Jorge is a sales & marketing professional from Bogotá, Colombia, who moved to Helsinki, Finland less than a year ago. Since he was in high school, he had been told by his teachers that Finland was a safe and great country with robust education systems and a government and society that coexists well. When he also saw on social media that Finland was ranked one of the happiest countries in the world, he felt that he needed to know why
Despite having a great job at a software company in Bogotá, he logged on to LinkedIn and looked for job opportunities in Finland in his field. He found a job as an Account Executive at a Finnish data analysis startup called Supermetrics, and that is where one finds him today.
For newcomers to Helsinki, exploring places like the historic Senate Square, vibrant Kallio district, and UNESCO heritage site - Suomenlinna Sea Fortress Island is a must. As for working life in Finland, embrace the work-life balance culture and engage in social activities to build connections, like sports or groups of your interest.
Jorge’s 5 favorite districts in Helsinki
- Töölö - because of its sea view, Café Regatta is my favorite place to drink hot chocolate with traditional Finnish bites.
- Kluuvi - the vibes of this Central Railway Station, the architecture, the connectedness to every point of the city, makes it one of my favorite places of all.
- Kamppi - walking along the beautiful streets of this district, it's a pleasure to sit at a cafe with friends and enjoy a good conversation, or just enjoy the buildings, churches, and parks in this district.
- Kallio - the best bars and nightlife can be found in this district. No need to say more, people should find out for themselves.
- Kaivopuisto - I would jog around this park district every morning to kick off the day with an amazing view of the coast and the Baltic Sea. Many animals and birds can be seen in the park, like “city bunnies” and ducks.
For Jorge, the following Helsinki freedoms speaks to him the most:
- Finland’s Non-Discrimination Act prohibits other forms of discrimination
- Helsinki allows you to live your best life, without holding you back
- The City of Helsinki is actively committed to promoting equality
Here’s why: "All of the above are very important and special for me, since they are a strong message from Helsinki's leadership that not only me as a foreigner, but also every local and people from all backgrounds are welcome here."
Jorge’s favorites among Helsinki’s secrets that he would like to expose to possible international talent:
1. When it comes to work culture, we're flat
At my work in Helsinki, I have seen how people believe in a flat work culture where everyone's ideas are valued and respected, regardless of their position or experience. This fosters a collaborative and innovative work environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute and make a difference. Coming from a culture where hierarchy is more pronounced, I was initially surprised by the flat work culture in Helsinki.
2. Embrace the wonderful Nordic quirks
Helsinki is a city that's full of surprises, and one of the best things about it is the sauna culture. Saunas are a way of life here, and they're not just for getting clean. They're also a place to relax, socialize, and even do business. I go to the sauna almost every night, and it's a great way to unwind after a long day.
3. Helsinki works for the whole family
My perspective is that the family culture is very strong here. Helsinki is a family-friendly city that offers an excellent education system, safe neighborhoods, and abundance of family-friendly activities, for me, Helsinki is the perfect place to raise a family.
Curious to find out what else Jorge has to say about Helsinki?
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This story is part of Helsinki Partners' Ambassador Program called Represent Sustainably. Helsinki Partners, which runs MyHelsinki.fi, teams up with ambassadors from diverse backgrounds, including visitors and talents. These ambassadorships are value-based and long-term, and the ambassadors spend longer or shorter periods of time in Helsinki, and share their personal perspectives on the city based on their experiences.