From traineeship to working full time – Freeha wants to stay in Finland forever
Freeha has a Master’s in strategic HR from her studies in Pakistan. Her interest in Finland and especially the Finnish way of working sparked as she heard about Finland from her professors who had studied in Finland.
– I did a lot of research on different universities, programmes and possible scholarships in Finland. The master’s programme in International Business at the University of Vaasa stood out. Imagine my happiness, when I applied and received a scholarship and finally was able to come to Finland!
Successful studying and networking in Vaasa – despite the pandemic
Freeha arrived in Vaasa in the middle of the pandemic lockdown (autumn 2020). The campus was practically closed for the first year. All lectures, meetings and activities were online.
– I started to feel a bit unproductive although I was studying full time. In Pakistan, I was working, so I decided that I would do everything I can to get a job. I started to engage with people and seek out different activities and events to network and get to know people. I took on a lot of extra activities besides my regular studies and it paid off in the end. One of the first events I attended was a Talent Coastline event. Whenever I met new people, I added them on LinkedIn and started networking. This also helped me overcome loneliness and depressive feelings during the lockdown.
Through the master’s programme in International Business, Freeha was offered a mentor for her first six months. The mentor helped her understand the Finnish social system and figure out some of the cultural differences and get a deeper understanding of the Finnish culture. Through her mentor, she also got valuable insights into Finnish company life. Her courage to start networking, make contacts and finally apply for a traineeship was boosted.
– I would also like to underline the meaning of the help and contact persons provided for me: my study counsellor, my programme manager and my mentor. They really listened to me and my interests. I felt heard and cared for. It still amazes me how their priority was always my well-being. There is amazing flexibility in the study programme, and I could make it suit me and my goals. I think studying and working in Finland is easy. Well-being at work is really a top priority
Working in Vaasa with colleagues from all over the world
Freeha’s efforts paid off when she succeeded to land a traineeship of her choice at Wärtsilä, an international engineering company and a major player in the Nordic energy technology hub, EnergyVaasa.
After completing her studies, she is now working as an HR specialist at Wärtsilä. She is taking care of different HR tasks in a global team mainly responsible for North and East Europe.
Freeha points out that it is normal to have colleagues from all over the world in Vaasa. The city has a lot of activities and services for foreigners. Universities in the city are doing a great job in supporting students, as well as the city of Vaasa that supports the integration into the society. Freeha predicts that many more international students will remain and work here in the future.
– I just love Vaasa, it’s a small, beautiful town by the sea, and it’s all about nature. Nature is never far away. You have the forest nearby, and it is so easy to go there walking or riding a bicycle. After my workday, I usually go for a walk in the forest or a bicycle tour. Nature helps me recharge my batteries.
Future plans
Freeha may continue her studies at the University of Vaasa in the future. She is dreaming about doctoral studies but will gather experience from business life for a few years first.
– I never get bored in Vaasa. I want to stay here forever! Finland is the place where I want to live. The collaborative way of working is something I enjoy. It would be great to learn Finnish, even though many companies here use English as their working language, and you can manage your everyday life in English. Since I want to stay here, I most certainly will learn Finnish.
Freeha’s top tips: how to succeed in Finland
- Be proactive! Ask questions, ask for help and people will help you.
- Build your network, both professionally and socially.
- Learn the culture. For example, sometimes you may feel excluded in the groups as Finns tend to go straight to the point without much chit chat. If you understand the culture, you will know that this is very normal.
- Use the services that the university and the city provide. Study counsellors, programme managers, mentors, talent boost programmes etc. They are there for you.You will get used to the light nights and dark days. Buy a daylight lamp for dark winter days and blinds that block the light on summer nights.