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.
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.