Engage in your own unique combination of opportunities while traveling through and settling into Finland.
ENVIRONMENT & NATURE
Despite its location in the far north, Finland is warmer than other regions of the same latitude thanks to the effects of the Gulf Stream. Even so, around twenty-five percent of Finland’s territory is located within the Arctic Circle, making it possible to view the midnight sun in the country’s northernmost regions. As Europe’s largest wood producer, Finland is covered with forests and boasts a unique subarctic climate and diverse array of wildlife.
Discover the natural beauty of Lapland during a visit to a local reindeer farm, explore questions of environmental governance in the Baltic Sea during a chat with a local university professor, or visit the site of a major dam removal project with one of the project leaders. Then, take a day trip to Suomenlinna Island to learn about efforts to promote sustainable tourism at this UNESCO World Heritage site.
HISTORY & CULTURE
Once a part of the Swedish and then the Russian Empires, Finland achieved independence in 1917. Due to its position in the far north, Finnish people have always had to contend with a relatively harsh environment, leading to a strong sense of self-sufficiency and a tradition of rural lifestyles centered around animal husbandry.
Explore the uniqueness of Finnish traditions during a lazy afternoon at a sauna or indulge your inner-child by visiting Santa’s Village at the unofficial North Pole. Bask in the unearthly beauty of the aurora borealis or indulge in traditional Finnish delicacies like sautéed reindeer meat and mashed potatoes.
BUSINESS & ECONOMICS
Finland's per capita economic output is similar to that of Germany and France and, according to the 2021 Global Innovation Index, it ranked as the world's seventh-most innovative nation.
Thanks to its forested landscape, Finland produces more wood than any other European country and the government has worked hard to implement policies that will allow it to protect its forests while still maintaining a thriving wood processing industry. Finland also benefits from a wealth of mineral resources and a thriving electronics and manufacturing sector.
Gain first-hand knowledge of Finland’s tradition of highly successful cooperative businesses during a behind-the-scenes company visit to a major Finnish cooperative or visit a former peat-fired power plant to learn about the environmental and economic challenges faced by Finland as it works to move away from relying on peat as a major source of fuel.
EDUCATION & SOCIETY
Finland’s education model attracts international attention due to its uniqueness and its impressive results, with its educational system consistently ranked among the best in the world. School in Finland starts at age 7, much later than in most other countries, and the government pays parents to stay at home to take care of their children for their first three years of life.
Finland is considered the world’s second most gender-equal country and it’s the only country in the world where fathers spend slightly more time with their school-age children than mothers do. Finland is renowned for its comprehensive welfare system and high-quality, low-cost healthcare. No wonder Finland has consistently been ranked among the happiest countries in the world.
MUSIC & ARCHITECTURE
From the celebrated classical composer Sibelius to the group of classically-trained cellists who make up the neoclassical metal band Apocalyptica, Finnish musicians have a strong track-record of innovation.
Likewise, Finnish architects like Alvar Aalto have left their mark on modern architecture, while Finnish video game designers have kept the world amused with blockbuster games like Angry Birds.
