Bravely going global – student Milla Juusela's journey towards an international career
Milla Juusela, from Ulvila, Finland, is studying Business Studies at the University of Vaasa, where she is majoring in International Business.
Milla started her international career at an early age. In high school she was an exchange student in Sydney, Australia. The trip taught her independence, but above all it ignited a fire for internationalism and the world.
The very next year, Milla packed her bags again and headed to Germany with the Erasmus "Move your body, help your mind" project to spread the message about the importance of physical activity. The following year, she went on a summer exchange to Austria, sponsored by the Lions Club. There she spent half of the time with a host family and half at an international camp, where Milla says she made friends from all over the world.
She cites networks and friendships as the main spark for going abroad.
– One of the biggest lessons has been networking. I've got a lot out of being able to exchange ideas with other students and put what I've learned into practice. Group work and projects have also developed my ability to work with different people and broaden my own thinking.
Milla skipped her high school graduation ceremony because she went to India to participate in the "Sustainable business ideas to India" trip.
– On the way, we visited the Finnish Embassy, where Business Finland's office is located, and the spark was lit. I wondered what I should study in order to work for Business Finland or at the embassy. Or maybe one day become an ambassador.
The pieces started to fall into place when Milla's secondary school came on a study trip to the University of Vaasa. It was there that she first heard about the International Business major.
– I knew immediately that it was what I wanted to study. I applied to the University of Vaasa as my first choice. I got in on the first try and was very happy to move to Vaasa.
A full student life
The start of Milla's studies coincided with an unfortunate pandemic in the world. But it didn't slow down Milla, who is outgoing and quick to network - she found a close-knit group of friends on her first day and is still in touch with them.
Milla has made the most of her time at university. In her first year, she was involved in the sports section of her Student organisation, organising sports events. In her second year, she worked as a tutor, who is not only approachable but also helpful if a new student is being bullied or harassed. She was also chosen as the Business Studies Tutor of the Year. That autumn, Milla and her friends took advantage of the travel opportunities offered by the subject association: a sailing trip in the beautiful Greek archipelago and an excursion to Amsterdam.
– Then I was elected as a member of the Board of the Student Union of the University of Vaasa, responsible for Corporate Relations and Member Services. I was delighted to be able to contribute to the student community that had given me so much.
From her university studies, Milla has gone out into the world whenever the opportunity has arisen - and it has, thanks to the University of Vaasa's extensive international networks.
– I spent the spring of 2023 on exchange in Lille, France. From there, it was easy to make trips to the rest of Europe, where my friends were on exchange in different places. We met in places like Barcelona, Strasbourg and Paris.
Dreams come true
The dream of working for Business Finland, which was sparked in India, came true when Milla returned from her exchange in France. She joined Business Finland in the internationalisation and export promotion team, where she worked for just under a year. She was closely involved in more than 20 international projects and worked with the international team on a daily basis.
– Working at Business Finland taught me an enormous amount. Business Finland also took me on a working trip to Brussels for a high-level EU conference on critical minerals. My interest in the subject was ignited and I wrote my Bachelor thesis on critical minerals, electric cars and their geopolitical implications. The thesis opened the door to my current job as a graduation student at Metso, where I just started.
The project, coordinated by the University of Vaasa and funded by the Finnish National Board of Education, offered a few students from the University of Vaasa a fully funded trip to a partner university in Peru. The students were selected on the basis of the success of their coursework. The theme of the project was sustainable development and international business and Milla was one of those selected for the trip.
– The trip to Peru organised by the University of Vaasa was a memorable experience and was excellently organised. The trip lasted 10 days, during which we saw and experienced many wonderful memories. We first travelled to Cusco and enjoyed the beautiful scenery, before moving on to Lima. In both cities we visited the local university, with which the University of Vaasa cooperates, and attended various lectures and classes. The warm welcome from the locals was truly memorable. The University of Vaasa trip was a great opportunity to see the world and I hope that similar experiences will be offered in the future.
After returning from her trip to Peru, it was not long before she had to repack her bags, as two days later Milla was off to fulfil another big dream of hers, having been offered a job in the trade policy team of the Permanent Mission of Finland in Geneva.
One of the most memorable experiences Milla cites was when, during her internship at the Delegation in Geneva, she was able to join Finland's Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio, and President Alexander Stubb in preparing the trip to the 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
– The project taught me a lot. It was crowned by the fact that I was able to go to Davos and be in a small alpine village surrounded by some of the most influential people in the world at the same time.
Investing in the future
As an exchange student, you will receive the normal study grants, just like a student studying at university in your home country. You can also apply for an Erasmus grant when you go on exchange. In addition, Milla has financed her time abroad with a student loan and by working part-time.
The University of Vaasa grants internship vouchers, which also cover internships abroad.
– When I was living in Geneva, I had an internship voucher from the university, which means that I received a salary of 1399 euros per month from the mission, in addition to a student grant and student loans. I believe that when you are young, it is important to invest in yourself, in new experiences and in developing your skills.
Milla is very grateful for the internship voucher she received from the university, which has enabled her to realise her dream. The university also provided her with a lot of information and encouragement for her future endeavours.
– The University of Vaasa has given me a really good grounding in business studies, which has made it easier to discuss and understand different business topics. At the same time, I have learned to question information and seek additional information when needed, which has been useful both in my studies and in my working life. I also find Vaasa's international business professors to be exceptionally nice and supportive. They are excellent at what they teach.
"Vaasa gave me everything I dreamed of and much more"
Milla says her time abroad has broadened her world view and deepened her understanding of the world.
– I have learned to look at things from different perspectives. I have learned to get along with different people. My life has been enriched by having friends from different backgrounds. My time abroad has also made me more curious, grateful, understanding, confident and courageous. Millions of conversations in different places with different people have made me wiser, as I have learned to think about things from different perspectives. I would not be this person without my experiences abroad and the people I met there.
Graduation is just around the corner. Juusela will graduate with a Master's degree in Economics and Business Administration this year.
– I am very grateful for everything I have received from Vaasa. By the way, I have also met my boyfriend here. He is German and was on an Erasmus exchange in Vaasa in spring 2022. We started dating then and we are still happily together. I spend a lot of time in Germany, and I am happy that my studies are flexible and allow me to do that. So, I got everything I dreamed of and much more in Vaasa.
– My story is just beginning. But there is still so much I want to achieve, such as becoming Finland's youngest ambassador and a successful career in international business. I heartily recommend studying in Vaasa!
