Lauren Stevens, Project Coordinator, Moniheli

Tell us briefly about your background in Tampere, your career and your current job

I moved to Finland in 2015 to study a Master’s degree in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research at Tampere University. Alongside my studies, I participated in seventeen Finnish language courses and one Swedish language course, worked as an intern at the Åland Islands Peace Institute, volunteered with twelve different organisations, and attended ten courses and conferences in seven countries. In 2019, I graduated in June, married my Finnish partner in July, and took the national Finnish language proficiency test (YKI) in August, which is a prerequisite of Finnish citizenship. I then applied for Finnish citizenship in October 2019, which was granted in March 2020. I hoped that this would have a positive impact on my job seeking and career opportunities.

After graduating, I sent around 500 job applications in both English and Finnish. In April 2020, I started a part-time position as a Research Assistant in the Faculty of Education and Culture at Tampere University. I also started a temporary full-time position at the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) from May until October 2020. As ECHA offered me three short consecutive contracts within five months, I decided to continue in the Research Assistant position alongside it.

In August 2021 I started to work as a coordinator of Moniheli, which is a multicultural network supporting immigrant, integration and social inclusion.

What did you especially appreciate at your own higher education institution?

I think that studying in Finland was a fantastic opportunity because I met people of nationalities that I had never encountered before and learnt about their countries and cultures. Before I moved to Finland, I was hoping to participate in a Finnish language course, but I thought I would have to pay for evening classes. However, I discovered that international students are able to participate in the Finnish language courses offered by Tampere University for no extra cost and incorporate the credits gained from them into their studies. Heikki Kangasniemi is an absolutely brilliant Finnish language teacher. I have mild dyslexia, for which I was offered significantly more support and understanding than when I studied in Britain.

How would you describe Tampere as a city? What makes it special?

I fell in love with Finland because of its small population, education system, welfare system, low levels of corruption, flexible and less working hours, higher salaries, low levels of crime, significant contribution to peacekeeping, healthier food, respect for the environment, recycling facilities, and cycling infrastructure. I especially like Tampere because it has beautiful nature, an interesting history, a variety of affordable leisure activities, and plenty of vegetarian and vegan food options.