International experts are making a home in Eura, Finland - Are you next?

Laughter and Finglish (a joyful fusion of Finnish and English) echo through a local restaurant as four nurses who relocated to Eura from abroad share their unique stories. How did they find their way to Finland, specifically Eura? What makes this town special, and what daily challenges do they face? Let's hear from Alicia, Sandra, Bincy, and Tija!

What should you know about Eura?

Eura, located in Southern Satakunta, Finland, is home to nearly 12,000 residents. The journey to the capital, Helsinki, takes approximately 2.5 hours by car. The region's largest cities are easily accessible as well: Rauma can be reached in just 30 minutes and Pori is a 40-minute drive away.  

In 2022 alone, 448 residents moved to the municipality, with 13% of them coming directly from abroad (Statistics Finland). Eura stands out among similar municipalities for its robust job market, providing employment opportunities across various manufacturing industries, services, and the public sector. However, labor shortages are not uncommon in Eura and the broader Satakunta region. 

“We will also need employees in the future, both in the healthcare sector and for diverse roles in the local industry”, says Ilkka Mäkinen, Eura municipality's business coordinator.

To address the labor shortage in the region, international recruitment efforts were initiated. In the summer of 2022, twenty Spanish nurses relocated to Satakunta, followed by 15 Indian nurses in November. In the spring, 22 nurses arrived from Zambia, and as of the time of writing this blog, the region is anticipating 20 more to arrive.

A drive across Europe

Alicia Cantero Martin, who had worked as a nurse for nearly two decades, packed her car with her husband, their dog, and all their belongings in July 2022. They embarked on a five-day road trip to Finland. Her 13-year-old daughter and Alicia's mother followed by plane. They found their new home in the center of Eura, and Alicia secured a job at the Palvelukoti Suvanto, a nursing home for elderly in Kiukainen. She tells her story in Finnish, and I admire how, amidst all the new experiences, she has managed to learn the language so well!

Sandra Cuesta Ayuso also arrived in Finland with her husband and daughter. They found a charming home in the historic wooden houses of Kauttuan Ruukinpuisto. The change has been quite significant for Sandra, who moved from the bustling city of Madrid, but she shares that her whole family loves their new green and peaceful hometown. Sandra works at the Osmanrinne Nursing Home for the elderly, and her husband found employment at the Kivikylä factory in Lappi. As Sandra explains the reasons for their move, the others nod in agreement.

“The working environment is excellent, the salary level is higher than in Spain, the children receive high-quality education, and in Finland, they have more versatile prospects for the future. Everywhere is safe and clean, and there are no traffic jams”, - tells Sandra  

A journey from India via Kuwait to Finland

Close friends Bincy Michael and Tija Joseph decided to seek employment in Finland after working as nurses in India and Kuwait. The decision was not easy, as both of them left their spouses and children back in their home countries. Fortunately, grandparents are part of their daily lives, providing support to their families. Both Bincy and Tija found jobs, just like Sandra, at the Osmanrinne Nursing Home.

Under the Schengen Agreement, their European colleagues can move to Finland with their families. Non-EU workers, on the other hand, need to meet a certain income level and save money before they can obtain residence permits for their family members. Bincy and Tija share an apartment in the city center and are saving up to bring their families to Finland. 

We are happy here!

So, what makes Eura a great place to call home? Safety is a recurring theme in conversations. The women here feel at ease even during the late hours, and daily life for children is secure. The relaxed pace of life, coupled with the absence of the hustle and pollution found in big cities, is quite noteworthy. Moreover, the sense of freedom experienced here differs from that in their home countries.

“Here, you can freely live the life you want. There are no societal or external pressures.” -Bincy

Based on a year's experience, the heroes of our story have also discovered their favorite spots in Eura. Or rather, one spot, in particular. The collective opinion is that Pyhäjärvi is the best. And why wouldn't it be? Pyhäjärvi offers year-round activities, from paddleboarding to boating, and from skiing to ice swimming. Eura boasts a whopping five lakeside saunas and even more beaches. However, none of the ladies have dared to take a plunge into the icy waters yet. Perhaps next year?

Eura Sports Hall, especially its swimming pool, is also a popular place for recreational activities. In the town center, you'll find a wide range of services, and there's rarely a need to venture into bigger cities for shopping. Eura also has an intriguing history dating back to the Viking Age. During the summer, Kauttuan Ruukinpuisto hosts numerous events and art exhibitions. 

The language barrier makes it difficult to access the community

The language barrier is indeed real, and the ladies share that it's their most significant challenge. They study Finnish a couple of times a week in Rauma, and in their workplace, there's encouragement to speak Finnish. Yet, mastering the language requires patient conversation partners and a willingness to support each other in the journey of learning a new language. 

“Communication with the clients often goes well, even when there isn't a common language. We touch, comfort, and care for them. Especially with clients who have memory disorders, gentle and non-verbal interaction often works better than instructions and commands.” -Alicia

However, it has been challenging to make local friends, and the language barrier plays a role in that. While many people in Finland speak at least some English, it's essential for those coming to work here to start learning the language preferably in advance. Newcomers should confidently join various hobby groups, which is crucial for language development and overall integration. It's easier for children since they interact and play with other kids at school.

“Finnish personalities are quite different from ours (Spaniards) or Indians. Caution and quietness can make it a bit challenging to meet new people. ” -Sandra

Finnish people are often reserved and even withdrawn when dealing with strangers. This can be easily misinterpreted as a negative attitude towards new people, but it's quite typical behavior when interacting with anyone new. However, a bold and friendly approach usually breaks the ice. 

Reliable help is near

Despite some challenges in interacting with locals, the colleagues from Eura received praise from everyone. The women have a special appreciation for Mari Pirinen, who has been responsible for recruitment and integration efforts in Eura. It's clear that Mari has gone above and beyond her job requirements, and for instance, Bincy fondly calls her 'Mama Mari'. 

Mari commends her colleagues from Eura and the Eura municipality for their openness to international recruitment. 

“For instance, we prepared short videos in advance to give a glimpse of the work and the working environment. At the same time, our soon-to-be colleagues had the opportunity to introduce themselves. Eura municipality has also been exceptionally supportive, providing valuable assistance, including help with securing accommodation through Euran Vuokrakodit. This attitude and openness could serve as a model for many others.” -Mari

What does the future hold?

Everyone agrees that they have found a permanent home in Finland, specifically in Eura. They are also eager to act as mentors for newcomers, as they themselves have received so much help. Their hopes include getting to know local people better. Bincy and Tija's top wish is to have their own families close again.

“Once my husband and children also make it to Eura, we can be happy here.” -Tija

Text and photos: Susanna Lahtinen | Know Your Hoods

P.S. If you want to learn more about the municipality of Eura, its charming villages, and its services, check it out on the neighborhood portal Know Your Hoods.