Getting acquainted with post-Nokia Finland

So what has changed within the last 12 years in Finland? This is a question I kept hearing from Finns during my FCP alumni week in Finland; the question I also occasionally asked myself while meeting various people and enjoying life in Helsinki or Rovaniemi.

Strangely enough, the last time I visited Finland was 12 years ago in 2004. (Perhaps, because of living close to Finland, a delusive feeling ...  (continue reading)

Experiences of conducting interviews in Helsinki

What a day was yesterday! During the FCP every day something new and unexpected happens. The programme is so dense that it feels as if we arrived here many days ago already, but in fact Wednesday was only the third day of our stay here.

In addition to the common meetings, we also started to work on our individual assignments. I remember in 1998 one of the several striking moments was to interview ...  (continue reading)

Reinventing the news with Finland’s public broadcaster Yle

“Welcome to Yle, I am Miss World!” That is how we were greeted at Yleisradio Oy, Finland’s national public-broadcasting company. Miss World is called Elina Ravantti in real life. The nickname derives from her position as Head of World News and Current Affairs at Yle, where she oversees the production of 220 radio and TV news bulletins per day. Her editors work in Finnish, Swedish, Sami, English, ...  (continue reading)

Finland’s economy faces a huge challenge

Of course Finland can’t keep up with the Silicon Valley but it has to make progress to stop the economy decreasing. Startups and changing production are thereby central.

On the first day of the programme, we heard that Finns are really good at underrating themselves and see better what has to be improved instead of being proud of their success. Well, that’s quite true: How often did I hear “We ...  (continue reading)

Following my heart to Finland

“I must apply to this programme. It is a must!”

This is the first thing that crossed my mind and heart when I heard about thisisFINLAND Foreign Correspondents’ Programme. And I am really happy that I got accepted. This programme provides a perfect opportunity to build a global network of colleagues whose hearts also beat for new adventures.

I’ve written some articles about Finland ...  (continue reading)

Only two weeks to go

My first contact with Finland was placed under the family Christmas tree in 2003: a Nokia 3510. It was indestructible and kept me company for nearly seven years.

Finland is not only famous for its innovative cell phones although the country is – geographically – on the fringe of Europe. Finland was and still is one of the world’s leading nations for innovation and technology. The energizing ...  (continue reading)

There was a little girl in Shanghai writing to Santa Claus

More than 7000 kilometers away from Helsinki, there was a little girl in Shanghai writing to Santa Claus: please fly me to the lakes, to the forests and bring me to see the northern lights! 20 years later, the little girl becomes a TV journalist. She travels all over the world, making business and political interviews with important people. One dream she keeps to herself: meeting Santa Claus in ...  (continue reading)

You wouldn’t believe how excited I am

No, seriously.

I have a love of other cultures. I’ve always enjoyed travelling abroad and this is a unique opportunity for me to explore another country which I’ve never had a connection with. The programme for me starts with making new friends from across the globe and then across a country I have yet to explore.

I would also love to say how much I can’t wait to practice my Finnish, ...  (continue reading)

Why do the Finns love Los Serrano – and other important questions to ask in Finland

Participating in thisisFINLAND Foreign Correspondents’ Programme this summer is a once in a lifetime opportunity that comes at the best time for me.

Freshly graduated from university, I’m now a journalist, based in Barcelona, aiming to build an international career in the field of communication.

This programme is not just another experience abroad, but a great chance to learn from Finland through ...  (continue reading)

Packed my insect repellent and enthusiasm – ready to go!

When I hear the word Finland, education and mosquitoes are the first words that come to my mind.

Finland is the country with the best public education in the world and a role model in the field of technology for educational purposes.

Speaking of mosquitoes, Finland humorously reminds me of them because many friends have told me about their encounters with Finnish mosquitoes.

All jokes aside, this is ...  (continue reading)