According to recent studies, the Danes are considered the happiest nation in the world. A thriving economy, long-standing democratic and patriotic traditions – all of this can be quickly felt when spending time among the local people of Denmark. As for the word “crime,” Danes have probably only heard it in Hollywood action movies!

Interesting facts

• The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, the fairy tale king H. C. Andersen, and Carlsberg beer are just a few of Denmark's iconic symbols.
• From the 8th to the 11th century, Danes were known as Vikings. Together with Norwegians and Swedes, they established colonies, raided, and traded throughout Europe. Today, Danes take pride in their welfare state, where comprehensive social security is guaranteed for everyone.
• Denmark is currently a constitutional monarchy and has a queen!
• Danish cinema is internationally recognized thanks to director Lars von Trier, who is known for his bold and experimental films.

Culture and people

Many Lithuanians choose Denmark because of its high standard of living, similar climate, short distance, strong social guarantees, and significant government support for families. Once you get to know the Danes, other qualities also stand out: Danes value order, openness, and honesty, which can sometimes seem unpleasant to foreigners when they speak their minds directly. However, this doesn't mean they are rude or arrogant – it’s simply their communication style. Overall, Danes are very tolerant and always strive to find compromises, which makes professional relationships much smoother. Denmark places high importance on equality – including gender equality – and it's considered poor taste to flaunt wealth (for example, by driving luxury cars or wearing expensive clothing). Caring for the community and the environment is something you can express anytime, anywhere.

Language

The official language is Danish (considered one of the most phonetically complex languages among those that have survived within the Indo-European language family), but 80% of Denmark’s population speaks English fluently.

Religion

Oficiali kalba – danų (ji laikoma viena fonetiškai sudėtingiausių išlikusių indoeuropiečių kalbų), tačiau net 80 % Danijos gyventojų laisvai kalba angliškai.

Food

Danish cuisine began to take shape in the 19th century. It is said to be quite rich, a result of the country's long agricultural tradition and its cold, lengthy winters. Traditional Danish dishes include open-faced sandwiches (Danes claim to know up to 700 different kinds!) and hot meals such as boiled cod with mustard sauce, melted butter, hard-boiled eggs, horseradish, and boiled potatoes; roast duck with apples, prunes, caramelized potatoes, cabbage, and brown sauce. Danish gastronomy is renowned worldwide, especially for its pastries (wienerbrød), almond rings (kransekage), and apple cake (æblekage).

Leisure time

Grab a bike and dive into the rhythm of Danish life! Danes take great pride in their cultural heritage, so they frequently attend various cultural events. Visiting exhibitions, film festivals, concerts, theatre performances, ballet, or opera—or simply enjoying the stunning old and modern architecture—is especially popular in Denmark. On Danish television, films are shown in their original language with Danish subtitles, so international students can enjoy most movies in English or French. You can read more about their lifestyle here.

Transport

The bicycle is a kind of symbol of Denmark—this country is simply unimaginable without it. It’s a very cheap, fun, and practical mode of transport. You’ll have no trouble buying, borrowing, or renting a bike at an affordable price in Denmark! Even getting home at night won’t be a problem—Denmark also has night buses running between 00:30 and 5:30. Tickets cost twice as much as during the day, but if needed, it’s a handy option.

Overall, Denmark’s transport infrastructure is highly developed. Most Danish cities are easily accessible by bus or train. However, trains are considered the best way to travel, as they reach even the most remote parts of the country. As for cars—it’s best to use them when traveling with a group of friends, since fuel prices in Denmark are quite high.

Work

Many students in Denmark work part-time jobs during their studies. As an international student coming from abroad, you will also have the opportunity to work while studying. And just like any local employee, after graduation you can pursue full-time employment in Danish companies.