Building an international and intercultural work-life path in the Kymenlaakso region

The authors work collaboratively in the EU-funded national RDI project Work life path –International experts to work (later WLP) with the area focus on Kymenlaakso region and in particular Kouvola city (Work life path 2024). The newly developed path includes several stages, some of which have already been implemented. For example, students of foreign programs can participate in pilot training, get acquainted with the Finnish working environment and corporate culture.

The conceptual framework of the paper justifies this path as it is based on good practices of international talent acquisition (Pandey and Sarangi 2023). In addition, the role of business and educational networks is considered in the path process (OKM 2019; Öberg 2019). Finally, impacts of project-based environment and learning setting are related to the conceptualisation of WLP (Zhang and Ma 2023).

Work Life Path (WLP) and Students’ RDI Integration Practices

Students are employed by large regional companies that are focused on international export markets and where the use of professional English is required. In 2023, the first paid internship of the Xamk student took place in the large company Lumon in its economic department. The uniqueness lies in the 100 % use of English in solving serious financial problems of the company, since the student has extensive work experience gained in Sri Lanka while working in the large international auditing company. WLP includes active interaction with the regional business ecosystem, start-ups, and large enterprises.

New pilots are expected with Kouvola Lakritsa, Stora Enso to name a few. Student and youth business organizations, the city of Kouvola and representatives of education are actively involved in the development of project. For more effective communication, a brand-new English-language application, Xentre, was created, which better reflects the needs of enterprises and Xamk students.

Findings and Results

The current study is qualitative by nature including action research, interviews and participant observation (Flick 2022). Primary data were collected by means of observation of international students and experts during the multiple project-related events as well as action research conducted in a way of workshops as well as two sets of themes and semi-structured interviewed organized in the autumn 2023 and early winter 2024.

Participant Observations’ Analysis

According to observations of international students in Xamk study programs and paid non-degree diplomas, as well as events involving foreign students and young alumni, the authors identified a few justified patterns and similarities. The decision to move to study in Finland to a specific higher education institution depends on the impact of its brand and reputation, as well as on the long-term recognition of Finland as an ideal country for learning.

In addition, international applicants are very careful about the structure of the curriculum prior to application period, as this is directly related to their future chances of successful employment in Finland. The city’s infrastructure, opportunities for internship or temporary work during the study period, as well as international business and educational networks also have a significant influence on the choice of place of study. As a rule, applicants make the final decision together with their family, which means the involvement of parents and immediate family should not be underestimated, especially in the case of minor applicants.

Student Tutors’ Role in Cultural Integration Processes

In addition to the available academic and degree coordinators, internship specialists, student council and international office representatives, as well as business connectors, each international degree in Xamk has its own tutors from among second- or third-year students. These tutors also come from abroad, speak the same youth language of the so-called limitless generation, and share their positive and negative experiences in the cultural assimilation of Finnish working realities with foreign first-year students. In addition, our project has trainees who act as links between RDI project activities at Xamk and international degree programs.

Xamk RDI Multicultural Events as the Playground for Work Life Integration

Over the past year, the authors have implemented several activities within the project aimed at piloting the initial parts of the Work-life Path. For example, an RDI event International Talents of Kouvola was organized in October 2023, where there were business representatives, short recruiting trainings, presentations by international experts on work integration, and Kouvola JCI representatives, who themselves had undergone cultural integration in Finland (Work life path 2024).

In addition, the Design Thinking job-shadowing workshop was carried out by the French expert majoring in innovation and recruiting, where the systems and processes of cultural integration of foreign specialists from France and Finland were compared, and participating international students tested their networking and cultural transversal skills.

Next, Storytelling Event was organized in November 2023 together with the authors’ RDI project and Patteri ES – Xamk entrepreneurial student organization (Work life path 2024). Under the guidance of the HR managers of large international enterprises in Kouvola, international students had a unique opportunity to express themselves in elevator pitch mode. In a minute, participants had to talk about their strengths and how to sell their professionalism to the enterprise. Both referred events were organized in English, so the importance of cultural aspects was primary.

Semi-structured and Theme Interviews’ Outcomes with the International Multicultural Experts

Two rounds of semi-structured and theme interviews were organised in the current research. The first round was organized in the autumn 2023 and included 7 interviews with Indian, Nigerian, Polish, Finnish, Bangladesh foreign-based professionals living and working or studying in Finland. The second round included 6 interviews conducted in January 2024 with experts from Brazil, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Poland, Finland, and CIS countries. Questions dealt with the cultural integration, cultural barriers, entrepreneurship, and employment opportunities, RDI practical training and learning, international expertise.

Regarding the most necessary skills for speedy cultural integration, interviewees noted learning Finnish – both spoken and written, as well as building networking with Finns. Finland is famous for the importance of its residents’ free time. It is easiest to begin to strengthen professional networks through informal communication and hobbies, such as sporting events, picnics, saunas, as well as pro-active participation in numerous NGOs.

Of course, Finland is a highly developed international state where knowledge of English is high. However, to even get an international job, it is advised to know and love Finnish.

Respondents noted that a certain arrogance about oneself and their previously acquired skills often prevents foreigners from self-realizing in Finland. Generally, an applicant is to tell her story – to interest an employer and integrate herself into an already existing network.

It is not a question of abandoning one’s native foreign culture: on the contrary, a foreign-based expert will be able to increase her multicultural skills and adding her advantages to a well-functioning model of society and working relationships. Proactive thinking allows an incomer to better experience pros and cons of their own culture by using the generally accepted cultural dimensions of Hofstede, Trompenaars, GLOBE research or Schwartz’s value theory (Timbalari 2019).

Respondents also noted the need to constantly screen for open jobs, tune their CVs, and learn new skills of compiling their portfolios. Volunteer activities, free internships, and temporary selection of positions slightly below their competencies will expand the circle of new useful contacts, teach her to better adapt to the professional realities and promote multilateral assimilation into the Finnish environment.

According to the interviewees, entrepreneurship is not the only logical solution for foreigners in Finland regardless of all mentioned challenges. The Finnish system of mutual assistance and intercultural education helps to improve intrapreneurship and apply entrepreneurial skills even in contract work. It is about motivation and long-term growth rather than choosing a single employment option for many years to come.

Concluding remarks

This article will be useful for both young foreign students and recent university graduates, as well as for business representatives who want to increase their multicultural potential and develop the Finnish labour market together. The current project continues until the end of June 2025, new training pilots are in progress.

Generally, international students have high expectations for rapid integration into the Finnish culture. However, it is precisely the difficulties in cultural understanding, language, integration, and assimilation that cause students’ dissatisfaction and doubts regarding residing in Finland.

Moreover, even after initial employments, as a rule, in temporary work positions near their Finnish study places, international students and recent university graduates still experience enormous difficulties in cultural adaptation. These issues are particularly reflected in the interview results. To conclude, personal branding, an ability to build and continuously develop their professional networks, and a desire to hone their personal potential help students become international leaders of the multicultural future.

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