Moving to Finland was one of the biggest decisions of my life. I came here as an international student with hope and ambition, but also a lot of uncertainty. Starting over in a new country meant adapting to a new culture, a different education system, and a completely unfamiliar job market.
When I began my studies in International Business and Logistics at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, I was eager to gain work experience alongside my studies. I applied for many jobs and internship positions in the beginning, but I did not receive any opportunities. That period was honestly very discouraging. It made me question myself, whether I was good enough, whether my background was relevant, and whether I would be able to build a future here.
At some point, I realized I needed to change my approach.
Instead of only applying, I decided to become more active and take initiative. I started reaching out to people and HR professionals I met through networking opportunities. I would send them my CV and cover letter and ask for feedback on what I could improve. These conversations helped me understand what I was doing wrong and how I could present myself better.
At the same time, I participated in projects, international exchanges, career coaching sessions, CV-building workshops, and volunteer opportunities. Step by step, I began to build confidence, develop practical skills, and better understand what working life in Finland expects.
Eventually, I was given the opportunity to work as a Management Trainee at Metropolia UAS. This was a very meaningful moment in my journey. During my internship at Metropolia, I had the opportunity to practice the Finnish language, understand workplace expectations, and become familiar with the working culture in Finland. This experience helped me feel more confident and prepared to enter professional life.
While continuing to grow and apply for opportunities, I was later offered a new job. That moment felt incredibly rewarding, it showed me that all the effort, persistence, and small steps I had taken were leading somewhere.
Looking back, I feel proud of how far I have come. Not because everything was easy, but because it wasn’t. There were challenges, rejections, and moments of doubt, but I kept going and kept learning.
My journey has taught me that building a career in a new country takes patience, persistence, and courage. It also showed me how important it is to stay active, take initiative, and ask for help when needed.