From New in Town to Part of the Community in Kolding
Jessica is originally from San Francisco. She moved to Denmark in 2016, settling in a suburb of Copenhagen while studying and working at the university. In 2020, she moved to Kolding to pursue a PhD at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU). But Kolding didn’t exactly win her over at first.
“To be honest, I thought it seemed a little quiet, and I missed both the buzz of city life and good coffee,” she says with a smile.
Today, she can hardly believe she ever felt that way.
“Because Kolding isn’t about what’s happening around you. It’s about what you choose to become part of.”
For Jessica, volunteering became her way into the city – and into the community. By getting involved with organisations and initiatives such as Kolding Pride, local scout groups, Cycling Without Age and Foodreformers, she got to know both the city and the people who live there.
“Volunteering means you don’t just meet people. You have a role to play. You’re invited to join in, and you feel like you belong.”
That sense of belonging had been harder to find when Jessica lived in a suburb of Copenhagen, where she felt that people tended to lead more separate lives.
In Kolding, she found something different: warmth, friendliness and people who take the time to say hello.
“I was really surprised by how much energy people put into bringing the city to life. There are always things happening, big and small, and so much of it is driven by volunteers who want to create something together.”
Kolding is Jessicas city
Through volunteering, Jessica has built a strong network of both Danish and international friends. Her everyday life is full of opportunities to connect with others – whether it’s a walk in Marielund Forest, a chat at Arkaden or an event she is helping to organise herself.
Today, Jessica lives close to Koldinghus with her partner. She appreciates having everything within easy reach and being able to walk almost everywhere.
“You can have a really good life in Kolding. And it’s more affordable than what I was used to,” she says with a smile.
Although Jessica now works at Aarhus University, she is happy to commute so she can continue living in Kolding. For her, the choice is simple.
“If I’m going to live in Denmark, there’s only one city for me – and that’s Kolding.”
And her advice to newcomers – especially those moving here from abroad – is clear:
“Get involved as a volunteer. It’s the quickest way to become part of the community. And that sense of community is what makes Kolding feel like home.”
