Facebook is my lifeline.
Seriously, it's helping to keep me sane.
If you're planning on moving abroad and are not on Facebook, I recommend that you change that right now.
I understand that a lot of folks don't really like Facebook and social media and how it makes internet stalkers out of people, and keeps you informed of mundane daily activities of people you barely know. But the value it has for an expat is immeasurable.
Before moving, I went hunting all over the internet for forums and information for expats living in Denmark. I did find a few forums that have occasionally been helpful. Specifically, Expat Blog and Foreigners in Denmark. But neither has been as instantly helpful as the Americans in Denmark group on Facebook and its various offshoots (there's a group for moms, and a group for folks who don't want to talk politics, among others).
Before moving, I posted countless questions in those groups, looking for information about everything from how to get legal residency to where to get my hair done and how to adopt pets. My questions were always answered quickly and thoroughly, and I was always grateful.
And now that I'm here, I've been able to meet up with some of the folks from those groups. Already, I've met up with three amazing gals who have taken the time to show me around areas of Copenhagen that I hadn't seen yet, and to tell me their stories and give me their insights into the best way to approach a move to Denmark.
This early on, when I still have moments that my brain goes on the fritz from trying to decipher too much Danish, it's a breath of fresh air to hear a familiar accent from someone who has been in my shoes.
Plus, in a country where it is notoriously slow process to make friends with the locals, it's really great to feel that I have a head-start by making friends with the Americans.
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