I feel moved to thank the nation of Denmark. Thanking nations isn't something I do regularly, I must note. I tend to shy away from fierce displays of nationalism or dogmatism. I don't like it when any political leader says we live in "the best nation on earth" etc, etc because I think it's simply hyperbole and absurd. But... THANK YOU DENMARK. Thank you.
Earlier today I wrote about the Danish bureaucracy. And yes, it's frustrating and I won't take back any of my political commentary on it. Still, there are important fabulous things about Denmark that I want to highlight! Today when I received my Danish "CPR" number which will make me legal in Denmark for the next 2.5 years I was extremely surprised at my own emotional response. The woman handling my paperwork asked me a bit about the upcoming election while she processed my documents and before I knew it she was writing down phone numbers for the two doctors closest to my home address. She then gave me a little information on free government classes for learning Danish, wrote down the emergency phone number in Denmark for me and told me I should check in with either of those two doctors or call such and such nurse who is available 24/7 if I have any quick questions.
I didn't get it. Damn it I have been to Denmark for two five week programs about Danish society and studied Denmark for my thesis - and I just didn't understand. I have a mild medical condition that I need to take medication for daily. My insurance in the US has never covered it and I was worried that in Denmark they wouldn't want to send me to the doctor if I needed those pills. Timidly I asked... "I'm sorry if this is a silly question but... how much does it cost to go to the doctor?" The Borgerservice official stared at me with a look of pained sympathy, shaking her head. "It doesn't cost you anything in Denmark."
Health care. Legal residence. I'm not kidding - I almost teared up as I left the Borgerservice place.
Earlier today I wrote about the Danish bureaucracy. And yes, it's frustrating and I won't take back any of my political commentary on it. Still, there are important fabulous things about Denmark that I want to highlight! Today when I received my Danish "CPR" number which will make me legal in Denmark for the next 2.5 years I was extremely surprised at my own emotional response. The woman handling my paperwork asked me a bit about the upcoming election while she processed my documents and before I knew it she was writing down phone numbers for the two doctors closest to my home address. She then gave me a little information on free government classes for learning Danish, wrote down the emergency phone number in Denmark for me and told me I should check in with either of those two doctors or call such and such nurse who is available 24/7 if I have any quick questions.
I didn't get it. Damn it I have been to Denmark for two five week programs about Danish society and studied Denmark for my thesis - and I just didn't understand. I have a mild medical condition that I need to take medication for daily. My insurance in the US has never covered it and I was worried that in Denmark they wouldn't want to send me to the doctor if I needed those pills. Timidly I asked... "I'm sorry if this is a silly question but... how much does it cost to go to the doctor?" The Borgerservice official stared at me with a look of pained sympathy, shaking her head. "It doesn't cost you anything in Denmark."
Health care. Legal residence. I'm not kidding - I almost teared up as I left the Borgerservice place.
No comments:
Post a Comment