When others talk about hockey, the newcomer to Finland wants to join in – It's important to discuss more than just work in the workplace

A few years ago, during the Ice Hockey World Championships, my friend called me to inquire about the sport and the results of the previous day's matches. He wanted to participate in the coffee break discussions at his workplace.

My friend had graduated as a laboratory technician in his home country and requalified in Finland. His efforts paid off on the third attempt when he gained admission to university and completed his studies in a foreign language in adulthood. In the same year, he also found employment. Now, he wanted to integrate into the informal circles at his workplace.

In Finland, there is a lot of talk about the integration of immigrants. Employment is also a well-known challenge for those who have moved to the country. I have interacted with many immigrants during their job search processes. Their simple goal is to find employment, aligning with society's expectations. However, these goals do not always align as desired.

Rarely, however, do we discuss the final stages of integration into the workforce after gaining employment. These stages may seem trivial compared to the process of finding a job.

For many immigrants, starting their careers from scratch and rebuilding them is a familiar experience. The "Working in Finland" series published on Apu360 provides examples of how, despite diverse backgrounds, daily life and work can be very similar. It is essential to meet people and discuss matters beyond just work, to have a work community where one can share everyday news and even joke around.

Internship has been a path to employment for many immigrants. It has also provided an opportunity to become familiar with workplace culture.

In an article I wrote about Espoo's integration, two interviewees found employment through internships and made new acquaintances and friends at their workplaces. Kudos to the companies that offer these opportunities.

For the "Working in Finland" series, I interviewed an Iraqi doctor from Lahti who overcame challenges with persistence and obtained medical qualifications in Finland. However, finding an internship proved to be difficult. It didn't work out in his hometown of Lahti or elsewhere in Southern Finland but rather in Oulu, at the Tuira Health Center. Without an internship, the process would not have progressed, and Valvira would not have granted him medical qualifications.

This doctor's story had a happy ending, and he has been practicing as a doctor in Lahti for over a decade. He has also connected with his Finnish colleagues and engaged in coffee break conversations at his workplace

I have been contemplating how the skills and social aspects of many other immigrants in the workforce remain untapped if a suitable internship opportunity is not found.