Four Indian colleagues got to know Danish ‘hygge’ and work culture during their stay in Holeby.

Holeby Engineering has had a successful partnership with Engineering Centre India (ECI) for more than a decade. Currently, 7 designers from ECI provide support to various engineering departments in Holeby. To promote collaboration and knowledge sharing, visits from Indian colleagues were arranged. In June, four ECI colleagues from Aurangabad came to Holeby to participate in a four-week training program. The main purpose of the visit was to review the progress of their ongoing assignments and attend a two-week Advanced Motor Course at Holeby PrimeServ Academy. The course consisted of both theoretical and practical sessions where participants could gain a greater knowledge of the components they normally design at the engineering center in Aurangabad.

Danish summer

Due to the work on the Fehmarnbelt link, the demand for hotel accommodation on Lolland has risen sharply, so a vacation home in Rødbyhavn was rented for the four guests. It turned out to be a good deal, as our four Indian colleagues were very happy to stay there during their stay. “It was a wonderful experience,” says Kunal Akkar. “We enjoyed the sounds of nature with the birds in the garden and the waves crashing on the shore. We don't have that where we live”. They also discovered that the house was conveniently located on Lolland, close to the beach, attractions, shops and with a bus stop right outside.

Cultural exchange, integration, networking and team building

The cultural difference between India and Denmark was evident from the moment the four Indian colleagues arrived at Copenhagen Airport. For two of them, it was their first time traveling abroad. “It felt like entering a whole new world,” says Vishal Vanjari, who works with engine design in India. As part of the cultural exchange, they had the opportunity to participate in two fun events organized by the company: a beach party in Copenhagen and the Sydhavsstafetten running race in Maribo. These events gave them a taste of the Danish lifestyle and cuisine and an opportunity to bond with their colleagues. Dhiraj Kulkarni shares his impressions: “We especially noticed how happy and hospitable the Danes are. They are true bon vivants who know how to relax and enjoy life. We felt very welcome and appreciated here in Holeby. We also learned a lot about the similarities and differences between our work cultures through team building, collaboration and communication.” Surendra Das agrees with his colleague: “We had a great time at the social and musical event in Copenhagen. It was great to see our Danish colleagues from different departments and locations enjoying a beer, snacks and food in the summer sun." Kunal Akkar adds: “We were also happy to participate in the Sydhavsstafetten in Maribo. It was a fun way to challenge ourselves and help each other as a team.” The four Indian colleagues look back on their stay in Denmark as a memorable and enriching experience. One of the things they noticed was the health-conscious lifestyle of the locals. In addition to the relay race and the event in Copenhagen, they were lucky enough to get a scenic drive in a colleague's Hummer to see some of the attractions on Lolland such as the 7-meter-high Baunehøj and the impressive artwork Dodekalitten. They also had the opportunity to take a trip to Berlin by taking the bus from Rødbyhavn and sailing on the ferry. On the last day, four grateful colleagues packed their bags with spices and gifts and headed home.