Akanksha encourages networking broadly

Akanksha Ahuja, who moved from Delhi, India, to Kuopio, loves the slower work pace in Finland. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in nature, which brings her peace of mind.

Akanksha Ahuja moved with her husband and child from India to Kuopio in the fall of 2017. She had worked as a quality analyst at an insurance company in India for about six years but wanted to learn more about business operations. While exploring various options, she received a recommendation for the University of Eastern Finland from a family member who had studied there.

“The International Business program at the university seemed excellent, so I applied, and I got accepted! That’s how we ended up moving to Kuopio,” Akanksha explains.

Akanksha wanted to deepen her knowledge of business practices, having primarily been involved in operational roles previously. She was particularly interested in how businesses can develop and internationalize.

Family values both cultures

Akanksha feels that moving to Finland was worth it—she finds the Finnish education system, healthcare, and nature to be amazing. She especially appreciates the peace of mind that nature offers, whether through cycling, walking, mushroom picking, or berry picking.

“Winters are still challenging for me, even though I’ve lived here for seven years. I’m trying to learn winter sports like skating and skiing, but I haven’t yet dared to try ice swimming,” Akanksha laughs.

Her son, however, loves winter. He enjoys playing in the snow, even though he’s not a fan of heavy winter clothing. Having spent almost his entire life in Finland, he is well integrated into Finnish culture. The family values both cultures and strives to combine Finnish and Indian values in raising their child.

Apart from her family, Akanksha misses Indian food. While she enjoys Finnish soups and salads, she rarely cooks Finnish main courses at home.

“Akanksha integrated perfectly into our team”

Finding an internship during her studies was extremely challenging for Akanksha, and even landing an interview was difficult. However, while working on her thesis, she found a consultancy company where she secured an internship and eventually a permanent position. That marked the start of her career in Finland, where she fell in love with the work culture.

“I lived in Delhi for 27 years, where life is incredibly fast-paced and demanding. In Finland, the work environment feels much calmer and more balanced. While there is still healthy competition, it lacks the intense pressure and relentless pace often experienced in India.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Akanksha’s workload decreased, and she had to leave her job. A new opportunity arose at Hydrolink, where she worked as a marketing manager for two years.

“Currently, I work in a temporary position as a project specialist for the International Call project at Savon Yrittäjät. I enjoy the small, collaborative work community. Everyone sits close to one another, and the work atmosphere is open and supportive,” Akanksha says.

The International Call project provides local companies with tools for internationalization and new growth opportunities. According to Savon Yrittäjät CEO Paula Aikio-Tallgren, the project aims to help North Savo companies expand into export markets. Current target countries include Sweden, Poland, and Ukraine, where new infrastructure is being built and repaired despite the ongoing war.

“Akanksha is responsible for social media marketing, content creation, and helping companies grow by conducting market research. We had heard positive feedback about her from previous employers, so we wanted her to join the project. She has integrated perfectly into our team,” Aikio-Tallgren says.

Broad networking is key

Akanksha encourages those considering a move to Finland to network broadly. Improving language skills takes time, but showcasing oneself and one’s skills is essential. Patience and maintaining motivation are important, even though finding a job can be challenging.

Through surveys conducted among member companies of Savon Yrittäjät, Aikio-Tallgren has heard only positive experiences about hiring international professionals. She also has firsthand experience observing the integration of international talent into companies.

“Hiring a foreign employee shouldn’t be seen as a problem. Stereotypes and imaginary obstacles need to be cleared away, and companies should boldly start using English as a working language. Technology will assist with any language barriers, and it’s perfectly fine to mix in some Finnish words. A mix of languages is both acceptable and encouraged,” Aikio-Tallgren advises.

Despite of cultural differences, Akanksha hasn’t encountered challenges at work. She likes Finland’s work culture as it is balanced as well as flexible.

Text: Akiola-Media Oy / Minna Akiola

Photos: Akanksha Ahuja