Ronnie T, in Finland since July 2024
Interview with Ronnie T, Independent Consultant
1. What brought you to Finland, and what were your first impressions?
Knowing, or hoping I'm heading to a safe, tranquil country, that invests and promotes the welfare of its citizens. And yet, a place is still a landmark when it comes to style, technology, innovation and growth. And also tall nordic guys ;)
My first impression of Helsinki was that it's a small village disguised as a big city. Definitely far from the vibrant metropolitan image I envisioned. The summer sun was epic! Loved walking around and exploring the city till midnight, and almost didn't want to go to sleep. But I remember sleeping so well when I got here... oh, the silence. Priceless.
2. What’s the biggest challenge you faced when adjusting to life in Finland, and how did you overcome it?
Not knowing anyone. I had 2 contacts in my linkedin in Helsinki, of which one already moved out. So, getting to know people was probably the biggest challenge I feared. However, overcoming this challenge was by far easier than I thought: I started reaching out to people with mutual interest on linkedin and I was shocked by the response rate. I think over 90% of those people were happy to meet up and offered advice, connections and followed up. That is exceptional and so "Finnish", as there is no other place in the world (and I've been around), where people would go out of their way to help a complete stranger. That's when I fell in love with Finland.
3. What’s your favorite thing about living in Finland that you didn’t expect?
Going back to my previous answer - the good in people. But what really blew my mind was - nature. Being surrounded by forests, lakes, islands and the sea is just breathtaking. Not to mention the fact that we have all that inside the city! I love hiking and anything outdoorsy, so yes, I'm a 'nature's person'. And I'm still dazzled every time I go outside, and of course, outside of the city into those enchanted forests covered in green, and berries and mushrooms. Spring felt like a fairy tale. Cannot imagine going back to a "regular" city life.
4. If you could give one piece of advice to someone considering moving to Finland, what would it be?
Plan! - Finland IS different.
Nothing is obvious: There's no "TimeOut" telling you about the best wine bars, the hottest Sunday brunch, or the best concert in town. Unless you look for something specific, it's very hard to stumble upon your interests. You mostly learn from people, not from social media, so get to know your peers well in advance, if possible.
And for those concerned about the language barrier: No matter where you come from in the world, just remember, Finns speak better English than you :)
5. What is your favourite Finnish product?
It varies as I get to know them more deeply :) At the moment I'm developing a relationship with perunarieska: Finnish potato flat bread. Sounds boring? Well, think of a giant gnocchi popped in the oven till it's crisp on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside. If a pita ever had aspirations, it would be to become a perunarieska. My carb-life changed forever.
6. What is it like to grow your career in Finland?
Challenging. It all comes back to meeting the right people, and it's a process. Also, surprising: I've been an advisor or consultant for a large part of my career. In Finland, I find myself getting involved with founding teams. Which is not something I anticipated. I figured the "right" way to grow as a foreigner (who did not relocate for work) would be within the corporate world. But reality opened up new opportunities and I was lucky to meet a handful of people who want to push boundaries and change lives.
7. Why do you think Finland is the happiest country in the world? Finns definitely do not believe that.
It could be the never ending sun in the summer, or the exceptional nature. Maybe Finns take it for granted, not realizing how phenomenal it is. But I think the real reason is trust. People here really respect and trust one another. The more I'm learning and getting to know the Finnish culture, the concept of "doing good" is more than just a value. It's a way of life. Call me naive, but I believe spreading the good brings it right back at ya.
