First up. Let’s address the elephant in the room.
I wrote (with a twinkle in my eye) a book called ‘Nothing Like a Dane’ . And just like the Danish sense of humour, it can be difficult for some to work out what that means.
But here’s my jam. I live with a Dane and have created a Dane (she’s 8 years old now). I’ve been jumping through immigration and integration hoops since 2016. I have a vested interest in living my best life in Denmark. I’m here for a long time, not just a good time.
But, life is not always ‘hygge & pastries’. And that’s what makes ‘Nothing Like a Dane’ different. Sharing the ups and downs (with lashings of humour) of my first year or so living in Denmark.
Citizen of New Zealand and resident of Denmark I've been navigating the reality of becoming a foreigner (although I prefer the label ‘international’) since 2016. Working out the secret of living with Danes when you’re nothing like one.
You’ll enjoy my writing & thoughts if:
you’ve ever had to find your place in a new land
you live with a Dane or someone of another nationality
you’re new to Denmark or have a connection to Denmark
you appreciate a dose of humour
Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram , Facebook or send me an email.
“A witty, unvarnished take on life in Denmark”
Work with Keri
are you a danish organisation with international colleagues?
‘What if we shared the reality of life in Denmark as an international with our Danish colleagues? Do they really know how confusing it can be living amongst Danes when you are nothing like a Dane? Could you retain your international colleagues for longer, if locals understood what it was like to walk in their shoes? If only for a day?
This presentation is your starting point to begin raising awareness within your organisation (for both Danes and Internationals) that “We all think we’re normal until we live in another country”.
Keri is also available for book talks and book clubs.
nothing like a dane - the book
‘Nothing Like a Dane’ has been described as ‘a book that hasn’t been written before’ sharing the honest and at times ‘laugh out loud’ reality of moving to the ‘land of hygge’. Ideal for:
an on-boarding gift for new employees in Denmark (has been described as “A manual for Denmark and should be given out at the airport to all new arrivals!”)
employees of international companies in Denmark to build greater understanding of the reality of living in Denmark as a foreigner
your next long weekend read
a ‘Welcome to Denmark’ gift for friends or family
book club selection
speaking & writing
With trademark humour (also known as ‘a twinkle in the eye’) Keri is available for speaking and writing commissions on all things Denmark and the reality of integrating.
If her keynote presentations (We all think we’re normal until we live in another country) and (A real-life search for hygge) doesn’t quite fit your group's specific needs, then send me a message and we can create one that does.
Clients include:
The Danish concept of hygge is a wonderful thing. Even if most fail miserably when they try to pronounce or explain its true essence. Unless you’re a Viking of course.
As Keri stood in the departure lounge of Auckland International Airport with her four-month-old baby, searching for her flight on the board, hygge wasn’t on her radar. In hindsight she agrees it probably should have been.
But she’d never imagined a chance encounter with a Dane in a crowded bar in her home city of Wellington would lead her here, a mother, about to circle the globe, with no knowledge of when she'd return home.
“Nothing Like a Dane is a truly accurate depiction of the first year living in Denmark. A must-read for anyone planning on moving to the country, anyone who has moved to Denmark, and even for Danes to see the other side of a foreigner's experience.”
— Jara
The Bilingual Backpack Baby Blog
I shared my early adventures in Denmark on my Bilingual Backpack Baby blog. The blog is now retired, but you can still find all of my articles there. Designed to help internationals learn the importance of layering your rye bread correctly (trust me, it’s important) or help with the art of sitting at dining room table for 6 hours (it happens more often than you think).
Follow my adventures on Instagram
