More than 90 % of women enrolled in ReDI School's beginner courses complete the semester. But the real story goes beyond completion rates. For Zoya and Kalani, learning digital skills is part of a much bigger journey towards education, employment and a future in Denmark.
Zoya Aram is a trained dentist from Iran. Kalani Wickramasinghe worked as a nurse in Sri Lanka. Both came to Denmark with professional skills and ambitions. Neither is starting from scratch. But turning their professional experience into new opportunities in Denmark takes time and new skills – including how to navigate an increasingly digital society.
And both found their way to ReDI School through their Danish language schools in Aarhus.
Their stories reflect something important: completing a course is an achievement, but only one measure of success. Continuing education, developing new skills and finding a way into the labour market are what really matters.
A dentist determined to return to her profession
Zoya, 41, arrived in Denmark from Iran in 2023. She has worked as a dental assistant for the past two years, but her ambition is to return to practising dentistry.
"Work is part of my identity. I grew up believing that having a job is important," she explains.
She is determined to qualify for work as a dentist in Denmark, but language remains a major obstacle.
"I have a good professional background, but language creates limitations. I need to keep improving myself to reach my goal."
Zoya also believes that Denmark could make better use of the skills of healthcare professionals arriving from abroad. More targeted language training, particularly in the professional terminology required in healthcare, could help qualified people return to their professions sooner.
Alongside her job and Danish studies, Zoya attended ReDI to strengthen her digital skills. She quickly discovered that the courses offered more than computer training.
"You learn about technology, but you also learn about Danish culture and how society works. And you meet women from other countries who have their own experiences to share."
At ReDI, Zoya learned how to prepare a CV, write job applications and navigate online job platforms. But she also gained insight into everyday life in Denmark, from workplace culture to the importance of volunteering.
What made a particular impression was the sense of being respected and understood.
"Here, someone thinks about you and understands you. You get a better understanding of the opportunities you have in society."
From the first nervous day to new confidence
Kalani, 29, arrived from Sri Lanka in 2025. Like Zoya, she has a healthcare background and hopes to return to her profession – nursing – once her Danish is good enough.
She joined ReDI while attending language school, seeing an opportunity to practise Danish and develop her digital skills at the same time.
The first day was a little overwhelming. There were new faces, a new environment and lessons in a language she was still learning. But things quickly began to change.
"At first, I was nervous because there were so many new people. But after just a few lessons, we knew each other. The teachers spoke slowly and patiently, making sure everyone could follow."
Her class brought together 11 women from different countries and backgrounds. And as the women grew more confident, the lessons became more advanced.
"I was surprised by how much we learned. We started with the basics, but we progressed quickly. By the end, I could make CVs and job applications using Google Drive."
Today, Kalani uses those skills to create presentations at her language school. Learning was not the only thing that brought the women together. They met outside class, shared meals and learned about one another's countries and traditions.
One of Kalani's favourite memories is a small book the class produced together, featuring photographs and recipes from their home countries.
"It shows our skills, our writing and our community. It's the whole world in one little book."
A step forward, not the finish line
Neither Zoya nor Kalani sees completing a ReDI course as the end of an education, but as a steppingstone.
Kalani continues at language school and wants to apply for ReDI’s more advanced digital courses next semester after her Danish exam. Zoya is combining work with further education as she pursues her goal of becoming a dentist in Denmark.
Their paths are different, but they share a determination to build on the qualifications and experience they already have.
And perhaps that is what ReDI's high completion rate is really about. Not simply helping students finish a course, but giving skills, connections and opportunities you can take with you into whatever comes next.
