Mastering Finland: Recent Episodes
Mastering Finland
Welcome! This podcast is a space for the international community in Finland to share their unique stories of how they ended up here and how they are "mastering" the Finnish way of life. We invite you to join this community for practical information, laughs, relatable stories of struggles and victories as expats and much more!
Kami Fodor, a representative of Mieli Without Borders, discusses her journey and the organisation's mission to make mental health support accessible to foreigners in Finland.
The episode underscores the importance of mental health support in the integration process for internationals and provides practical tips for maintaining mental well-being in Finland.
Discover the stories of Annabel & Hatty from Compass Psychology on the Mastering Finland Podcast! Learn how love brought them to Finland, their insights on adapting to Finnish culture, and the vital role of mental health support for expats. Don't miss out on their valuable advice for thriving in a new country! #MasteringFinland #Expats #MentalHealthAwareness đŤđŽ
Sanni TĂśrmänen spills the secrets to mastering Finnish language. From teaching abroad to adapting to online learning, Sanni's journey is as dynamic as the language itself. Forget one-size-fits-all approaches â Sanni's all about personalized learning at sananpuru.com. With Finnish being more like a puzzle than a problem, Sanni and Matt liken it to learning a musical instrument: practice makes perfect! So, whether you're strumming chords or conjugating verbs, the key is consistency. Dive in for some language inspiration and hear how Sanni's students are conquering Finnish one conversation at a time!
In Episode 93 of "Bemästra Finland pĂĽ svenska," Veronica Hetrzberg, a Swedish-speaking Finn, shares her journey of growing up in Finland, learning Finnish and English, and helping others integrate into Finnish society. The podcast discusses Finland's unique culture and emphasises the importance of networking for job opportunities. Veronica provides travel tips for Finland, and the discussion ends with a reflection on embracing Finnish culture. #Finland #Integration #SwedishFinn đŤđŽđď¸
In Episode 92 of the Mastering Finland Podcast, Finnish entrepreneur Oki TĂĽg discusses the importance of networking for internationals seeking jobs in Finland. He emphasises that many jobs are in a "hidden market" known to trusted connections. Oki shares his entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the lessons it teaches about motivation and overcoming obstacles. He advises quick learning for success.
Join Matt for a special episode discussing the new government immigration proposal of 2023 with:
Shreyas Ramachandran Srinivasan (originally from India, has both studied and worked in Finland),
Nick J. Walters (Founder of Helsinki LEFT that represents immigrants and other minority groups and overcomes knowledge gaps and the language barrier to integrate them into Finnish politics),
Sam Spilsbury (Doctoral Researcher at Aalto University),
and Elsa Kivinen (Finn who spent most of her life abroad and studied politics, now back in Finland).
In this episode Matt interviews Joppe Quaedvlieg, a job coach and community manager from Shortcut in Helsinki. Joppe shares insights on effective communication, networking, and the concept of descriptive communication that are key for finding a job in Finland. Discover how these factors can unlock Finland's treasures and shape your career path.
Discover the fascinating journey of Carmen Lorenzana, a Mexican expat who found herself captivated by Finland's charm. From her personal experiences to empowering women through menstrual education, fertility awareness, and embracing Finland's breathtaking national parks, this episode offers insights into life in Finland and the unique perspectives of women.
For more information about this episode go to Mastering Finland website.
Join us for an episode with Josh Hurst, aka JoshOfWestern, as he shares his journey of coming to Finland as an au-pair and becoming a successful freelance writer, blogger, and social media influencer. Discover his tips for mastering Finnish culture and adapting to life in Finland.
The founders of âPawfect Groomingâ business meet with our podcast host Eva to discuss their discovery of puppy power in Finland! The episode also features some pet peeves they met during their journey to mastering Finland.
Husband and wife team, Asha and Mikael Singadia-Kuronen, moved to Finland in 2018. Â Mikael was returning to his home country, bringing Asha with him from the UK. Â Asha is a British Indian who had a career in banking and finance and is now focused on developing Finlandâs first ever mobile dog grooming business.
Join us and listen to their pawfect business story!
In this episode Eva meets Kalim Ul Masih â a certified coach, humanitarian worker, and travel enthusiast whoâll open up his insider secrets to Mastering Finland.
Kalim is Finnish, but as he was working and traveling abroad in Africa, Middle East, Central Asia for quite a while before returning to Finland with the onset of COVID-19, he had to polish the art of Mastering Finland himself.
Also, from his coaching background he brings up a few more tips, like asking open questions and asking purposefully for some small, doable favours.
Whatâs in this episode?
𫶠Kalimâs work in humanitarian missions abroad
𫶠All about coaching â what it is and what itâs not
𫶠Reverse culture shock
𫶠Tips about traveling in Finland
Many of us here have an on-and-off relationship with Finland. But for our new guest, it was love at first sight! Gemma Cros-Baden came to Kuopio for her Erasmus exchange and simply didnât want to go back to her home country Spain. But she had to.
Fast-forward to when our podcast is recorded, Gemma lives happily in Finland, has a job, and is learning Finnish.
Listen in to discover her inspiring story and see what worked for Gemma on her way to mastering Finland!
It has finally happened â the whole Mastering Finland team is on the same episode! A Christmas miracle, nothing else.
So whoâs on the line? Petra, Eva, and Iliana from the best library in the world (Oodi, of course), Matt from Pori, and Matty all the way from the UK.
In this episode, we do a lot of Christmas talk: from favorite Christmas songs to the most bizarre Christmas traditions from our home countries. Want to share your stories? Drop a comment, weâre super curious!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season to our listeners! Let it be peace, and we hope to continue supporting you on your journey to Mastering Finland.
Join us for this cozy chit-chat about Christmas on your favorite podcast platform.
Music: https://www.FesliyanStudios.com Background Music
Petra is back to Mastering Finland (I bet youâve missed her) â but now in the guest seat.
She is the founder of the podcast, a person who has been bringing up so many individual stories of Mastering Finland and sharing tips and knowledge with our community. The Mastering Finland team is sure that youâre as excited as we to hear from Petra again!
But recently Petra had to take some time off. In this episode, she frankly talks about her experiences of burnout, immense workload, and mental health challenges. And as always, Petra shares with you tips and kind practices that can help you take care of yourself.
It goes without saying that if you feel like everything is too much, ask for professional help. Petra describes her experiences with that as well. And please share this episode with your loved ones who might benefit from a bit more awareness about burnout and mental health.
You havenât heard her voice before, and yet she is essential to the Mastering Finland project. This episode sees the âMastering Finlandâ founder return to the microphone and interview one of the key people from behind the scenes of the podcast â Eva Valkovicova.
Evaâs energy, spirit, and curiosity are keeping the podcast alive, but thereâs more to it. Eva has been living in Finland for 15 years and she definitely holds the keys to mastering this country. Tune in and learn about Evaâs experiences in Finland â working in an international company, falling in love, raising multilingual kids, and finding time for her own projects.
And no chance of getting away without some practical advice. Wanna know whatâs the dramatic difference for a Finn between âDoes the bus stop near the train station?â and  âDoes the bus stop at the train station?â? And why should you always ask open questions?
Mastering Finland Podcast takes you to the movies for an exclusive interview with the director and screen writer behind the new film âFreeskateâ which premieres on 21 October 2022.
Getting to know the faces behind this new Finnish film, Matt speaks with director Roope Olenius and screen writer Veera W. Vilo who are partners both on and off the movie set. Freeskate was inspired by both Veera and Roopeâs experiences of sport.  Each in their own way mastering Finland with their different disciplines and using this to create this original story in the world of figure skating. â¸ď¸
Freeskate is a truly international film, featuring three different languages, current international athletes and filmed across many different ice halls and locations across Finland đŤđŽ.
âşIf you get chance, do watch the film and let us know what you think.
Meet Karoliina Kauhanen with whom we discuss why people need help and why it is often so difficult to ask for it. As internationals, we donât have a network we can rely on, even in some simple tasks such as moving the furniture.
Some people wouldn't mind giving a hand but they donât know where to start. Karoliina has a solution to this problem.
Commu is a free app that makes asking for help and giving help as easy as possible! Download it and join the crowd of 15000 people helping each other.
Listen to the episode to learn more why giving help is stigmatised (and why itâs ruining our lives). Youâll also learn more about the story behind the Commu app and what their team has achieved by now. And why Haloo Helsinki! is in the game as well.
In Part 2 of Mattâs interview with an American ambassador in Finland the conversation grows in its cultural dialogue and reflections on Finland as experienced by an international. What is the secret of Finnish happiness and where it comes from? Find out in this episode!
Ever dreamt of working in foreign service and being stationed abroad? Listen to our new episode and see if this lifestyle suits you!
Bill Couch, Foreign Affairs Officer, shares with Mastering Finland his experiences of working at the US Embassy in Helsinki â from perks and daily routines to the challenges (and new engagement avenues) that the pandemic has brought. The Russia-Ukraine war and Putinâs leadership style are also on the discussion table.
Whatâs more, Bill discusses his fantastic career change from education into Public Affairs. Itâs quite an inspiring story about âtaking that chanceâ.
And donât say goodbye to Bill just yet! He will be in our next episode, so stay tuned.
Matt Bowen gets to meet Hasan Sohail, the man behind the travelwithasan YouTube channel. In his YouTube videos, Hasan shares his experiences of integrating into Finnish life and making the most out of living in Finland.
What is Hasanâs strategy for integrating in Finland? Here are some tips:
- Get out of your room to find your way around
- Join groups and associations to manifest your presence
- Practice hobbies and things that make you happy
Hasan gives advice on other ways of making Finland your home. He invites all Mastering Finland listeners to join him and follow his journeys on his YouTube channel travelwithhasan, Facebook page, and Instagram.
Matty Davenport lives in the UK, but he is a âsuperfanâ of the Mastering Finland Podcast and pretty much of all things Finland. From an outsiderâs perspective Matty explains how he first became aware of Finland as a child and became increasingly fascinated through adolescence into adulthood.
Listen and learn more about Matty's passion for winter swimming, what works and doesn't in learning Finnish, and in general how he got so connected with this land.
Matt talks with the project planner of the Spouse Program offered by the municipality of the City of Helsinki, Jochen Faugel.
The Spouse Program is part of the Talent Boost initiative and is coordinated by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and the Ministry of Education and Culture. Its purpose is to build an engaging and supportive community for international spouses moving to the capital area and, by extension, help them develop their professional and social lives.
Listen to learn more about this great initiative.
This week we are coming back with an episode with one of our teamâs members â actually the most recent one â Rafaella. Rafaella joined our team six months ago when she moved to Finland to be with her partner and move ahead with her career. Finland is for her a country to admire, like all the Nordics, considering their progressive mentality.
Petra asks Rafaella what kind of preparation she followed before arriving in Finland, what are the paperwork processes she had to go through after her arrival, the experience with TE-office (unemployment office) services, and how has she adjusted to the different social life in Finland.
Join us to meet Rafaella and learn what could you do better if decided to move to Finland or reflect on your move.
In this episode, Petra meets Raysa, an old guest from episode 20. Raysa was invited back for another episode due to a LinkedIn post reflecting unfulfilled expectations and frustrations in Finland's international community. We believe that this episode discussion may resonate with many of you who are trying to find a job in Finland or, in general, are trying to find your bearings in this country.
We hope you have managed to keep a positive spirit throughout your journey in Finland. However, if you struggle with whatever has come your way, know that you are not alone!
We are sending you all a virtual hug and wish you a happy friendship day!
In this episode, Matt welcomes Lucia Hellerhoff, a German flautist living in Finland, Pori, and a member of the Pori Sinfonietta.Â
Lucia has been already working 5 years for Pori Sinfonietta and shares with Matt that she really likes her job. According to her, the program is rich and varied, for example, the songs they practice and the conductors change every week, something that doesnât make her feel bored. Although the orchestraâs repertoire consists mainly of classical songs, they do play also jazz and pop pieces. During these 5 years, Lucia has also noticed differences between the work culture in Finland and Germany and points out that the way feedback is given among colleagues in Finland is very different from the one in Germany.
Come and join our chat with Lucia about how and why she moved to Finland and landed this job, and the difference between living in Munich/Paris and Finland.
Pori Sinfonietta concerts
Whether you are planning to move to Finland or you already live in Finland, one way to achieve mastering life in it, in any case, is to experience the Finnish sauna culture. Finland is famous for its sauna culture and Finns do love it for sure! Some might even say that sauna might be the secret to Finnish happiness. For this reason, we talk about this in our first episode for this year with Joona Virtanen. In one of his videos on YouTube, Joona tries sauna for 30-days in a row. It sounds amazing, right? Tune in to listen about Joona's experience, its impacts, as well as sauna's history.
YT: Joona Virtanen (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGN1va5jEaxvZdLE08mY_qg/featured)
IG: j0nu
When Jean & Petra meet again to summarise the 2021 and share some info about Finnish Christmas traditions.
PS. Full of laughter as usually.
Happy holiday to you all!
December 6th is a very important day in Finland and for Finnish people in general. On this day Finlandâs Independence Day is celebrated, one of the most awaited holidays in Finland. For this reason, our guest for this episode is Soila Sariola, a Finnish musician, singing teacher, singer, a member of acapella group Rajaton, and mother. And it is our honour to have her as a guest for this episode, as she is the first Finnish celebrity guest on Mastering Finland Podcast!
Petra discusses with Soila Finlandâs Independence Day celebrations, the so-called "linnan juhlat" (=castle celebrations) in Finnish, how it became an annual tradition and how the hand-shaking with the President of Finland was established. Besides the official celebration, Soila shares with us the way Finns, in general, celebrate this day.Â
Additionally, Soila as a former guest at the linnan juhlat in 2012 shares the insights from this celebration and talks about the most special moment including the presidential couple.Â
Finally, Soila starts this episode with one of the most prominent songs of Finnish history, "Finlandia" by Jean Sibelius. Closing the podcast, she sings the song "Kulkuset" aka "Jingle bells", as we are approaching the Christmas festive days!Â
The new Mastering Finland Podcast episode is this time all about metal music in Finland and for this reason, the guest of this episode is Dafne Jalomo, a psychologist, music lover, beer enthusiast and adventurer from Mexico, who is now living in Helsinki.
It was over 15 years ago, when Dafne had her first contact with Finnish bands, starting with the first one, which is also her favourite, Sonata Arctica. Dafne says that this band was one of the reasons she ended up in this country. The music and the lyrics were uniquely talking to her heart, something that made her wonder what is going on in this country, how come people in Finland are so talented, and so she decided to travel to Finland to discover what this is that makes her feel so excited about this music and country. For her, music is a hobby, âa daily activityâ that she cannot live without because it describes herself and her mood.
Listen to the whole story of Dafne and enjoy the experts' talk about Finnish metal music right now!
This week's episode introduces Pukhraj Ranjan, an educator and entrepreneur establishing a new ethical fashion brand Moi namaste - that is creating eclectic, timeless pieces combining Indian craftsmanship and Nordic functionality. Pukhraj shares her story of life in Finland that started by pursuing a masters degree in education, finding her first job (listen for the tips), and finally establishing her own business.
What led Pukhraj to leave her life-long passion for education to pursue entrepreneurship? And what does a person need to do to establish such a business? Tune in and get some helpful entrepreneurial tips and learn more about why Pukhraj decided to stay in Finland despite her original plan of returning to India after her studies đŽđłđŤđŽ
Additionally, we would like to invite you on behalf of Pukhraj and Moi Namaste to a pop-up shop full of relaxing programs that will take place next week from November 15th - 19th in Helsinki. More information can be found here: https://fb.me/e/5ThUSlBRb
This week we wanted to join the Halloween madness and record a special spooky episode for you đ
This time, Matt talks to Bella de Graves, a Finnish artist, that is fascinated by everything creepy or scary. They discuss horror movies, costume shops, spooky places in Finland, and experiences related to the Halloween celebration in Finland.
As the holiday is dedicated to remembering the ones departed, creepy stories associated with ghosts are quite a common element of Halloween. Join us for this episode and listen to some of the scary Finnish stories and more in our newest Halloween special.
In this episode we introduce Kamilla Sultanova, a Nordic and Uzbek citizen, speaker, entrepreneur, event host, mentor, and consultant in diversity inclusion who enjoys bringing people together and helping them belong. Kamilla talks about how to sustain your own cultural identity whilst living in a new place and especially how to embrace it. Additionally, she underlines the importance of community building in Finland and how long it takes for a person to adapt to life in a country like Finland. Listen to this episode and learn also more about Kamilla's public employment and business services projects and her new role as a mother-to-be.
LINKS:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/KamillaSultanovaWorld
LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamillasultanova/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/kamillasultanovaworld/
TW: https://twitter.com/KamillaUbuntu
In this weekâs episode, Matt speaks with Olivia Kumpula, a Nigerian Youtuber, social media blogger, and entrepreneur who lives in Pori with her husband and her children.
Listen to this episode and learn about Olivia's endeavours and their contribution to the international community in Finland.
In this episode, Petra talks to Ronny Eriksson, a 25-year-old serial entrepreneur and storyteller based in Helsinki, co-founder of the "Norders", a creative agency and community, host of the "New Nordic Wave of Change" podcast, as well as part of the "ReformMigri" team. Ronny focuses on helping companies and individuals, like international students, find their pathways, expand their network, and experience happiness within themselves. Listen to this episode and learn more about Ronny's projects like Ambition Africa, co-created with Peter Vesterbacka or Norders' academy and community, the importance of immigration, and hear some great tips on travelling in Finland.
Links:
Ronny's LinkedIn
Norders
Reform Migri petitionâs goal is to improve Migri's system and service procedures, which has caused a lot of difficulties, stress, and pain. In this episode, Petra talks to Julia, the initiator of the petition and Anuka, a nurse in Finland facing a deportation decision despite fully following the law. We talked about why Julia started this petition and what sort of co-signers support them. You will also hear about the panel conversation they held with their co-signers and Migriâs Director General in June 2021. Additionally, we talked about the future of the initiative, and finally Anuka shared with us her emotional story.
LINKS:
Petition: http://bit.ly/ReformMigri
Website: ReformMigri.com
For more links go to www.masteringfinland.com/episodes/2021-08-30
In this weekâs episode, Matt hosts Kätälyst, a multinational rock band based in Espoo. Each of the bandâs five members came to Finland independently for education. Although they met online and at Aalto University during their studies in 2010, they did not form the band until 2017.
The band gets its name from an earlier group that its founding member started in Pakistan in 2004. Because they met and began playing together in Finland, they decided to go with the Finnish spelling of the name. They say that, although their name is Finnish, they are not usually mistaken for a Finnish band.
Listen to their music on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGbXn1hm84rvpZu4AcQX-mA
In this episode you will get to meet Early Artis, a teacher and a father living in Finland. He has been all over the world teaching and helping others to learn and integrate into new cultures. He is a member of the Expat Dads in Finland Facebook community and the Fathers in Finland community of Familia ry. Early and Matt discuss the challenges of raising multicultural children and how fathers in Finland can come together to support one another.
In this episode Petra talks to Folashade, who shares the story of her family and her daughter with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in Finland. Folashade shares all about the complicated process of getting a diagnosis in Finland, about social services available for children and families with ASD, the process of accepting your child's disability, and more.
What is ASD? ASD is a complex developmental condition that involves challenges in social interaction, speech, nonverbal communication, and restricted/repetitive behaviours. The severity of symptoms and additional issues are specific to each individual.Â
In this episode, Jean and Petra meet for the last time to talk about their mastering Finland journey. They reflect on their podcast, their personal lives, Finnishbureaucracy, and towards the end, Jean also shares her secret identity with you. Come and join us in this episode full of laughter and great atmosphere.
Matt speaks with Licia Prehn, who works in the gaming industry, as a producer, voice actor, and writer in Finland. They are also a board member of We in Games, a podcaster, a radio DJ, and one of the leading accessibility advocates in Finland.
Licia moved to Finland about 10 years ago from Pennsylvania for love and a change of scenery. When the relationship did not work out, Licia decided to stay in Finland. They enrolled in a full-time Finnish language course and put down roots.
Listen to this episode and learn more about Felicia's experience in the gaming industry, their taste in music, but also about their advocating for the LGBTQ+ rights in Finland.
In this episode, Jean talks to Rabea about her Finnish journey including auparing, university tutoring, and exchange studies. They also talked about parenting, and the Parenting with Sisu podcast.
In this episode, Petra talks to Arseniy Lobanovskiy, who moved to Finland from Russia about 6 years ago. Arseniy talks about his learning of both Finnish and Swedish languages and its impact on fitting within the communities in Finland. Moreover, he sheds a light on the Swedish community in Finland. He also speaks about his battle with depression during his studies and the psychological help he was able to get via his PhD position at the University of Turku. Additionally, we talk about his role as a board member of the feminist magazine Astra and his political ambitions in Finland.
Jean chats with Jessica, who is originally from the UK. Jessica moved to Finland in 2016 to live with her Finnish partner. In this weekâs episode, Jean and Jessica talk about volunteer opportunities in Finland and the importance of volunteer work in a functioning society. Jessica noted cultural differences between her family in the UK and her partnerâs family in Finland. For example, her familyâs tradition of spending evenings in front of the TV with takeaway food was replaced with healthy meals eaten around the table and followed by a family board game. Jessica studied international business at Turku University of Applied Sciences and her thesis topic looked into the motivation for and benefits of volunteer work among students in Finland.
Listen for more information about Jessica and her journey!
Links:
AIESEC
Finnish Red CrossStartup Refugees
Ambitious Africa
Workaway
This week, Petra is joined by Sini Korpinen. Sini is a political podcast host and a municipal election candidate. She visited for a chat about the significance of municipal elections for Finns and foreigners living in Finland and provided clear instructions on how to attend the upcoming municipal elections in Finland.
Links:
Double Check Voting Eligibility
Simple Election Guide
Learn More About Finnish Parliament
YLE Election Compass in English
Election Website of the Ministry of Justice
Moniku began as a temporary project aimed at reducing inequality and usage of rehabilitation services among multicultural families. When the need for Moniku services continued to grow, however, the project was made permanent. Today, Alba serves about 15 families per week. Monikuâs services are important, Alba explains, because multicultural parents might be reluctant to speak their native languages with their child or expose their children to their native cultures. This could be for many reasons; for example, families might fear impacting their childâs Finnish language learning. Links: Moniku Palvelu Espoo MONIKU-palvelu Facebook
Pedro Bergamo is a singer/songwriter from Brazil who originally moved to Finland for love. In this episode, he shares his deep connection to music, his influences, and his songwriting process. Also, Matt and Pedro also listen to and discuss one of Pedro's latest releases, "Abrahadabra!".
Pedro's website: https://pedrobergamo.com
Tune in for an informative chat with Carl, an executive consultant and headhunter in Finland. Carl decided to pursue a career in recruitment, a process that had always intrigued him, after a long career in banking and leisure.
In his role as a headhunter, Carl conducts targeted searches for candidates that fit a specialized profile. Although many might imagine that headhunters only seek high-level executives for large companies, Carl works for companies of various sizes looking to fill a wide range of positions.
For tips on what mistakes not to make, how to approach a potential employer, and how to emphasize your strengths while still appearing humble, tune in to this weekâs episode. Be sure to listen to the end, so that you donât miss Karlâs responses to listener questions.
In this episode Aino talks about the Finnish tradition Vappu that is annualy celebrate on May 1st. She also shares many interesting experiences with Armenian culture an answers listenersâ questions. She gives great advice for impressing your Finnish in-laws, as well as important things to keep in mind if you plan on moving to Finland (sneak peak: bring a good pair of boots!)
Please join us in welcoming Matt, our new co-host at Mastering Finland! Matt moved to Finland for love in 2016. He packed up his life in Maryland, and married his penpal of 10 years! Today, Matt lives happily in Pori with his wife, Sanni, and their son, Edvin.
Tune into episode 48 to hear Mattâs story, and to get a sneak peak at what to expect from his upcoming episodes. Be sure to check out our links below where you can find Mattâs online presence. You will also find a link to the non-profit friendship organization Matt recommends for anyone looking to participate in cultural exchange in Finland.
Links:
SAM Foundation
Matt's Blog
My Life in Finland YouTube
Everyday Musician
Tune into a chat with Roham, originally from Iran, about his experience moving with his wife and daughter to Finland four months ago, in late 2020. To make better personal and professional connections, Roham plans to learn Finnish. Although he is passionate and dedicated about learning the language, his ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) challenges his ability to focus. ADHD can make reading incredibly difficult, affect short-term memory, increase procrastination, and lead to poor time management. Many people with ADHD or ADD may also experience other disorders, such as RSD (rejection sensitive dysphoria), depression, or anxiety. Listen to this episode to learn more about Roham's move to Finland and how is it to live with ADHD in this country.
This is the first episode of the "International Authors in Finland" series, and in this episode, we welcome mother and daughter Pamela and Eloisa Spokes. They co-wrote a book together during the first few months of the coronavirus pandemic when Eloisa experienced distance learning and spent lots of time at home with her mum. That's when the idea to create an engaging book for families sparked their minds. Their book "Would You Rather...?" is also translated to the Finnish language and offers excellent entertainment for everybody ready to have some fun. Listen to this episode and learn more about the authors, creating and self-publishing the book.
Buy here: https://amzn.to/2OlOEtn
This week, Jean sat down to chat with Karina, a PhD student of Applied Linguistics at the University of Jyväskylä. Originally from Japan, Karina began her upper secondary education in Australia. There, she experienced quite a bit of culture shock as a result of the louder, more direct Australian culture. In Finland, Karina once again feels at home. Read on, or listen to episode 45, to learn more about Karinaâs story.
In this episode we combined two interviews together to provide you an overall picture of recruitment in FInland enriched by many tips and suggestions on how to improve your job-searching in Finland. In the first part of the interview (0:00-24:25), we talked to Hannah Gay that started her Finnish journey as an intern at The Shortcut, a company you may remember from our previous episode. She currently works as a talent acquisition consultant at Tieto Evry. Hannah shared with us her views on the current international job market in Finland. After meeting with Hannah, we chatted with Miina Väisänen (24:25), a Finnish recruitment professional living in Paris. Miina has an eclectic background in recruitment, psychology, and freelance journalism. Miina grew up in Helsinki, where she was educated in psychology and journalism. After working as a recruitment specialist in a Nordic-French company, Miina briefly returned to Finland to continue her education before returning to Paris. In her current role as an international career consultant, she works with students who are looking for professional direction. We really enjoyed sitting down to talk with both of these knowledgeable and helpful guests, and we hope you do, too! Tune in to hear more about the Finnish recruitment process from an inside perspective. As always, be sure to check out the links in the description box for more information. Links: Hannah's LinkedIn Nordic Diversify Miina's LinkedIn
Continuing our series on job-seeking in Finland, Petra chats with Stefan Cave. Originally from the UK, Stefan moved to Finland with his partner in 2019 seeking a better work-life balance. Upon arriving in Finland, he applied his background in HR and operations management to his role as COO at talent accelerator The Shortcut.
Tune in to this episode for Stefanâs advice for international job seekers and to learn more about how The Shortcut can help you. You can check out the companyâs success stories and sign up for upcoming events at the links below.
Links:
Stefan's LinkedIn
The Shortcut Homepage
Success Stories
Upcoming events
Iiris Ranta, who recently graduated from the University of Jyväskylä with a masterâs degree in intercultural management. While completing her thesis on international talent recruitment and retention in the city of Jyväskylä, Iiris focused on the topics of labour migration and the internationalization of higher education.
The results of her thesis support the idea that in order to create successful ecosystems and services for international job seekers, public governance should turn to the knowledge and experiences of the internal talent which already exists locally.
Additionally, we talked about a very important articles, which you might recall from our coverage last month, centered on an article written about the Home Care Allowance received by stay-at-home moms in Finland. The article focused on the benefits available to migrant women who stay at home to raise their children. The article suggested that migrant women stay at home because they have this allowance, and would not work if they had the opportunity.
Listen to this episode to hear more about Iiris's thoughts, views, and ideas related to the topic of job-seeking.
Links
KYKY & Co. Podcast
Our summary on articles mentioned in this episode
This week, we had Doula Danielle on to talk about her experience working as a post-partum doula in Helsinki. Through her personal practice, Mothers Transition, and as a member of The Nest Helsinki International Doulas+, Danielle offers needed support for new mothers and their families.
Growing up, Danielle moved around quite a bit. Born in Israel, Danielle also lived in Copenhagen, Finland, and Amsterdam. She recently returned to Finland in August of 2020 with her husband, a Finn, and their four-month-old baby.
To learn more about Danielle and her journey, listen to this episode and check her recourses.
LINKS:
Mothers Transition Homepage
Free Online Workshop
The Nest Helsinki International Doulas+
Send Danielle a Message
Meet Varpu, your âFinnish fairy godmother.â On her online platform Her Finland, you can find culture-based language courses that will help you master Finnish (or, at least learn enough to get by), as well as tips and tricks for thriving in Finland -Â from the perspective of a native Finn! We sat down to chat about Varpuâs motivations for building Her Finland, the challenges of building a digital business, and the services she provides. Listen in for details on her upcoming language support course, price ranges, discounts, and a sneak peek at her plans for the future! Oh, and donât forget to check out our link for the upcoming MasterMind class (limited access) that starts on March 1st 2021, and for the 30% off of Varpuâs cookbook, featuring tons of crave-worthy Finnish treats! Her Finland FREE Connect with Finns Course FREE Spark Your Finnish class Upcoming MasterMind group (Limited access) course 30% Off Varpuâs Cookbook
Join us for a chat about Esther's inspiring experience related to learning the Finnish language, working and raising children in Finland, and overcoming the language barrier to gain meaningful employment as a foreigner. She also talks about the loneliness and depression she experienced after giving birth to her children. Finally, Esther shed some light on the unpleasant situations she faced during her internship in an old peopleâs care home, and when stepping up during a house committee meeting. Give this episode a listen if you want to feel encouraged on your Finnish journey!
Valentineâs Day is happening soon and we thought we might share a bit about how do people usually celebrate such a day in Finland.
In this episode, we talk about the history of Valentineâs Day in Finland, its focus on friendship, how do Finns celebrate this day, and how does a university approach this special day. We also collected a few voice recordings from our dear listeners about how they see the Valentineâs Day in Finland and how they celebrate. Moreover, we couldnât stop ourselves from reflecting on our own friendship and shared with you some dear memories of ours.
You may remember Matti, a Finnish-American from last weekâs episode, and his tales of service in the Finnish Defense Forces. This week, we continue our conversation with a preview of Mattiâs forthcoming book, 347 Mornings. At Mastering Finland, we are big believers in the power of stories to help people overcome difficulties and face tough challenges - we are often inspired by our guestsâ stories and by the stories our listeners share. That is why we are so excited about Mattiâs book, in which he recounts and reflects on his experience serving in the Finnish Defense Forces. By sharing his story, Matti hopes to make the path a little easier for those who come after him. To hear about Mattiâs writing process, and for a discussion of the practical and societal benefits of Finlandâs conscription system, give episode 37 a listen. Also, be sure to check out our new website, linked below.Â
Links:
Matti's Startup
Episode 36 - Matthew's Story & Military Service During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Joining Petra in this episode is a Finnish-American named Matthew (or in Finnish Matti) who moved from New Jersey to Finland in 2019.
Matti received Finnish citizenship through his grandmotherâs descent when he was a child, and moved to Finland in 2019 to complete a year of military service. During this time, Matti learned more about his own leadership abilities and his familyâs culture. His unconventional time in the military was transformed when the COVID-19 pandemic began, complicating the normally by-the-book operations of the Finnish military.
To hear more about Mattiâs time in the army, give this episode a listen. Be sure to check out the links section below for more information about the Finnish military. Tune in next week to hear more about Mattiâs life in Finland, and for a sneak peek at his recent book!
Links:
Finnish Defence Forces Conscription Information
Training and Career Opportunities in the Finnish Defence Forces
Coronavirus FAQ For Finnish Defence Forces
In this weekâs short and sweet episode, Petra has a chat with Mehri, who is a contributing writer at Foreigners in Finland magazine. Founded by Mae Lehto, Foreigners in Finland is a local online magazine aimed at foreigners living in Finland. The magazine caters to an international audience and covers topics like lifestyle, food and drink, business, work, study, and traveling. Mehriâs areas of expertise are home and lifestyle, and you can read her work at the link below! Finally, in this episode we announce the collaboration between our podcast and the Foreigners in Finland magazine. We hope we can build a bigger community together and maybe even work on some bigger project together. You can also read an article about us and our collaboration on Foreigners in Finland's website. Press âplayâ or visit our blog to learn more about Mehriâs role at Foreigners in Finland, and to hear our chat about the importance of international collaboration. Links: Foreigners in Finland Homepage (scroll down to subscribe to their newsletter) Foreigners in Finland December Issue
Welcome to our first episode of the New Year 2021! 2020 brought many challenges and we are looking forward to a chance to turn things around in 2021. However, with the Brexit transition period expiring at the end of the year, UK citizens may have a tough time doing just that. To offer some guidance on navigating the transition, we sat down for a chat with Mark, a UK citizen living in Finland. A desire to travel to the Nordic countries for some time off and a bit of snowy weather landed Mark in Finland, where he fell in love with the Finnish culture (and a Finnish girl!) and decided to stay. After building his own wilderness tour business, Markâs life in Finland was turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic and the expiration of the Brexit transition period. Despite these hardships, Mark maintains a positive attitude, and a sense of gratitude for all that Finland has done to make the transition easier on UK citizens. To hear more about Markâs experience fighting to remain in Finland, as well as a review of the steps youâll need to take as a UK citizen living in Finland, give this episode a listen. If you are a UK citizen residing in Finland, be sure to take a look at the links below for resources regarding the Brexit situation in Finland. Links: https://migri.fi/en/brexit/en https://migri.fi/en/frequently-asked-questions
Petra talks to Dani, who had been struggling with her mental health during a process of job-seeking in Finland.
In Daniâs words: âI am a recently graduated expat who's looking for a job and living in Finland on borrowed time. The pressure and countless rejections resulted in a loss of motivation, imposter syndrome, and even depression. Come to think of it, I literally went through all 5 stages of grief.â
Tune in to hear how she managed to overcome the struggles, who helped her, and what kind of strategies has she been using to get a better chance on getting a job whilst keeping her sanity intact.
In this episode, we look through scientific lens on the impact of migration, and discrimination on mental health, and the representation of these topics in media. To learn more about these issues we spoke with Shadia Rask, research manager at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). During more than a decade of work in the field, Shadia has contributed to important research impacting the lives of vulnerable individuals. She continues to work towards improving mental health services for all residents of Finland. Press play to hear Shadiaâs take on the impacts of media representation on the stigmatization of mental illness, the need to increase accessibility to mental health services, and more. LINKS: Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare Homepage Recent Study Mentioned by Shadia on the Underrepresentation of Immigrants in Finnish Mental Health Services and Rehabilitation Recent THL Mental Health Research
In this episode, we continue our mental health series with a foreignerâs perspective on mental health care in Finland. We reconnected with Davide from Episode 13 to hear about his experience overcoming anxiety and isolation through professional mental health support.
Leaving behind the comfort of university life to start a career is challenging enough; for Davide, this transition was made more difficult by the loneliness of trying to find support and community in a new city. Finding the courage to reach out for help allowed Davide to find strength in vulnerability; now, he feels liberated from the anxiety that used to keep him up at night.
LINKS:
Headspace app
Mental Health Finland (Mieli)
During these unusually stressful times, we could all use a little help improving our mental well-being. Whether youâre suffering from workplace overload or relationship woes, Mervi Lamminenâs easy access to mental well-being service is here to help! Auntie Solutions offers one-on-one video meetings with mental health professionals to help you keep your mental health in tip-top shape. To learn more about her company's mission, Petra sat down to talk with Mervi this week. Press play to hear about the importance of linguistic diversity in mental wellness services, the benefits of workplace mental health services, and more!
LINKS:
Auntie's Website
Other Mental Health Care Services Available in Finland
Petra talks to an occupational health psychologist, Sinnu about mental health and the services available in Finland. Sinnu sheds light on the specific types of help one can receive, through what channel and the general costs. She also gives practical advice for mental health prevention and care, addressing issues that may arise specifically in the time of Covid and heightened social media usage.Â
LINKS MENTIONED:
Psykologiaa ja Kaikenlaista podcast
Sinnu's websiteÂ
Katerina talks about her wedding woes in Finland and the last minute obstacle which unfortunately forced her to cancel her wedding! Find out what document she was required to present from her home country in order to marry her Finnish-Greek husband and how they were surprised to experience a not-so-smooth side of Finnish bureaucracy as foreigners.
Petra & Jean finally spill the beans on their dating experiences in Finland and using Tinder, as well as share anecdotes of their most memorable dates. Additionally, Raul opens up about dating in Finland as a member of the LGBTQ community. What is the Finnish dating culture like, you ask? Tune in to find out!
Dallin relocated to Finland specifically to serve in the Finnish military and afterwards stayed to study. He gives us an inside look at the Finnish military culture and life and shares some of his unforgettable experiences from that time. He also talks about how Canadians and Finns are similar and different and gives valuable insight into understanding the value of friendship in Finland. USEFUL LINKS MENTIONED: âFinnish Language Learning Tool https://www.worddive.com/en/
Petra and Jean react to Facebook posts of foreigners living in Finland, which leads to a discussion of the Finnish social culture and mentality and some of the common struggles foreigners face in this area.
Eline is a Dutch-Finn who grew up in Papua New Guinea for the majority of her childhood. She talks about growing up as a *"Third Culture Kid" and how that had shaped her worldview and identity and affected her life when she moved back to the Netherlands and Finland as an adult. She also shares how she manages to juggle student and single mom life and gives tips to foreigners for living in Finland. Tune in to hear her story and her overall unique perspective on life!Â
*Third Culture Kid- a child who grows up in a culture different from the one in which his or her parents grew up (https://www.merriam-webster.com)
Paola, originally from Italy, shares her family's remarkable journey of adopting internationally in Finland. She talks about her multicultural family, identity and details the process of adopting her son from India. Find out how her efforts to improve the adoption services for foreigners helped international families and how it also ended up impacting adoption services in Finland as a whole! Links: âInterpedia https://interpedia.fi/en/ âSave the Children https://www.pelastakaalapset.fi/en/our-work-in-finland/adoptions/intercountry-adoptions/ âAdoptioperheet https://www.adoptioperheet.fi/âBlog https://www.theelephantmum.com âSupport Family https://www.theelephantmum.com/support-family-in-finland/
Jean chats with Lorena who relocated to Finland for her job at Nokia. Lorena gives an inside look at working in a Finnish company, the work culture, and the relationship dynamics with colleagues and the manager. She also shares many resources for organizations she had taken the initiative to join to build her social network/community. Find out how she built her life in Finland and her advice for those interested in moving here! LINKS: â Luckan https://luckan.fi/english/ â Women's Cafe in English (Luckan) https://www.google.com/amp/s/allevents.in/mobile/amp-event.php%3fevent_id=200020021168231 âGlobal Shapers Community https://www.globalshapers.org/hubs/helsinki-hub âWomen in Tech Finland https://womenintech.fi/#:~:text=Women%20in%20Tech%20Finland%20aims,and%20open%20for%20all%20individuals. â Blabla Language Exchange https://www.blablalanguageexchange.com/ âInternations https://www.internations.org/helsinki-expats
Petra chats with diversity and inclusion public speaker/coach and CEO/co-founder of Businesswiz, Priyanka Banerjee. Priyanka's work helps Finnish companies transition to a more internationally-minded environment through hands-on cooperation and trainings. She believes that the successful inclusion of foreigners in the workforce is essential as Finland inevitably moves towards a more diverse society and faces an increase in workforce demands. Don't miss this insightful and refreshing perspective on a hot topic! LINKS: https://businesswiz.fi/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/priyankabanerjee07/ | International Working Women of Finland: www.iwwof.com
Petra interviews Raysa and Katarina, students at the University of Tampere and creators of "Diversity for Future." Their mission is to address the topic of diversity in the Finnish workplace through discussions and personal stories and to highlight the value of international cooperation! LINKS: https://esnfint.org/diversity-for-future https://esnfint.org/international-student-employability-team https://erasmusintern.org/ https://medium.com/@diversityforfuture https://www.linkedin.com/in/raysa-franca/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/katarinasladakovic/
Petra and Jean talk about some of the most popular Finnish inventions and brands (you'll be surprised to see what's on the list!). Get to know a little bit more of the 'Finnish way' through the ingenuity and uniqueness of their creations and ideas!
What better way to prepare for the new academic year than to speak to Raul- a former tutor, student and teacher (triple threat!) at the University of Jyväskylä. Raul gives insight into the realities of life outside of the university bubble based on his own experiences. Raul touches on: âď¸the role of a 'tutor' and the kind of assistance international students can expect as they settle into (university) life in Finland. âď¸CLIL (Content & Language Integrated Learning) âď¸bold tips on how to get noticed by potential employers in Finland!
Alvaro looks back on the good times as an Erasmus exchange student (EU program) in Finland! He talks about his studies in Education, 'friendship family program' (see link below), student life, traveling and dating. He also gives valuable tips for new students! SOURCES MENTIONED: âErasmus Student Exchange Program- https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/node_en âFriendship Family Program at the University of Jyväskylä- https://www.jyu.fi/en/study/day-to-day-life-housing-and-free-time/friendship-family-programme â(Long distance) Bus- https://www.onnibus.com/etusivu âTrain- https://www.vr.fi/cs/vr/fi/etusivu
Community is key to surviving and thriving! Petra and Jean share their experience of making friends and building a community as international students in Finland. SOURCES MENTIONED: âFriendship Family Program (University of Jyväskylä) https://www.jyu.fi/en/study/day-to-day-life-housing-and-free-time/friendship-family-programme
Petra and Jean continue to share their travel experiences in Finland. In this episode, they give an overview of: âď¸Lahti âď¸Oulu âď¸Kemi âď¸Kuusamo âď¸Ranua âď¸Rovaniemi âď¸Inari (SaariselkaĚ village) âď¸Tallinn âď¸Alands/Ahvenmaa âď¸Stockholm (*Listen with a pinch of salt! We're sure there were many things/experiences missed possibly because of the poor winter weather âšď¸) âď¸St. Petersburgđ§łHappy and safe travels! . â ď¸Please exercise caution in your travels now and stay healthy! SOURCES MENTIONED: âĄď¸HUSKEY/REINDEER RIDE: https://www.huskyco.fi/ âĄď¸https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g667560-d3747392-Reviews-Husky_Co-Saariselka_Lapland.html âĄď¸ HOTEL: https://stararctichotel.com/
Wondering how you can travel safely around Finland now? From popular tourist attractions to hidden gems, join Petra and Jean in this two-part series audio tour as they hit up 22 different cities in and around Finland! In this episode they give an overview of their travel experiences in: âď¸Helsinki âď¸Sipoo âď¸Porvoo âď¸Turku âď¸Naantali âď¸Rauma âď¸Pori âď¸Tampere âď¸Jyväskylä âď¸Petäjävesi âď¸Kuopio . â ď¸Please exercise caution in your travels now and stay healthy! USEFUL SOURCES: Yango taxi app (affordable); for bus tickets- Onnibus, Matkahuolto; for train tickets- VR Train; Helsinki viewpoints mentioned in episode- Clarion Hotel, Hotel Torni (temporarily closed).
Davide moved to Finland from Italy with the intention and mindset to settle long-term. He shares practical tips for writing effective job applications and navigating one's social life in Helsinki as a foreigner. His perseverance, introspection and can-do attitude help him get through the highs and lows, which eventually lead him to his current success in Finland. This episode is an uplifting and thought-provoking story that is not to be missed! SOURCE MENTIONED: https://integration.luckan.fi/
Petra and Jean share their experience of transitioning from student to job-seeker status, particularly in regards to: âĄď¸ new residence permit âĄď¸ documents required for employment âĄď¸ online banking ID (This episode was recorded in May 2020. Always do your own research for up to date information)
***NOTE ERROR IN EPISODE: Online banking ID is only for EU citizens who registered for the right of residence and non-EU permanent residents!Â
SOURCES MENTIONED:
Extended Permit to Look for Work: https://migri.fi/en/extended-permit-to-look-for-work#:~:text=You%20can%20get%20a%20residence,decision%20on%20deportation%20from%20Finland.
TE Office (Unemployment office): https://www.te-palvelut.fi/te/fi/
KELA (Social Services) https://www.kela.fi/web/en
Criminal Clearance Report for Employment (paper and online form): https://www.supo.fi/turvallisuusselvitykset/hakemuslomakkeet
Online application for ALL types of residence permits: https://enterfinland.fi/eServices
A panel of international student ambassadors answer your questions regarding studies in Finland!Â
This is packed with information and lots of great insights. Don't miss you!
A big thank you to our student ambassadors from:Â
âĄď¸University of Helsinki
âĄď¸University of Turku
âĄď¸University of Jyväskylä (Other universities were invited to participate but unfortunately did not respond). Please see timestamps of the different topics discussed: âApplication process 03:35 âFinancial Support During Studies 21:48 âUniversity Life/Studies 36:22 âMatter Related to Outside of Uni 52:04 âSocial Life 57:01 âCOVID Update 01:10:31 âBest Thing About Each University 01:14:07 âUniversity of Jyväskylä 01:14:14 âUniversity of Helsinki 01:15:49, 01:16:42, 01:18:09; âUniversity of Turku 01:17:26 âAdvice/Tips for international students 01:19:06. Enjoy!
LINKS MENTIONED: https://www.bachelorsportal.com/, https://www.mastersportal.com/, https://www.studyinfinland.fi/admissions?fbclid=IwAR1NA5Lws7R3qXgDPT9i37_cKKdIg1Rfx3Unk-_1lNnCOy0bBBfsZtubQ30
Petra and Jean look back on their student years in Finland and chat about university life, education and culture and not to mention all the student perks! Tune in to find out how independent learning is cultivated and how students are cared for and seen as equals to professors. ***UPDATED INFO: as of August 1, 2020 student lunch prices have increased from 2.60⏠up to 3.06⏠(depending on location). Links: https://www.frank.fi/en/ https://www.yths.fi/en/frontpage/ https://www.studyinfinland.fi/life-finland https://www.jyu.fi/studentlife/en/wellbeing/Student%20Compass (For JYU students)
Petra sits down with Henna Pursiainen - CEO of the initiative, "Dare To Learn." The initiative organizes an annual event, which attracts visitors from all over the world from various professional backgrounds, with the goal of contributing to learning at any stage of life. Henna shares a glimpse of future projects that we can expect centered around continuous learning and how you can get involved! http:// www.daretolearn.fi/
Tune in to find out how some listeners are coping and how their daily lives have changed because of COVID-19 in Finland. We hope that through this episode you feel a sense of oneness, regardless of where you may be, as we all try to adjust to our new reality. ***Many thanks to those who submitted an audio/text message and allowed us to share it in this episode! (Stay up to date with https://www.who.int/ for accurate information on COVID-19)
Shanarah (Australia) and Maria (Philippines) moved to Finland for their significant others. We chat about how they obtained their residence permits, went through the required integration period for immigrants and also what working as kindergarten teachers in Helsinki is like. This episode is loaded with practical information that even our guests wish they had known before moving here, so take note!
Turning a house into a home is a process but having to do it alone while in a foreign country can seem like a daunting task. Petra and Jean talk about their experience of settling into Finland and share tips on where to buy furniture, groceries and eco-friendly items! They also touch on recycling practices and the many specific dietary needs Finland caters to with all their products.Â
Links:
Jysk (furniture store) https://jysk.fi/
Ikea (furniture store) https://www.ikea.com/fi/
Second-hand shops Kirpputori (Kirppis) = a Finnish name for a flea market/second-hand shop Sovatek (furniture and other items) http://www.sovatek.fi/kierratyskauppa.html UFF (mostly clothes) http://uff.fi/in-english/
Student restaurants (Jyväskylä) https://www.jyu.fi/en/study/day-to-day-life-housing-and-free-time/student-restaurants
Student restaurants (Helsinki) https://unicafe.fi/en/
K-market https://www.k-ruoka.fi/
S-market https://www.s-kanava.fi/
Lidl https://www.lidl.fi/
Alko https://www.alko.fi/
Organic Shops Ruohonjuuri https://www.ruohonjuuri.fi/
Ekolo Kauppa https://www.ekolo.fi/
Waste Guide https://www.hsy.fi/fi/asukkaalle/lajittelujakierratys/Sivut/default.aspxÂ
Saswati came to Finland from India in 2017 to study Education in a Master's degree program. Coming from a country of 455 people per square km to Finland (with 15 people per square km) imagine her surprise when she first arrived! She talks about an unfortunate incident involving racism, her dating experience and how she smoothly transitioned into a PhD program.
Petra and Jean talk about what you should do once you arrive to Finland. Jean delves into the process of obtaining a personal identity code (henkilĂśtunnus) and opening a bank account as a non-EU citizen (among other things), while Petra shares her experience as an EU citizen. Are you sure youâre all set for your new life in Finland? Tune in and find out! Links: Finnish Immigration Service www.migri.fi Online Services of the Finnish Immigration Services (residence permit) www.enterfinland.fi Local Register Office www.mastraatti.fi Employment and Economic Development Office (TE Office) Services www.te-palvelut.fi Tax Administration www.vero.fi
Kadiya moved to Finland with her husband from Urumqi, China back in 2015. Since then she has experienced significant life moments, like getting her Masterâs degree in education and giving birth to her first child, all while navigating her new life in a foreign country! Find out how she intentionally changed her mindset to help her adapt to the Finnish culture and overcome the struggles and which aspects of the Finnish culture made her âfeel human!â Links: Kadiya's Blog - https://kadi617.wordpress.com/ Starting Up â a free online course by Aalto University - https://starting-up.org/en/
Petra and Jean share all the nitty-gritty details of planning your move to Finland. Whether itâs applying for a Finnish residence permit or finding housing, get a heads-up about some of the key things you should tend to prior to your arrival to ensure a smooth start! Links:
Checklist for moving to Finland https://www.infofinland.fi/en/moving-to-finland/checklist-for-a-person-who-is-moving-to-finland
Housing https://www.vuokraovi.com/ https://asunnot.oikotie.fi/
Finnish Immigration Service https://migri.fi/en/residence-permit
Katerina talks about her move from Greece to Finland with her Finnish-Greek fiance and recalls some hilarious and challenging moments that she faced in the beginning. She also shares useful tips for getting a pet, car shipping, and starting a teaching career in Finland! Links:
Finnish Tax Administration
https://www.vero.fi/henkiloasiakkaat/
Importing your car to Finland
https://www.traficom.fi/fi/
Advertisement website for Selling/Buying
https://www.tori.fi/
Petra and Jean share their first impressions of Finland. Is Finland everything the media makes it out to be...or more? Was it love at first sight? Find out if pre-existing notions the world seems to have about Finland are true!
Links:
This is Finland - things you should and shouldn't know about Finland https://finland.fi/
Study Portals Masters https://www.mastersportal.com/countries/9/finland.html
Study.EUÂ https://www.study.eu/
Meet your hosts! Petra is from the Czech Republic and Jean is from California and they met while studying in a Masterâs degree program in Jyväskylä. Find out what inspired them to take the leap and start this podcast and what you can look forward to in later episodes!