From a metropolis to the small city of Kuopio
Parastoo Jalili decided to start a new life in Kuopio and hasn’t regretted it for a single day. In her new city, she found the love of her life and a meaningful job.
Parastoo Jalili comes from Tehran, the capital of Iran, from a province that is home to more than 10 million people. She worked as a business development advisor and was satisfied with her life. Many of her friends were moving to new countries and experiencing new things. That began to intrigue Jalili as well.
Before the pandemic, she had already earned a master’s degree in international business and sales management (Management of Technology_technology transfer). However, she applied to study further in the United States and Canada but wasn’t accepted. As the pandemic set in, she had the time to reflect on where it would be best for her to relocate.
Her brother suggested exploring universities in Europe. So, she looked into them and found herself increasingly fascinated by the Nordic countries. She applied to Norway, Sweden, and Finland and was accepted to all three. However, she chose Finland after discovering that the quality of life, work-life balance, and work culture were comparatively favorable. Additionally, the University of Eastern Finland offered her a scholarship.
“I’m not generally a risk-taker,” Jalili laughs. “However, I was over 30, a bit conservative, and Finland seemed like a safe country. On the other hand, moving to a new country and culture always requires courage and determination. So, I was braver than I thought.”
She moved to Kuopio in September 2021. Finland’s natural beauty immediately captivated her.
“The fact that 70 percent of Finland is covered in forests was evident right away. How wonderful it is to go for a run when the air is filled with oxygen thanks to the forests.”
At first, moving to a foreign country brought about a lot of new emotions. It was exciting but also occasionally overwhelming. Still, she thought that life changes are always challenging, but they help you overcome difficulties and realize just how much you’re capable of.
She is deeply grateful for the friendliness of Finns and their willingness to help whenever needed. However, it’s essential to have the desire to learn the ways of a new country and culture. Thus, when her studies began, she decided to expand her social circle by attending every event she could find.
One event, in particular, proved fruitful. Jalili attended a Talent Hub evening, where she met the regional coordinator of the Business Kuopio Invest in Pohjois-Savo project. It turned out that Jalili’s expertise was exactly what was needed for a particular project. Soon, alongside her studies, she began working with Kuopio’s business services and the Business Center. About a year later, after the project ended, she started working there full-time as a business advisor and continues to do so today.
Despite her full-time job, she graduated from the University of Eastern Finland with a master’s degree in international business and sales management. She now considers Kuopio her true home. Even the love of her life crossed her path in this city, making her decision to move a good one.
“When I travel abroad or visit other Finnish cities, I soon find myself missing Kuopio. I enjoy living here because I’ve felt welcome in this community from the very beginning. That has helped me build a life and a home here.”
Text: Akiola-Media Oy / Niina Linna
Photographer: Arash Mirhashemi
