At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at Finland and some of the bloggers who write about living there.
Hey Helsinki
https://heyhelsinki.wordpress.com
After moving to Finland in 2014 with her husband and son, New Zealander Mel set up Hey Helsinki as a chronicle of her life in a new country.The city guide to Helsinki, accessed via the sidebar, will be useful to expats and travellers alike, and Mel’s Instagram is filled with beautiful pictures of her day to day life there. Alongside the posts about local events, places to visit and things to do with the kids, Mel also blogs about how she is adjusting to her new life on the opposite side of the world. Providing an honest look into the experience of being an expat, especially one so far from home, Hey Helsinki is recommended reading for anyone who wants to understand what it feels like to be an expat, and what Finland has to offer.
Aka Chymecindy
http://www.akachymecindy.com/
Cindy is a Filipino expat living in Finland with her family, and her blog is a great place to visit if you’re thinking of moving abroad with small children. Topics of discussion include day to day life as an expat parent, raising a multilingual child and the challenges of having a cross-cultural relationship. Cindy is a fantastic photographer and the pictures on Aka Chymecindy are beautiful; just skimming through her blog will make you want to move to Finland!
Already There
http://alreadyelena.blogspot.co.uk/
Elena’s blog details her life as an American expat living in Finland. Written with a wry sense of humour, it feels a lot like reading a letter from a friend: open, honest, and with just the right amount of storytelling. Already There features posts on all aspects of expat life, including the feeling of reverse culture shock that can happen when an expat goes back to their home country for a visit. In among the large number of available sites which share specific tips and have sections devoted to different aspects of life as an expat, it’s nice to find one that just reads like a personal diary, providing a true examination of what life in Finland is really like for expats.
Life In Finland
https://liveinfinland.wordpress.com/
The blog of an expat from Ontario, Canada who now lives in Espoo, Life In Finland was named one of National Geographic’s top traveller blogs in 2006 and shows no sign of letting up. Covering local events and expat life, the blog is useful reading for anyone who is planning a trip to Finland, whether it’s just for a short break or with the intention of staying. The ‘Things I Didn’t Know Last Week’ posts are particularly interesting, providing an insight into all sorts of areas from local tourism stats to where to buy bread, to the increasing proliferation of Braille translations in public places. If you’re looking for an in-depth idea of Finland as a whole, this is a good blog to read.
Finland Adventures
https://finlandadventures.wordpress.com/
Michelle is a Louisiana expat who moved to the “cold, cold north” and now writes about her experiences there. The site is nicely laid out and easy to navigate; the Photos sections along the top are definitely worth checking out. Foodies should take a look at the ‘Foods of Finland’ section which provides a visual representation of the local cuisine, from traditional dishes to the differences in options at the supermarkets there. If you’re just starting out on your expat journey, take a look at the guide listed at the top of the home menu. It’s set out in simple points which will make a great checklist if you’re not sure where to start with the moving process.
Those are our recommended expat blogs for today. Do you write about being an expat? Let us know in the comments!