Story 4. Finland: Not for Everyone, but Opportunities Await
This story describes one perspective on how highly skilled internationals experience working and living in Finland. It is based on an analysis of interviews with 61 internationals, combining the experiences, feelings, and thoughts shared by many of them. Read more about how the story was constructed here and check out the rest of the stories here.
Story 4. Finland: Not for Everyone, but Opportunities Await
Like many of my friends, I was interested in living and studying abroad after finishing high school in my home country. I had heard that obtaining a student visa in Finland would be relatively easy, even for individuals from the global South, and that studying at a university there is quite affordable. That was pretty much all I knew about Finland, but I decided to give it a try.
Life in Finland was initially challenging. Arriving without knowing anyone made me feel lonely. However, navigating through those early difficulties enhanced my resilience and problem-solving skills, which proved valuable later on.
Over time, I made friends among both internationals and Finns, some of whom I now happily consider lifelong friends. I also found different communities that facilitated my social integration during my years of study.
I decided to relocate to the capital area, assuming there would be more job opportunities there, and that turned out to be the case. Fortunately, English is more widely spoken in Helsinki, making life more accessible and pleasant for international individuals like myself.
Careerwise, a turning point for me was when a friend recommended a company that specialises in assisting foreign graduates integrate into the Finnish job market. I got a job as a consultant, leveraging my skill set, and later became a full-time employee in the same company.
Since then, changing jobs has been seamless. I’ve enjoyed working in both public and private sectors, satisfied with the salary and fringe benefits that offset high living costs in Helsinki. The low hierarchy and excellent work-life balance in Finnish workplaces are remarkable. Here, employees are not expected to do extra work before going home after the workday.
However, the slow progress and a lack of ambition in some Finnish companies occasionally bother me.
The low hierarchy and excellent work-life balance in Finnish workplaces are remarkable.
A few years ago, I made a significant career change by pursuing my free-time passion as an entrepreneur. I enrolled in an entrepreneurship class offered by TE-services and received ‘starttiraha,’ which was immensely helpful in the beginning.
Unfortunately, my business suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to unemployment. Navigating the transition from an entrepreneur to a non-entrepreneur and obtaining unemployment benefits proved challenging due to the bureaucracy of the TE office. However, things eventually worked out.
Currently, I’m studying in a new field to enhance my employability and taking up odd jobs on the side. I’m optimistic about my future job prospects in Finland due to the high demand for highly skilled internationals and the prevalent labour shortage. Starting another company is also a viable option, so work-related concerns do not trouble me much.
In my experience, Finnish people are friendly but tend to be reserved, making it challenging to approach them. Nevertheless, I value Finland’s culture of allowing individuals to be themselves and respecting personal space.
However, I believe Finnish employers could do more to support international workers in language learning and social integration. Many foreigners struggle to make friends outside of work, emphasizing the importance of creating social connections. Employers could take a more proactive role in this regard.
Finland is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ country’ that suits everyone, but for those who actively seek and learn how to utilise them, it presents numerous opportunities.
Regarding my future, I aim to remain open to possibilities. I intend to continue working in Finland for a few years and then potentially explore the option of moving to another country if I feel inclined.
In my view, Finland is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ country’ that suits everyone, but for those who actively seek and learn how to utilise them, it presents numerous opportunities.
Does this story resonate with your own experiences or those of people you know? Did it surprise you in any way? Leave a comment below or engage with us on LinkedIn and Twitter! Check out the other four stories here, too.