“In Finland, you can have an actual life after work”

For me, it’s the people. It might sound controversial! Finns are so nice, kind and open, once you get to know them. You just need to break the ice. My experience is that they don’t approach you first, but once you take the first step and get to know them, they are very friendly.

I have found good friends, both at work and elsewhere. I have even become friends with strangers, who I have met at a restaurant! Elsewhere, it might be easier to make acquaintances. In Finland, it’s easier to make real connections with people. That’s why people make Finland special compared to other countries.

I also love the work-life balance. In Finland, you can have an actual life after work! There is safety in every way, both at work and in society. As a woman, I can go out any time and feel safe.

I enjoy the mix of cultures. My workplaces have had a good mix of international talents and Finnish people. You can learn a lot in that kind of environment.

Be proactive when looking for work! For most of my international friends the biggest challenge has been finding a job. There are sites for open jobs and LinkedIn, but for me, networking and getting to know people has been key. Try to socialize and attend events when possible. It can feel uncomfortable to go alone but push through that.

I don’t like the word “networking”, as it sounds superficial. I would rather establish real connections with people. We all have different stories, even if our backgrounds were similar, so be open with people. In that way, things will flow better.

This is what I told my sister too, when she joined me in Finland. She is introverted, but she took my advice. Now she has a job in chemistry at Metso!

I have lived abroad before, first in the United States, then in Spain and Sweden.

I was studying for my double Masters Degree in Data Science in Spain, but for the second year of studies I joined Aalto University. My studies required an internship, and I started looking for that immediately. Through networking and making connections I was able to get my first job.