It’s not that nothing is happening. I’m just a lazy ass updating here.
Actually a pretty big thing happened. C graduated from Danish school. That’s extremely good news as this gives her the right to go to “normal” Danish schools for an education. YEAAAAH!
What I find the best part is that C managed to pull some very nice grades too. Considering that she went to level 3, which is the highest level possible, AND got good grades is not a small thing. Her classmates were mostly at university level with many years of studying behind them. They also spoke good English. An obvious benefit when you have to look-up words in your dictionary. It also helps you get the meaning fast in some cases due to Danish-English word similarity.
C never went to high school or university. The English she understands is what I could teach her through webcam and a few weeks of private tutoring in Harbin. Basically she would have to start from scratch if she wants to learn English in the future. So when she learn Danish, she use her Danish-Chinese dictionary 99,9% of the time. The English-Chinese dictionary only act as backup whenever I’m around to help her explain the meaning. You try looking-up a Danish word in the Danish-English dictionary, and then afterwards the English-Chinese and see how long that’s fun? Let me enlighten you: Its not, and you don’t.
Bottom-line: C had to study way harder than the rest of the students. Still she ended up with a nice exam – and YES – of course I gave her a gift for finishing. I would have given her a gift no matter what grades, as long as she passed. Not because she only deserved a gift if she passed, but I know that she would never allowed me to if she didn’t.
Like all other Chinese, passing is not good enough. Good graded are very important. I always meant that as long as you passed, good grades are just a bonus. C wanted both, because she is not a lazy jerk like me. It’s a Chinese thing I guess. I, on the other hand, focus on the future and feel that as long as you don’t have to do the exam again, she should be happy. Doors for education and work would automatically open if she passed, so who cares if the grades weren’t that good? With exam finished, she could follow the next plan and relax. So what are the plans?
In all of July, C has a temporary job at a nursing home. She applied and went to an interview. She was even praised for her Danish and the fact that she took notes in Danish. This means C’s first pay check in Denmark. Big big BIG thing for a Chinese and me too of course.
Then August she starts on SOSU-school which basically is school where you learn to take care of old folks and others who can’t help themselves. Jobs within this field are plenty these days. The school has special 20-40 week class for foreigners, that will ease them into the “real”1 year education. Things are looking up in Aalborg at the moment :-)
Now all I can do is wait for our vacation, while C waits for the next step towards becoming a Danish citizen. “Only” 4 more years where I’m not allowed to die, as that would actually cancel C’s residence permit. Yes – I’m not even allowed that….. sigh.
I’m happy to hear that – congratulation to both of you! I makes me feel much more confident for my future in Denmark with a Chinese wife after reading both yours and Claus blog about your hard studying wifes – must be a special Chinese thing.
Studywise you shouldn’t worry. It will be tough, but my guess is that she’ll study harder than 99% of Danes. There will be plenty of other stuff to consider though. Just read your own blog and reverse the situations/whining. ;-)
Personally I think the hardest part is getting your wife accostumed to Denmark being less crowded and therefore “boring” compared to China. That includes your wife missing her family a lot at times. Skype can be a blessing, but doesn’t really cut it in the long run. So expect making plans to go back to China when the economy allows it. Or even worse: Getting your in-laws here! :-)
I’ve already heard talk about flying the in-laws to Denmark, so that’s probably a discussion we need to have one day.
Fortunately my wife seems more eager in moving to Denmark than me.
One thing I came to think about is that you should prepare your wife on the job situation here. Even though the unemployment rate is at an all time low, it is still seriously difficult for a Chinese to get a job similar to what he/she did in China if the person worked in office etc.
Cleaning, the health sector and similar is no problem, but that may not appeal to everybody. I believe that many foreigners have had some huge disappointments over the time. Getting a “white collar” job demands much education AND luck.
I told C that she could be whatever she wanted to be, but that she would have to go to school a long time for most “good” jobs.
Also many congratulations from us here i Rødekro. Well done and good for her and for you – really takes off a lot off pressure. I’m looking forward for the day my Jiao Jiao passes. And you’re right – job situation is not the best – unless ofcause you’re into helathcare. Mine doesn’t want that and is opting for a HH (Merchant). we’ll have to see what happens in the future.
And you’r right also – good grades matter to them and also getting the first paycheck.
Tnx a bunch Claus :-)