Finland Through Different Lenses (FTDL)

Immigrants in the Finnish labor market – past, present, and future with Dr. Mojibur Doftori

Season 3, Episode 5: Immigrants in the Finnish labor market – past, present, and future with Dr. Mojibur Doftori We invited International House Lahti advisor, Dr. Mojibur Doftori, who is originally from Bangladesh and moved to Finland in 1996. He has had a long career in academia and politics in Finland and now shares his observations on the past, present, and future of immigrants in the Finnish labor market. Some of the questions we explored include: What are the reasons highly educated professionals in Finland struggle to find jobs? Dr. Doftori explains that strict and inflexible language requirements imposed by Finnish employers often exclude highly qualified professionals from the job market. He calls on Finnish companies to change this mindset, embrace diversity in their workforce, and recognize that integration is a two-way process. Moreover, certain deeply ingrained cultural aspects among some Asian and African immigrant communities may also present challenges. In this episode, you will hear Dr. Mojibur Doftori’s perspective on the challenges foreign professionals face in Finnish working life, along with practical tips and insights into the efforts made by cities in Finland to attract and welcome international talent. Listen to the full episode to learn more about the Finnish job market! 💬 Join the discussion in the comments! We would love to hear your story! 📌 Follow our channel to get updates on when new episodes come out. Best wishes, Finland Through Different Lenses (FTDL) Sofia Kivinen, Nadira Kusaeni, Martha Workenh

Traditional Clothing, Surviving the Autumn Blues, and Finding Community in Finland

Season 3, Episode 4: Traditional Clothing, Surviving the Autumn Blues, and Finding Community in Finland Martha has just returned from Ethiopia and shares her experience attending a major religious celebration. Nadira also tells us about the unique traditional clothing of Indonesia. Did Martha’s sunny holiday leave her refreshed enough to face the Finnish autumn? And can bright lamps really help us cope with autumn blues? Social connections matter, especially during difficult times. But how do you find your own community in Finland? Tune in to hear our stories and reflections in this episode! 💬 Join the discussion in the comments! We would love to hear your story! 📌 Follow our channel to get updates on when new episodes come out. Best wishes, Finland Through Different Lenses (FTDL) Sofia Kivinen, Martha Workenh, Nadira Kusaeni

Opening a Business and Content Creation in Finland, with Kabira Chopra Khanna

Season 3, Episode 3: Opening a Business and Content Creation in Finland, with Kabira Chopra Khanna In this episode, our guest Kabira Chopra Khanna from India, a business owner and content creator with over 52,000 followers on Instagram, answers all the questions you might have if you're thinking about starting a business in Finland. Kabira shares her experiences on how starting a business in Finland compares to doing so in her home country, and how her Indian background has supported her entrepreneurial journey. She also talks about how she grew her social media presence and turned it into a source of income. You'll also learn about the support available for entrepreneurs in Finland, tips for overcoming challenges, and what daily life looks like for a business owner. 💬 Join the discussion in the comments! We would love to hear your story! 📌 Follow our channel to get updates on when new episodes come out. Best wishes, Finland Through Different Lenses (FTDL) Sofia Kivinen, Martha Workenh, Nadira Kusaeni

Pursuing Doctoral Studies (PhD) in Finland: application tips, salary, graduation

Season 3, Episode 2: Pursuing Doctoral Studies (PhD) in Finland: application tips, salary, graduation Our guest, Evgeniia Ponomareva from Russia, a Doctoral Candidate at Aalto University's Department of Applied Physics answers all the questions you might have if you are planning to pursue a PhD in Finland. How to apply for research funding? What is required to complete a PhD program? Evgeniia shares real practical tips that give you an idea of life before, during, and after completing PhD studies in Finland. Although she is happy working as a PhD researcher in Finland, our guest addresses loneliness and shares her suggestions for improving social life of PhD researchers. 💬 Join the discussion in the comments! We would love to hear your story! 📌 Follow our channel to get updates on when new episodes come out. Best wishes, Finland Through Different Lenses (FTDL) Sofia Kivinen, Martha Workenh, Nadira Kusaeni

Travel and Tourism in Finland

Season 3, Episode 1: Travel and Tourism in Finland What can you do in Finland as a tourist? Now it’s summertime here, and we share our activity recommendations for travelers. Finland’s unique location in the Northern Hemisphere brings long days and warmth for visitors to enjoy outdoor activities. We recommend berry picking, road-tripping up north, or even watching the wife-carrying championship. For city and indoor enthusiasts, Finland offers plenty of museums showcasing local and international culture. Do you agree? 💬 Join the discussion in the comments! We would love to hear your story! 📌 Follow our channel to get updates on when new episodes come out. Best wishes, Finland Through Different Lenses (FTDL) Sofia Kivinen, Martha Workenh, Nadira Kusaeni