International House Turku Podcast

This week we are talking about studying – and staying – in Turku! Jonathon and Roza look at some of the recent changes affecting international students, and discuss ways to find additional support and guidance.

We also welcome the hosts of Study and Stay in Turku 2026, Clara Domínguez Alfara and Hafsa Zubair, to talk about the event and their experiences of studying in Turku so far.

If you have any questions or comments please don’t hesitate to get in touch! Follow International House Turku on social media for the latest updates.

Study and Stay in Turku

This week, we are talking about employment, in particular working here at the City of Turku! We discuss the City’s Gen T campaign, which is designed to encourage the recruitment of young graduates.

Later in the episode, we are delighted to welcome one of our own Gen T colleagues, Shiyana Shiyana, to the studio! With a background in pharmaceutical sciences, Shiyana brings a research-oriented perspective to her work in the public sector. During our discussion, she shares her experiences of working at the City of Turku, her professional journey, and her perspective on working in a multicultural environment.

Follow International House Turku on social media for the latest updates!

• Gen T campaign website: GEN T – Turku’s future is being built now
• Business Turku’s Health and Life Sciences Hub: Health & Life Science | Business Turku
• Shiyana’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shiyana-shiyana/

For our last episode of the series, we are talking about communication. How do you get your message across effectively in Finland, whether you are pitching yourself to companies, making friends or just trying to navigate everyday life?

We then learn more about Science Communication from our guest Gabriel Olegário, Founder and ‘Science Communicator’ at local startup SciCommLab Consultancy. We discuss Gabriel’s journey to entrepreneurship in Turku, and he shares his advice on how to communicate clearly and effectively.

Stay tuned for the next series in autumn 2026! If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can contact us at [email protected]

Follow us on social media for the latest updates!

Links:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-olegario-a49331133/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/scicommlab-consultancy
• https://scicommlabconsultancy.com/

This week, we have left the studio to join the Southwest Finland International Competence Forum, which hosted a panel discussion on the international student experience.

International students Zumrah Atif, Dr. Moreblessings Kalamba and Jingyi Shao talk about their time studying in Turku so far, how they are getting to grips with the language and how institutional support for students and graduates can improve. The discussion is moderated by our own Jonathon Murphy.

Many thanks to our panelists for sharing their experiences! If you would like to raise any comments or questions regarding this topic, please contact us at [email protected]

Follow International House Turku on social media for the latest updates!

This week, we are talking about what the City of Turku is doing to retain international talents. Considering the challenges faced by international residents, particularly related to entering the job market, what strategies and activities are in place to ensure that Turku remains competitive?

To explore this topic, we are delighted to welcome to the studio Vesa Palander, Business and Economic Development Director at the City of Turku. Vesa discusses his vision for an international Turku, as well as concrete initiatives the City is working on right now to support both international talents and local companies.

If you have any questions or thoughts about this episode, you can email us at [email protected]

Follow us on social media for the latest updates!

Follow Vesa on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vesapalander/

Links:

• The International Voucher | Turku.fi
• Mayor’s Programme 2025–2029 | Turku.fi

This week, we are talking about housing! Jonathon and Roza share their experiences of finding a rental apartment when they moved to Turku, and reflect on what you should consider when looking for a new place to live.

To dig deeper into the topic, we also welcome Anna Poikkijoki, Housing Counsellor at Ote Säätiö, to the studio. We discuss Anna’s free advice service for international residents and get her take on the biggest accommodation challenges in Turku.

If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email us at [email protected]

Follow us on social media for the latest updates!

Links:

• https://www.turku.fi/en/integration-services/housing-counselling
• https://otesaatio.fi/asumisneuvonta/

This week, we are talking about summer internships – how to apply and how to make the most out of the opportunities they provide.

Later in the episode, we welcome City of Turku’s Employment Specialist Sari Sainio to the studio to discuss the International Voucher – a new recruitment tool designed to encourage companies to hire international talents.

If you have any questions or comments about the podcast, you can email us at: [email protected]

Follow us on social media for the latest updates!

Links:

• The International Voucher: https://www.turku.fi/en/jobseekers-and-employees/international-voucher
• Business Turku Summer Trainee campaign: https://careerinsouthwestfinland.fi/summertrainee/

This week, we are talking about finding a job in Turku after you have finished your studies!

Jonathon and Roza discuss their own experiences of moving from university to working life, before revealing what you can already do now during your studies to improve your future career prospects.

We also welcome Inna Hau into the studio as she reflects on her journey from a Master’s degree programme at the University of Turku to her current role as a Talent Acquisition Consultant, and shares her advice for current students who would like to stay in Finland.

Jonathon and Roza will once again be answering audience feedback at the end of this series, so please reach out to us via our social media channels with your questions and comments about life in Turku!

https://www.instagram.com/internationalhouseturku/

https://www.facebook.com/internationalhouseturku/

International Student Support Service: https://www.turku.fi/en/integration-services/international-student-support-service

Study and Stay in Turku event (5.11.25): https://sites.utu.fi/study-and-stay-turku/

Welcome to the International House Turku Podcast! Your guide to living, working, and studying in Turku.

In the second episode of season two, we will be talking about the upcoming Turku 800 years celebrations. The City of Turku is inviting every “turkulainen” to participate in planning the anniversary celebrations.

Our “Roving Reporter” Daniil Kuznetsov interviews the anniversary project manager Suvi Innilä about the arrangements for the anniversary celebrations.

We talk with IHT's own "Turku expert" Olga Henriksson, who has worked as a guide for the City of Turku. Olga shares her best tips on what to do in Turku, what to see, and how she came to feel like a true Turku resident.

Explore the arrangements for Turku's anniversary celebrations and find out how you can participate here: https://www.turku.fi/en/800

If you have any questions or comments for our podcast team, please reach out to us via our social media channels!

https://www.instagram.com/internationalhouseturku/

https://www.facebook.com/internationalhouseturku/

Welcome to the International House Turku Podcast! Your guide to living, working, and studying in Turku.

In the first episode of season two, we have two special guests, and we will be talking about changes. What has changed during the winter, and what are we talkingabout when discussing the new Turku employment region?

But first, we meet our “Roving Reporter” Daniil Kuznetsov, who will share his journey from international student to City of Turku employee.

Then we will talk with Turku Employment Area Director Pipa Turvanen, who will explain what has now changed with employment services in the Turku area. Or has anything changed?

You can visit the new City of Turku website and check the new International House Turku website: www.turku.fi/iht

If you have any questions or comments for our podcast team, please reach out to us via our social media channels!