air and time and space and light

Today I am feeling down. Working abroad has its rewards, its magic moments. But today I am feeling somewhat isolated and lonely due to language barrier.

At our business unit  some 30 people are working. In my department we are 12 people. And I am the only non-Danish one. So to speak, the only “different”, foreigner, non-Danish speaking, Englih-preferring person. Most of the time I don’t care about it. It is just a work day where I talk to people in English and everybody understands me without any problems. We can communicate in English. But today we had this Friday lunch for the whole business unit and it was supposed to be cosy (it was for them, not for me). They all laughed and exchanged jokes whereas I sat there with a cup of coffee in my hand. Forcing myself to smile. Pretending that it was ok. It was sad for me not to drag the conversation where I wanted, in the language I wanted.

A few times conversation continued in English but did not last long. People have an instant drive to switch to their mother language. Who can blame them?

In any case, I tried a few times but this week I was really bored so I did not even try to try more. I felt exhausted with all this me trying, others being so comfortable.

Wish there were some other non-Danish in my department. Or wish I could just speak Danish tomorrow. WIsh I could be fluent in 2 months or something like that.

Not speaking the language, staying away from the small talk stuff, is just the most annoying thing ever. I feel limited, not comfortable. I miss my work environment at Vestel. It was so great to have all these young people who spoke my language and funny people.

All I can do is to learn Danish as fast as possible..

Winter is cold and days are dark..   I miss some sunlight…