Trapped between degrees and closed doors: #TheForgottenGold story

This issue, Aamna Tauheed spoke with Aasavari Joshi, an international graduate who moved to Denmark for four years. She is one of many internationals whose stories make up #TheForgottenGold.

Photographs: Aasavari Joshi

Text: Aamna Tauheed

“It all started with a movie, The Danish Girl, but it wasn't the protagonist or the storyline that captivated me; it was the beauty of the Nyhavn buildings and the harbour in the background, and I wanted to build my life in Denmark since that moment. However, I never realised how challenging navigating a professional career would be in Denmark as a foreigner," says Aasavari Joshi, an international graduate who moved to Denmark four years ago.

Aasavari came to Denmark as a student to pursue a Master's in Global Development at the University of Copenhagen. She was one of only 30 successful applicants admitted to the programme out of 800, and the sole Indian student in her class that year.

Aasavari`s motivation to move was not limited to the film she watched; she was also attracted to Denmark`s reputation as a leader in sustainability, innovation, and climate change: “These are issues I deeply care about. I did some thorough research before applying to this programme, and I saw Denmark as an ideal place to study sustainability and migration. I was fascinated by how the Danes integrate sustainability into their everyday lives - from cycling to waste management and their approach to energy - and I wanted to learn from and implement their practices myself.”

Denmark’s climate policy is one of many attractive qualities that foreigners read about in travel blogs and hear on the news, alongside innovations, culture, and a great work-life balance. However, a challenge lies in finding an opportunity in the competitive Danish job market, which is much more difficult for foreigners to crack.

That’s why many talented immigrants are simply waiting for one opportunity to prove themselves in the job market - we call them #TheForgottenGold of Denmark. Aasavari is one of these skilled, valuable, and ready-to-shine individuals whose story deserves to be part of our #TheForgottenGold movement for internationals.

A warm welcome

Aasavari’s experience was largely positive when she first arrived in Copenhagen as a student. Her Danish classmates helped her navigate daily tasks, including finding affordable groceries and understanding how the Danish CPR system worked, giving her a smooth, welcoming start.

“Most of my classmates were Danes, and they were truly kind and helpful in both studies and other tasks. From adapting to biking culture in Denmark to attending networking events, they guided me so well. Through all these things, I made some good Danish friends, and I consider it one of my biggest achievements in Denmark,” she says with a smile.

One of the biggest challenges faced by internationals living here is making friends with Danes. Many locals’ social circles are made up of lifelong native friends, leaving foreigners often struggling to find a sense of belonging and social warmth. Because these close-knit circles rarely expand beyond native connections, it can be difficult for immigrants to feel truly accepted.

Aasavari takes a different approach in this regard because she believes in building her own circle rather than breaking into existing ones. With this mindset, she formed her own group of friends and made meaningful connections through volunteering and attending networking events. She joined non-profit organisations, worked on sustainability-focused projects, and used volunteering as a way of integration, considering it one of the best ways to build a community.

Closed doors and invisible walls

After graduation, many foreigners discover that finding a job in the Danish labour market is an uphill battle. A recent report published by another media outlet revealed that the employment level for internationals is much lower than that for Danes, regardless of their proficiency in Danish. The competitiveness of the job market further increases feelings of frustration and isolation among internationals residing in Denmark.

Aasavari`s feelings mirror those of many others hunting for jobs. Despite getting top grades, learning Danish, and making the most of opportunities to integrate, all her efforts have amounted to little over the last four years:

“After doing everything in my human power as an expat who came to Denmark with no contacts, support, network, and definitely no friends, I have built my way up in a culture and society so different that I often wonder if having skilled international talent is just about numbers. 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, then maybe it is time to think about the problems in the system.”

The “others” in Denmark

When summing up her job-seeking experience over the past four years, Aasavari says: “Although Denmark promotes diversity, inclusion, and welcoming internationals to study and build careers here, I sometimes feel that both the system and the people will always perceive us as 'others' in their country. They design programmes related to career guidance for the international community, but hesitate to give equal professional opportunities."

"I am not complaining or bashing anyone, but I really want to understand how the system works here for internationals. I sometimes get job rejections within hours, and silence is their only answer when I ask for feedback. Finding a job in the Danish market is now a project for me. The system should be more open and welcoming; otherwise, don't invite internationals to your country to study or work.”

A call for systemic change

Aasavari is one of many internationals who came to Denmark with high hopes of thriving and building a hyggeligt lifestyle for themselves. Her story highlights a paradox in Danish society: Denmark clearly aims to celebrate diversity, but is hesitant to embrace it fully.

Cultural inclusivity is a key feature of progressive societies like Denmark; however, the system struggles to adapt to the needs of expatriates living there. The number of foreign workers in the capital region alone has doubled in recent years; recruitment has improved to a degree, but retaining international talent remains a challenge.

#TheForgottenGold - a voice for internationals

Despite facing hardships and constant rejections in the Danish job market, Aasavari`s dream of building a career in Denmark remains strong. Like many internationals who value the Danish lifestyle, she wants to stay but is struggling to find an opportunity that matches her professional skills. She is seeking roles in human resources and recruitment, and, in her free time, Aasavari has immersed herself in Danish history and culture, sharing her knowledge with holiday makers as a volunteer tour guide.

In her final message to those hiring in the Danish labour market, she says: “We internationals are working hard to integrate and want to add value to your companies. See us as an advantage rather than a risk.”

Aasavari’s story - like that of many skilled international workers who remain underutilised - serves as a warning: #TheForgottenGold are a highly valuable resource, but ignoring them is disregarding opportunities for Denmark. They are ready to excel if local companies open their doors; otherwise, they risk remaining entangled in the cobwebs of academic degrees and closed opportunities.