AIESEC Interns Expatriating To and From Denmark Heather Wallerson, Expatriate Management Consultant 19 April 2009 Heather Wallerson Expatriate Management Consultant 19 April 2009

To recognize the diversity of experience and culture we have brought in this room…and to leverage it. To open the space for sharing the experiences we have had in the Danish cultural environment for the benefit of the Interns and EPs. Mutual Learning

To recognize the diversity of experience and culture we have brought in this room…and to leverage it.

To open the space for sharing the experiences we have had in the Danish cultural environment for the benefit of the Interns and EPs.

Mutual Learning

Who are we? Brief Introduction to the Danish Business Environment Experience and Knowledge Sharing How has the cultural environment shocked you? What potential does it have to challenge you?

Who are we?

Brief Introduction to the Danish Business Environment

Experience and Knowledge Sharing

How has the cultural environment shocked you?

What potential does it have to challenge you?

I am: Guyanese-American: First generation BSBA from Georgetown University Cand. Merc. from Copenhagen Business School Expatriate Management Consultant You are: Nationality EP or Trainee Previous international study and work experience Length of time lived in Denmark What would you like to get out of this discussion?

I am:

Guyanese-American: First generation

BSBA from Georgetown University

Cand. Merc. from Copenhagen Business School

Expatriate Management Consultant

You are:

Nationality

EP or Trainee

Previous international study and work experience

Length of time lived in Denmark

What would you like to get out of this discussion?

Danes do not mix their work and personal lives Language: First and foremost, Danish – with English as a close second Danes speak directly Unpretentiousness goes a long way Consensus- and discussion-based decision making Punctuality Informality

Danes do not mix their work and personal lives

Language: First and foremost, Danish – with English as a close second

Danes speak directly

Unpretentiousness goes a long way

Consensus- and discussion-based decision making

Punctuality

Informality

~~~Making sense of it all~~~ before departure after departure Feeling at home abroad Approx. 0- 6 weeks 12 weeks 40 weeks + - 5% 10% 50% 35%

“ Visiting the Albatrosians” exercise Danish work and business culture Specific experiences/instances you would like to share The cultural aspects of your AIESEC experience thus far Concerns about the cultural environment your AIESEC internship will be in Questions??

“ Visiting the Albatrosians” exercise

Danish work and business culture

Specific experiences/instances you would like to share

The cultural aspects of your AIESEC experience thus far

Concerns about the cultural environment your AIESEC internship will be in

Questions??

We are all influenced by our cultural contexts, upbringing, education and values. Dealing with culture shock Seek out a Mentor Seek out a Buddy Working abroad is challenging and rewarding – allow it to change you

We are all influenced by our cultural contexts, upbringing, education and values.

Dealing with culture shock

Seek out a Mentor

Seek out a Buddy

Working abroad is challenging and rewarding – allow it to change you