Expats stories - part 1

Being both foreigners in Finland, we like to hear stories from other fellow expats, to share and compare our points of view, feelings and experiences. That’s why we decided to start this series, to understand how people with different cultures and backgrounds feel about this country, but also to provide a fun and useful tool for Finns, for them to realize how their own country is seen from a different point of view.

Today we have a talk with two of my closest friends in Helsinki: Irene, 30 years old, from Todi, Italy, and Lula, 23 years old, from Belluno, Italy. They are both studying Business and Languages in Haaga-Helia Pasila Campus (in Helsinki), and we like to call ourselves “the Italian trio” 😊.

For how long have you lived in Finland?

Irene: I moved to Finland on the 7th of May 2015. I have been living here for more than five years.

Lula: I moved here in August 2019, so for around one year and a half.

What brought you here?

Irene: Love. My ex-husband is half Finnish and Italian we used to be friends before he moved to Finland in 2013. When he came back for visiting his family and friends we fell in love, and we decided to try a two-year distance relationship. I moved to Finland with him just right after graduating in an Italian University.

Lula: Destiny I suppose, I like to say that maybe it was meant to be. I never planned or thought in my life to come here!

How was your first day ever in Finland? How did you feel?

Irene: Culturally speaking, I’d say shocking. Before moving to Finland my travel experiences were extremely poor. Starting a new life abroad was frightening for me! I cannot remember clearly my first day, I still remember but what I felt instead. I was feeling hopeful, and I had a great project ahead of me. The excitement of the new experience was high, and I was feeling very motivated.

Lula: Well… my very first day here was strange! I remember, I thought the places reminded me a bit of the US, it was dark and full of snow and it was such a different environment, compared to what I was used to see! Everything was completely new and exciting to me.

How have your feelings about Finland changed during the time?

Irene: Although I like Finland, my hopes and my expectations have been falling a bit throughout the last years as I was struggling to learn Finnish. I'm still striving with Finnish language, my level is stuck as it was three years ago, and I can't make any progress further. This also affected my employment situation.

Lula: Finland is absolutely amazing, I love the society, the culture… but sometimes I feel like this is not a place for non Finns, you either don’t get the chance to plan your future here or live with a bit of uncertainty... and that’s unfortunate because I would actually consider Finland for my future.

If you had to describe Finland with one word, what would it be? And why?

Irene: National pride.

Finland is a faraway culture compared to its Nordic neighbors. Its culture, language, traditions and habits are totally different from the Nordic countries. I would also consider Finland as a young nation, since its independence came only a hundred year ago. Historically, Finland has been invaded and controlled by other countries (such as Sweden and Russia), and in my opinion their behavior has been shaped around these constant invasions, domination and deprivation of their own language and culture throughout the centuries, creating a sense of distrust from the stranger. As I mentioned above, the Independence occurred only 100 years ago, indeed there is still a generation alive that fought in World Wars, therefore the memory of those days is still very fresh in the collective consciousness. This sense of fear of losing again which has been fought for centuries (Independence) is undoubtedly justifiable. In the base of these facts my consideration to Finnish behavior is compassionate. I understand why they tend to be close, shy or maybe even seem rude toward a foreigner. Their attitude, which is has been dictated as "racist" is wrong. In my opinion there is no racism in their behavior but instead a protection of their language and culture that for ages has been deprived. This is why it is of paramount importance to understand not only the language but the culture and the history of any nation as well.

Lula: Quiet.

In Finland you will never find chaotic towns and loud people. You think a lot with the silence of Finnish people and in the peace of Finnish nature. And I have such mixed feelings: sometimes it’s scary, sometimes it’s helpful.

If you had to leave Finland forever tomorrow, what would be the one thing you take back home with you?

Irene: My Finnish boyfriend and many good memories.

Lula: All the new life experiences I had and all the friends that I have made in here.

Tell us one thing you would change about Finland.

Both: The way they see and perceive non-Finns. As we said, for some aspects it’s hard to be a foreigner in Finland, sometimes it’s very frustrating. But of course this does not apply to everyone. However, we also see that younger generations are more willing to change this attitude.

Special thanks to Irene and Lula for sharing their experience!

-Mike