ISM WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS FALL 2023

UNIQUE ISM EVENTS FOCUSING ON WELL-BEING, RESILIENCE, RE-SHAPING AND/OR RE-ASSESSING GOALS AND BELIEFS, AS WELL AS MENTAL SOUNDNESS!

Join us in-person for the fall of 2023 filled with resources, inspiration, and informative workshops with leading advocates in the respective fields!

This fall, International Staff Mobility (ISM) offers a series of popular, unique, and interactive onsite workshops and events focusing on:

  • Mental health and well-being
  • Communication and performance
  • Danish culture
  • Working smarter
  • Kids & family networking events

In these blended series of interactive workshops, we will dive deeper into the above topics providing you with inspiration as well as tips, tools and easy to use strategies that may support you in your daily life. Apart from enjoying a delightful lunch and meeting new acquaintances, these events will also have a career focus on giving you tips on career-related topics and cultural aspects in Denmark e.g. 

  • I need new ideas on how to enhance my job search! Where to start and how to take the first step?
  • How does my communication, both verbal and non-verbal affect my job opportunities?
  • Understanding the cultural differences you encounter, and how it affects your job search.

Each workshop will be conceptualised based on input from guest speakers, recruiters/headhunters, international spouses and expats. The workshops are interactive, solution oriented with individual tasks and provide hands on tools to apply in your professional as well as personal life. Feel free to join these informal and cosy events/workshops, where you will also get the opportunity to network with other like-minded professionals!

Please note that these workshops are for employees and spouses/partners of employees at UCPH. There are limited available free spots, so if you are interested in attending, it is on a first come, first served basis!

DECEMBER 2023

End of season celebration and tour of the University Square.

Date: December 14th
Time:
10.00-12.00
Location: 
Krystalgade 25, 1172 Copenhagen

Registration deadline 10th of December

Information about the Upcoming Events

DECEMBER

December 14th 10.00 - 12.00

University of Copenhagen

Krystalgade 25, 1172 Copenhagen 

Facilitator

Diana Lund Nordstrøm

End of season celebration and tour of the University Square

Join this Christmas themed event where Diana gives a tour of the historical University building in the University square - From the old Zoological museum to one of the oldest buildings still standing in Copenhagen, dating back to the 15th century. 

You will learn about the history of the buildings as well as being able to appreciate the beauty of them. 

After the tour we will create a bit of Danish julehygge for you - with hot cacao and æbleskiver (A Danish Christmas treat).

Registration deadline 10th of December

Please note that there are limited available free spots, so if you are interested in attending it is on a first-come, first-served basis

Past Events

SEPTEMBER

September 11th 9.00 - 12.30 (Including lunch)

University of Copenhagen

Krystalgade 25, 1172  Copenhagen 

Facilitator

Kathy Borys Siddiqui

Facilitator |Writer| Public Speaker

 

Ioana Lăzărescu

Facilitator and Communications expert

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL BEEING WORKSHOP

Your Life by Design: Approaches to Managing Stress

During this workshop we will deep dive into managing stress. We will assess work-related stress and raise awareness about taking proactive action to prevent or cope with stress. Together we will also recognize signs of stress as well as implement techniques and methods, developed by renowned psychologists and researchers, which can allow the participants to experience daily life with new energy and inspiration. Finally, we will discover how gratitude works based on research and neuroscience and what is the best way to practice it.

Together we will:

  • take a closer look at Stress hormones and Happy hormones
  • learn how to manage stress
  • investigate stress triggers
  • introduce tools to manage stress
  • discover the science behind gratitude

What will the participants gain:

  • knowledge regarding stress hormones and happy hormones
  • knowledge how to assess work-related stress and take proactive action
  • ability to implement techniques into daily life to experience more energy and
  • inspiration
  • insight to science based information about gratitude and what an optimal gratitude
  • practice is made up of

 

FACILITATORS

About Kathy Borys Siddiqui

Kathy has lived in 4 countries and on 2 continents. Growing up as an immigrant and a cross-cultural child she was able to discover a multicultural world that shaped her into the person she is today. As an adult she has experienced life as a repatriate as well as an expat and she is not a stranger to the challenges and opportunities that life abroad offers. After meeting her Danish husband, she moved to Denmark in 2008. Kathy holds MA’s in Cultural Studies and in American Studies. She has been able to combine her passion and profession as an Intercultural Trainer, owner of Active Action, public speaker, writer, and facilitator. Kathy specialises in Cultural Awareness and Transitions, Emotional Resilience and Well-Being, Personal Branding and LinkedIn Networking.

About Ioana Lăzărescu

Ioana is an international consultant who has spent more than a decade coaching top-level managers to be better communicators and presenters in the English language, and for the past three years she has been coaching the keynote speakers of conferences (in the Nordics as well as Southern Europe), consulting and coaching with the European Training Foundation (Italy). She is also a TEDx speaker coach. As a facilitator Ioana gives the participants an inside peek into the experience of being coached as a TEDx speaker. Ioana is a certified senior practitioner of neuromindfulness, from Neuromindfulness Institute - a concept that brings together the latest research in neuroscience and ancient mindfulness practices. 

SEPTEMBER

September 25th 9.30 - 13.00 (Including lunch)

University of Copenhagen

Krystalgade 25, 1172  Copenhagen 

Facilitator

Olivia Handberg Scott

Majbrit Kaas Dufour

Why unions and unemployment insurance (A-kasse) are celebrated in Denmark.

Have you heard Danes talk openly about being part of a Union, and wondered about it? Are you curious about why they are so popular and how it can benefit you to be part of a Union and an A-kasse?

A prerequisite to really understanding the Danish labour market is knowledge of unemployment insurance funds and unions. That is why we have invited representatives from a Danish Union (DJØF) and a Danish A-kasse (Akademikernes A-kasse) to come and teach you about these this.

In this workshop you will:

  • Get familiarized with the history and development of the Danish trade union model and culture, while also understanding the social, financial, legal, and political benefits of being part of the network and community that a trade union can provide you with.
  • Get familiarized with the Danish A-kasse system and Dagpenge system – learning more about how to insure yourself in terms of potential unemployment.
  • Get the opportunity to ask questions about the Danish system and how it affects you as an international in Denmark.

What you will gain:

  • Knowledge about what a trade union is, what the benefits there are from being a member of a trade union as an international in Denmark.
  • knowledge about the ideology and history behind trade unions in Denmark.
  • Know more about the famous “Danish Model” and Djøf´s contributions.
  • Know more about unemployment unions and Akademikernes A-kasses´s professional and financial offers.
  • Why and how a trade union and unemployment union compliment and support each other.

About the facilitators:

Olivia Handberg Scott

Olivia works as a senior business developer at Djøf in their commercial department, where she for four years has been working with attracting new members as well as a focusing on retention.

Olivia is now also spearheading an effort to create a greater awareness of the history, values, and benefits of trade unions in Denmark among international members.

Majbrit Kaas Dufour

Majbrit is specialized in political communication, and I have been working in Akademikernes A-kasse since 2012 and holds a Master degree in Culture, Communication and Globalization. She began her career with Akademikernes A-kasse as a board assistant, then in our insurance department and career counseling.

Today Majbrit is a recruitment manager and responsible for matching academics with exciting job opportunities in external companies. She is a key player in connecting academic talent with company needs, while also contributing to shaping Akademikernes A-kasse as experts in recruitment and the future job market. 

OCTOBER

October 2nd 9.00 - 12.30 (Including lunch)

University of Copenhagen

Krystalgade 25, 1172  Copenhagen 

Facilitator

Camille Lærke Lærkesen

 

Leverage Your Natural Strengths as An Introvert

As an expat you need to build an entirely new network in a new country on top of getting situated in a new country. If you are the type of person who prefer a small group of close friends and recharge your batteries alone, starting over in a new country might feel like a full-time job itself.

As a job seeker you often need to promote yourself and your work by drawing attention to your achievements. This feels draining to most introverts. Networking, fundraising, building relationships and seek out opportunities to promote yourself is often associated with extroverted qualities. And sometimes you might just wish to possess those skills.

In this workshop we dive into some of the classical extroverted disciplines and turn them around the great introvert advantages. Being a great networker is not about learning to become someone else. It is about shifting your approach to building relationships and promoting your work.

The goal for this workshop:

During this workshop you will learn about some of our basic personality structures and how to leverage them in your job search and social life.

  • Learn about the biology and neurology of introverts and extroverts from examples, cases and theory
  • Learn strategies to build and maintain a relevant network
  • Build lasting professional relationships
  • Build a (low maintenance) personal and professional brand
  • How to network as a job seeker

During the workshop we will discuss: 

  • Finding a new job – the introvert way
  • Strengths and challenges of being introverted
  • How to leverage your introverted qualities
  • How to secure your time and energy
  • How to enjoy the spotlight – even if you usually don’t

Facilitator: Camilla Lærke Lærkesen

Camilla Lærkesen is an introvert herself. She has been a voice in the public debate on introverts since 2014 and held her first workshop on networking as an introvert in 2016. She has trained leaders and academics in the art of networking the introvert way since. The workshops are created for introverts and their preferences which means it will feel “safe” to attend and the exercises are designed specifically for introvert participation.

OCTOBER

October 12th 9.00 - 15.30 (Including lunch)

&

October 13th 9.00 - 14.30 (including lunch)

University of Copenhagen

Krystalgade 25, 1172  Copenhagen 

Facilitator

Diana Lund Nordstrøm

Dual Career Consultant

CAREER WORKSHOP

LinkedIn workshop – How to set up your profile and how to get the most out of the platform when looking for a new job

Do you struggle with getting noticed by the right people on LinkedIn? Or do you find it difficult to make your LinkedIn profile relevant for the jobs you want to have?

In this two-day workshop we will dive deeper into how to set-up and use your LinkedIn profile in your job search and career development. We will look at have to make your profile relevant in terms of what you want to be working with in your next job.

After attending this workshop, you will:

  • Have a LinkedIn profile with focus on the jobs you are looking for based on your:
    • Pictures
    • Headline
    • About section
    • Experience
    • References
  • Have a strategy for:
    • How to be active on LinkedIn
    • How to create interesting posts
    • How to use the search feature most effectively

DAY ONE:

On the first day you will work on your profile and how to it up based on the job types and companies you would like to attract and work with.

DAY TWO:

On the second day we will start to build out strategies for how you can use the platform most effectively in your job search.

Please note that you must be able to attend both days for this workshop.

OCTOBER

October 26th 9.00 - 12.30 (Including lunch)

University of Copenhagen

Krystalgade 25, 1172 Copenhagen

 

Facilitator

Maria Fihl

 

Invitation to internationals: Experience a captivating journey into the heart of Danish culture and heritage!

What characterises Danish culture, traditions, history, and customs? Unlock the Secrets of Danish Culture by embracing the legacy of Kierkegaard, Grundtvig, and H.C. Andersen!

Are you curious about who is Søren Kierkegaard, N.F.S. Grundtvig, and Hans Christian Andersen? Would you like to know more about how they have shaped the essence of Danish culture? How do these important figures influence everyday life of the Danes today and why is it important to get acquainted with them?

Kierkegaard, Grundtvig, and H.C. Andersen are of immense importance to Danish society due to their significant contributions in various fields, which have left a lasting impact on the nation's culture, identity, and values.

Join us for a captivating and unique interactive workshop on Danish culture and deep dive into the profound impact of three legendary figures on the everyday life of the Danes. Discover their significant contributions that resonate with the Danes today.

Together we will:

  • Explore Søren Kierkegaard's, the prominent philosopher’s, thought-provoking philosophy that emphasizes individuality and self-reflection, influencing the way Danes perceive life's meaning and their role in the world.
  • Uncover the legacy of N.F.S. Grundtvig, a theologian, poet, and educator - the mastermind behind the Danish "Folkehøjskole" system, which promotes lifelong learning and community bonding, enriching the daily lives of the Danes.
  • Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales, which have become an inseparable part of Danish culture, instilling moral values and inspiring creativity in both young and old.

What you will gain:

  • Deep insights into Danish cultural heritage: Through this workshop, you'll gain profound insights into the Danish cultural heritage, with a special focus on the influences of Kierkegaard, Grundtvig, and H.C. Andersen. Discover how their ideas and works have left a lasting impact on the everyday life of the Danes, enriching their values, education, and national identity.
  • Interactive learning and questioning: This workshop is designed to be engaging and interactive. You'll have the unique opportunity to ask questions, seek clarifications, and engage in discussions with our knowledgeable facilitator. Whether you're curious about specific aspects of Danish culture or want to explore the teachings of these iconic figures further, we're here to foster a dynamic learning environment.
  • Broaden your understanding: Immerse yourself in a learning experience that goes beyond surface-level knowledge and deepening your understanding of the cultural nuances that make Denmark so captivating.

Don't miss out on this enriching opportunity to network and expand your horizons and celebrate the enduring influence of Kierkegaard, Grundtvig, and H.C. Andersen on Danish culture. Register now and join us for an unforgettable journey into the heart of Denmark's cultural heritage. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with Danish culture on a deeper level!

As the session draws to a close, we'll gather around for a delightful lunch, providing a perfect opportunity to carry on our discussions!

Facilitator

Meet Maria Fihl, an inspiring individual with a diverse and international background.

Maria is a pastor in the Danish National Church, serving as the pastor for the international English-speaking community known as Folkekirken for Internationals.
Maria's career journey is truly unique. Before she became a priest Maria embarked on a career as a diplomat, representing the European Union, United Nations, and various NGOs across the globe. Specialising in post-war situations and conflicts, Maria delved into the complexities of rebuilding countries torn apart by the worst atrocities of humanity. Her mission was to determine the best path forward, shaping laws, institutions, and culture to create inclusive and welcoming environments for all citizens. Collaborating with governments, parliaments, lawmakers, NGOs, academia, refugee groups, and diplomats, Maria sought institutional solutions to tough questions, aiming to foster harmonious societies.
While living abroad Maria raised two children, who are studying in Denmark today, and lived in an international relationship. Adjustments and always being aware of your own culture, and how best to fit in, has been a pre-requisite all along.

November

November 9th 9.00 - 12.30 (Including lunch)

University of Copenhagen

Krystalgade 25, 1172 Copenhagen 

Facilitators

Maria Skjærven

ChatGPT

 

Expand your Toolkit with ChatGPT

Welcome to a session focused on using ChatGPT for job seeking.

In this workshop, we demystify artificial intelligence, especially ChatGPT, and provide you with practical experience in applying the technology. You will discover that ChatGPT is a tool with vast opportunities, but also clear limitations.

In today's competitive job market, it can be helpful to harness the power of technology to stand out and achieve your professional goals. During this workshop, we'll explore how ChatGPT can assist you in your job-seeking journey.

Join this workshop to gain insights into:

  • Leveraging ChatGPT for networking and job-seeking.
  • Tailoring your job-seeking strategies with the assistance of ChatGPT.
  • Understanding the benefits and limitations of using ChatGPT for Job seeking.

Content:

This interactive workshop will empower you with knowledge on effectively employing ChatGPT as a valuable tool in your job-seeking journey. We will explore various methods to leverage ChatGPT when searching for jobs and preparing for interviews. Topics covered include:

  • Crafting impressive resumes and compelling cover letters with ChatGPT's assistance.
  • Creating attention-grabbing headlines and using effective phrases.
  • Utilizing ChatGPT for interview preparation.
  • Harnessing ChatGPT's capabilities for job searches.
  • Tapping into ChatGPT's suggestions for connecting with professionals, expanding your network, and crafting personalized networking messages.

Participants and Expectations:

  • This workshop is centered on harnessing ChatGPT as a job-seeking resource. To enhance your learning experience, it is advisable to have a ChatGPT account, and don't worry, it's free!
  • Please bring your laptop, as we will engage in practical exercises during the session.
  • Armed with this knowledge, you'll be well-prepared to integrate artificial intelligence into your job-seeking journey, your future role, and your personal growth.

About the facilitator, Maria Skjærven:

For over 20 years, Maria Skjærven has been a staple in the IT industry, having held positions in both large and smaller companies. Her professional journey spans a wide spectrum - from programming to Scrum Master roles and subsequently serving as the Development Director for a major Online department in a prominent Danish company. Over the past 7 years, Maria has taken the helm as the IT Director in a mid-sized Danish firm.

More recently, Maria has pioneered her own enterprise, FutureScouts. At its core, it is a community of tech enthusiasts who collaboratively explore and familiarize themselves with the emerging Generative AI tools.

Maria is deeply passionate about maintaining equilibrium when deploying technology. She advocates that we shouldn’t be so dazzled by its allure that we lose sight of the wellsprings of our creativity and the ways we connect with nature, our inner selves, and our fellow humans.

Maria has explored a concept she dubs the "10th Intelligence." This concept underscores the vital competencies that we should nurture in these times. While many emphasize the importance of learning 'Prompting' - mainly focused on posing the right queries to an AI - the 10th Intelligence encompasses much more, including ethical and legal considerations and the entire gamut of critical thinking we need to deploy.

November

November 24th 9.00 - 12.30 (Including lunch)

University of Copenhagen

Krystalgade 25, 1172 Copenhagen 

Facilitator

Birgitte Dam Jensen

 

How to speak so people listen

This workshop covers Body Language as the unspoken or non-verbal mode of communication that we perform in every aspect of our interaction with others. It affects us all on a daily basis. Everything we do, from walking, talking, sitting, standing, gestures, and mannerisms creates a perception in others of what our intention is – and who we are.

This workshop will unravel the mysteries behind body language and provide you with a deeper understanding of how to use your body language to connect and communicate clearly and convincingly.

We will look at:

  • How does body language affect us?
  • Why is it such an important part of connecting and communicating?
  • How does body language affect our perception of one another?
  • Do´s and don'ts; what to do to strengthen the perception others get of you and your communication?

You will gain:

  • A deeper understanding of the impact and perception of body language
  • Concrete advice and tools for strengthening your body language when you want to connect and communicate
Practical training - and a bit of personal feedback

Facilitator:

Birgitte Dam Jensen has been teaching and coaching in body language and presentation skills for more than 20 years. She is educated as an actress and has been working as a stage director and drama teacher at the Acting School of Odense. She has been a personal advisor to the former Danish Prime Minster, Helle Thorning Schmidt, and has been teaching and training personnel in The Danish Defense in BSA (Body Signal Analysis).

DECEMBER

December 4th 9.00 - 12.30 (Including lunch)

University of Copenhagen

Krystalgade 25, 1172 Copenhagen 

Facilitators

Signe Lange from Studievalg Danmark

 &

Eva Raimondos-Møller from The University of Copenhagen

 

Study in Denmark: Exploring international education options and pathways.

Target audience UCPH spouses and partners.

During this workshop we will explore the Danish Academic Education system from an international perspective, covering full-time education, part-time education, and shorter courses. We will take a close look at the options in Education Programs taught in English as well as in Danish and discuss the pros and cons of the different options. We will also discuss and reflect on the way education and other factors can affect a career path - in Denmark and in general. We will also investigate the application process and deadlines if you are considering applying for an education program, e.g., a bachelor’s program. We will give you an insight into the 50+ master's programs offered in English at KU, and show you examples of how better to understand the admission requirements – basically how to “read” the website.

Together we will:

  • Explore the different types of education programs in Denmark
  • Reflect on how education and other factors have affected and will affect our career paths
  • Investigate the English taught programs as well as the Danish taught options

What will the participants gain:

  • Knowledge regarding various academic education options in Denmark
  • Knowledge about what you need to be aware of as an international applicant
  • New ideas for education options
  • Insight into the effect education can have on your career path, alongside other life factors
  • Information about where to seek further guidance
  • Knowledge about valuable websites for more research

About Signe Lange

Signe is a Study and Career Counsellor with a long background in teaching and counselling in an international environment. Signe holds a degree in Danish and Philosophy from Roskilde University and a diploma in career counselling and has spent 15 years as a teacher and a guidance counsellor at different language schools in Copenhagen, alongside various consultancy work for the Danish Agency for Recruitment and Integration (SIRI). Signe has been with Studievalg since 2021, and she has a strong interest in guidance counselling for the international applicants seeking guidance at Studievalg.

About Studievalg

Studievalg Danmark is a nationwide public guidance institution, and part of the Ministry of Higher Education and Science. Studievalg provides guidance to adults and young people about the choice of higher and vocational education in Denmark and prospective career opportunities. The guidance offered is free of charge and and independent of sectional interests.

About Eva Raimondos-Møller

Eva works at the International Office at KU. For more than 10 years she has been coordinator for topics related to international full-degree students at KU, and in this capacity she has worked with recruitment, career preparation projects and wellbeing. Eva holds am MSc in Political Science from Aarhus University and an MA in Western European Politics from The University of Essex. Eva has been on extensive stays abroad as the spouse of a university professor, and has personal experience with some of the issues that face the ”accompanying partner”. Eva used to be a credential evaluator at The Ministry of Higher Education and Science, and thus she has extensive knowledge of many educational systems around the world.