From Thailand and Iceland to Denmark
Last summer Gudmundur from Iceland and Joy from Thailand started at their new place of work, Egmont House in Copenhagen. The two brought their cultural diferences as well as their professional skills with them.
Ten thousand kilometers separate Iceland from Thailand – and at least as many distinctive cultural differences. Despite the vast distances, the two employees from different continents have successfully established a joint work platform and a team. With a view of Kongens Have park in Copenhagen, IT developer Gudmundur Bjarni Ólafsson and designer and front-enddeveloper Nareerat Joy Leelawat are working on a global website with the working title “Mobile Memories”.
What exactly does someone from Iceland have in common with someone from Thailand?
Gudmundur: “I suppose you could say we’re focused on the same project – namely, producing a good site. And I think we have the same approach. We Icelanders are known as an industrious nation. We believe everything is possible and have a special ‘yes’ culture. Our philosophy is that hard work will take you far. I find Joy has the same mindset. For me the disadvantage of that attitude is that in my determination I sometimes underestimate how long a given task is going to take.”
What is the biggest diference?
Joy: “In Denmark you’re asked for your honest opinion – so I was pretty quiet during my first weeks in Denmark. In my country it’s considered impolite to say anything that makes other people lose face. When I finally opened my mouth, at the beginning I agreed with things I didn’t really mean. So it’s taken quite a while for me to accept that not only am I allowed to take part in discussions and decision making, but I am actually expected to do so.”
When you take a job in a new country , what else is important apart from work itself?
Gudmundur: “The work-life balance has to be right – and having good colleagues is also important.”
Joy: “The pleasant atmosphere at Egmont and in Copenhagen has been important to me. People are positive and life is comfortable. And there’s a lovely informal atmosphere at work.”
After moving to Copenhagen, both have bought a bicycle and use it as their method of transport, which has taken some getting used to.
“My friends in Thailand feel sorry for me because I’m apparently now so poor that I have to make do with a bike. But it’s the only way to get around,” explains Joy, who had to learn to cycle when she moved to Denmark. “It’s a bit dangerous, because there are so many bikes on the streets. I’ve actually fallen off more than once!” she says with a smile.
What exactly does someone from Iceland have in common with someone from Thailand?
Gudmundur: “I suppose you could say we’re focused on the same project – namely, producing a good site. And I think we have the same approach. We Icelanders are known as an industrious nation. We believe everything is possible and have a special ‘yes’ culture. Our philosophy is that hard work will take you far. I find Joy has the same mindset. For me the disadvantage of that attitude is that in my determination I sometimes underestimate how long a given task is going to take.”
What is the biggest diference?
Joy: “In Denmark you’re asked for your honest opinion – so I was pretty quiet during my first weeks in Denmark. In my country it’s considered impolite to say anything that makes other people lose face. When I finally opened my mouth, at the beginning I agreed with things I didn’t really mean. So it’s taken quite a while for me to accept that not only am I allowed to take part in discussions and decision making, but I am actually expected to do so.”
When you take a job in a new country , what else is important apart from work itself?
Gudmundur: “The work-life balance has to be right – and having good colleagues is also important.”
Joy: “The pleasant atmosphere at Egmont and in Copenhagen has been important to me. People are positive and life is comfortable. And there’s a lovely informal atmosphere at work.”
After moving to Copenhagen, both have bought a bicycle and use it as their method of transport, which has taken some getting used to.
“My friends in Thailand feel sorry for me because I’m apparently now so poor that I have to make do with a bike. But it’s the only way to get around,” explains Joy, who had to learn to cycle when she moved to Denmark. “It’s a bit dangerous, because there are so many bikes on the streets. I’ve actually fallen off more than once!” she says with a smile.
