From culture shock to feeling at home in Finland

By Ishani Thilakaratne

When I first moved to Finland, everything felt unfamiliar. The air felt colder, the streets quieter, and the people more distant than I was used to. Back home, life was loud and natural. Conversations happened everywhere in buses, shops, and even among strangers. But in Finland, silence seemed to exist comfortably between people. At first, that silence felt lonely. For the first time in my life, I understood the real meaning of “Silent is so loud” .

Like many international students and foreigners arriving in a new country, I came with excitement, dreams, and expectations. But no one really prepares you for the emotional side of starting over in a completely different environment. 

I remember my first day in Finland clearly. It was a very dark cold day in December. The days became shorter and darker, and the sunlight disappeared earlier than I thought possible. There were moments when I questioned my decision. I missed familiar food, familiar people, and the comfort of simply belonging somewhere without trying. 

Even small things felt challenging in the beginning. Understanding Finnish communication styles, adapting to independent study culture, learning how systems worked, and trying to build a social life from scratch. It was overwhelming at times. 

But slowly, Finland began teaching me things I did not expect. 

I learned independence in a deeper way. I taught myself how to be comfortable with my own company. Or I am still teaching myself.. I understood that kindness here is often quiet but genuine. People may not speak much at first, but when they do, they are sincere. Over time, I started appreciating the calmness that once felt strange to me. 

Little by little, unfamiliar places became part of my routine. The local supermarket no longer felt confusing. I still remember standing in the supermarket trying to understand the milk section, wondering why there were so many milk cartons in different colours. 

The snowy streets started feeling beautiful instead of intimidating. The silence I once feared became peaceful. 

One of the most meaningful parts of this journey was personal growth. Living in Finland pushed me outside my comfort zone in every possible way. It taught me resilience, adaptability, and patience. It also gave me opportunities to meet people from different cultures, broaden my perspective, and build a life that felt truly my own. 

Of course, settling in Finland is not always easy. There are difficult days, especially in the beginning. Culture shock is real, and adjusting takes time. But what I have learned is that feeling at home does not happen overnight. It happens gradually through routines, friendships, experiences, and moments you do not notice until later. 

Today, when I walk through the streets of my neighbourhood, it no longer feels like a temporary place I came to study. It feels like a chapter of my life that shaped who I became. 

For anyone planning to move to Finland or another new country, my advice is simple: give yourself time. It is okay to struggle. It is okay to feel lost sometimes. Growth often begins in unfamiliar places. And one day, without even realizing it, a place that once felt foreign may start feeling like home.