New in Helsinki: Stories of Internationals
International House Helsinki event
The next edition of New in Helsinki: Stories of Internationals is coming soon!
New in Helsinki: Stories of Internationals is an event series that celebrates the diverse experiences of international individuals living in Finland.
The event gathers four diverse members of Helsinki’s international community to share their own stories about their arrival and lives in Helsinki. The speakers will also answer questions from the audience during a Q&A session.
The in-person event will be on Wednesday 09 April from 16.00–19.00 and takes place in Oodi Library in Helsinki.
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Meet our speakers
Vejay Nair
Vejay Nair works as an international affairs specialist at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences. Their work focuses on soft-landing and settling services for international degree students and international mobilities for staff and teachers.
Originally from the United States, they lived in Helsinki for over 8 years and, in 2019, graduated with their Master’s degree in Intercultural Encounters from the University of Helsinki. Vejay has previously worked with the City of Helsinki, Ruskeat Tytöt, and as a freelance journalist.
Katerina Eskelinen
Katerina Eskelinen is a startup soft-landing specialist and she currently advises international startup founders on relocation and business development. With a background spanning the NGO, private, and public sectors she has built a diverse career with focus on customer work and building impactful partnerships.
Originally from the Czech Republic, Katerina has lived in Finland for almost 15 years. She currently lives in Helsinki with her husband and two children.
Guillaume Gérout Suominen
Guillaume Gérout Suominen is a trade policy advisor who specialises in free trade negotiations. He has provided consulting services to various governments and international organisations on trade and development issues.
Originally from the Seychelles, Guillaume has been living in Finland since 2020, continuing his international professional journey in Belgium and across Africa while enjoying married life and conducting PhD research in Helsinki. Before settling in Helsinki, he lived in Ethiopia for five years, where he met his Finnish partner.
Kayleigh Karinen
Kayleigh Karinen is an international entrepreneur who came to Finland as an exchange student in 2017 to reconnect with her distant Finnish heritage and learn Finnish.
Originally from the United States, Kayleigh’s 5-month exchange turned into an 8-plus year journey during which she has become a four-time world champion on the Finnish national team and established herself as an international coach and consultant working with premier-level sports teams across Europe.
About New in Helsinki
New in Helsinki is an event series for international newcomers in the Helsinki area.
They help newcomers settle into life in Helsinki, and are organised by International House Helsinki.
