#TheForgottenGold movement
- The International
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
This month, Aamna gives an overview on Denmark’s overlooked skilled internationals, as part of our #TheForgottenGold Movement, she amplifies their voices as she shares their stories.
Photographs: Various
Text: Aamna Tauheed
The future of internationals has once again become a hot topic in Denmark. The new amendments to the rules for foreigners by the Danish Ministry of Immigration and Integration have caused uncertainty and ambiguity among those living in the country. Adding to this problem are layoffs and redundancies occurring across both national and international companies, affecting many international employees.
The highly competitive Danish labour market makes it very challenging for international talent to establish themselves and find career success. They are skilled and have substantial work experience, yet they often remain invisible in the Danish job market. According to a 2018 report by Dansk Industri, Denmark ranks near the bottom among 68 countries that are difficult for internationals to settle in. Despite the outward promotion of cultural diversity, the lack of inclusivity and limited job opportunities have made Denmark a “difficult country for internationals” to live and succeed professionally.
Considering the country's current mood, this month, The International has once again chosen to raise a more impactful voice for skilled internationals through #TheForgottenGold movement. Talented internationals are the faces of this movement, and their stories reveal patterns of systemic exclusion in the job market, financial and social barriers, and the tight approach of both government and companies that leads many to consider leaving the country, which is known for its “hyggeligt” (warm and cosy) nature.
Denmark: a new home for struggling professionals
Many internationals, who moved to Denmark with hopes of starting a new life and building careers, have been struggling for years to find professional opportunities in the Danish job market. Despite learning the local language and making significant efforts to integrate into Danish society, most remain unemployed and feel isolated.
Jen Jul is an artificial intelligence generalist with a Master of Business Administration (MBA). A native American, she has lived in Denmark for nine years and has been struggling to succeed professionally. Despite her education and decades of professional experience in the business sector, she has been unable to secure a job in Denmark related to her field.
“I did everything right, from learning Danish to adopting a new culture, but Denmark still refuses to accept me. Multilingual, educated and skilled people like me have given everything to this country but received nothing except cold shoulders and closed doors. We don’t fit into the Danish boxes because we differ from the imaginary picture companies created for their next hire.”
Initially, she believed that finding a job in Denmark as an international required more effort and patience than in her home country. However, months later, her mailbox told a different story.
Jen shared her story for #TheForgottenGold movement in the July edition of The International. She also explained why she believes the term, “The Forgotten Gold,” fits for skilled internationals who silently carry the weight of invisibility in the Danish environment. For this movement, she said, “#TheForgottenGold movement is more than a hashtag on digital media. It’s a voice that demands better hiring practices, integration policies, and greater awareness of the challenges that international talent living in Denmark faces.”
The voice of an overlooked cultural analyst from Italy
Giada Oliva`s journey as an expat from Italy in Denmark mirrors Jen's. She is a cultural analyst and researcher who moved to Denmark to study and develop her career after finishing her education. After earning a degree in Applied Cultural Analysis from the University of Copenhagen, she expected to join Denmark’s renowned innovation sector. Instead, she found herself cleaning tables and serving coffee in a café to make ends meet.
Her story is similar to that of many international students who come to study at Danish universities, eager to build successful careers here. Sadly, most end up stuck working in hospitality after graduation, due to the challenges of navigating a highly competitive job market. The recruitment system often fails to recognise their potential and skills, leaving them feeling ignored and unwelcome by companies.
Despite her dedication and efforts to find a job in the Danish job market, Giada feels isolated and unable to progress professionally: “Sometimes, I feel exhausted and struggle to sustain my motivation in Denmark, which I consider a land of opportunities. You never know whether you’ll get a job tomorrow or next year.”
The tight-fisted approach of the Danish job market and government
In the Danish job market, finding an opportunity and securing a job that matches your skills is more difficult for internationals. Many feel trapped in a cycle of hope and rejection, which takes a mental toll and leads to isolation in a country that values hygge (cosiness) and inclusivity.
Aasavari Joshi, the subject of October’s #TheForgottenGold article, is a human resource consultant with a master’s degree in Global Development. She shared insights on her professional challenges in Denmark:
“The frustration of not hearing back, being ghosted by companies, and waiting to be in the right place at the right time takes away the motivation I came to Copenhagen with. If the 'right time' still hasn’t arrived after over a thousand applications and 150 coffee meetings, maybe it is time to consider the problems in the system. They have closed their doors and washed their hands of internationals.”
Tanmay Singh Madan is an account executive and has a master’s degree in Creative Business Processes. “After three months, I was laid off due to restructuring in the company, and that decision affected my legal status. I have two months to find a job related to my profession. After spending eleven years and mastering the local language, I am still temporary for Denmark,” said Tanmay while sharing his story as one of the “Forgotten Gold” and discussing the impact of immigration rules on internationals.
Aside from professional challenges, the threat of the “temporary visa status” is another threat hanging over many internationals. Along with financial, professional, and social struggles, the tight grip of immigration rules for internationals is another hurdle in achieving the dream of a life in Denmark.
Tanmay and Aasavari's stories highlight the harsh paradox faced by internationals who spend years in Denmark trying their best to add value to Danish society and the job market, yet remain outsiders in the eyes of the government, the social system and the professional sphere.
The systemic gap: big talk, little action
While Denmark promotes diversity and inclusivity, it gives the impression of a country that values internationals but still struggles to provide systemic support for them. Companies that clearly state in their policies that they value talent regardless of gender, region, or ethnicity still close their doors to international talent. These consistent patterns in the practices of both the government and companies in Denmark suggest that integration and cultural diversity are often just talk. The reality, however, is different, which is why many talented internationals consider leaving Denmark due to a lack of opportunities there. On the other hand, new policy developments set by the Danish Ministry of Immigration and Integration also indicate the ministry's future intentions toward foreigners.
#TheForgottenGold movement by The International represents the voice of all internationals who came to Denmark with hopes of contributing and adding value to society. Don’t let internationals feel neglected; treat them as “partners” rather than “outsiders”. Systemic and social support gives the international talent the courage to thrive socially and professionally; otherwise, retaining them in the country will be one of Denmark's biggest challenges in the future.
Interviewees and their professional profiles
Jen Jul is looking for a job in the business sector
Giada Oliva is looking for an entry-level job in the research sector
Aasavari Joshi is looking for a job in human resources in the corporate sector
