New in Helsinki: Stories of Internationals

Description

Join us for the next edition of New in Helsinki: Stories of Internationals!

New in Helsinki: Stories of Internationals is an event series that brings together diverse members of Helsinki’s international community.

At the event, guest speakers will share their personal stories about moving to Finland and building their new lives in Helsinki. The event will also feature a Q&A session, where the speakers will answer questions from the audience.

Come along to hear inspiring stories and learn valuable insights from other international newcomers in Helsinki!

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Meet our speakers

Vejay Nair

Vejay Nair works as an international affairs specialist at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences. Their work focuses on soft-landing and settling services for international degree students and international mobilities for staff and teachers.

Originally from the United States, they lived in Helsinki for over 8 years and, in 2019, graduated with their Master’s degree in Intercultural Encounters from the University of Helsinki. Vejay has previously worked with the City of Helsinki, Ruskeat Tytöt, and as a freelance journalist.

Katerina Eskelinen

Katerina Eskelinen is a startup soft-landing specialist and she currently advises international startup founders on relocation and business development. With a background spanning the NGO, private, and public sectors she has built a diverse career with focus on customer work and building impactful partnerships.

Originally from the Czech Republic, Katerina has lived in Finland for almost 15 years. She currently lives in Helsinki with her husband and two children.

Guillaume Gérout Suominen

Guillaume Gérout Suominen is a trade policy advisor who specialises in free trade negotiations. He has provided consulting services to various governments and international organisations on trade and development issues.

Originally from the Seychelles, Guillaume has been living in Finland since 2020, continuing his international professional journey in Belgium and across Africa while enjoying married life and conducting PhD research in Helsinki. Before settling in Helsinki, he lived in Ethiopia for five years, where he met his Finnish partner.

Kayleigh Karinen

Kayleigh Karinen is an international entrepreneur who came to Finland as an exchange student in 2017 to reconnect with her distant Finnish heritage and learn Finnish.

Originally from the United States, Kayleigh’s 5-month exchange turned into an 8-plus year journey during which she has become a four-time world champion on the Finnish national team and established herself as an international coach and consultant working with premier-level sports teams across Europe.

Meet our host

Pekka Kanerva

Pekka Kanerva, M.Sc. (Econ.), is a public speaking and presentation skills coach from Helsinki. Pekka is a seasoned speaker who has won the Finland and Baltics championship in public speaking. He has worked 25 years in international marketing at world-leading companies, such as Nokia. Pekka has lived on three continents and studied and worked in multiple languages.