Jule Jenckel tends to be one of the first to arrive at the office in the morning. Before that, she has dropped off her two primary school-age daughters at Helsinki's German School, walking distance from her office.
Helsinki children tend to walk to school on their own, as the city is safe to walk around in, but Jenckel likes to join her children on the walk.
It's half past eight, and an interesting day lies ahead. Eight hours is enough for miracles. After school, Jenckel’s children enjoy themselves at the school's afternoon care program, where she collects them at around half past four at the latest.
Jenckel was born in Germany but lived and worked abroad for a long time. She has felt it important to pass on her own mother tongue to the next generation. In Helsinki, the school system also supports this.
Jenckel moved to Finland in 2011, attended intensive Finnish language courses and picked up the basics of the language. The working language at her job with the technology company, Reaktor, is English. At times, Jenckel thinks it would be nice to know more Finnish, but in Helsinki everyday life is also effortless without it.
"Helsinki has become more international in recent years," she says.
Sailing trips and other hobby clubs as work benefits
As a strategic designer, Jenckel helps her clients to innovate digital solutions, and create user experience strategies in the consumer goods business and industrial sector.
"Reaktor has expertise in many fields. Whenever necessary, I can also ask for advice from our developers and experts in artificial intelligence or sustainably, for example. I think that's amazing.”
Jenckel’s employer appreciates that work and free time are kept well apart. However, you can also engage in pastime activities with your coworkers: Reaktor offers its employees a variety of leisure activities as an employment benefit.
In Helsinki, Reaktorians can have dinner together on Thursdays, and enjoy the rooftop sauna. Through a wide variety of hobby clubs Reaktor employees are encouraged to enjoy free time together and build connections beyond their work relationship. Colleagues go sailing, play golf, try orienteering and much more.
Reaktor employees receive plenty more than a regular salary, such as lunch vouchers, extensive occupational health services that cover everything from specialist doctors to dental care, and mental health services, including psychotherapy.
Proximity to nature benefits everyday life
In twelve years, Jenckel has had the chance to witness what kind of opportunities and support Finland offers its residents in different life situations. The array of available support motivated Jenckel to stay in the country after separating from her partner.
In Finland, Jenckel was able to continue her full-time job in a demanding expert position and advance her career. In her home country of Germany, the same would have required a more complex support system. She has observed in her own circle of friends how difficult it is for women to combine parenting and a full-time career.
Having lived in San Francisco, London and Barcelona Jenckel considers the Finnish model of living to be particularly healthy and balanced. With plenty of cultural activities, nature, and fun things to do in different seasons, Jenckel’s pastime interests have ranged from summertime bilberry picking to ice fishing in winter.
"The fact that access to nature is always there contributes a lot to a balanced life."
Jenckel can easily get to nearby nature by jogging after her work day. The familiar route takes her around Töölönlahti, a bay located in the heart of the city.
Towards the evening, Jenckel often heads to her garden cottage in the Vallila district. The tight-knit garden community offers a relaxing environment to let loose.
