Author: Soteekki Opiskelijat

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Contributing to Healthcare Services as a Non-Finnish Speaker: Opportunities and Challenges 

Chau Dung

Source: Microsoft image bank

In 2025, Finland claimed the title of the world’s happiest country for the eighth year in a row—and it’s  not just about cozy saunas or beautiful nature. This happiness stems from strong foundations: income equality, education, economic stability, and most notably, health and well-being. Healthcare is a cornerstone of Finnish society, and as the population ages, the demand for healthcare professionals continues to grow. 

Finland has welcomed many international students to its English-taught healthcare programs. Some come with hopes of immigrating, others with plans to take Finnish expertise back to their home countries. While the education system is excellent, one major challenge remains: the language barrier. Communicating with patients and colleagues in Finnish can be daunting, making it one of the biggest hurdles for non-Finnish speakers in the field. 

But despite the challenges, non-Finnish speakers are not just surviving—they’re thriving. In this blog, we’ll explore both the hurdles and the many ways to meaningfully contribute to Finland’s healthcare system. 

1. The Value of Non-Finnish Speakers in Finnish Healthcare 

As the need for healthcare workers increases, non-Finnish speakers can play a vital role—not just by filling roles, but by enriching care through diversity. Cultural competence is a major asset. Professionals from different backgrounds bring unique views on health, healing, and caregiving. 

Some cultures approach health holistically or with a family-first mindset, offering valuable contrast to Finland’s more individual-centered care system. Others bring insight into religious and spiritual practices, dietary needs, or gender sensitivities that build trust and comfort with patients from diverse backgrounds. 

While language is essential, it’s not the only way to connect. Understanding, empathy, and cultural awareness can have just as much impact. 

2. Opportunities for Non-Finnish Speakers in Healthcare 

If you’re not fluent in Finnish yet, don’t worry—there are still many ways to start your career. Roles like nursing assistants, medical administrative staff, and allied health professionals (e.g., physiotherapy, radiology) often welcome English speakers, especially in urban hospitals or private clinics. 

There are also supportive and behind-the-scenes roles such as IT support, patient coordination, and research assistance. Volunteering is another excellent entry point. It helps you build experience, learn how the system works, and expand your professional network—all while easing into the language. 

Source: Microsoft image bank.

3. Overcoming the Language Barrier in Healthcare 

Let’s be honest: learning Finnish can feel overwhelming. But the more you immerse yourself, the easier it gets. And you’re not alone—there are many tools, programs, and supportive environments to help you along the way. 

Learning Finnish: One Step at a Time 

Universities and local education centers offer Finnish courses tailored for healthcare professionals, focusing on medical vocabulary and practical conversations. Language exchange programs are also a great way to practice and connect with locals. And if you’re short on time, apps like Duolingo, WordDive, or Yle Kielikoulu offer flexible learning options you can use anytime. 

Language-Adapted Training Programs 

Several healthcare institutions now offer hybrid training programs that blend practical healthcare education with Finnish language support. These programs ease the learning curve and help you develop the exact language skills needed for clinical settings. 

Supportive Workplaces Do Exist 

Not all roles require Finnish fluency on day one. Many international clinics, research labs, and hospitals operate in English or offer translation and mentoring support. Some even provide in-house language classes. It’s all about finding the right environment that values your skills—and helps you grow. 

4. Real Challenges Non-Finnish Speakers Face 

While the opportunities are real, the journey does come with its share of obstacles. Here are some of the most common challenges: 

Communication Barriers 

Explaining symptoms, understanding medical instructions, and participating in team meetings can be tough without strong Finnish. Even English-speaking environments can pose challenges when accents, idioms, or technical jargon come into play. 

Recognition of Qualifications 

Many skilled professionals face difficulties getting their foreign degrees or licenses recognized in Finland. You might need to take extra exams or complete bridging programs, which can feel discouraging—but they also ensure a high standard of care across the board. 

Cultural Sensitivity and Social Integration 

Every workplace has unspoken cultural norms. Not understanding them can lead to confusion or feelings of exclusion—especially during informal social moments like lunch breaks or team events. Miscommunication and lack of confidence in both verbal and written interactions (like emails or reports) can also lead to self-doubt. 

At institutions like SAMK and Soteekki, which host many international students, these challenges are common. But they can be eased with kindness, inclusion, and open communication. A simple coffee invitation or a small effort to bridge the cultural gap can go a long way. 

What Can Help? Honest Feedback and Openness 

One of the most valuable things Finnish colleagues can offer is constructive feedback—not only on Finnish language learning but also on workplace habits, conversation clarity, and cultural expectations. Sharing experiences and learning from each other fosters stronger, more empathetic teams. 

5. Success Stories and Support Networks 

Many non-Finnish speakers have built thriving careers in Finland’s healthcare system. Through resilience, mentorship, and strategic networking, they’ve navigated the challenges and found their place. Hearing these stories can inspire and guide others—so seek out support groups, alumni networks, and professionals who’ve walked the same path. 

If you’re a non-Finnish healthcare professional who’s found success here, consider becoming a mentor. Your story could be exactly what someone else needs to hear. 

6. How Healthcare Institutions Are Adapting to Multiculturalism 

Finnish healthcare providers are not standing still. Many are actively recruiting international professionals and offering integration support through relocation help, onboarding programs, and in-house language courses. 

Creating inclusive workplaces is becoming a priority. From diversity training to team-building activities that celebrate different cultures, institutions are working to ensure everyone feels valued and respected. Some even operate in English, making the transition smoother for international staff. 

It’s a sign of progress—and a glimpse of a future where multilingual, multicultural teams are the norm, not the exception. 

7. Tips for Getting Started in Healthcare (Even Without Perfect Finnish) 

If you’re passionate about healthcare and eager to contribute—even without perfect Finnish—there are plenty of ways to get started and grow your career in Finland’s healthcare system. It’s all about building your strengths, gaining experience, and finding the right environment that supports your journey.  

  • Build the Right Skills (Language Optional): Not all healthcare roles require full fluency in Finnish from day one. Consider focusing on areas that are more skills-based and less language-dependent, like medical technology, lab work, or certain allied health professions. There are many short courses, certifications, and degree programs offered in English that can boost your qualifications and make your CV stand out.  
  • Leverage Your Language Abilities: Do you speak another language in addition to English? That’s a huge asset! Finland’s patient population is becoming more diverse, and being bilingual or multilingual can help bridge communication gaps, especially in multicultural settings. Whether it’s helping a fellow international patient feel more comfortable or translating key information, your language skills can be incredibly valuable.  
  • Dive In Early—Through Volunteering or Internships: One of the best ways to understand how Finnish healthcare works is to get involved. Volunteering or interning in local clinics, hospitals, or community health organizations not only gives you hands-on experience but also helps you build a network. Plus, it’s a great way to slowly get used to workplace Finnish in a low-pressure environment. Everyone has something to offer—and even if Finnish isn’t your first language, your unique background, skills, and perspective are part of what makes healthcare stronger and more compassionate. With the right mindset and a little persistence, you’ll find your place in Finland’s healthcare community. 

Source: Mircosoft image bank.

Conclusion: Your Journey in Finnish Healthcare Starts Now 

Being a non-Finnish speaker doesn’t mean you’re on the outside looking in. You have value. You have skills. And most importantly—you belong. 

Yes, there will be challenges. But every day, international professionals are stepping into meaningful roles, helping patients, supporting colleagues, and shaping the future of Finnish healthcare. And you can be one of them. 

Ready to begin? 
– Explore volunteering or internships at clinics, hospitals, or NGOs. 
– Check out Finnish language resources like InfoFinland, Kela’s support services, and apps like Duolingo or WordDive. 
– Look for jobs or training at TE-palvelut and Job Market Finland. 
– Already working in Finnish healthcare? Share your experience in the comments—your story could inspire someone else. 

Picture source: Microsoft image bank.

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My Journey to Becoming a Nurse in Finland (Finnish below)

Hello, everyone! My name is Nisha Bhujel, and I’m from Nepal. My native language is Nepalese. Since childhood, whenever anyone asked about my future profession, I would always say, “Nurse.” My parents have always been incredibly supportive, encouraging me to follow my dreams. I have completed my diploma in nursing and have four years of experience working as an ICU nurse. I believe in constant growth, both personally and professionally.

Wanting to further my education, I investigated options abroad, and Finland quickly became my top choice. Finland has been ranked the happiest country in the world seven times in a row, and it’s known for its strong educational system. This made it the perfect place for me to continue my studies, so I applied to Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, and I was thrilled when I got the news that I got in. Then my adventure to one of the safest countries in the world truly began.

Clinical Experience and Nurse-to-Patient Ratio

I completed placements in various settings, including a mental geriatric unit, daycare, and geriatric care. One area I’d like to address is the nurse-to-patient ratio. In my experience, especially in the critical care unit, the ratio was often 2:6, meaning I had a lot of patients to care for at once. In contrast, Finland’s healthcare system seems to have a better nurse-to-patient ratio, allowing nurses more time to provide quality care.

Being able to care for the elderly has always been fulfilling, but communication is crucial in providing effective care. During my first internship, I learned the basics of care in finnish ensuring that residents participate in daily activities and receive the attention they need. I used a variety of apps and books to learn Finnish, and I’m still working on improving my language skills. However, I’ve encountered challenges due to the language barrier. It’s difficult to communicate with patients and their families, and I haven’t yet had the chance to apply my clinical skills in a hospital setting. I have, however, gained valuable knowledge through theory and simulations.

Educational Differences Between Nepal and Finland

One of the most striking differences I’ve noticed is in the education system. In Nepal, we used to take exams on paper, and the academic year was much longer, lasting a full year. There was a lot of pressure to pass exams, and if we failed, we had to wait until the next year to retake them. In Finland, however, students have much more flexibility. The courses are typically shorter (around six months), and there is a greater focus on student well-being and self-planning. There is no pressure to pass exams on the first attempt, which provides a sense of mental calm. I find this approach much healthier, and it helps me focus more on learning than on stress. Additionally, I appreciate the culture of respect here, where we address our teachers by their first names, making it easier to express our opinions freely.

The Importance of Finnish Language in Healthcare

While Finland’s educational system is outstanding, I’ve encountered a reality check: without knowledge of the Finnish language, it’s challenging to find placement opportunities, especially in healthcare. Even though many programs are in English, most healthcare settings require fluent Finnish communication. Many hospitals and health services do not accept students who don’t speak the language because Finnish is the primary mode of communication. I believe that institutions could better support international students by requiring a certain level of Finnish proficiency, which would make it easier for students to gain practical experience and apply their knowledge in real-world healthcare settings.

Adapting to Finnish Culture and Looking Ahead

Leaving my home country for a better career, improved pay, and more experience was a big decision, but I am optimistic about my future in Finland. I appreciate how the Finnish healthcare system is pushing me toward professional development. I’ve learned so much from Finnish individuals, especially about timeliness, gender equality, and self-improvement. I enjoy the small things, like drinking coffee and experiencing sauna culture, which have become part of my life here.

While studying abroad has been an adjustment, especially being away from my family and adapting to the Finnish weather, I’m now used to it and find myself growing every day. I’ve learned that communication is essential in nursing, and I’m proud of the progress I’ve made, from understanding patients’ requests to confidently interacting with coworkers.

Final Thoughts and Future Aspirations

Nothing comes easy, but I am determined to graduate next spring. I’m focusing on improving my Finnish language skills, as I know that mastering the language will open doors for me in the Finnish healthcare system. My goal is to continue my nursing career in Finland, working in a hospital and contributing to the health and well-being of the community.

Through this blog, I want to express my concern about the gap between English-based nursing programs and practical placement opportunities in Finland. While the country offers world-class education, international students often face difficulty finding placement in healthcare settings due to language barriers. It’s my hope that institutions will better align their programs with the needs of the healthcare system, ensuring that international students can gain the clinical experience they need to succeed.

Minun tieni sairaanhoitajaksi Suomessa

Hei kaikille! Minun nimeni on Nisha Bhujel ja olen kotoisin Nepalista. Äidinkieleni on nepali. Lapsuudesta lähtien, kun joku kysyi tulevasta ammatistani, sanoin aina: “sairaanhoitaja”. Vanhempani ovat aina olleet uskomattoman kannustavia ja kannustaneet minua seuraamaan unelmiani. Olen suorittanut sairaanhoitajan tutkinnon ja minulla on neljän vuoden kokemus teho-osaston sairaanhoitajan työstä. Uskon jatkuvaan kasvuun niin henkilökohtaisesti kuin ammatillisesti.

Koska halusin jatkaa opintojani, tutkin vaihtoehtoja ulkomailla, ja Suomesta tuli nopeasti ykkösvalintani. Suomi on arvioitu seitsemän kertaa peräkkäin maailman onnellisimmaksi maaksi, ja Suomi tunnetaan vahvasta koulutusjärjestelmästä. Tämä teki siitä täydellisen paikan jatkaa opintojani, joten hain Satakunnan ammattikorkeakouluun ja olin innoissani saadessani tiedon sisäänpääsystä. Silloin seikkailuni yhteen maailman turvallisimmista maista todella alkoi.

Kliininen kokemus ja hoitaja-potilassuhde

Suoritin harjoitteluja erilaisissa ympäristöissä, mukaan lukien mielenterveysosasto, päiväkoti ja geriatrinen osasto. Yksi alue, josta haluaisin puhua, on hoitaja-potilassuhde. Kokemukseni mukaan erityisesti teho-osastolla, suhde oli usein 2:6. Tämä tarkoittaa, että minulla oli paljon potilaita hoidettavana kerralla. Sen sijaan Suomen terveydenhuoltojärjestelmässä näyttää olevan parempi hoitaja-potilassuhde, jolloin hoitajille jää enemmän aikaa laadukkaan hoidon antamiseen.

Vanhusten hoitaminen on aina ollut antoisaa, mutta kommunikaatio on ratkaisevan tärkeää tehokkaan hoidon tarjoamiseksi. Ensimmäisen harjoitteluni aikana opin suomeksi hoidon perusteet sen varmistamiseksi, että sain asukkaat osallistumaan päivittäiseen toimintaan ja he saavat tarvitsemansa huomion. Käytin erilaisia sovelluksia ja kirjoja suomen kielen oppimiseen, ja työskentelen edelleen kielitaitoni parantamiseksi. Olen kuitenkin kohdannut haasteita kielimuurin vuoksi. Potilaiden ja heidän perheidensä kanssa on vaikea kommunikoida, enkä ole vielä päässyt soveltamaan kliinisiä taitojani sairaalaympäristössä. Olen kuitenkin saanut arvokasta tietoa teorian ja simulaatioiden kautta.

Nepalin ja Suomen erot koulutuksessa

Yksi suurimmista eroista, joita olen huomannut, on koulutusjärjestelmässä. Nepalissa meillä oli tapana tehdä tentit paperilla ja lukuvuosi oli paljon pidempi, kestäen kokonaisen vuoden. Kokeiden läpäisemiseen oli paljon paineita ja jos epäonnistuimme, jouduimme odottamaan seuraavaan vuoteen suorittaaksemme ne uudelleen. Suomessa opiskelijoilla on kuitenkin paljon enemmän joustavuutta. Kurssit ovat tyypillisesti lyhyempiä (noin kuusi kuukautta) ja niissä keskitytään enemmän opiskelijoiden hyvinvointiin ja itsesuunnitteluun. Ei ole paineita läpäistä tenttejä ensimmäisellä yrityksellä, joka antaa henkisen rauhan. Mielestäni tämä lähestymistapa on paljon terveellisempi ja se auttaa minua enemmän keskittymään oppimiseen eikä niinkään stressiin. Lisäksi arvostan täällä olevaa kulttuuria, jossa puhuttelemme opettajiamme heidän etunimillään. Tämä helpottaa ilmaisemaan mielipiteitä vapaammin.

Suomen kielen tärkeys terveydenhuollossa

Vaikka Suomen koulutusjärjestelmä on erinomainen, olen törmännyt haasteeseen: ilman suomen kielen taitoa on haastavaa löytää harjoittelupaikkoja, erityisesti terveydenhuollossa. Vaikka monet ohjelmat ovat englanniksi, useimmat terveydenhuollon yksiköt edellyttävät sujuvaa suomenkielistä kommunikaatiota. Monet sairaalat ja terveyspalvelut eivät hyväksy opiskelijoita, jotka eivät puhu kieltä, koska suomi on ensisijainen tapa kommunikoida. Uskon, että oppilaitokset voisivat paremmin tukea kansainvälisiä opiskelijoita vaatimalla tiettyä suomen kielen tasoa, mikä helpottaisi opiskelijoiden käytännön kokemuksen hankkimisessa ja lisäisi tietämystä soveltaa tietoa oikeassa terveydenhuollon ympäristössä.

Sopeutuminen suomalaiseen kulttuuriin ja katse tulevaisuuteen

Lähtiessäni kotimaastani paremman uran, palkan ja kokemuksen takia oli iso päätös, mutta olen optimistinen tulevaisuuteeni Suomessa. Arvostan, kuinka Suomalainen terveydenhuolto puskee minua eteenpäin kohti ammatillista kehittymistä. Olen oppinut niin paljon suomalaisilta, erityisesti aikataulujen tärkeyttä, sukupuolten välistä tasa-arvoa ja itsensä kehittämistä. Nautin pienistä asioista, kuten kahvin juomisesta ja saunakulttuurin kokemisesta, jotka ovat nykyään osa elämääni täällä.

Ulkomailla opiskelu on vaatinut sopeutumista, erityisesti perheestäni kaukana oleminen ja Suomalaiseen säähän sopeutuminen. Olen nyt tottunut siihen ja huomaan kasvavani päivittäin. Olen oppinut kommunikaation välttämättömyydet hoitotyössä ja olen ylpeä saavuttamastani edistyksestä, ymmärtäessäni potilaiden pyynnöt ja itsevarmasti keskustellen työkavereilleni.

Lopulliset ajatukset ja tulevaisuuden toiveet

Mikään ei tule helpolla, mutta olen päättänyt valmistua ensi keväänä. Keskityn suomen kielen taitoni parantamiseen, sillä tiedän, että kielen hallitseminen avaa minulle ovia suomalaisessa terveydenhuollossa. Tavoitteenani on jatkaa sairaanhoitajan uraani Suomessa, työskennellä sairaalassa ja edistää yhteisön terveyttä ja hyvinvointia.

Tämän blogitekstin avulla haluan ilmaista huolta kuilusta, joka on englanninkielisten sairaanhoitajien ja harjoittelupaikkojen välillä Suomessa. Vaikka maa tarjoaa maailmanluokan koulutusta, kansainvälisillä opiskelijoilla on usein vaikeuksia löytää paikkaa terveydenhuoltoon kielimuurien vuoksi. Toivon, että oppilaitokset sovittavat ohjelmansa paremmin terveydenhuoltojärjestelmän tarpeisiin ja varmistavat, että kansainväliset opiskelijat voivat saada kliinisen kokemuksen, jota he tarvitsevat menestyäkseen.

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Soteekki – Simplified

The Concept of Soteekki

Soteekki is a versatile, multi-functional learning environment designed to allow students to experience various real-life situations that students might encounter in their future professions. It’s open to students studying nursing, physiotherapy and social work. This practice environment includes multiple services and clients, from children to elderly people, allowing students to experience various scenarios.

The idea behind Soteekki is to integrate practical training into the theoretical knowledge already had. Students get to experience entrepreneurship and its management. Soteekki helps students understand what it’s like to plan and execute activities with real clients and patients.

How Soteekki Works       

Soteekki functions as both a practice place and a service provider. It is staffed by students under the supervision of teachers. Students gain experience working in multi-professional groups while also contributing to the ordinary days in the lives of people by offering health and social care services.

Roles:

Students at Soteekki are divided into two groups – the blue and red teams. The blue team focuses on physical fitness and health promotion, and the red team’s main themes are mental well-being and social functioning. In these groups, there are two team leaders for each team and the rest of the students work as the “regular members”, who are the ones completing the services in actuality.

Team leaders’ tasks include making the schedules for students and contacting clients as well as managing their contracts. They can choose to only focus on administrative tasks or also do some services too. On the contrary, the regular members do the planning for the services and go out to execute them. They also work on their mini teams and can plan their workshops or projects.

There are also specific areas of responsibility for the teams. These include social media, blog, podcast, work well-being, health technology, and possible workshop team (though everyone is allowed to design one).

Soteekki also has service counsellors who monitor and assess students’ progress in a realistic setting. They go over the clients’ plans before they’re executed and give tips or improvement ideas.

Everyday Reality at Soteekki + Tips:

Students have their services on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. That means that planning for them usually happens on Monday and Tuesday – the planning times are decided by the student groups themselves.

On Mondays there are also team meetings, where last week’s services are gone through, and team members talk about their progression and future plans in their small groups.

For nursing students especially, since they need more hours to complete their practices, planning workshops as an extra is a good idea to get in more hours.

To some services, someone in the service will need to drive the team to the client’s place. That’s why before starting Soteekki will ask about car licenses – sometimes may need to use students’ own cars (gas mileage will be paid back).

How the service and roles often break down in the planning phase – physios will often focus on making plans for the exercising portions, for example, “tuolijumppa” is part of many services. Then social workers often work as quality control for the clients, like making sure the client’s home seems safe. They have also, for example, made quizzes for clients or hosted bingo. Nurses are often in charge of conversation and the clients’ state of health during the services.

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A step in the right direction – my experiences of walking and why you should try it out too

Walking has become a habit of mine even though maintaining consistency is challenging. I always prefer to walk instead of taking the car. Before writing this blog, I knew walking provides many health benefits, refreshes the mind, and boosts our mood. However, sometimes, I find it a challenging and somewhat boring task to perform. In the hope of making, it enjoyable, I add fun activities such as visiting a friend, window shopping, and visiting second-hand shops as it needs more walking to go through all the stations, go to school, get groceries from different supermarkets, etc to execute the task somehow.

On days when it is hard to get out, I challenge myself by cycling to neighbourhoods or the forest to explore and discover new places and paths and also to take pictures to keep myself motivated and physically active.

I find great comfort and relief in Chi Walking, especially walking in peaceful, and serene landscape as the forest. Chi Walking is more like a meditation practice to me, it helps me clear my thoughts, connect and talk with my inner self, focus on the presence, reflect, appreciate what life can offer me, and enjoy the beautiful nature. Thus, walking is a method for me to find happiness, most importantly, Myself.

Walking and its health benefits:

A great way to improve your overall health for free and without any equipment required is Walking. By walking for at least 30 minutes a day bones are strengthened, excess body fat is reduced, muscle endurance and power gets boosted, cardiovascular fitness increases, the risk of developing heart diseases such as stroke decreases, improved flexibility of joints and muscles, prevents diabetes type 2, osteoporosis, balances high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol and many other health problems.

Walking is a physical activity that does not have to be vigorous and can be done anywhere and anytime even indoors while doing household tasks including cleaning the house or getting other necessary tasks done such as buying groceries while outdoors. By accomplishing one task on the to-do list, we sometimes unknowingly add walking to our daily routine.

Walking is considered weight-bearing exercise as one carries their body weight throughout the process, meaning, it is a great way for physical exercise for one who has not done any exercises for a long time, is overweight, or is elderly.

Emotional and mental health benefits of walking:

In addition to physical health benefits, walking has tons of emotional and mental health benefits. Walking increases and betters blood circulation to the brain and the body, as a result, it boosts mood and has a positive influence on the central nervous system eventually the body’s response to stress decreases and one feels/experiences less stress. Furthermore, walking improves sleep quality, increases physical and mental strength, reduces exhaustion, beats off depression and anxiety, boosts self-esteem, and increases mental alertness.

How to make walking a part of our daily routine:

In the beginning, incorporating walking into your daily routines or walking for 30 minutes can be challenging for those new to physical activity or who have been inactive for a long time. However, starting with 5 minutes and gradually extending the duration as pleased, makes walking an accomplishable goal. Once one walks day-to-day as consistent practice. Once you consistently walk, it naturally becomes a habit to walk a certain number of miles daily.

Some tips on how to integrate walking into our daily routine:

There are various ways, you can include walking daily routine. For instance, one can take the stairs instead of the lift, walk to the supermarkets to get groceries or general shopping and walk around neighborhoods alone or with family and friends to make it more memorable and enjoyable. Challenge yourself to walk to school, work, parties, friends’ houses, or any other places that require your visit. Keep yourself an activity diary to get yourself motivated, join walking clubs, walk up hills to stay active as well as engaged, and wear a pedometer/step counter to get inspired as it tracks and accumulates every step taken by you. The recommended average number of steps daily for an adult is about 10,000 or more. However, taking less than the average number of steps daily is also fine and an accomplishment for better health as every step is counted for improvement of overall well-being and physical fitness.

How to make walking pleasant, enjoyable, and less boring?

As walking is a great way to achieve better health, boost mood, and get some fresh air, on the other hand, it may become boring. There are numerous tips on how to make walking memorable, enjoyable, plus fun. Walking can be a great way to explore the neighborhoods or even the entire city by changing the walking path often to explore new places and make walking a more exciting experience. Setting personal goals for walking, for example, losing weight or being physically active to live a healthier lifestyle can keep you focused and motivated to achieve your goals. Walking or engaging in other physical activities becomes more fun when you walk with someone you like. Invite and encourage your friends or family to walk with you to get the opportunity to bond with them while staying physically active and healthy. Be creative and entertain yourself by listening to your favorite music or an audiobook. Moreover, attempt to bring change by mixing up your daily schedule for better and fresher experiences. For instance, altering the exercise/walking times enables you to experience new perspectives and add more excitement to the journey.

Some tips on correct walking techniques:

The use of correct walking techniques makes the journey successful and pleasant. Swing your arms freely, check the weather beforehand, wear comfortable clothes, shoes, and socks suitable for the weather, stand straight as much as possible, step from heel to toe, keep your head up, and keep yourself hydrated.

Tips on how to be safe while walking:

It is recommended to see your health professional before starting walking activities or any other physical exercises if you are obese, over 40 years old, and haven’t had any physical exercise for a long time. Warming up before starting walking improves blood flow, prepares the body, and prevents joint and muscle damage. Wear comfortable clothing, a hat, and sunscreen, prevent accidents by wearing reflective clothing, walk on the sidewalks or a safe path, carry your phone with a safety app downloaded, and look around for possible unexpected hazards such as cliff edges.

Types of walking: Walking is a simple process but its health benefits vary according to the type.

Chi walking: Chi walking is a type of walking that can be used as a meditation method for calming the mind, reducing stress, clearing thoughts, and improving mood. Brisk walking: This walking method takes 100 steps per minute and tends to burn calories depending on the person’s weight.

Table: Calories

Stroll walking: One can benefit from various health benefits such as healthy bones and muscles, and control weight by walking for 1 hour daily.

Nordic walk: Nordic method of walking is done by putting the upper body and legs in action, using special poles. By this method of walking around 20% of calories are burned compared to walking without poles, improves posture, strengthens abdominal muscles and back, less impact on joints.

Race walking: It is a specialized form of walking that is done as a sport by following certain techniques and rules. It has many health benefits such as reducing the risk of developing many health problems for instance heart disease, diabetes type 2, dementia, improving quality of life as well as increasing life span.

Written by: Madina Haidari

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Blog series: fitness and physiotherapy (part 5)

The downsides of fitness

The first thing we would like to highlight is that many of the following issues we discuss are based on the athletes’ own experiences and some of the information is referenced. Everyone experiences the sport in their own way and everyone will certainly have their own challenges in the sport, if any. However, it is important to remember that there are not always downsides! We just want to highlight any potential downsides that you should be aware of when you are starting out in the sport.

In the off-season I have not experienced anything negative and everything went as planned. The biggest problem in the off-season was mainly how to eat all the food I was supposed to 😀 I haven’t experienced the downside of the competition diet yet, as it’s only been 5 weeks since my first competition diet. So far everything has gone well and the weight has started to come down steadily. The first two weeks I felt more hungry, as my body was not yet used to minus calories. But now things have leveled out and I’m not hungry anymore. The calories have only dropped by 300 calories on training days compared to the off-season, so it’s not a big change yet. On rest days, calories have been reduced by 600 calories.

The sport puts you at risk of developing an eating disorder, because looks and food play such a big role in the sport. This is why it is important to have the right starting point when taking up the sport! The risk of eating disorders is also high in other sports such as gymnastics. I know of several girls through gymnastics who developed anorexia or other eating disorders while doing gymnastics. Factors that may predispose an athlete to eating disorder syndrome include the pursuit of perfection, body image pressures and the pressures placed on the athlete by the coach (Juntunen, 2019, p. 13). In sports where the goal is a lean body, it has been found that there are more traits of disordered eating behaviour than in sports where body fat percentage does not matter (Juntunen, 2019, p. 14). Fitness is, of course, one of the sports where the goal is a lean body.

Especially for women, competition diets can have negative effects on endocrine function. I’ve heard of people who have lost their periods completely at the end of the diet, but then come back when their weight returns to normal. In addition to endocrine disruption and the risk of developing an eating disorder, I’m sure everyone on a diet experiences fatigue to a greater or lesser extent. Fatigue leads to low energy levels and a lack of energy to do everything in the same way as before. For example, you may have to skip some parties and your social life may be reduced. The focus is only on diet, training and competitions. However, this is all temporary and it is not healthy to maintain competition fitness for long, nor is competition fitness something you should dream of or think about achieving in any other way. The progress of the diet and post-diet recovery will be overseen by a professional coach.

Often the diet itself is easier for many people than the reverse diet after a competition diet. Reverse dieting is about starting to recover from the competition season, and taking it easy to start bringing calories back to everyone’s own normal. So it’s only when you reverse diet that problems can arise, as your fitness condition “softens” and your own eye gets used to the tighter fitness condition. At this stage, the support and know-how of the coach is particularly important. A Finnish study has found that the female athlete’s body recovers from competition in about 3-4 months. The study also reported that athletes’ weight and all hormones except T3 and testosterone returned to normal after 3-4 months (Hulmi et al., 2016).

Most of the negatives are health-related, but there is also a fairly high level of spending throughout the year, as we understood from previous interviews. It is not possible to practice the sport if you do not have enough money, as the training fees alone cost at least €150/month. The most expensive single purchase for myself at the moment is definitely the competition bikini, which cost €495. Below is also a picture of the bikinis in question.

A physiotherapist can help fitness athletes in the same way as athletes in other sports with potential sports injuries. Physiotherapists also have a role to play in the treatment of patients with eating disorders. The physiotherapist examines the functional capacity of patients with eating disorders. This includes testing joint mobility, strength and endurance, measuring weight, measuring heart rate and heart rate rise during exercise, and monitoring gait, balance and body control (Eating disorders: Current treatment recommendation 2014). The physiotherapist can do a range of exercises to focus on the body in a positive way and try to block out any negative thoughts. Mindfulness training is one way to help the patient. (Kumlin & Väntti, 2015, p. 17) However, a physiotherapist is not the first health professional to go to when suffering from an eating disorder. Rather, a physiotherapist is a good help at the stage when the illness is already on the mend.

This was the last post in our blog series, we hope you enjoyed reading it and now understand more about fitness as a sport. Finally, a few more pictures of me before the fitness starts to change towards competition condition.

 Ideation, writing and planning: Sarianna Virtanen, Suvi Rantala & Heini Lehtiranta

Part of the subject: Sarianna Virtanen

Sources

Hulmi, J., Isola, V., Suonpää, M., Järvinen, N., Kokkonen, M., Wennerström, A., Nyman, K., Perola, M., Ahtiainen, J. & Häkkinen, K. (2016). The effects of intensive weight reduction on body composition and serum hormones in female fitness competitors. Pubmed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28119632/

Juntunen, T. (2019).  Bikini Fitness-urheilijoiden syömiskäyttäytyminen. [Pro gradu- työ, Itä- Suomen yliopisto]. UEF//EREPOSITORY  http://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:uef-20190576

Kumlin, E. & Väntti, J. (2015). Rentoutustuntien kehittäminen HUS:n syömishäiriöklinikalla. [AMK-opinnäytetyö, Metropolia Ammattikorkeakoulu]. Theseus. https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2015120218899

Syömishäiriöt: Käypä hoito – suositus. (2014). Suomalaisen Lääkäriseuran Duodecimin, Suomen Lastenpsykiatriyhdistyksen ja Suomen Psykiatriyhdistys ry:n asettama työryhmä. Suomalainen Lääkäriseura Duodecim. https://www.kaypahoito.fi/hoi50101?tab=suositus

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Happy Mother’s Day!

Writer: Nursing student Madina Haidari

There is no such word in the world to describe the precious position and worth of a mother, but they are the living angels bring so much brightness and blessings our life by their presence.

Today, as we celebrate Mother’s Day, it’s an opportunity to reflect on the unparalleled role that mothers play in our lives. Their unwavering love, boundless support, and profound belief in us shape our very existence. Even when separated by distance, the warmth of a mother’s love transcends physical boundaries, residing deep within our hearts.

The immeasurable value of a mother’s presence cannot be overstated. They are the architects of our happiness, the pillars of strength during challenging times, and the guiding lights illuminating our path forward. Their nurturing essence enriches every aspect of our being, infusing our lives with boundless love and endless blessings.

On this day, and every day, let us honor and cherish the remarkable persons who fulfill the role of motherhood with grace and dedication. Their selflessness, resilience, and unwavering devotion epitomize the true essence of maternal love. May we express our gratitude not only through words but also through actions that reflect the depth of our appreciation.

To all the incredible mothers out there, thank you for being the epitome of love, resilience, and compassion. Your presence in our lives is a priceless gift that we treasure each day. Happy Mother’s Day!

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Happy International Nurse Day!

Writer: Nursing student Yang Hu

International Nurse’s Day is celebrated on the 12th of May since 1965. This day commemorates the contribution of nurses to the public.

The Finnish Nurses’ Association is a member association of the international organization of nurses called the International Council of Nurses (ICN). It celebrates the day this year with a campaign thanking nurses for their valuable work for health and well-being.

Nurses play a crucial role in transferring health care in a broad perspective by providing comprehensive care to individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Their expertise in various areas, such as preventive care, chronic disease management, and patient education, allows them to address a wide range of health concerns and promote overall well-being.

By enhancing workforce productivity, nurses not only deliver efficient and effective care but also contribute to the overall success of health care systems. Through their dedication and expertise, nurses help streamline processes, improve patient outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs.

Nurses also strengthen health care systems by advocating for improvements in policies, regulations, and resources. Their unique perspective as frontline providers enable them to identify areas for enhancement and drive positive change within the healthcare industry.

Moreover, nurses support the alleviation of poverty by providing access to quality healthcare services to underserved populations. Through their commitment to addressing health disparities and promoting equity, nurses play a critical role in improving health outcomes for vulnerable communities.

Additionally, nurses play a crucial role in addressing gender equality within the healthcare workforce and ensuring that women have equal opportunities for professional advancement and leadership roles. By advocating for gender diversity and inclusivity, nurses help create a more equitable and inclusive healthcare environment.

Furthermore, nurses ensure the preparedness and effective response to public health emergencies by providing essential care and support during times of crisis. Their expertise in emergency management, disaster response, and infection control is vital in safeguarding public health and mitigating the impact of emergencies on communities.

Thanks for all nurses!

Reference and further information: https://www.icn.ch/news/international-nurses-day-2024-theme-announced-our-nurses-our-future-economic-power-care

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Blog series: fitness and physiotherapy (part 4)

Fitness athletes’ own experiences

Below you can see our second interviewee’s own experiences and thoughts on the sport.

Saara, 23 yrs., Team Step2Fit, Bodyfitness

Second we interviewed Saara. She is 23 years old and represents the Team Step2Fit team. Her sport is Bodyfitness (Body fitness is a sport that aims to build more muscle mass than bikini fitness).  Before fitness, Saara has played ringette for 11 years from F-juniors up to SM level. In addition, she also played a few years of ice hockey. She has started fitness training in January 2022, but has been going to the gym since 2017.

“I got into fitness myself through the gym and following people competing in the sport on social media. In addition, two other competitors came to our gym, so it was through them that I got interested in the sport. Of course, at this point I had been going to the gym for 4-5 years.”

Saara has now started her off-season after a long, 1.5-year competition prep. Saara has competed for three seasons in a row, starting in November 2022 and continuing through many surprises until April 2024. In between the preps, however, there have been a few free eating periods, usually lasting 3-6 weeks. Currently, her workouts consist of 4 gym workouts with a few aerobic workouts around them. The gym workouts are split into 1 leg workout and the remaining 3 workouts are for the upper body.

“I have 6 competitions behind me, one of which is the World Championships! As an experience, the first competitions were just a touch and a look at the sport, no expectations and no knowledge of what the stage experience would be like. The second and third competitions were exciting in a different way, as the sport changed from wellness fitness to body fitness. The World Championships, on the other hand, were a completely different kind of excitement when it came to the International Championships. But as an experience, the World Championships were really great and unforgettable.”

Saara says that the last season and its competitions were the hardest for her, at least mentally.  “A competition prep that goes on this long is really hard on the body, but also on the mind. Still, I don’t regret for a moment that we continued this long. It’s a time when you get to know yourself and your body super well, which is really important for your future.” 

However, she says that the experience of the competitons itself has generally been positive every time.

“I enjoy being on stage, but the bigger thing for me is the journey to get there. It’s really important and motivating for me to beat myself and challenge myself every day. However, the hard weight training and improving is the most important thing for me. I don’t do fitness because I want to be judged on stage, but I do it because I love going to the gym and challenging myself every day, and competing is cherry on the top! And that should be every fitness athlete’s motivation to do this sport.”

Fitness as a hobby takes a lot of money, and Saara has not wanted to calculate her own income on an annual basis, but gave examples of how much money can possibly go to certain things. However, she says that you can influence how much money you spend.

“I’ve always tried to go with the cheapest. You can’t really influence the coaching fees themselves, because you don’t choose a coach based on price and it’s worth investing in. My coaching fees have been between 180-250€/month, when I have been with two different coaches. I have always bought used competition outfits, they cost 200-450€/each. Competition shoes were 90€, which of course I bought new! I probably could have got them cheaper second-hand. The gym card is 50 €/month and the food costs probably 200-300 €/month, but I would still buy these even if I wasn’t competing. I might even spend a bit more on food. The competitor’s licence is €250 per year and the competition fees are currently €100-150 per competition. I often do all the make-up and hair for competitions myself, but these can easily cost hundreds per competition. Competition colouring as a service is €130 per competition, but if you do it yourself, the price is around €50, because there are enough of the same colours for many competitions.”

“Accommodation and transport costs are all about where you live and whether you choose an Airbnb or a hotel! Personally, I prefer Airbnb apartments for competition trips because they feel more like a home and always have a kitchen and a bit of peace and quiet! They are also cheaper. If you decide to go to the international championships, all flights/boats are expensive. You don’t have to take pictures of the competitions, but I’ve spent 50-130€/competition on these. Of course, there are all the “hidden costs” of buying candy, wine, plastic wrap (to protect the toilet bowl for the competition colour), etc., whatever you need if you can’t find it at home.”

Prior to entering competition coaching, Saara had been going to the gym for about 5 years. The plans for the competition were finalized almost as soon as the training started. The off-season lasted for about nine months before the first competition prep.

“There are always some minor illnesses at prep, but otherwise everything went well, except for the last prep. Three months before the competition I tore ligaments in my ankle and I went two months without training my legs properly and one month without doing any cardio or jogging. Posing was very difficult with one heel and a broken leg, but somehow I still managed to do it. At the beginning of the last prep there was a divorce and a move, which was a bit of a mental wobble, but in the end, despite these adversities, the prep went really well.”

Saara says that as a competitive athlete, you have to think about every choice you make in order to support your own fitness.  Everything has an impact on how you manage your everyday life. Eating, sleeping, training, aerobic exercises and posing must be able to fit into your everyday life so that you can cope. As a competitive athlete, other “extras” such as a social life often have to take a back seat, which is a shame, but as a competitive athlete there is little “free time”.

“Depending on the coach, you can influence the form of training. With a coach it is possible to make a training programme that suits you. But you have to remember that if you want to improve, you have to go outside your comfort zone and do things that are not necessarily the most fun.”

Saara says that her absolute favourite food on the diet is chicken, rice and broccoli. In the mornings and evenings she likes to eat porridge. In the off-season, she would not eat these foods as reduced as she does on the diet. On the competition diet, everyone also has a special “treat” that they like to eat, which may not necessarily work as a treat during the off-season. 

“On my last prep my delicacy was pickles and tomatoes, the one before that was sauerkraut and beetroot. I’ll admit to myself that kind of indulgence in prep, but these all go with the macros! So if I want treats, then I have to pinch off the food that goes into the macros of those treats. Otherwise, when you are hungry you wouldn’t even want to trade, for example, 40 grams of porridge to one ice cream! The first day after the competition, we went to the restaurant to eat just basic Mexican food, which is a prep end tradition for me. But the first thing I put in my mouth right after the stage is water and a banana.”

There are downsides to fitness, but there are always downsides in sports, especially if you’re competing at the top. Saara says that the potential risks of fitness include eating disorders, body image changes, self-esteem issues, endocrine and recovery-related health risks.

“This is a judged sport, where your body is judged and compared to others. If the competition doesn’t go the way you wanted or expected it to, it can feel really, really bad and then you start going through all the thoughts about how you’re worse than someone else. Especially people who are as self-critical as I am, so it really hits you in a different way. But all these bad aspects are worth discussing with the coach.”

Apart from the injury mentioned earlier, Saara has always done well without any major setbacks. At the moment, her goal is to develop as much as she can, get some hard and developmental training under her belt and, above all, enjoy the off-season.   “The next competitions are already set, so let’s go towards them!”

Alongside fitness, Saara works as a security guard and her shifts are usually 12 hours. She says that fitness as a sport is sometimes difficult to fit in alongside such shifts. She also says that on her days off, she can usually manage to work out, but her working days are often so demanding that it’s hard to go out and work out.                                                                                         

“Especially if you have long working hours and only sleep at home between days, it takes a bit more recovery afterwards, and the workouts aren’t always the best. Not to mention our night shifts, which probably don’t even need to be mentioned.”

Thanks to Saara and Riia for participating in the interview!

Ideation, writing and planning: Sarianna Virtanen, Suvi Rantala & Heini Lehtiranta

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Blog series: Fitness and physiotherapy (part 3)

Fitness athletes’ own experiences

We interviewed fitness athletes who have already competed. We asked them a few questions and also asked them to tell us about their sport in their own words. Below are our first interviewee’s own experiences and thoughts on the sport.

Riia, 20 years old, Team Piukat Paikat, Bikini Fitness

Our second interviewee is Riia. She is 20 years old and represents Team Piukat Paikat and her sport is Bikini Fitness. She has three more years to compete in the junior category (20-23 year olds) and in addition to that she competes in the open category, which has competitors of all ages. Riia has her first season of competition behind her and competed in autumn 2023. She finished sixth twice, reaching the finals and a podium finish. In the international race, she finished seventh. In addition to fitness, she is studying to be a physiotherapist in her first year and her previous education is as a practical nurse, so she is well versed in health issues. Physiotherapy as a profession is very close to sport and wellbeing. With this in mind, she finds that both professions are a plus for fitness.

Riia says that she got into the sport through gym training. “I have always been very self-critical and determined. I wasn’t happy with myself at all and started going to the gym. As I trained more and more, I realized that I really like what I do. I wanted to take my training to a new level and started looking on the internet for possible sports. I quickly found fitness and realized that I definitely wanted to try it. My friends have never really been interested in the sport, but that didn’t slow me down. Before taking up this sport, I was into dancing and horse riding.”

Riia has been in competition coaching for four years and even before she started training for competitions she had been going to the gym for a few years. When she started fitness she was very young, only 17 years old and still has a great passion for the sport. She currently has gym sessions 4-5 times a week, bodywork three times a week, posing two times a week and aerobic training 2-3 times a week. She says that the workouts are planned to include rest days to allow for recovery, which is an important part of the overall plan.

Riia is feeling good about her first season and wants to improve even more and return to the competition stage better than before. Her goal is to compete in the spring of 2025, so her new diet would start this autumn 2024.    “I am happy with the past season, of course there is always room for improvement. I want to improve, gain muscle and be a better version of myself next season! It was a great experience and taught me a lot about myself, but after the season I felt a certain emptiness. A feeling of emptiness about what I’m doing now that I’m not preparing for the competition. It took a few weeks to unravel that feeling of emptiness and the whole process. It took longer to recover, but it started to go in the right direction under its own steam.”

Riia tells us that she spends a surprising amount of money on fitness, so it’s a good idea to save for it. She says that the bikini was her most expensive purchase, costing €550. Other purchases such as competitions jewellery cost €50-60 and for example competition dye was €150, competiton licence €250, competiton fee €100 and competiton shoes €70.

“In addition, you can count hairdressing, doing the nails, sugaring and other beauty treatments. The competitions were held in different locations, so several hundred euros were spent on accommodation. About €90 was spent on the make-up needed.”

Before deciding on her first competition plans, Riia had been in the competition coaching for a year and a half. The coach wanted to get to know her properly and to gain more muscle mass before the diet.

“This made sense because I was very young (17 years old) when I started coaching. At that age, my mind might not have been able to cope with all the aspects of competing. Moreover, it is a judging sport that requires a certain amount of guts. “

Riia did well on the prepp and found it reasonably easy. She would have expected the prepp to be tougher and more difficult. 

“My body worked well and everything went very smoothly from start to finish. There were some bad days, but overall everything went well, fitness improved, I ate well until the end and my mood was steady. My diet lasted a total of seven months.”

Fitness also takes up a lot of time from everyday life in Riia and is therefore comparable to a lifestyle. It’s about daily choices and planning your schedule. Riia says that you have to train for the love of the sport. She also has the opportunity to influence the content of the training programmes, as they are made for the athlete. The coach often asks her what she likes and what she doesn’t like, which is the starting point for planning training programmes.

“The freedom of the sport to do the training when there is time in the day and to adapt it to your own week is possible.”

Riia says that on the prep, her favourite foods were definitely minced meat, macaroni, sugar-free ketchup and fresh salad. On refeed days, she had the freedom to eat whatever she wanted, so there was also the opportunity to eat some sweets. However, on refeed days, she did not like to buy chocolate or sweets from the shop, for example.

“I liked pastries and home-made food with cream. On the prep, I ate a few sweets with home-made food on the day of refeed. The first thing I ate after the competition was carrot cake! The best treat ever.”

The downside, in Riia’s view, is the constant comparison with others, which can lead to excessive self-criticism. “You need to be aware of body image changes and have good control over your mind when taking up the sport.” However, she feels that the sport definitely gives more than it takes! 

Riia wants to emphasize the importance of a good coach. “Your coach should be someone you can trust completely and you can tell her everything.” The coach plays a big role in fitness and should have the professional skills and training to coach. 

“My coach is my superhero, without her I wouldn’t be able to do this!”

In addition to succeeding in fitness, Riia’s future dreams include having her own dachshund and a detached house. Of course, the dream is also to stay healthy and feel well.

We will also be publishing our second interviewee’s own experiences and thoughts on the sport, so stay tuned!

Ideation, writing and planning: Sarianna Virtanen, Suvi Rantala & Heini Lehtiranta