Back to school
Apr 4th, 2006 by Peter
Since C arrived I had a long awaited 1 week vacation. I saved this for same reason. The vacation was used for unpacking, relaxing and planning ahead.
Last Friday I started working again, which meant that C had to be home alone meanwhile. There is enough for her to do, but as one might expect, it is not the things you can do that is interesting, but the things you can’t do that bugs you. Even though she has good contact to her family using webcam and MSN/QQ, she still misses China and need other things to do. She brought a lot of soft reading books, and language learning books to keep her English improving.
C also started learning Danish, but only has me to tutor her so far. I do have an excellent Danish learning program for the computer too, but this is not the same as going to a regular school with educated teachers.
School is the keyword.
Before C came, I contacted a local school teaching Danish to foreigners. For now we have to pay for the tuition, which limits the options for now. From the two possible we chose evening classes. It will be one day every week lasting 4 hours. It is not optimal, but the only affordable as of yet. One month cost 1.100 Dkr (200US$). The other alternative was day time classes with 18 hours a week, but the fee out of our league (4.000-5.000Dkr). So for starters C goes in the evening, and when the permanent stay is granted, the tuition is free, and by then we plan to move C to day time classes. At first C and I must attend an interview/test at the school. This is meant to find her level, and place her in an appropriate class.
I look forward to her going to school. Not just because it is important to learn Danish to be well integrated, but also because this gives her something to do. C likes to work, but right now she can’t because of the Danish laws and of course the lack of Danish language skills. I do, however, look even more forward to her starting school in the daytime, since this will give us something more to talk about when I come home from work. This will give a more normal feeling of normal work/life to us both.
When she starts school in the evenings I have promised her to go with her and wait at the school. First of all, she is not yet that strong in bus and locations in Aalborg, and also I don’t like her being alone in a strange city when the dark sets in. Also I like the fact that she feels secure and close to support if she needs it. It will also give me a chance to eye the education a little myself.
Nice to hear you’re settling in and that she’s learning the languages. What a challenge, though! Are there any other Chinese women living there who she could connect with? Best wishes to you both, Peter.
Thanks Justin.
It IS a huge challenge, and we both knew that. Still we are both set on trying our best in succeeding. There are other women she can connect with, but as usual someone has to take the first step. And it won’t be them.
C is not that keen on mangling, but I think much will change as she gradually learns Danish. It gives her more freedom to do things. She is not the most extroverted of Chinese and likes homely stuff. It just won’t do in the long run, but time will tell what happens. Meanwhile I must do my best to find new things for us to do :-)
My first year in Denmark was the most difficult–just like your wife, I had a difficult time finding things to do. It must be even more difficult for her if her English isn’t that great. When I started going to Danish school during the day it was such a relief–I made friends and I had something to talk about at night. :-) So I hope she gets her papers quickly and can start school. Good luck!
Tnx for the best wishes. I hope everything will turn out well too. Time will tell. Meanwhile I must do my best to help her on her way towards integration.