Orientation for DFC new Fellows

Stephen Abban10/09-2011

Living in Denmark• Free country- people are helpful• Almost everything works; even if it looks old• People in Copenhagen most too fast – don’t

worry if your greetings are not responded to• Study the currency• Get use calling people by first names; without

titles• Just ask if in doubt• Do right thing at right time- people are not racist,

just principled (esp. with time)• Few words or sentences in Danish wont hurt

Living at DFC

• It mostly shielded community• Make most of the opportunities and facilities• Almost everything is here• If in doubt just ask• Others will talk more about activities

Transportation• Systems are probably the most efficient in

Europe• Get difference between one time tickets (validity

duration), clipcard, monthly card etc• Local and regional travel www.rejseplanen.dk

(plan your journey to the minute; trains and buses)

• Best means of moving around is by bicycle• Flights www.momondo.com (you have a

schengen visa so no need for too many visas)• Also cruises (DFDS); bus + ferries (e.g. to Berlin)• Cheap flight ahead booked ahead of time:

AirBerlin, CimberSteling, Norwegian airline

Clothing• Get one set of good cold weather clothing• Also underwear tights for the cold, and good

gloves• Prefer raincoat to umbrella because of wind• Fotex is Ok for most things; Bilka may be better

(at Fields); also H&M• Loppemarked can be good place to get some of

these• Check basement in block B for some used ones

Loppemarked (Flee market)• People dispose of things they don’t want to use

anymore• Some things are relatively new• You can bargin on the price• Located are different places in the city; mostly on

weekend• Everything- clothing, electronics, personal effects

etc• Please buy wisely; or you will fill your room with

junk

Food• General order : Netto, Fakta, Foetex, Kwickly

(Superbrugsen etc)• Don’t buy from Irma (mostly organic stuff- expensive).

Organic is expensive – look out for O sign.• Buy things from supermarket, not from convenience

store like 7eleven, kiosk unless necessary• Central station (Afghan shops) sell tropical and oriental

foods• For Ghanaians and others, also African House

(www.africanhouse.dk )• Take note of ‘PANT’ on bottles; you can get your

money back when you return it

Religion• All religions and faiths are tolerated• Danes have a Christian history; but current populace is

circular• Christians:

– Internation Christian Community (Interdenominational; www.getintouch.dk ; Ryesgade 68, 2100 KBH)

– International Harvest Church (www.ihcc.dk/ihcc2 )– Anglican – Saint Albans (www.st-albans.dk )– Catholic – Saint Ansgar (www.sanktansgar.dk )

• DFC Christian Fellowship – meet every two week for about 1 hour

• Muslim: www.islam.dk – Closest mosque is at H.C. Orstedsvej 29C, 1879 FRB C (mostly

Turkish)

News

• Use internet• Some local stations from home country

maybe available online• Copenhagen Post: Danish and international

news in English www.cphpost.dk (can be obtained for free in certain places)

Health• Basic medicines can be bought at Matas

(without prescription)• Your doctors name, phone number and

address is on your yellowcard; you have to call to book appointment (contact DFC office for help)

• You have to buy prescribed drugs yourself (pharmacy = Apotek). Contact counselor if you need help with cost

Studies

• System of study is different; relies more on understanding concepts and discussion

• You will not be expected to memorize much• Make good use of school facilities: printers,

copiers; library and electronic books (also for future use)

Lets take up other matters in the discussions. Or you can ask us or

the DFC office when in doubt

Thanks