise. Lessons are built around the participants’ daily lives and experiences, both at work and as residents in Denmark. For example, they discuss Danish public holidays like Constitution Day and explore what it means to live in a democracy.

Grammar is practised to help participants speak clearly and accurately, while conversation exercises ensure they can put the language into use in practical situations. They discuss how to communicate effectively in a Danish workplace, the importance of greeting colleagues each day, and who to approach when in doubt.

These lessons provide a safe environment for employees to grow in confidence while gaining insight into how Danish workplace culture operates—making everyday life easier and more secure.

Building confidence and community

Polina from Bulgaria, who has lived in Denmark for over seven years, says the Danish lessons have made a real difference: “Each week I feel a little more confident because I understand more and more. It’s important for me to speak Danish because I live and work here—and I need to be able to talk with teachers and childminders.”

Anastasiia from Ukraine adds: “Learning the language helps me communicate better with my colleagues, and that makes life easier. I understand more than I can say, but I keep trying, and my colleagues help me.”

Staff—new and experienced alike—now share lunch together, chatting in Danish and supporting each other in their learning. Danish has become a shared project and a tool for both professional and social development.

Help your international employees learn Danish

UCplus offers a range of flexible solutions for company Danish. Lessons can take place at the workplace, at the nearest language center, or through online instruction.

UCplus handles all coordination and provides skilled instructors who conduct Danish lessons at the employees’ level.

It is possible to apply for lost earnings if the lessons are held during working hours. UCplus also helps with the application process.

Danish Lessons at work boost integration and staff retention at the Danish Meteorological Institute

25. June 2025

Danish Lessons at work boost integration and staff retention at the Danish Meteorological Institute

At the Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI), around 15% of employees come from outside Denmark – many of them researchers. To help them settle in both professionally and socially, DMI offers Danish lessons during working hours in collaboration with UCplus. The initiative is already proving valuable for individuals and the organisation alike.

Danish lessons at DMI provide staff with practical language tools, improving both the precision of workplace communication and the sense of community.

An investment in belonging and retention

DMI sees the language training as part of a broader commitment to being an inclusive and attractive place to work.

“Our main goal is to be a great workplace where people thrive,” says Karin Bonanno, Head of HR at DMI. “It’s very much about creating a sense of belonging. Knowing Danish makes it easier to settle in – socially and professionally – and it also opens up more opportunities for career development.”

The programme was developed in close dialogue with staff, many of whom had already shown a strong interest in learning Danish and helped shape the content of the course.

“Our international colleagues were really keen to learn,” explains Karin. “In fact, they played a key role in choosing UCplus because the lessons take place at work – and because they have the option to take official Danish language module tests.”

These module tests are part of Denmark’s formal Danish education system and, for some, could also count towards future applications for permanent residency or citizenship.

That’s why DMI sees language training as an important element in both attracting and retaining international talent.

“We want to recruit the best international candidates – especially researchers. Being able to offer Danish lessons is a key part of making DMI a workplace where they feel they belong,” says Karin.

Language in practice

The lessons are held once a week during working hours in small groups, with an emphasis on speaking, everyday topics, and linguistic accuracy. Participants discuss things like types of housing, eating habits, and typical conversations with colleagues over lunch. The intermediate group includes employees from countries such as Germany, France, Latvia, Pakistan, and China.

One of them is Leonie, who moved to Denmark three years ago to study climate physics at the University of Copenhagen. She is now a PhD fellow working on Antarctic ice dynamics in a joint research project between the university and DMI.

“I really appreciate the opportunity to learn Danish at work,” she says. “It’s important to me that my mistakes are corrected – it helps me improve. I’m also trying to bring more Danish into my daily life outside of work. For example, I play the clarinet in the Copenhagen Post Orchestra, where everything’s in Danish.”

Help your international employees learn Danish

UCplus offers a range of flexible solutions for company Danish. Lessons can take place at the workplace, at the nearest language center, or through online instruction.

UCplus handles all coordination and provides skilled instructors who conduct Danish lessons at the employees’ level.

It is possible to apply for lost earnings if the lessons are held during working hours. UCplus also helps with the application process.

From Chennai to Augustenborg: Priya is making Denmark her home

26. May 2025

From Chennai to Augustenborg: Priya is making Denmark her home

Priya moved to Denmark from India in 2019, and ever since, she’s been dedicated to learning Danish and becoming part of her local community. Through UCplus, she’s studied the language, practices it in her daily life, and actively participates in local clubs and activities – both for her own sake and her family’s.

Priya works on digital projects for HCLTech, an international IT company, but she chose to learn Danish with UCplus to better connect with her colleagues and become part of Danish society.

From a bustling city to a quiet community on Als

Priya, her husband, and their two daughters relocated from the vibrant city of Chennai to the small town of Sønderborg when her husband was offered a position as a project manager at Danfoss. Seeking a more peaceful family life, they settled in a quiet neighborhood in Augustenborg – the only non-Danish family in the area.

“It’s cozy here, and it gives me a chance to practice Danish with neighbors and local friends,” Priya says. “We have coffee together, chat, and they’ve been great at sharing Danish traditions with me.”

She completed her Danish language course with UCplus online, which allowed her to balance her studies with work and family life. Although English is the main language at her workplace, she was determined to learn Danish.

“It makes a big difference being able to speak Danish – I can chat with my colleagues even outside of meetings,” she says.

On the path to citizenship

Priya and her family have embraced life in Denmark so fully that they’ve now set their sights on becoming Danish citizens. Today, Priya is taking the citizenship test – a meaningful step toward that goal. For her, it’s not just about the passport; it’s about belonging and understanding the country she calls home.

“I think it’s important to really understand how Denmark became the country it is today,” she explains.

While preparing for the test, Priya is also actively involved with the Danish Swimming Federation. Her daughters swim competitively, and Priya, who never learned to swim in India, has taken up swimming herself. She’s now training to become a lane and turn judge so she can support her daughters and be involved in their competitions.

Advice for others new to Denmark

There are many reasons why Priya and her family have settled in so well: they’ve felt genuinely welcomed, they enjoy the nature and changing seasons, and they especially appreciate the Danish school system – particularly how it motivates children to learn and includes parents in their child’s development.

Her advice to others is simple:

“Learning Danish is really important. It’s helped me meet new people and feel like I belong here.”

Learn Danish at UCplus and open the door to new opportunities

Priya’s motivation to learn Danish and her willingness to keep taking on new challenges has opened many doors for her and her family.

You can also give yourself a good start in Denmark, and UCplus will help you on your way.

We offer the three official Danish Education Programs, and you will start at the level that matches your years of schooling and qualifications.

“Healthcare Danish” helps students build language skills for care work and vocational training

12. May 2025

“Healthcare Danish” helps students build language skills for care work and vocational training

At UCplus in Copenhagen, students in the Healthcare Danish course practise everyday language and job-specific vocabulary they can use directly in the workplace. Through engaging activities and conversation-based learning, they strengthen their grammar and communication skills – giving them a strong foundation for working in the healthcare sector and preparing for SOSU (social and healthcare) training.

Working in small groups helps students practice professional language in a supportive and practical way.

Language learning starts with conversation

Today’s class begins with a round of sharing – each student talks about their Easter holiday. Other weeks, they bring in news articles to discuss, helping them build reading skills, social awareness, and a sense of citizenship. Today’s conversation is supported by a short grammar session, where the teacher, Mai, reviews how to use present, past, and present perfect tense. This kind of structured conversation ensures that everyone gets to speak Danish while developing a deeper awareness of the language – and learning how to use it more precisely in work settings.

On the course students learn about workplace culture, and the specific vocabulary and terminology used in healthcare.

Rotating learning stations with real-life SOSU topics

The main activity of the day is station work – a practical format where students rotate between different tasks, each focused on a specific language skill. Before they begin, Mai checks in: “What have you used station work for in the past?” One student replies, “To review and practice topics in different ways – reading, vocabulary, and grammar.”

At one station, students place food items into a food pyramid and talk about how the choices match the recommendations from the Danish Health Authority. Another station focuses on vocabulary related to the body and the senses. Here, students learn how to use verbs like smell, taste, and feel correctly in professional dialogue – such as: “The food smells good today” or “Do you feel dizzy?”

Students discuss food and nutrition and discuss the Danish Health Authority’s food pyramid.

Learning professional Danish that connects directly to SOSU training

“It’s essential for students to understand and use the language they’ll encounter during SOSU training and in care jobs,” says their teacher, Mai. “We focus on helping them practice professional and precise communication – both spoken and written. It helps them in their daily lives and in their future careers.”

The Healthcare Danish course is hands-on, relevant, and motivating. Students gain the confidence and language tools they need to take part in real workplace situations – and move one step closer to their goal of working in Danish healthcare.

Interested in joining Healthcare Danish?

The course is designed for those who already work – or want to work – in the Danish healthcare sector. The course is free, and classes are held twice a week, in the morning or evening at UCplus Language Centre Copenhagen.

The classes are in Danish, and you can read more about the course on the Danish website right here