Finding My Path: A Journey of Integration and Growth in Finland

Arshia, who recently started her work trial at Familia, shares her journey from Pakistan to Finland—an experience filled with learning, adaptation, and community building. As she navigates the Finnish job market and integrates into a new culture, she reflects on the challenges and opportunities that come with finding her place in a new country.

​Almost a year ago, I moved from Pakistan to Finland with my husband, who’s here to pursue his master’s degree. I came along to start a new chapter and integrate into this new country.

​Back in Pakistan, I studied psychology and worked in non-profits. When I arrived in Finland, I wanted to continue on that path, so I joined a job hunt peer support group. It wasn’t just about job hunting—it was about finding a community. The connections I made and the insights I gained into Finnish work culture helped me set realistic expectations for my job search here.

​While I’m still looking for the right job, I’m also enrolled in an integration course and recently started a work trial at Familia. At Familia, I am working on employment-related activities, helping others navigate the job market while I continue my own job search journey. The experience at Familia has shown me a beautiful blend of international perspectives and Finnish values—a harmony I hope to see more of in society.

​As I learn Finnish, I’ve started to fall in love with certain words. My favorite word is “äiti.” The sound of it is so sweet, and it touches my heart. I even changed my mother's contact name in my phone to “äiti” some time ago, and it makes me smile every time I see it. 

The experience at Familia has shown me a beautiful blend of international perspectives and Finnish values—a harmony I hope to see more of in society.

When I moved to Finland, I thought I was ready for the cultural differences. I had watched countless videos and read a lot about Finnish culture. Specifically, the flat hierarchy, where everyone’s voice matters is something I really admire about Finnish work culture.

But finding a sense of community and belonging was challenging at first. Back in Pakistan, I had been working continuously since graduation. So, staying home while being unemployed here felt tough. That’s where Familia stepped in and gave me a sense of purpose through volunteering.

Volunteering allowed me to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and learn about their cultures. As a participant, Familia gave me a platform to share and implement my ideas. That’s what drew me in as a volunteer and, later, as a work trial participant.

​Once, I felt very sad when I learned about the stereotype that immigrants come to Finland just to benefit from the welfare system. It’s not true for me, my husband, or our friends. We came for Finland’s world-renowned quality education, and we’re paying for it ourselves. I want to change this perception by staying active, contributing positively, and showing that many of us are here to learn and build a future—not just survive on benefits.

​What keeps me at Familia is its genuine commitment to “Inclusion for all”—a value that perfectly aligns with my own goals and passions. I want to keep working towards changing perceptions and contributing positively to the society I now call home. This year has been all about learning, adapting, and finding my place. I want to stay engaged with all the employment-related communities and events in Helsinki, using my project and stakeholder management skills to help others on their job search journey. This path has given me the opportunity to grow and give back, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.

Written by: Arshia Nazakat