My Journey in Supporting Immigrant Women in Higher Education

As an international student, you might find immersing yourself in Finnish life and work culture occasionally challenging. But Finland offers you a unique blend of innovation, collaboration, and bilingualism − a distinctive environment where you can grow academically and professionally.  One of the highlights of studying at Metropolia University of Sciences is our innovation-focused learning pathway available exclusively at our university, the Metropolia Minno®. This unique programme is designed to strengthen your skills for the future, and it has even been recognised with the prestigious World Economic Forum (WEF) Skills-First Lighthouse award.  Through the Metropolia Minno® course, you’ll tackle real-world challenges and collaborate with local businesses and organisations. This hands-on approach bridges the gap between academic learning and the Finnish labour market, helping you develop practical skills while immersing yourself in Finnish work culture. Along the way, you’ll also experience key Finnish corporate values like transparency, sustainability, and teamwork − values that make Finland such an inspiring place to grow.  The role of bilingualism in Finnish education and work culture In an increasingly globalised world, bilingualism has proven to be a powerful tool for inclusion and innovation. In Finland, where both Finnish and English are widely used in education, bilingualism serves as a bridge connecting international students to the local community. By combining Finnish and English instructions, the Metropolia Minno® course demonstrates how dual-language education can help break down language barriers and promote a deeper understanding of Finnish cultural norms and professional etiquette. To further support language learning, the Metropolia Minno® course content is expected to align with the Finnish as a Second Language (S2) course, which is offered concurrently. This approach has already proven effective in projects like TOKASA, where integrating language studies with practical course content has improved students' Finnish language skills in a meaningful and contextually relevant manner. For international students in Finland, learning a new language goes beyond vocabulary and grammar − it’s about understanding the nuances of Finnish interaction styles, which often favour calm, reflective communication. By being exposed to these dynamics in a bilingual setting, students gain practical insights into navigating the Finnish workplace while developing interpersonal skills that are crucial in any professional environment. Building skills, networks, and cultural understanding through team-based learning One of the most valuable elements of the Metropolia Minno® course is its team-based learning approach, which plays a pivotal role in developing students' competencies by enabling them to learn from one another. In a team setting, students contribute their unique skills and knowledge, allowing the entire group to grow through shared insights. This method is especially beneficial for international students, as it exposes them to diverse perspectives and equips them with new approaches to problem-solving. In multidisciplinary and multicultural teams − at Metropolia, multidisciplinarity truly means multidisciplinary as we bring together students from diverse fields, including business, engineering, culture, and healthcare − students also learn about various social and cultural conventions that influence interpersonal interactions. Understanding and respecting these conventions fosters team cohesion and creates an environment of psychological safety − a critical foundation for innovation (1, 2). Embracing this diversity enriches personal learning while also cultivating a supportive atmosphere where all team members feel valued and empowered to contribute creatively. Beyond skill development, team-based learning also facilitates lateral networking within multidisciplinary groups. Unlike vertical networks, which primarily focus on advancing specific expertise, lateral networks allow students to build connections across various fields. These networks are particularly valuable in modern workplaces, where cross-functional collaboration often leads to unique career opportunities. For international talents, forming lateral connections in team settings can unlock roles requiring multidisciplinary understanding and expand their professional network beyond specialised fields. Enhancing employability through innovation The Metropolia Minno® course not only teaches students about innovation but actively involves them in innovative thinking. Bilingual instruction bridges communication gaps, enabling students from diverse backgrounds to contribute their ideas and perspectives. This openness to diverse thinking is a cornerstone of Finland’s innovation-driven economy and reflects the country's commitment to inclusion. By collaborating in bilingual environments, students gain a stronger grasp of both technical and social skills essential for Finnish workplaces. Additionally, they build networks with local businesses, often leading to internships and, eventually, employment. Through this immersive bilingual approach, the Metropolia Minno® course boosts students’ innovation capabilities while fostering a sense of belonging and confidence in integrating into Finnish society. Addressing impostor syndrome: an essential component of the Metropolia Minno® course Feedback from students has highlighted that one of the most impactful aspects of the Metropolia Minno® course is its focus on addressing impostor syndrome. Many students reported experiencing impostor syndrome but were unaware of the concept before the course. Impostor syndrome, characterised by self-doubt despite clear accomplishments, can affect confidence and career progression, particularly among students transitioning into new cultural and professional environments (3). Research indicates that impostor syndrome is common among international students as they navigate unfamiliar academic and work environments that demand new skills and cultural adaptations (4). By openly addressing this topic, the Metropolia Minno® course empowers students to recognise and manage these feelings, building self-confidence and resilience for Finnish working life. Studies suggest that understanding and addressing impostor syndrome can positively influence both academic success and workplace integration (5). Bilingual education as a key to success The Metropolia Minno® course shows you how bilingual education can be a powerful tool for your successful transition into the Finnish labour market. By blending Finnish and English, the course helps you adapt to Finland’s unique work culture while developing the skills you need to thrive in today’s global job market. This innovative approach demonstrates how education can bridge cultural divides and support you in becoming a valuable, integrated member of the community. As a degree student, you can join this exciting course in your second year of studies, as it is mandatory for all. If you’re not yet a degree student or want a sneak peek, you can also experience it through a taster course offered online via the Open University of Applied Sciences. If you’re looking for more than just education – if you want a pathway to meaningful professional and personal growth in Finland – the Metropolia Minno® course offers you both a challenge and an opportunity. It’s your stepping stone to success. Author Minttu Ripatti is an R&D Manager at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences who enjoys spending time in nature, crocheting, and engaging in a variety of sports. Sources Edmondson AC. Psychological safety and learning behavior in work teams. Adm Sci Q. 1999;44(2):350–83. doi:10.2307/2666999. Duhigg C. What Google learned from its quest to build the perfect team. The New York Times Magazine. 2016 Feb 25. Available from: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/28/magazine/what-google-learned-from-its-quest-to-build-the-perfect-team.html. Accessed 7 Nov 2024. Bravata DM, Watts SA, Keefer AL, et al. Prevalence, predictors, and treatment of impostor syndrome: a systematic review. J Gen Intern Med. 2020;35(4):1252–75. Cokley K, McClain S, Enciso A, Martinez M. An examination of the impact of minority status stress and impostor feelings on the mental health of diverse ethnic minority college students. J Multicult Couns Devel. 2013;41(2):82–95. Parkman A. The impostor phenomenon in higher education: incidence and impact. J High Educ Theory Pract. 2016;16(1):51–60.

Learning Finnish can significantly enhance the study experience and job opportunities for international students and employees at Metropolia UAS. Many international students choose not to stay in Finland after graduation. Research shows that limited Finnish language skills can hinder their sense of inclusion, affecting workplace well-being, integration, and long-term residency (1). Learning Finnish is crucial for those wishing to stay in Finland. Proficiency in Finnish positively impacts students’ inclusion, well-being, and adaptability (2). In light of these findings, Metropolia has developed language guidelines emphasizing early Finnish language training in degree programmes (3). Even basic Finnish knowledge can be beneficial in daily life and leisure activities. International students often face difficulties securing internships or jobs in Finland. Even in English-speaking environments, situations requiring Finnish can arise, leading to feelings of shame and inferiority. The goal of the language guidelines is not to create a monolingual (Finnish or English) environment but to foster a multilingual Metropolia that embraces evolving language skills: Finnish-speaking students are encouraged to use and practice English more frequently, while international students are supported in learning Finnish alongside their other studies — not just in Finnish language courses, but throughout all their studies. A multilingual Metropolia: a place where everyone feels at home Language-aware thinking takes a respectful and approving attitude towards different languages and forms of language (4). At Metropolia, we encourage lecturers of degree programmes to incorporate multiple languages into their teaching, allowing international students to hear simple, frequently occurring Finnish expressions and routine phrases as part of their teaching in English (e.g., huomenta kaikille, nyt pidetään tauko, haetaan vähän kahvia) and to become familiar with key course concepts in Finnish — and in other languages that exist in the group — as well. When the group translates important concepts into different languages based on the group's linguistic backgrounds, it often reveals various aspects and nuances of the concept and thus deepens the learning experience. For instance, various aspects of ”early childhood education” are illuminated for the students when they collaboratively reflect on the meanings and connotations of the term "education" in different languages, e.g. kasvatus, education, utbildning, educazione, onderwijs. It is also important for international students to have opportunities to participate in language-supported internships and to engage with Finnish workplaces early in their language studies. This experience, supported by an internship pair and a language mentor, would greatly enhance their language acquisition. If there are Finnish speakers within an English-speaking study group, it would be beneficial for them to take an active interest in the Finnish language learning of international students. By doing so, they could provide opportunities for these students to practice Finnish in everyday communication during lunch or coffee breaks. Is it necessary to learn Finnish when everyone in Finland speaks English? If the entire Metropolia community exclusively communicates in English with the language learner from the beginning, there is a risk that the institution itself may inadvertently limit the learner's opportunity to acquire Finnish through authentic interactions (5). By incorporating Finnish into safe, informal interactions, in addition to formal language courses, it becomes easier to gradually extend language use to internships and other professional settings. This approach allows the learner's language skills to develop first in informal, low-stakes situations.Many international professionals who have lived and worked in Finland for an extended period have emphasized that learning Finnish was the key to accessing Finnish culture and achieving true integration. Even when work is conducted smoothly in English, managing everyday life can be significantly more challenging without Finnish language proficiency (6). Many international employees have emphasized that learning Finnish was the key to accessing Finnish culture and achieving true integration. Metropolia plays a pivotal role in supporting language learning The language guidelines highlight the crucial involvement of the higher education community in language learning process. A key aspect of developing language skills is Metropolia's provision of a safe and supportive environment for learners to use and practice Finnish. This is especially significant for students who are proficient in English, as they often face challenges in receiving support for learning Finnish: Finnish speakers tend to switch into English when they recognize that their interlocutor is a fluent English speaker or a language learner. It is essential to provide international students and staff with ample opportunities to practice the language, and they must also seize these opportunities (7).  Successful language learners typically exhibit the following traits: a desire to learn, a positive attitude towards the learning process, and the courage to make and learn from mistakes — language is most effectively acquired through active use. Language is most effectively acquired through active use To facilitate language learning outside the language courses, it is essential that the surrounding community provides opportunities for learners to engage in meaningful interactions in the target language. A significant obstacle to language acquisition, particularly in bachelor programmes, is the absence of meaningful interactional opportunities in Finnish. Also, an ideology that downplays the value of Finnish language often isolates international students in an English-speaking environment, hindering their Finnish language development (8). Making student's language skills and goals visible The language guidelines emphasize the importance of the Language PSP (Personal Study Plan), which is completed collaboratively by the student and their tutor or supervisor (9). This plan outlines the language aspirations and expectations of international students and brings to light the various factors that influence language learning. Finnish, while often regarded as challenging, is not inherently more difficult than many other languages. The primary challenge in acquiring Finnish appears to be the difficulty foreigners face in actively using the language, even within Finland. The language courses, interaction opportunities, and support provided by higher education institutions alone are insufficient to ensure successful language acquisition. Learners themselves must engage with these opportunities, enroll in as many Finnish language courses as possible, and begin using Finnish, even if their proficiency is limited to a few phrases. It is also essential to dispel the myth of perfect language proficiency. None of us achieves perfection in any language; effective communication can occur even with an accent or minor errors. The essential goal is to be understood and to effectively convey one's message. A language-aware Metropolia recognizes the crucial role of language skills in students' integration into Finland and their employment prospects. It is also important to understand that multiple languages can be utilized depending on the context. For instance, courses may be conducted bilingually, and it would be beneficial if, in group assignments, students had the option to submit their work in Finnish, English, or a combination of both. A language-aware Metropolia acknowledges the value of diverse language skills and accepts that English and Finnish may be spoken with various accents and in different ways. Interaction with language learners may require Finnish speakers to slow down their speech and use gestures to facilitate understanding. Although this approach demands some adaptability from Finnish speakers, achieving mutual comprehension in Finnish can be greatly empowering for the language learner. International student, embrace the opportunity to learn Finnish and enhance your life in Finland! Three key considerations for international students learning Finnish:1. Proficiency in Finnish is crucial for securing employment and fully enjoying life in Finland.2. Begin speaking Finnish as early as possible, even if only using basic phrases. Start with routine greetings and simple inquiries to practice listening and speaking. Gradually incorporate more Finnish into your conversations as your skills improve.3. Enroll in as many Finnish language courses as possible and seek out internship opportunities where Finnish is the primary language. Actively request language support and mentors. Although learning Finnish requires considerable effort, it is a worthwhile investment that will yield significant benefits.Metropolia language guidelines in nutshell.More tips and ideas for planning and implementing multilingual situations and learning language in different kind of situations will soon be published on the Metropolia intranet. Stay tuned! Author Eveliina Korpela works as a senior lecturer at Metropolia UAS and as a researcher at the University of Helsinki in a project Multilingual Worklife and Means of Participation. She is currently developing multilingual practices and language learning at work also in Kielibuusti-project. She has co-published numerous Finnish language textbooks and, along with her research team, authored a Guide for a Multilingual Workplace (Monikielisen työyhteisön opas, Alma Talent, 2023). Sources Nikulin, M. 2019. Akateemisen maahanmuuttajan suomen kielen taidon tarve työssä ja arjessa. Lähivõrdlusi. Lähivertailuja, 29, 171–203. http://dx.doi.org/10.5128/LV29.06 Cf. Stilling, E. 2022. Med språket som strategiskt verktyg. Guide till ett språkutvecklande arbetssätt för chefer, HR-personal och beslutsfattare. Tukholma: Föreningen Vård- och omsorgscollege. https://vofront-files.vo-college.se/vofront_files/218c4845-cc38-4a38-84c0-8e88da116abe.p Language guidelines in nutshell. https://www.metropolia.fi/en/about-us/language-guidelines Kielibuusti-hankkeen sivut. (2024) https://www.kielibuusti.fi/en/employers/multilingual-workplace/steps-toward-language-awareness-in-the-workplace Cf. Lønsmann, D. 2015. Language ideologies in a Danish company with English as a corporate language: ‘it has to be English’. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 36 (4), 339–356. Lehtimaja, I., Korpela, E., Komppa, J., Kotilainen, L. & Kurhila, S. 2023. Monikielisen työyhteisön opas. Helsinki: Alma Talent. Kirilova, M., & Lønsmann, D. 2020. Dansk – nøglen til arbejde? Ideologier om sprogbrug og sproglæring i to arbejdskontekster i Danmark. Nordand – Nordisk tidsskrift for andrespråksforskning , 15 (1), 37–57. https://doi.org/10.18261/issn.2535-3381-2020-01-03 Intke-Hernandez, M. 2021. Kielenoppija tarvitsee tuekseen kielitietoisuutta ja yhteisiä tekoja. Kieli, koulutus ja yhteiskunta, 12 (6). https://www.kieliverkosto.fi/fi/journals/kieli-koulutus-ja-yhteiskunta-joulukuu-2021/kielenoppija-tarvitsee-tuekseen-kielitietoisuutta-ja-yhteisia-tekoja Kielibuusti-hankkeen sivut. Kieli-HOPS. Language PSP. https://www.kielibuusti.fi/en/learn-swedish/language-learning-tips-and-resources/plan-your-language-learning-with-language-psp

No matter how long you spend in Finland, there will always be new experiences. It is a very similar situation for new entrepreneurs. New situations need new information and solutions. Having lived in Finland for almost  20 years, I know that there are still things that come up where I have absolutely no idea what to do. What I have learned in all these years, is where to start looking for the answer. In the information age, this is one of the most important skills you can have. We don’t need to know all the information at once; in fact, we wouldn’t be able to process all the information even if we heard it. A lot of things are unnecessary until they are necessary. If you arrive in country as a single, independent student, you don’t need to understand the daycare system, and in entrepreneurship, understanding how to take a company internationally is not the first thing you will learn in your entrepreneurial journey. This is the same situation for immigrants and entrepreneurs all over the world. Whole-life Events Just like integration, entrepreneurship is a whole-life event. As an immigrant, no matter what you are doing to subsidise your life, this means two things: You will be creating a whole life for you and your family – not just the hours you study at an institution or work at a job. You will spend your whole life integrating.And in parallel, as an entrepreneur, your time is now not bought by an employer but can now take far more of your daily time to create. You are only stopped by the limits that you impose on yourself. As every new challenge comes your way, you will need to figure out how to address it. Some of the challenges you might find yourself facing as an immigrant are: finding housing accessing healthcare services searching for jobs becoming an entrepreneur finding ways to spend your leisure time learning Finnish or Swedish dealing with emergencies finding and completing further education understanding the primary education system As an entrepreneur, you are seeking help with: concepting an idea testing your ideas learning new software learning how to understand your potential market and customers building a customer base designing and re-designing offers building a website understanding how to utilise different social media channels for selling and brand building accounting deciding which tasks to delegate and which services to buy from others AS previously stated, no one resource will help you in all these situations, understanding where to find these resources that can help you with all of these questions is a very big step in the right direction. Support During Studies When you come to Finland as a student, there is a good chance that you have come alone, and you are ready for all kinds of adventures. You will also be lucky enough to have a general support system that the institution provides. This is great and it can really help you to settle in and find your feet. Then you graduate, a celebratory event which also means big changes in your life. When you are a student there are many services that you do not need to seek outside the institution. It is possible that as an alumnus, you can access certain institutional services, so make sure that you check with your former institution to see what is still accessible for both your immigrant journey and your entrepreneurial one. Staying in Finland After Studying Once you have finished your education, you may be looking for a more permanent job (possibly different than the one you have done while at school if you have been working) or to expand on any entrepreneurial thoughts you may have had during your studies. These, again, are slightly different sets of skills and resources that you will need. A good place to find both information about your new situation in life and even entrepreneurship is the Newcomer’s Guide (pdf) produced by the Cities of Helsinki, Espoo, and Vantaa. The label ‘Newcomer’ is too narrow, in my opinion, for the information that it contains. You definitely need some of this information when you first arrive, but it is helpful to refer to the guide at different stages of your life in Finland. The Newcomer’s Guide also has advice on where to look for different kinds of employment, including entrepreneurship and a review of the startup ecosystem. Being gainfully employed is a huge part of many people’s integration. Sometimes that requires you to start your own company. There is a whole ecosystem in the capital area for this and the guide helps to explain it. In the near future, there will also be an online service that Metropolia UAS and the City of Helsinki are currently developing  that will help aspiring or budding entrepreneurs to find the right path through their entrepreneurial journey. In order to further your understanding of what is currently available to you as an entrepreneur, you can read my previous Various Variables blog post Entrepreneurship – Using Your Skills in Different Ways and this previous blog post by Vejay Nair & Marika Antikainen. My own experience For myself, I reflected on what contexts I have inhabited during these past 20 years in Finland. I have been: a single exchange student (with no dependents) a married person (to a Finn) a degree student a married parent a divorced single parent an unemployed spouse an unemployed single parent a full-time entrepreneur a part-time entrepreneur a temporary employee a full-time employee. It has been quite a journey, but it is one that has new challenges at every bullet point. This diversity and length of experience is also the reason that I feel that I have some insight that can help to guide people in finding the right resources at the right time. All of the situations above have taught me the value of being open and asking for help. Continue To Be Open The common skill that I have cultivated the most being an immigrant and an entrepreneur is to ask for help in order to understand new things. Life is full of things that do not make sense, are just outside of our current skill set, or we need a little time to learn. YouTube videos are a deep resource to anyone who wants to do something new. But outside of online resources, you can ask real people for help to find what you need. Not everyone will be able to help you, but every time you ask, you get a tiny bit closer to the answer. Even if it is just eliminating what is not the answer.