Vaasa University of Applied Sciences organises the annual YoungTalk event as part of the Wasa Future Festival. YoungTalk is led by international volunteers who contribute to every stage of the event, from programme planning and marketing to coordinating activities on the event day, with support from VAMK’s RDI unit. In this blog post, one of the volunteers shares their journey to Finland, the experiences and lessons gained through volunteering, and how YoungTalk became an important part of their personal growth, networking, and future aspirations.
A Dream Built Through Perseverance
Moving to Finland fulfilled a lifelong dream, but I quickly realized that earning a university degree was only one part of my journey. Finding my place in a new country required resilience, community engagement, and the willingness to step outside my comfort zone. Through volunteering, I discovered that integration is not something that simply happens. It is something we actively create.
My journey to Finland began when I was a student of Education in the University of Chittagong. Then, working as a teacher in a remote village in Bangladesh, I dreamed of pursuing higher education abroad. However, preparing university applications was far from easy. Frequent power outages, unreliable internet access, and limited resources made every step of the process challenging.
Many evenings, I studied by candlelight while waiting for electricity to return so that I could continue my English Language Test preparation, researching universities and completing online applications. When Finnish universities invited me to online interviews, I worried constantly that power cuts would interrupt the conversations. Fortunately, my school’s head teacher allowed me to use the school’s generator during the interview period. That simple act of support enabled me to complete every interview successfully.
Eventually, I received scholarship offers from six Finnish universities. It was a life-changing achievement, but it was only the beginning of another series of challenges. Administrative procedures, government approvals, and visa applications tested my patience and determination. Looking back, I realize that these experiences taught me resilience long before I arrived in Finland.
Discovering That Success Means More Than a Degree
Like many international students, I arrived in Finland with excitement and high expectations. At the same time, I knew I needed a part-time job to support my studies. The reality was different from what I had imagined. Despite applying for numerous positions, I received rejection after rejection. At first, I assumed that my limited Finnish language skills were the only obstacle. As I attended career seminars, networking events, and discussions with professionals, I began to understand a much broader picture.
Success in Finland is not determined solely by academic qualifications. Language skills, cultural understanding, professional networks, communication, and active participation in society all play significant roles in building a career. This realization changed my approach completely.
Learning through Volunteering
Instead of focusing only on sending job applications, I decided to become involved in the local community. I started volunteering at SPR Reshop and later participated in the Vaasa International Talent Programme. These experiences helped me improve my communication skills, understand Finnish working culture, and meet people from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds.
More importantly, volunteering allowed me to contribute instead of simply observing. Every conversation, every event, and every new responsibility helped me better understand how Finnish society values collaboration, trust, and initiative. These experiences gradually increased my confidence not only as a student but also as a future professional.
Why Young Talk Became an Important Part of My Journey
While looking for more opportunities to develop practical skills, I learned about Young Talk 2026 through one of its preparation meetings. After attending the meeting, I immediately felt that this was more than an event. It was a learning platform where international students could actively contribute while building meaningful relationships.
As a volunteer, I have participated in regular planning meetings and gained first-hand experience of how a collaborative event is designed and implemented. Young Talk brings together international students, universities, organizations, and regional stakeholders to encourage dialogue, strengthen connections, and create opportunities for future cooperation in the Vaasa region. Rather than focusing on traditional networking, the programme creates space for genuine conversations and shared understanding. For me, this experience has been invaluable.
I have developed practical skills in teamwork, communication, event planning, and leadership while also gaining a deeper understanding of Finland’s professional culture. Most importantly, I have learned that building relationships often opens doors that qualifications alone cannot.
Small Ideas Can Create Bigger Impact
Working behind the scenes has also encouraged me to think about continuous improvement. One idea I would recommend is introducing new participants to Young Talk through a short highlights video or slideshow showcasing previous events. Hearing testimonials from former volunteers and participants could also help newcomers better understand the programme’s purpose and encourage more active engagement from the beginning. Sometimes, seeing the experiences of others is the best motivation to become involved.
My Biggest Lesson
When I reflect on my journey from a remote village with limited electricity to volunteering in Finland. I realize that my greatest achievement is not simply studying abroad. My greatest achievement has been learning how to adapt, connect, and continue growing despite uncertainty. Every challenge taught me something valuable. Limited resources taught me determination. Bureaucratic obstacles taught me patience. Rejections taught me resilience. Volunteering taught me something even more important: belonging is built through participation.
Today, I believe that volunteering is not only a way to give back to the community. For international students, it is also one of the most meaningful ways to understand a new culture, build professional networks, develop practical skills, and discover opportunities that cannot be found in a classroom.
Young Talk has become much more than a volunteer experience for me. It represents the moment when I stopped seeing myself as someone trying to adapt to Finland and started feeling like an active contributor to the community. That, perhaps, has been the most valuable lesson of all.
