BLOGI: A Nepalese Father Building a New Life in Finland

Introduction

Moving out of Nepal to Finland was one of the biggest decisions I had to make. I came here on January 10,2024 at the mid of winter, something I never thought about seeing in real life.

I entered there in the beginning alone, full of dreams, curiosity, and uncertainty. It was all new: the weather and the silence and the culture and even, the rhythm of everyday life.

I had difficulties during the months; I could not communicate with no one, since I did not have any friends. I felt lonely, and I missed my relatives, and particularly my two little daughters having 3 and 8-year-old. But another thing that Finland taught me was various aspect of life like love, family, courage, hope, patience, independence, happiness, stress, and an organised work culture etc.

My personal thoughts, happiness and challenges of few months of arrival in Finland are mentioned in below.

Weather Shock – Sunshine to Snowfall.

The freezing air took my breath away when I got out of the airport on January 10, 2024.It was a gray sky and had fallen to the snow and the daylight was gone by 4 p.m. On video calls often I said to my ama (mother): Aba ta 4 bajyo, tara bahira ta andhakar nai chha (It only is 4 o’clock, but it already is night).

Finnish winter was interminable, as I was accustomed to a warm greeting of the sun in Nepal. But gradually I started to appreciate its beauty, the white mornings of calmness, the frozen lakes and how the snow glittered with the Streetlights. The cold ceased being an obstacle and it was more of a lesson that each new start needs boldness.

Lifestyle – Where Silence Speaks

Silence is a way of life in Finland. It was initially awkward, buses were silent, the neighbors smiled and spoke in a polite manner but hardly ever, and even cafes were silent.

Nepal is a place where there is a lot of voices, laughter and street sounds. In this case, there is silence that has its meaning, respect, peace and thoughtfulness.

Now, I’ve learned to enjoy it. I go silent walks along the lake, inhale the fresh air and clear my mind. Finland teaches you that silence is not loneliness.

I did my first and second weeks totally some legal registration like DDV, Bank Account and Police ID etc. and rest of the time I used to overview of all the area of Turku by bus only since I was curious to know all about the geographical buity of the areas and its infrastructure development and the life style of Finnish people .

Culture Equality and Independence

It was an eye-opening cultural change. The Finnish cherish equality and independence. All people, regardless of their occupation, experience, and age, are treated equally with respect.

In Nepal, family and community come first and the decisions made are mostly collective. Personal choice and self-responsibility are important to people in Finland. Adapting was not easy, but now I like the fact that people trust each other and maintain boundaries.

Professors also promote open communication even during my studies. It is permissible to challenge their views, which initially was an uncomfortable experience but a boosting one afterward.

Power Distance -Hierarchy to Equality

At home, respect is usually accompanied by authority. We address teachers as Sir or Madam, when you stand up in the presence of older people and we seldom question authority. However, power distance in Finland is very low -that is, individuals do not relate as much based on their positions. I am requested to address my professors using their first names. We are able to disagree in a polite manner and our ideas are appreciated in the same manner.

Initially, I was afraid of it, it was disrespectful. However, it did not take long before I noticed that equality is respect here. It promotes innovation and self-belief. It reminds me that no matter our origins our voices are important.

I used to feel like Finish people are very informal in everywhere like school, office, home, market even in their family relationships too. They do not have any attachment and respect in their family relationship like husband, wife, son, daughter but later I understand that they give more important on independency and responsibility

Homesickness – The Warmth I Carried With Me

The first three months January, February, and March, were the not favourable for me in the context of happiness and mental health but also there were many things that had to be learnt and realise and develop the thought accordingly. The days would be short, and the rooms were too quiet. I also missed my family and daughters in particular.

I used to recall and imagine how they were playing in our living room at home. So, time to time I used have video call and look the photos in the old galleries. In other cases, I used to see children in Finland making snowmen, , screaming and laughing, then I used to be more emotional, and tears start falling itself. Later on, I stop visiting the different places because when I see the beautifull places and playing kids, my home sickness or emotion used to maximise.

I would sit there on evenings when it is quiet and have a cup of chiya (tea), and look at their pictures and whisper, Sabaai thik huncha (Everything will be okay).

Homesickness showed me pure love as it is — how distance can strife but never break.

And, then, at last, after three months of hard work, the moment came, my wife and my daughters came in Finland. The sight of them coming out of the airport in their winter jackets and little hands waving at me was among the best things that happened in my life. My daughters were eager to visit me, so they were coming in front of wife with very cleaver eyes.

It is a different story ever since that day. the same snow that in times past was cold to touch, is now as playful. There are laughter and drawings on the fridge, my all the stress and fatigue get subsides when I reach to my children. Now my daughters are learning and enjoying in Finnish school system.

No Job Yet, But Full of Hope

It has been a challenge to find part-time employment. Finnish speakers are more favoured by most employers. I have already made applications to various places, but I have not yet achieved.

It is disheartening at times, but I tell myself, “Suru ma sabai lai struggle hunchha” (Everyone struggles in the beginning).

Now, I am concentrating on my studies, learning the language, and getting my family to adapt. I am also sure that new opportunities will appear with time and efforts.

Cultural Study Culture Freedom with Responsibility.

The education system of Finland has astonished me. Educators mentor and not boss. Students are provided with an opportunity to learn, ask questions, and explore on their own.

Initially, I felt the lack of organized schedules of my studies in Finland. However, over the years, I have learned to like the trust and freedom here. It imparts responsibility not by compulsion though, by choice.

A New Beginning

The presence of my family has transformed Finland to me. It is time we visit parks, sample Finnish cuisine (but dal bhat remains the winner!), or laugh as the girls make snow angels in front of our apartment.

Finland is now at ease and secure — a place where my daughters may grow and be taught goodness. They have settled well, learnt the Finnish language, found friends, and showed me how to smile and explore in the calm and safe country.

I feel proud, not only to survive, but also to get bigger, every morning, as I take them to daycare and they say to me, hei hei, Baba! (Bye, Daddy!). We are creating a new world making as a mixture between natural beauty (Nepal ) and humanitarian beauty (Finland).

A Note to My Daughters

Now to my two dear girls — you are my sunshine over on this snowy land. Your smiling, learning and laughing fill my heart with strength and confident. All the efforts, all the cold mornings, and all the studying nights are for your betterment. We shall all make this new place as our home. Your daddy is ready to face all kinds of challenges to create beautiful rainbow in your lip. I love you and see you on the top.

Final Thoughts

Finland has taught me to be resilient, patient and grateful. It has been a journey of growing up and being in love since the solitude of my first winter, to the celebration of the arrival of my family.

To all the immigrant parents out there, whose day is here — all the snowstorms have soft ends. Take care of yourself, embrace those that you love, and believe in the fact that warmth will never fail to find its way back to you. Good days and bad days are the part of life. I wish you all the best and never lose the hope. Thank You.

Govinda Shrestha

Nepalilainen Govinda Shrestha oli syksyllä 2025 työharjoittelussa MLL:n Varsinais-Suomen piirissä osana Turun ammattikorkeakoulun sosionomiopintojaan. Nepalissa Shrestha oli ammatiltaan matematiikan opettaja.