Knowledge – Life – Career

WELCOME! EXPLORE THE Newcomers settling WADDEN SEA down in Esbjerg Fascinating experiences for all ages INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL WITH DANISH INFLUENCE Engage, learn and reflect

No. 3 2018

INDEX

4 Welcome!  Settling down in Esbjerg 4

8 A growing food scene New cáfes and eating venues A SMALL BIG CITY 9 Explore the Wadden Sea Fascinating experiences

12 Educations in EnergyMetropolis In recent years, Esbjerg has experienced their remainder of the Danish business  Facts on educations a rapid development and today this unit from to Esbjerg. The industrial town and seaport with proud company is already in the process of 14 International School traditions is also a modern big city. recruiting people for the upcoming Tyra Engage, learn and reflect Future project. This project is expected 16 International Baccalaureate The culinary offerings in the city are to be the beginning of a new Golden Age Two years of succes changing. Since the turn of the year, in the offshore industry. It inevitably will 18 Back to school we have welcomed a wide range of new make the city grow further. At the same 9 Towards new career options cafés and eateries – established and time, Sydvestjysk Sygehus (Hospital run by enthusiasts, passionate to serve of South West ) is currently 14 delicious wine, organic salads, tasty undergoing renovations and an expansion coffee, juicy burgers or shareable tapas. and will be completed in 2020 as a state- of-the-art emergency hospital. More than 5,000 newcomers from and the rest of the world In this issue of EnergyMetropolis, you can are welcomed annually by Denmark’s meet some of the newcomers and talents, EnergyMetropolis. Most of them move here who have helped to shape Denmark’s to work with everything from offshore and EnergyMetropolis in recent years. technology to design and entrepreneurship. Happy reading! The rapid growth in several of the large companies means that Esbjerg will need Birgit Bech Jensen even more skilled employees in the years Head of marketing 18 to come. In August, Maersk Oil moved Business Development Esbjerg 16

Publisher: Business Development Esbjerg Design: KIRK & HOLM Editor: Marketing Manager Birgit Bech Print: Rosendahls Editorial team: Business Development Photo: Red Star Photo Esbjerg, Related, KIRK & HOLM Editing was completed: November 2017 Text/Editing: Related and Business Development Esbjerg

EnergyMetropolis – 3 WELCOME!

Each year, Esbjerg municipality welcomes more than 5,000 newcomers from around Denmark and the rest of the world. EnergyMetropolis met with some of them to hear their stories and to talk about career options, entrepreneurship, work/life-balance and more.

DREAM JOB FOR AN ART HISTORIAN

n exhibition at the part of ’s club and association life. I „It is nice to have city A Hirschsprung Collection have always played the saxophone, so I and nature so close. in Copenhagen in 2009 contacted the big band of the town, says We like being active drew the attention of art historian and Josephine, who is taking part in leisure curator Josephine Nielsen-Bergqvist to activities and events at least three times and appreciate being Ribe; the exhibition consisted of works a week. able to go for a walk borrowed from the art museum in in the woods or on the Denmark’s oldest town. - In addition to playing in Big Band Ribe, ARRIVING IN ESBJERG beach.“ I have signed up for longbow archery - This was a collection I wanted to work at the Viking and I am a board BY ACCIDENT with. As I was not tied to Copenhagen, member of the tenant association. On I decided to submit an unsolicited job the weekends, I quite often attend one of application to the Art Museum of Ribe, the many cultural events in the town. says 30-year-old Josephine, who grew n 2015, Marta Sawicka and - It is nice to have city and nature so - The town has developed a lot in the last up in and graduated from the It is the diversity in the cultural life of Antonio Carratù, who lived in close. We like being active and appre- few years and cafés and other new places University of Copenhagen in 2014. the town that has particularly surprised I Belgium at the time, decided ciate being able to go for a walk in the to eat open all the time. I usually describe the Copenhagen newcomer positively: on a change of scenery. They agreed woods or on the beach. When family and Esbjerg as a small town which has all the Even though she did not know anything that whomever got a new, exciting friends come to visit us, we quite often advantages of a big city, explains Antonio, about the town or the area, Josephine - In many ways, Ribe is a funny town; job first, got to decide where to move. take them to the deer park and feed roe who evaluates the couple’s career options changed her apartment in Copenhagen even though it is small and placed So, when Antonio was offered a job as deer or go to the Wadden Sea Centre, to be better here as well: for one in Ribe during the spring of in West Jutland, it is anything but a an industrial product designer after says Marta, who is now a graphic 2015, when she received a positive provincial town. The town is filled with a job interview with Esbjerg-based designer at the advertising agency Kirk - We feel there are a lot more opportu- response from the museum. passionate people who make things company Sebra, which designs toys and & Holm. nities here, because there are not quite happen. There is a lot to do if you want interior design products for children, the as many candidates for a job and the - I had an expectation that I would have to, she concludes. decision was made: the couple would Even though the couple, originally from number of jobs is increasing. I actually plenty of time to watch TV series and move to Esbjerg. Even though they did Poland and Italy, previously had lived in think that we will stay – even though we write blogs in my spare time once I not know anything about the area, they big cities like Milan and Dublin, they do had originally expected to move on in a moved to Jutland. But soon I became are today happy about that decision: not suffer deprivation in Esbjerg. couple of years.

4 – EnergyMetropolis EnergyMetropolis – 5 FROM SHANGHAI TO RIBE CHOCOLATE ADVENTURE

hen Line Fricke and Leon Masters in Management and Economics like we had in Shanghai. But compared hen Timothy Ibbitson worked our own Wadden Sea salt for the salted - I want to produce all the chocolate W Walker, who are both 30 from CBS (Copenhagen Business School) to Shanghai, our quality of life is much W as a chef in Dublin in 2007, caramel, explains the chocolatier myself and that sets a natural limit to years old, settled in Ribe in and has studied Chinese in China. better here – the atmosphere is more he met a Danish friend who who, after selling wholesale for some the quantity. When people receive a box 2016, it was intended to be a pit stop enjoyable. I notice this when I return from opened up a new world of bread to him. years, opened his first shop in Ribe’s of chocolate made by me, it should be only. The couple had lived in Shanghai However, the couple never made it that my business trips, says Leon, who during His friend always brought back rye pedestrian street in 2016. Despite the like a really good restaurant experience. for several years, where Leon, who far, as Line started to teach outdoor yoga his job seeking process got sparring from bread and other sourdough bread when positive response, there are no plans to comes from New Zealand, worked in a in Ribe. the municipal Newcomer Service. he had been in Denmark. When Timothy, open more shops. bank, while Line, who grew up in Ribe, who is originally from Canada, travelled worked with events. After one year’s - It was a summer offer for tourists, but Today the couple lives in an apartment in to Ribe to visit his friend’s family in the leave and a trip around Australia and quite often locals participated, too. This the centre of Ribe and has, as it seems summer of 2008, he was introduced to New Zealand, where Line trained as inspired me to open my own yoga studio now, put the big city dream on the shelf. the creator of the bread, which his taste „We use, for example, a yoga teacher, the couple decided to and teach yoga all year round, she says buds had admired for so many months: honey from Rømø, move temporarily back to Line’s family about Studio Ribe, which opened in April - It looks like we have found the base we Mikkel Hansen from the bakery Pompei Gråsten apples, berries in Ribe while deciding where their next 2017. At the same time, Line is affiliated were looking for. There may not be quite in Ribe. from Vibegaard and beer career adventure should take them. with the Museum of Southwest Jutland as as many opportunities here as in the big a project worker. cities – but it’s also less stressful here. - For a few months, I worked as an in- from Ribe Bryghus.“ - In Shanghai the pace was fast, and the There is more room to enjoy life alongside tern at Pompei. During that time, I lived competition was fierce. We needed fresh Leon, who has a Master in Business a career, explains the couple, who in a caravan and spent all my waking air and we therefore considered moving to and Chinese language, works at Ribe especially enjoys the surrounding nature. hours experimenting with sourdough Stockholm or Berlin, says Line, who has a Jernindustri and will assist them in and reading books about bread, says entering the Chinese market. - We really like cycling to the lock and Timothy with a laugh, thinking back. going for a walk on the dyke and I enjoy - I was surprised that there are so many going kitesurfing and mountain bike After a few months in Ribe, he went international companies in a relatively riding. I have also just started taking back to Dublin where he baked sour- small town. We even have expat friends, lessons in jiu-jitsu, says Leon. dough bread for a Michelin-restaurant, before working at a bakery in Edinburgh, „I was surprised which delivered bread to the royal that there are so holiday residence. In 2010, he moved many internatio- back to Ribe to take an apprenticeship with Mikkel Hansen at Pompei. nal companies in a relatively small - The town already had one good bakery, town.“ so when I was fully trained, I decided to focus on something else: chocolate. Inspired by the restaurants I had worked for, where focus was always on fresh high-quality ingredients, I decided that this should be the hallmark of my chocolate, too, says Timothy, who therefore uses the world-famous Valrhona chocolate as a base together with local ingredients as taste-givers.

- We use, for example, honey from Rømø, Gråsten apples, berries from Vibegaard and beer from Ribe Bryghus. The things I cannot buy locally, I grow in my allotment garden. We also make

6 – EnergyMetropolis EnergyMetropolis – 7 Photo: Lars Gejl

Over the last few months, a wealth of new cafés and eating venues have opened in Esbjerg. EnergiMetropol brings you a selection. EXPLORE THE WADDEN SEA

The Wadden Sea National Park was declared a World Heritage NEW FOOD MECCA Site by UNESCO in 2014 and offers IN FAMILIAR SLIDERS af variety of fun, fascinating and SURROUNDINGS AND COCKTAILS educational experiences for both young and old. The new food mecca in the old main post The menu of the Industrien Rock Gastro office on Torvet covers an area of 2,000 Bar features sliders with ingredients such square metres, and hosts an authentic as locally-reared highland cattle, chicken American burger bar, a 'fine dining' or Indian potato steak. Miniburgers come restaurant and another serving dishes complete with a range of 'sides' and from all over the world. There's also snacks. Known locally simply as 'Industri- an intimate coffee bar, a modern night en', this is also the perfect place to enjoy club and an atmospheric roof terrace a freshly-made cocktail, whilst vinyl LPs where you can enjoy a glass of wine or on the gramophone provide atmospheric cup of coffee with a view over the town. background and intimacy. posthuset.dk industrien-rock-gastro-bar.thefork.rest A GROWING A GROWING FOOD SCENE

Read more on the next pages

HARBOUR FRONT WINES OF ORGANIC TAPAS THE WORLD COFFEE BAR

El Puerto, which means 'port' in The Portlands wine bar serves everything The Kaffesmeden coffee bar is the place Spanish, is where its name suggests, from tapas and snacks to smoothies, to go for organic coffee, tea, smoothies, and serves Spanish tapas at its best. juice and cocktails. And its wine menu beer and wine – and all carefully The range of hot and cold dishes can features an impressive range of red, selected for their quality and sustai- be shared at your table with a jug of white and sparkling wines from all over nability. And the sustainable theme is sangria – or you can order a picnic the world. Best known for its intimate, also reflected in the furnishings, with basket to go, and dine in the park or on laid-back atmosphere, Portlands also old school chairs, recycled windows and the beach. has a large outdoor courtyard. furniture made of old pallets. elpuerto.dk portlands.dk facebook.com/KaffesmedenEsbjerg

8 – EnergyMetropolis EnergyMetropolis – 9 Photo: Colin Seymour Photo: Thomas Skjold

Photo: The Wadden Sea National Park Photo: Lars Gejl

Photo: Adam Mørk Photo: The Wadden Sea Centre

THE INVISIBLE MUSEUM NATURE’S The bunker museum TIRPITZ, which was inaugurated in Blåvand earlier THE WADDEN DANCE this year, has transformed a historic WINDY German Second World War bunker into SEA IN THE PHENOMENON Through an innovative architectural complex FESTIVALS of concrete, steel and glass. The the eyes of museum’s design, by BIG Bjarne Ingels DARK Twice a year, thousands of starlings Group, makes the building merge into THE DELICA- The brisk west wind has made the wide dance in huge swarms in the night migratory birds the dune landscape; this is why TIRPITZ You can experience the life of the beaches of the Wadden Sea a popular sky outside Ribe, searching for their is also called ”the invisible museum”. CIES OF THE Wadden Sea in the dark about four excursion spot for kite enthusiasts of common roosting spots. Ribe is one You can experience both permanent and times a year, when the Wadden Sea all ages. On a windy day, you will quite of the only places in Scandinavia where At the Wadden Sea Centre in Ribe, temporary exhibitions about the Second Centre organises guided trips leading often see colourful kites fluttering in the you can experience flocks of dancing you can learn more about the Wadden World War and the West Coast’s history WADDEN SEA across the seabed in the middle of the sky. Each June and September, you may migratory birds. In autumn, they gather Sea and its many migratory birds. The in its four underground galleries – there night. Together with a nature guide you even see some of the world’s best kite in the marshland to fatten up on their centre reopened in February after a is for example a 4D-show every second At low tide in the Wadden Sea, you walk six to seven kilometres, wearing builders and fliers in action. Thousands way to their wintering grounds - and major renovation and expansion, which hour. At the same time, the museum has can collect oysters – one of the world’s rubber boots, at an easy pace from of kite fliers gather on Fanø and Rømø in spring, they turn up again on their doubled the size of its thatched building. one of Western Europe’s largest collections most exquisite delicacies – for free. Mandø to the mainland stopping and when the islands host their own kite way back. In the 1970s, this natural The many interactive exhibitions show of amber. From the new building you A good rule of thumb is that oysters listening on the way. Many wading birds festivals, both of which are among the phenomenon was named “black sun” the Wadden Sea through the eyes of can get into the old historic bunker via a can be collected in all months, which can orientate themselves in the dark biggest in Europe. Here, magnificent because these huge, black swarms migratory birds and you can gain know- tunnel, where shadow plays illustrate contain the letter “R” in their name. It and do not go to roost at sunset, as kites of all shapes and colours compete of birds sometimes can make the sun ledge of the surrounding landscape how life in the bunker would have been. is recommended to go with a guide who you might think. You might be lucky to to become the most beautiful and best appear black. Experiencing “black and the wildlife of the Wadden Sea in is familiar with the Wadden Sea and pass thousands of geese grazing on the kite. In addition to the fascinating sun” is best in the period from the end various rooms. For example, there is an who knows the best oyster beds. At the salt meadow or experience the natural kite-flying competitions, the festival of March until the beginning of April as installation where visitors can become same time, the guide can provide you phenomenon of bioluminescence, which programmes also offer lots of other well as in September and October. It is part of big flocks of migratory birds, Read more about this at tirpitz.dk with tips and tricks for their preparation makes the water and the jellyfish glow activities for the spectators. recommended to go out with a nature giving them the feeling of flying above – either on the beach or in the kitchen. in the dark. The nature guide finds their guide who knows about starlings and the Wadden Sea. At the same time, you In addition to guided oyster trips, a lot of way by means of GPS and uses a torch is familiar with their location. Typically, Read more about this at visitfanoe.dk can do experiments on wingspan and events are held during autumn, where you only if necessary. When the walk, lasting the experience will last one and a half to and romo.dk length, build sand dykes, learn about can learn more about this special food. about three to four hours, has ended, two hours from when the first starlings bird anatomy and food chains or do For example, the Oyster Trophy Week or the Wadden Sea Centre serves hot soup appear until the sun goes down. Many experiments on water and salt content Fanø Oyster Festival, both of which take before you drive home to bed a couple of other migratory birds find their way to in creative workshops. place in week 42 and offer everything hours past midnight. The next trips will the Wadden Sea area in autumn as well, from pop-up restaurants, food trucks be arranged for the summer of 2018. for example the Arctic geese, whose and food markets to champagne tasting dance in the sky is called “grey sun”. Read more about this at and lectures on oysters and their vadehavscentret.dk aphrodisiac effect. Read more about this at vadehavscentret.dk Read more about this at Read more about this at naturstyrelsen.dk vadehavsøsters.dk 10 – EnergyMetropolis and nationalparkvadehavet.dk EnergyMetropolis – 11 International educations

EDUCATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION ENERGYMETROPOLIS

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS University Esbjerg Danish National Academy Of Music Public schools Private schools 8 school areas, 25 locations 6 schools 16 PROGRAMMES WITHIN: 11 PROGRAMMES WITHIN: Natural sciences and technology Music, culture and history • Darum Børneby Esbjerg International School • 11 of them are international 11 of them are international • Auraskolen Esbjerg Realskole • • Bohrskolen Friskolen i Bramming • • Cosmosskolen Markusskolen • • Fortunaskolen Riberhus Privatskole • • Signaturskolen Skt. Nikolaj Skole • • Urbanskolen • Vadehavsskolen

University of Southern Denmark College of Marine and Technical Engineering Esbjerg 10 PROGRAMMES WITHIN: Sociology, economics and language 1 PROGRAMME WITHIN: Social sciences and health sciences Natural sciences and technology UPPER SECONDARY EDUCATION Natural sciences and technology 6 of them are international

Higher Technical Examination (HTX) Higher Commercial Examination (HHX)

• Rybners • Rybners • Ribe Handelsskole • Ribe Handelsskole

Higher Preparatory Examination (HF) Upper Secondary School Business Academy Southwest University College South Denmark Leaving Examination, 15 PROGRAMMES WITHIN: 11 PROGRAMMES WITHIN: • Esbjerg Gymnasium Sociology, economics and language (STX) Sociology, economics and language • Ribe Katedralskole Gymnasium Natural sciences and technology Natural sciences and technology • VUC Vest • Esbjerg Gymnasium / IB IT and electronics Pedagogy, social sciences and health sciences • Rybners 8 of them are international • Ribe Katedralskole

12 – EnergyMetropolis EnergyMetropolis – 13 their life. According to the headmaster, – “Engage” means that no matter To further support the students’ Esbjerg International School is the what you do, it only makes sense if you learning, the school has relatively few decisive factor when parents have are engaged. That is why we want the students per class: there are only 15 to decide whether their next career students to be engaged in everything students per class in lower primary and adventure should take place in Esbjerg: they do. This is ensured by having an average of 20 in upper primary and passionate teachers and by doing so- secondary school. In Year 1 there are – It is an important factor for companies called ”tuning-in activities”. This could two teachers in each class. attracting international employees, that be, for example, a question or a change the city has an international school with in their surroundings, that makes high quality teaching. My experience is the students wonder and ask further that schooling rates in the top two on questions. Teaching starts here. When the list of decisive factors, together with they are engaged, they learn better the quality of life you can get as a family and remember what they have been in Esbjerg and in Denmark in general. taught. Reflection comes after learning, About 80% It is a very secure and nice place to where you consider what you have been of the final-year live, says Jason Lusby, who settled in taught and how to use it. This three-step students from Esbjerg with his wife and two children process takes place daily and can be Esbjerg International four years ago after having taught at planned as a course of several weeks, School continue in various international schools around the says the headmaster about the learning the IB programme at world. method, which has one overall purpose: Esbjerg Gymnasium

Engage, learn, reflect – Our goal is to make the students active All 38 teachers at Esbjerg International members of the international com- School base their teaching on the munity, so they can help improving or three keywords: ”engage”, ”learn” and changing the things they are interested ”reflect”, which is the motto of the school. in, he explains.

IB certification on the way Esbjerg International School has until now followed the internationally recog- nised Cambridge system. But the school is about to change to the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL – This will make it easier for students who move to another IB school somewhere else in the world during WITH A DANISH INFLUENCE their education, because the teaching style, terminology, etc. will be the same. Likewise, transferring to the IB at upper secondary level, which is based on the same system, will be more natural, At Esbjerg International Ten minutes’ drive north of the centre All students have breaks at the same explains the headmaster, who expects School, teaching is of Esbjerg, Esbjerg International School time and they share the playground and that Esbjerg International School will be is located on the outskirts of the nice school yard, meaning that all students fully IB-certified within two years. founded on the motto town of Guldager, surrounded by fields. know the names of one another, which ”engage, learn, reflect” In nine years, the school has grown creates a strong sense of community, Parallel to the international ambitions, from 17 to 304 students. But there is explains headmaster Jason Lusby when the school has incorporated more for the purpose of still a warm and welcoming atmosphere talking about the atmosphere at the Danish elements into the school days, in making the students behind the red brick walls. Here, the school, which has students from 44 addition to Danish language teaching at students and teachers speak Danish and different nationalities. A and B level. active, global citizens English in the hallways and across all of the world. classes and ages. A decisive factor – We still have a Danish character. For About 55% of the students are children example, as a rule we go outside during – It is quite unique. Even though the of expats, who have moved to Esbjerg the breaks, even when it’s raining; school has grown a lot in recent years, for a job. The other 45% have at least we will not be stopped by this here in it is still a relatively small school one Danish parent, but in many cases Denmark, smiles Jason Lusby. compared to international standards. have lived abroad for some time during

14 – EnergyMetropolis EnergyMetropolis – 15 either in Esbjerg or somewhere else started an IB programme in 2015, had in the world, while another third to study in . The days were very PRACTICAL have at least one Danish parent and long, as he spent almost two hours on thus know about Denmark and the public transport each way. Studying INFORMATION Danish language. The last third have an the IB programme in Esbjerg gives me ABOUT THE IB INTERNATIONAL “ordinary” Danish schooling and family much more leisure time and time for background. homework, explains Asher, who moved to Denmark from South Africa together The International Bacca- Saving four hours of transport with his family in 2013 when his father, laureate (IB) is a two-year Asher David Japtha is one of the new who is an engineer, got a job at Maersk international upper secon- students in the IB programme at Oil in Esbjerg. Asher’s plans are to dary school education, which Esbjerg Gymnasium. He completed follow in his footsteps: BACCALAUREATE can be studied in more than his education at Esbjerg International 100 countries worldwide. HAS GAINED A FOOTHOLD School in June and he is now studying - I would like to study engineering. But English, mathematics and physics at A I don’t know whether I want to study in level. at IB1: Denmark or abroad, he says about his plans. In just two years, the International Baccalaureate - I am really happy to have the opportunity to study towards the IB In Denmark, the IB is at Esbjerg Gymnasium has achieved the success in Esbjerg. My older brother, who offered at 16 upper secon- criterion that were defined when it was established in dary schools. Students 2015. According to the school, the popularity is due to who choose to study the IB follow the ordinary General an increasing international environment in Esbjerg. Certificate of Secondary Education, starting at Pre- IB, which corresponds to the 1st year of the Danish STX education. When the International Baccalaureate - Ten years ago, we started talking about (IB) was introduced at Esbjerg Gym- the IB, but at that time we assessed that Students from Esbjerg nasium two years ago, 30 students it could not be economically sustainable. International School, undertook the Pre-IB. In 2017, 39 new But as Esbjerg has become more and which follows another students started the IB in Esbjerg. With more of an energy metropolis and educational structure, this, the development in the number of attracts increasing numbers of foreign can start directly in the students has followed the success cri- workers, a need for an international ed- IB programme. The IB at terion, as defined in the set-up of the IB ucation system has arisen, from having Esbjerg Gymnasium com- in 2015; the education is also therefore an international school to offering an IB bines elements from the now fully economically sustainable. programme and an English-language Danish and international university education. It gives a high educational structure, by - Our intermediate aim has been to degree of security to the foreign new- basing its education on get 35 students per year per age group comers, to know that their children can class lessons, but at the same time focusing on and this has now been achieved. If this go to an English-language school with activities across the years. development continues, we expect to an international system, enabling them In this way, the students achieve the final goal of 45-50 students to continue their education in another are exposed to elements per year per age group within a couple country, if relevant, she explains. from the Danish school of years, says Marianne Helms, who is culture during their school the deputy-principal and IB-coordinator 20 different nationalities days; including sport, for Esbjerg Gymnasium. Marianne Helms estimates that there music, drama, visual art, are around 20 different nationalities at cinematic art and cross fit. An increasing international the school and many of them come from environment Esbjerg International School:

According to Marianne Helms, the Asher David Japtha (top row in the reason why the education has already - Approximately a third of the students middle) with fellow students from the IB gained a strong foothold is the increasing have foreign parents and they come programme at Esbjerg Gymnasium. international environment in Esbjerg. from an international schooling system

16 – EnergyMetropolis EnergyMetropolis – 17 ELENA

‚‚It was a big surprise to find out that in Denmark you can “restart” your career and your work life with a new education, BACK also as an adult.“ TO SCHOOL When 37-year-old Elena Rulli and 41-year-old Ioana Nitu moved to Esbjerg from Italy and Romania, respectively, a few years ago, neither of them had imagined that they would start school again. But both women are now full-time students.

It is in the middle of the afternoon, I thought: why not try to apply? When area very much. At the same time, we - It was a big surprise to find out that in the same time, I have benefitted from Job in sight when Elena Rulli and Ioana Nitu enter the summer holiday was over, I got the impression that it was a place Denmark you can “restart” your career the Newcomer Service and their many When Ioana and Elena have completed a nice café in Esbjerg, where we meet happened to see that UC Syd (Universi- with lots of opportunities; the city has and your work life with a new education, social events, says Ioana, who has their studies in a few years, both of them for a cup of coffee. The two friends have ty College South Denmark) had vacant many industries and a dynamic business also as an adult. It is not possible in previously studied business manage- look to being part of the business come directly from their respective places. I applied for admission and life, says Elena, who planned to continue the same way in Italy, says Elena, ment in Romania. life and using their competencies: studies, where they spent the day having suddenly I was a student, says Ioana, her work as a freelance translator, while who now also got around 30 new, nice lectures and doing groupwork. Elena who moved to Esbjerg from Romania her husband got a job with Falck Safety classmates. She began her new life as a full-time - I hope to get a creative job within studies Marketing Management, while together with her husband and two Services. student in Esbjerg in September 2016 marketing and communication. Preferably Ioana studies towards a Bachelor in children in 2013, when her husband got Professional and social rewards and after three years at language school something, where I can use my cultural Administration, and both of them beam a job in the city. - The first couple of years after we The first months on unknown ground – she has chosen to study in Danish. and linguistic skills – and with some nice with joy when they talk about it. A few had moved, I worked from home as a far away from family and friends – were colleagues, says Elena, while Ioana dreams years ago, neither of them had imagined Towards new career adventures translator, like I had done in Rome. But I also difficult for Ioana. But it was not - I have about 20 hours of classes per of a job within public administration. that they would study again at the age of It was also the prospect of a new felt very lonely, even though it had never long before she made new friends. week and in addition to this, I spend a 37 and 41, respectively. career adventure, which made Elena been a problem previously. I missed lot of time studying. I am really happy and her husband move from Italy to social contact in my everyday life, - It was hard at the beginning, as I about it and I get a lot out of it – both - I had not at all considered it as an Esbjerg in 2014. explains Elena. did not know anyone. I was alone at socially and professionally. It gives me opportunity. In fact, I thought I was too home, while my husband was at work some unexpected opportunities, says old. But when I heard about others in - Some of our friends had moved to That is why she decided to seize the and the children were at school. But Ioana who, in addition to her studies, Esbjerg, who had started to study, even Esbjerg from Rome and they were very opportunity to change direction, when it when I started at Lærdansk language volunteers at Newcomer Service events, though they had children and family, happy. We visited them and liked the turned up: school, I became part of a network. At as time permits.

18 – EnergyMetropolis EnergyMetropolis – 19 EXPERIENCE THE ENERGY The best way to experience EnergyMetropolis Esbjerg is by taking 2018 part in events throughout the year. EVENTS

ESBJERG ENERGY VS BLUE FOX SWAN LAKE - MUSIKHUSET ESBJERG THRILLER LIVE - MUSIKHUSET ESBJERG 2 January 8 January 7 February

SHOWCASE - TOBAKKEN ART TOUR SOUTHWEST JUTLAND ESBJERG ROCK FESTIVAL 17 March 30 March – 1 April 2 June

NORTH SEA FUN RUN FANØ INT. KITE FLIERS MEETING THE TALL SHIP RACES 10 June 14 – 17 June 18 – 21 July

ESBJERG FESTIVAL WEEK OYSTER SAFARI CHRISTMAS IN RIBE 10 – 18 August October December

CONTACT Business Development Esbjerg T: +45 7512 3744 E: [email protected] www.EnergyMetropolis.com KIRK & HOLM & KIRK