Lis, in Finland since 2019

Lis V.R, Communications and Community Manager Coordinator at the University of Helsinki

1. What brought you to Finland, and what were your first impressions?

I came to Finland in 2019 for an Erasmus exchange at the University of Turku. I had to choose between Ireland and Finland, and I picked Finland because of its famous education system and high quality of life. I’m originally from Alicante, Spain, but I was born in Venezuela, so the weather here was a big shock for me. I still remember my first November in Finland, counting the days without seeing the sun. What stood out to me the most, though, was how kind and helpful everyone was. People went out of their way to assist me and always spoke in such polite and friendly ways. I wasn’t used to that, but it made me feel very welcome. On the other hand, Turku is such a charming small city. It’s perfect for a study exchange because the student life there is so cozy and inviting. I lived in the student village with 12 other internationals, and it was one of the best experiences of my life.

2. What’s the biggest challenge you faced when adjusting to life in Finland, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge was adjusting to the different way of life in Finland. For example, there were no more siesta breaks, and having dinner at 10 p.m. was out of the question. Going to Unicafe at 12:00 for lunch felt almost like a crime at first! Because of these differences, my first friends in Finland were mostly other internationals. I made a conscious choice not to stick only with Spanish friends because I wanted to have a new and diverse experience.

It’s been five years since then, and I still find it challenging to build deep friendships with Finns on the same level as what I’m used to in Spain. In Spain, I tell my friends I love them every time I see them, while in Finland, I’ve learned that love is often expressed through actions rather than words. I do have a few close Finnish friends, and those relationships have grown slowly and steadily over time.

Another challenge has been that my groups of friends keep changing every couple of years. Many of my friends end up moving away, so it’s hard to have the same long-term connections. I’m still adapting to the differences, including the unique sense of humor here. It’s a process I’m working through and haven’t completely overcome yet!

3. What’s your favorite thing about living in Finland that you didn’t expect?

One of my favorite things about Finland, which I didn’t expect, is the connection to nature. It’s so easy to immerse yourself in it—just hop on a tram or bus, and you can find yourself in the middle of a forest or a national park. I absolutely love Finnish nature; it feels like something out of a fairytale. I also couldn’t believe how beautiful the Finnish summer is—it’s one of the most stunning seasons I’ve ever experienced. I love Midsummer and the magical feeling in the air during that time. There’s something truly special about the long days and the way nature comes alive.

4. If you could give one piece of advice to someone considering moving to Finland, what would it be?

I would tell them to seriously learn Finnish—it will make your life much easier. Also, if you’re coming from a country like Spain, be prepared for a different lifestyle that’s more individualistic. In Finland, people tend to value personal space, privacy, and independence. The pace of life and social dynamics here can be quite different, and adjusting to that can take time. But embracing these changes will help you feel more at home.

5. What is your favourite Finnish product?

My favorite Finnish product is probably the Finnish strawberries in the summer, they just hit differently!

6. What is it like to grow your career / work in Finland?

As a young queer woman, I feel much more validated in workplaces here. I never would have imagined that I could have a corporate job at a university in Spain. In Finland, there are many more opportunities to build a career, but it requires a lot of effort in networking. I’ve put a lot of time and energy into building a strong network because, as an international, it’s quite challenging to find a job that aligns with your career goals.

⁠⁠7. Why do you think Finland is the happiest country in the world? Finns definitely do not believe that.

I don’t think it’s the happiest country in the world—if such a thing even exists. While Finland has an excellent welfare system, strong social benefits, better equality, and progressiveness, which undoubtedly make a difference, that’s not the whole recipe for happiness. I feel like happiness is more complex than that. For instance, I would say that Spain feels happier in some ways. We don’t place as much importance on work-life, and we’re much closer to our loved ones, both physically and emotionally. There’s always a sense of togetherness and spontaneity in Spain that I sometimes miss. Of course, there are good and bad sides to both places, but happiness depends on so many factors beyond just societal systems.