Kuopio Stole My Heart

Carme Plumed-Ferrer first came to the University of Eastern Finland as an exchange student in 1998. She fell in love with the independent study style and the motivating work environment. Through these experiences, she discovered her passion for research and decided to settle permanently in Finland.

Plumed-Ferrer’s journey to Kuopio began with a serendipitous twist. While studying biochemistry in her native Spain, she found that the field, being relatively new, didn’t have formal exchange programs. Determined to participate in an exchange, she and a friend started exploring alternatives. A professor they knew suggested the University of Eastern Finland in Kuopio through the Erasmus program.

“We said yes immediately, even though we had no idea where Kuopio was. I thought the name sounded Japanese and assumed the city was in Japan. I was relieved to find out it was still in Europe,” she laughs.

When Plumed-Ferrer arrived in Kuopio, she discovered there were no structured courses for exchange students. Instead, they were given instructions and left to work independently in the lab. While this might have been stressful for others, she thrived in the autonomy. She grew to appreciate Finland’s trust-based approach to education and fell in love with the country as a whole. After completing her studies, she returned briefly to Spain but made her permanent move to Finland in 2000.

A passion for research

After earning her doctorate, Plumed-Ferrer worked on various projects at the University of Eastern Finland for 18 years. Her love for laboratory work eventually led her to leave academia, as she didn’t want to transition fully into teaching.

“At the same time, the university was encouraging departments to explore research ideas with commercial potential. I participated in one project aimed at founding a business. That’s how my company, Probitat, was born. It specializes in developing fermented ingredients for food products.”

Plumed-Ferrer participated in the Suomalainen menestysresepti (The Finnish success recipe) competition, which brought her visibility but also pushed her out of her comfort zone as a researcher. Despite her success, challenges in product registration and manufacturing led her to stop producing the smoothie she developed for the competition. Today, Probitat focuses on providing fermented ingredients to other food industry players.

Honest and genuine

Plumed-Ferrer finds Finland a bit remote compared to Central Europe but says she is very happy here and has no plans to leave. Though it was initially hard to form deep connections with Finns, she has made a few very close friends.

“I value the honesty and genuineness I see in Finnish people. In Spain, friendships aren’t as open. Professionally, Finland is also very straightforward. You can trust what you’re told about a job and its conditions—it’s accurate. In Spain, things aren’t as clear; people often try to hide the downsides.”

Laughing, she adds that, despite being Spanish, she hates heat. The varied weather in Finland suits her better. She especially loves Kuopio for its proximity to nature, safety at night, and the independence her children have here.

“I believe Finland and Kuopio align well with my personality. Every time I travel and return, I feel a sense of coming home, peace, and relaxation.”

Raising children in Finland

Plumed-Ferrer’s time as a student in Kuopio left her with unforgettable memories. Back then, there weren’t many exchange students in the city, and they all lived in the same area.

“It felt like a world tour. There were students from Japan, China, and across Europe.”

These experiences, combined with Finland’s motivating work environment, drew her back. She also wanted to raise her children in Finland. During her second pregnancy, she and her family returned to Spain to explore whether they’d prefer to live there.

“In Spain, children start preschool at age three, but we found it difficult, especially with a second small child at home. We decided to return to Finland. Here, you can put your child in daycare, and the caregivers will support and take care of them. It’s wonderful and thinking about it still brings tears to my eyes.”

Meetings without decisions

Moving back to Kuopio was significant for Plumed-Ferrer. She feels her researcher identity was shaped here and doubts that would have happened in Spain. Even though she runs a business, she identifies more as a researcher than an entrepreneur.

Reflecting on her collaboration with her supervisor, Emeritus Professor Atte von Wright, Plumed-Ferrer recalls how they had to adjust to each other at first but ultimately developed a strong, trusting relationship.

“The years I worked with Atte were the best of my career. I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor. Although I had to push him a bit to get straight answers—my nature is very direct.”

She also chuckles about one aspect of Finnish work culture: unnecessary meetings.

“We’d sometimes have meetings where no decisions were made, and then we’d need another meeting to finally decide. It was baffling to me,” she says with a laugh.

Text: Minna Akiola Oy / Niina Linna

Photos: Carme Plumed-Ferrer