Finding Home in Finland: An Immigrant’s Journey
For this report, I interviewed an immigrant living in Finland, whom I will refer to as Maria to protect her privacy. Maria moved to Finland five years ago from South America. During our conversation, she shared her experiences of integrating into Finnish society, the challenges she faced, and what has helped her feel more at home.
Maria described integration as a gradual process that required patience, effort, and an open mind. One of the biggest challenges she faced was the language barrier. She noted that although many Finns speak English, learning Finnish was crucial for deeper integration, especially in the workplace and social settings. Attending language courses helped her, but she still finds the language difficult. Bureaucracy was another challenge—navigating immigration paperwork, banking, and health services was often confusing and time-consuming.
On the other hand, Maria found certain aspects of integration relatively easy. She appreciated the efficiency of Finnish public services and the safety of the country. She also mentioned that Finnish people, while reserved at first, are warm and loyal friends once relationships are built. Work culture was another positive aspect; she enjoys the emphasis on work-life balance and the respect for employees’ personal time.
When asked whether she feels at home in Finland, Maria gave a mixed response. She enjoys living in Finland and appreciates the quality of life, but she sometimes feels a sense of cultural isolation. She misses the warmth and spontaneity of her home country’s social life. However, joining local hobby groups and cultural associations has helped her feel more connected.
Based on Maria’s experiences, I believe that strong language education, accessible social networks, and employment opportunities are key to supporting immigrant integration. Community events that encourage interaction between locals and immigrants can also help build a sense of belonging. Integration is a two-way process—while immigrants must adapt to their new environment, Finnish society should also be open and supportive.
Integration inevitably affects an immigrant’s identity. It requires balancing one’s original culture with the customs of the new country. Maria’s experience shows that while some immigrants fully embrace Finnish culture, others prefer a hybrid identity, blending elements of both cultures. Ultimately, successful integration should allow individuals to feel both accepted and true to themselves.
Maria’s journey reflects the complexities of immigration and integration. While challenges exist, with the right support systems, immigrants can thrive and contribute meaningfully to Finnish society.