Expat Advice: Culture Shock in Helsinki, Finland

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Helsinki

What are the most challenging aspects of the new culture?

Expats often find adaptation to cultural differences and language barriers their most challenging obstacle. Many expats feel a sense of isolation from the locals due to these differences and can feel unwelcome or out of place. Additionally, daily life tasks can be difficult to navigate when living in a foreign country, such as opening a bank account or finding affordable housing. Furthermore, securing work in a host country can be difficult as domestic citizens often have higher prioritization. Other common challenges include maintaining relationships back home, finding support networks in host countries, and struggling with reverse culture shock upon re-entering their home countries.