Are you a new international mom who feels like you're struggling to navigate a new country? Have you heard these myths about motherhood in a foreign land: It's easy to make friends, You'll adapt quickly, and Your home country's way of parenting is the right way? Well, I have some news for you. Keri Bloomfield, the author of Nothing Like A Dane, has been through it all and is here to share the truth about what it's really like to be a new mom in a foreign country.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Overcome the challenges faced by expats during integration in Denmark.

• Discover the significance of building connections as a newcomer in a foreign land.

• Master job hunting and forming professional relationships as an expat in Denmark.

• Embrace the positives and navigate the difficulties of adjusting to a new culture.

• Redefine yourself and thrive in unfamiliar surroundings as an expat.

My special guest is Keri

Meet Keri Bloomfield, a talented writer hailing from New Zealand who found her true calling after relocating to Denmark with her family. With a strong background in event management and people management, Keri had to adapt to a new environment and language before finding her niche in writing. She started her blog, Bilingual Backpack Baby, where she shared her experiences as a new mom living abroad. This experience inspired Keri to write "Nothing Like A Dane," an honest and humorous account of her journey in a new country. Keri's story serves as a support system for new international moms, offering insights and connection in a relatable way.

The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:07 - Introduction,

00:02:18 - Career transition,

00:04:11 - Challenges of finding work as an international,

00:09:21 - Writing a book and being authentic,

00:12:43 - Real-life experiences,

00:14:31 - Nudity in Denmark vs. other countries,

00:18:34 - Marketing and accountability strategies for publishing a book,

00:22:03 - Writing challenges and lessons learned,

00:26:00 - Leveraging support and authenticity,

00:28:47 - Reinventing Yourself in a New Country,

00:30:17 - Becoming an Author in a New Country,

00:32:31 - Change in Behaviors After Living in a New Country,

00:36:12 - Finding Your Place in a New Country,

00:42:48 - Integration in a New Country,

00:43:37 - Challenges for Foreigners in Denmark,

00:45:41 - Tips for Feeling Lost in a New Country,

00:51:06 - Integrating into Danish Culture,

00:54:27 - Where to Get Keri's Book,

00:57:21 - Places to Take Kids in Denmark and New Zealand,

00:58:57 - Finding Community as a Parent in Denmark,

01:00:26 - Coping with Challenges of Living Abroad,

01:01:17 - The Power of Reinvention in a New Country,

01:02:47 - Writing a Book About Life as an International Parent in Denmark,

01:04:26 - Embracing the Challenges and AHA Moments of Raising Children in Denmark,

Keri Bloomfield, experienced expat mother living in Denmark

If you're feeling overwhelmed and insecure about your parenting decisions due to cultural differences, despite seeking advice and guidance, then you are not alone!

Keri Bloomfield shares her personal experience on moving to Denmark and adapting to life abroad

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Embrace the unique journey of parenting in a foreign land, uncovering its challenges and rewards.

• Appreciate various cultural perspectives, highlighting the significance of open-mindedness and respect.

• Discover effective strategies for integrating into a new community and building a supportive network.

• Overcome linguistic hurdles by identifying suitable language programs and tackling language learning difficulties.

• Cultivate an attitude of self-compassion, nurturing patience and kindness towards oneself during the adaptation process.

This episode is a sequel to the earlier episode Thriving Abroad: Maria Madsen's Journey to Making Denmark Home  This episode is an epic adventure! Maria Madsen not only switched careers, but she did it all while in a foreign land. Maria took her skills and transformed them into a thriving toy business. And get this - she learned those skills when she was just a wee lass!

In this episode, you will learn

Join us as we hear about Maria's awe-inspiring journey of starting up her business in Denmark. We'll hear all about how she sought advice, scrounged up funding, and summoned the courage to dive headfirst into entrepreneurship in a completely new and unfamiliar environment.

This is a story you won't want to miss, folks!

Part 1 of Maria Madsen's Story in Denmark

In this episode, we dive into the inspiring story of Maria Madsen, who faced numerous challenges upon moving to Denmark. From language barriers to cultural differences, Maria initially found it difficult to integrate into Danish society. However, with the support of other internationals, Maria found her footing and made Denmark her home.

Tune in as Maria shares her experience of navigating work and motherhood in Denmark, and how she overcame the obstacles that stood in her way. If you're an international living in a foreign country or just curious about how to adapt to a new culture, you won't want to miss this episode!

Maria's information:

Her website: https://www.landermadsen.dk/

Her business: www.421north.com

Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/at/shop/421North

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/421north

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/421north_studio/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.dk/421north/

Episode 3 Part 2: Continue Jades Interview

If you want to get inspired to start a business abroad, listen to Jade’s Part 2 interview on her journey of creating a specialty business around Filipino food in Denmark. Jade opens up and shares how she started buying some test items in Germany and reselling them in Germany. Listen to her story on starting a business in Denmark.

If you missed Part 1 of Jades’s interview, Part 1 is about funny culture shocks and how to integrate and raise international kids in Denmark. Don’t miss Episode 2, Part 1 of Jades Interview.  

Episode 2 Part 1:

Founder and Owner of Pagkain.dk - Jade Birn will share her story and journey on moving to Denmark from the Philippines. We discuss having kids in Denmark and compare it to her experience in the Phillippines.

From the danish language, adapting to the culture, and making friends in Denmark.

Listen, Laugh, and Enjoy our journey in Denmark.

Episode Highlights:

• Giving Birth in Denmark

• Medications in Denmark

• Raising bilingual kids

• Preparing kids to move to Denmark

• Multi-language family

I'm Back!

We're now on Season 3 and super excited to be back.

Episode Highlights:

02:02 - Why I went MIA for a couple of months

05:15 - My Danish school journey

08:30 - How I'm spending my holidays this year

15:58 - What to expect this Season 3

More about your host!

I’m Jackie, your Podcast Host and American - Filipina Mom of two wonderful little kids, who’s been living in Denmark with her family for the past seven years. Born in Manila, Philippines and I moved to California, US when I was five years old. Although today I treat the US as my homeland, I remember until this day, what a cultural shock the whole “moving into a new country” was for me. Especially that my mom was giving me rice meals for lunch to school, while all the other kids were having peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I couldn’t understand why they were eating so differently and they couldn’t understand my “rice thingy” either.

Let's connect!

Instagram > [https://www.instagram.com/mykidsthinkimcoolbut/]

Facebook > [https://www.facebook.com/mykidsthinkimcoolbut]

Pinterest > [https://www.pinterest.dk/mykidsthinkimcoolbut/_saved/]

Youtube > [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHr2hy55QKrvuRWQzSTU7aw]

LinkedIn > [https://www.linkedin.com/company/my-kids-think-i-m-cool-but/]

Thank you for tuning in! 

Please don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave us review on Apple Podcast, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and other podcast platforms available to you. 

“You just have to start doing it. It’s better to start small rather than not doing it at all.”

Living in a foreign country is a challenge especially when it comes to language and communicating with the locals. But today’s guest is an example of how she was able to get out of her comfort zone and manage to handle life as an international and built her face painting business.

We are joined today by Victoria Dalgaard, Founder of a very creative face painting business here in Denmark where she shared her journey and how she was able to conquer her fears and built a business that she truly loves.

Episode Highlights

04:05  - Parenting differences in Austria and Denmark 

08:09  - Victoria’s life and career before moving to Denmark

10:29 - Biggest Obstacle living in Denmark.

14:25 - How did Victoria came up with face painting business

26:20 - Her first ever client

32:57 - Her biggest inspiration and motivation as an entrepreneur
34:19 - The one thing she knew that she wish she know when she started her business

39:43 - Actionable tips to get out of your comfort zone

About Victoria Dalgaard

Victoria is the creative mind and artist behind "Happyfaces". She’s a professional face painter and loves to make parties more colorful and bring a smile to children's faces. 

Victoria was born and raised in Austria and moved to Denmark 10 years ago. She speaks fluent Danish and English. This sometimes leads to some funny conversations with children.

As a trained primary school teacher, she always loved painting and being creative. At an event she attended a few years ago, there was a face painter and it sparked something in her. After this experience she became intent on learning all about face painting. Started as a hobby finding comfort in painting and has now become her passion and livelihood.

You can also connect with her and follow her journey via Instagram @happyfacesdk (https://www.instagram.com/happyfacesdk/?hl=da) and Facebook @happyfaces (https://www.facebook.com/happyfacesdk)

More about your host!

I’m Jackie, your Podcast Host and American - Filipina Mom of two wonderful little kids, who’s been living in Denmark with her family for the past seven years. Born in Manila, Philippines and I moved to California, US when I was five years old. Although today I treat the US as my homeland, I remember until this day, what a