Exploring Scandinavia

Helsinki is a small city with really modern architecture, and it’s easy to get to know. Everything works well and the quality of life is really high. Learn more about the inviable lifestyle in Helsinki.

Some call the capital of Finland ‘the leafy egalitarian capital’, the reason probably being that Helsinki’s enviable lifestyle is the result of several factors. It is among the greenest and cleanest capitals in the world with a city hall that listen to its residents and constantly seeks to improve.

Most people in Helsinki speak English, so for visitors or expats it doesn’t feel like such a foreign country. However, one of my expat friends living in Helsinki said: “Just because people speak English, it doesn’t mean anything is written or spoken in English. In the beginning, my grocery runs took extremely long, since I constantly had to use the Google translate app camera function”.

Helsinki has a vast number of beautiful landmarks, all with their own captivating history. It doesn’t take very long to realize how much Helsinki has to offer, with its rich architecture that leaves you wanting to know more and more after learning the details of Finland’s incredible past.

You can transition from an enjoyable bicycle tour around the city to adventuring through its many surrounding islands (there are roughly 330 islands within the Helsinki archipelago) almost instantly. There is never enough time to do it all.

Helsinki is safe and egalitarian. Parents in Helsinki even leave their €1000+ Bugaboo strollers outside with the baby inside, because apparently the cold air is good for babies and can often help them sleep. But more importantly, people don’t fear their children getting kidnapped. Elementary school kids on public transportation travel alone.

However, the area around the central railway station is unwelcoming and feels quite unsafe at night. With the country now under far-right rule, Helsinki should strive to be a sanctuary that support foreign talent.

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Related: The Nordic Paradox
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While Finns can get their higher education for free, expats have to pay for their grad schools.

Basic healthcare is free, and even covers dental work. Most companies also provide additional private healthcare insurance at no cost to the employee. If health is wealth, then you might consider yourself a ‘rich’ person in Finland.

The Metro line in Helsinki is literally just a straight line going from one area to the next, so it is as easy as it gets. It is close and accessible for everyone, which is also good if you’re heading out to some of the coolest and most charming bars you are ever likely to visit.

Life in Helsinki has improved with the opening of major new transport infrastructure, pedestrian zones and several top-quality restaurants. On the other hand, retail flight has continued, and the high street has lacked the oomph that it once had. Quality of life has also in recent times been weighed down by too many roadworks.

Speaking of public transportation, there is no need to have a car in Helsinki. The public transportation here consists of trams, subways (called the Metro), and busses. It costs €60/month for an unlimited pass.

However, when winter comes, darkness ensues as white walkers march down from the North, slaughtering all in their path, it gets a little dark and depressing, and this is the time when socializing becomes very important! But there are many exciting things you can do to take your mind off of the misery, like walking on the sea, and skiing!”

No matter what company you work for, it’s the law to get five weeks of vacation in Finland, so you have plenty of time to escape the hash winter here.

This year, the boom and bust in the food and drink scene that followed the height of the coronavirus pandemic, has meant that many much-loved establishments have had to close down. However, bars and restaurants have been opening in vibrant neighborhoods such as Punavuori and Kaliio.

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The expat community in Helsinki is extremely well organized, and incredibly helpful towards other expats. There are many groups that task themselves with supporting the community in various ways such as giving advice on finding employment, accommodation, and many other important things that can massively benefit people who have either just moved to Helsinki, or have lived here for many years.

Talking in general about Helsinki, my opinion is that the capital needs better retail and a more vibrant downtown. Much of the development, such as new residential areas and shopping centers, take place in the suburbs, with high rents and drives people and businesses away from the inner city.

The Inviable Lifestyle in Helsinki, written by Tor KJolberg

Feature image (on top): Oodi Library terrace © Jussi Hellsten/Visit Finland

The benefits of employing expats usually far outweigh the disadvantages. Expat employees typically bring a unique perspective to the workplace thanks to their exposure to best practices from more than one part of the world.

Sending employees abroad to work as expats is also a great way to kickstart your international growth strategy.

There are several reasons why companies may choose to hire expats (expatriates), individuals who are living and working in a country other than their home country. These reasons can vary depending on the specific circumstances and needs of the company.

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) has become an integral part of today’s workplace. DEI is important for companies to consider, especially those employing diverse people from all over the world.

Companies use expatriate employees as part of their global expansion strategy to reap benefits such as business consistency, expertise continuity, and overcoming talent shortages. I discuss the advantages of using expats in this article.

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Related: Insider Tips and Advice from Expats Living in Scandinavia
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Specialized Skills and Expertise

Expats often bring specialized skills, expertise, and experiences that may be difficult to find locally. Certain industries or roles may require specific technical knowledge or experience that is more readily available in other countries.

But when expats move to a new country, it can affect them both professionally and personally. They must deal with issues of finding a home, schools and communicating with healthcare professionals in their new country. Cultural differences and nuances can make this process especially daunting. Therefore, it’s critical to ensure your top talent is armed with the right information to help prepare them for their move.

Consistency

Expatriates bring local office culture and processes to a new international location, helping ensure workplace consistency across markets. Since expats are existing employees, they offer deeper business understanding – a crucial component when establishing a new office in a new country.

Expats also offer greater protection for intellectual property safekeeping; sharing business secrets with new international employees could compromise a business’s competitive edge.
An expat working in a foreign office also maintains communication that is consistent with other markets where the business is located. An open line of communication with an expat in a new market makes it easier for domestic teams to do business with their foreign operation.

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Related: Conquering Challenges as an Expat in Scandinavia
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Global Perspective and Diversity

Expatriates can provide a diverse perspective and enhance cultural diversity within the organization. Their international background and experiences can bring fresh ideas, different approaches to problem-solving, and a broader understanding of global markets.

Solving Talent Shortages

Talent shortages are among the major issues facing companies. According to recent statistics, 75 percent of businesses ranking leader and key talent shortages as their top challenge. With this in mind, it becomes more efficient to relocate top talent rather than spend an extended period searching for the right talent locally.

Knowledge Transfer and Training

Expats can facilitate knowledge transfer by sharing best practices, industry standards, and skills from their home country or previous experiences. They can also train local employees and help in developing the skills of the local workforce.

Bridge Language Gaps

On a more practical level, expat employees can help businesses bridge language gaps, as they are likely to be multilingual. Data has shown that companies that invest in ethnic and cultural diversity are more commercially successful than those who fail to see the benefits of DEI.

Company Expansion and Global Presence

When a company is expanding its operations into new international markets, expatriates with knowledge of the company’s culture, processes, and values can help establish a foothold and ensure consistency in operations across different locations.

How to support diverse expats

Companies seeking to fully reap the benefits of having an expat employee on their staff will, however, need to ensure they provide them with comprehensive support.

Moving to a new country can be a stressful yet exciting experience and to certify that expats settle well into their new home, companies must provide information, pre-departure training, and local as well as ongoing support. It is also essential that those who will be managing expat employees are informed on DEI in each destination and how this may affect the employee’s move.

Another key factor for businesses to consider is the repatriation process, which can sometimes be equally jarring for expats.

The Benefits of Employing Expats, written by Tor Kjolberg

Feature image (on top): © RWE – Remote Work Europe