A Eurovision Spark That Started It All – Könül’s Journey from Baku to Oulu
Könül Ahmadzada is a 32-year-old Specialist in International Affairs at the University of Oulu. Originally from Azerbaijan, she moved to Oulu with her family three years ago. Today, she balances a meaningful international career with family life, creativity, and a strong connection to nature.
My story with Finland started with the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest, Könül Ahmadzada says.
– It was the first Eurovision I ever watched, and then I saw Lordi’s victory – which was a year before. As a 13-year-old teenager, I was completely fascinated by rock music at a time when my musical taste was just forming.
That first encounter soon grew into something deeper. She discovered Finnish rock bands that remain among her favourites to this day, and her curiosity expanded into Finnish culture more broadly.
– As I researched more about Finnish culture, I found out about the beautiful language, especially the lovely sounds of Ö and Y. I have these sounds in my name’s original pronunciation. I learned about Finnish mythology as well – the Kalevala and its characters, which I first encountered through Nightwish songs.
Finland’s reputation as one of the happiest countries in the world, along with its education system, also played a role in shaping a long-term interest.
Years later, Oulu entered her awareness through Eurovision once again, when the local band Blind Channel represented Finland in 2022. Although she knew little about the city at the time, the connection stayed with her.
– I had the opportunity to move to Oulu in August 2023 together with my family and it didn’t take me long to understand that this was the best decision that I have ever made in my life, for myself and for my family.
“A More Mindful Daily Routine”
Könül’s academic interests later brought Oulu into focus more clearly through the Education and Globalisation programme at the University of Oulu, which combined her background in political science with her interest in international higher education.
After moving to Oulu, Könül began intensive Finnish language studies and quickly immersed herself in university life.
She found Oulu to be a calm, green, and welcoming city – very different from the large metropolitan environments she had lived in before.
– My first impressions were ‘what a beautiful peaceful city with a lot of green areas to relax and listen to yourself’. I have been living in a capital city, Baku, for a long time which meant I was used to a noisy, fast-paced city life. Oulu provided me with the chance to listen to my inner self, not to rush, and to have a more mindful daily routine.
Family life in Oulu has been especially supportive. Everyone from teachers to fellow students was kind and understanding when Könül attended evening language classes with her toddler.
The city also offered plenty of activities, playgrounds, and support services for international families, which made settling in easier during the first months, Könül says.
Daily life brought new habits as well, particularly related to mobility. Oulu’s extensive cycling infrastructure made cycling a natural choice year-round. Over time, Könül rediscovered biking and made it an integral part of everyday family life.
− Bikes seem a simpler and faster way of transport in Oulu. Here, bike roads are separated from car roads, and you can always see people cycling even in winter, in temperatures as low as −15 or −20 degrees.
− I re-learned to bike in Oulu and made a long-held dream come true: cycling as a family to daycare, parks, and the beach, including our cat on the bike basket. One of the biggest effects Oulu has had on my life is a greater sense of peace, as I no longer spend hours in traffic jams like I did in other cities.
“My Favourite Place Is…”
Nature has become a central part of Könül’s daily routine. Forest walks, biking, birdwatching, beaches, and seasonal activities such as berry picking are now paired with city life, restaurants, concerts, and cultural events.
− The year 2026 is a very important time for Oulu. I am also lucky to experience life in a European Capital of Culture city. Our city is filled with events, activities and bright colors every day.
“The year 2026 is a very important time for Oulu.”
She finds the size of Oulu ideal – small enough to feel peaceful, yet lively during festivals such as Vappu (May Day), the International Market at the Market Square, the Air Guitar Festival, and the Lumo Light Festival.
− My favourite place in Oulu is the university campus, as I feel very comfortable and happy there, rich with events, opportunities to meet friends, colleagues and scientists. I love learning from others and researching, as a naturally curious person, therefore, it is always possible to find interesting pastimes on campus, or the university library.
“Work–Life Balance Becomes Reality”
Professionally, Könül works in International Affairs at the university of Oulu, where her daily tasks include collaboration with academics, researchers, and experts in internationalisation of education and higher education development.
She values continuous learning and finds meaning in working in an international and academic environment.
One of the most impactful aspects of working life in Finland for her has been the strong emphasis on work–life balance. Respect for personal time, coffee breaks, and supportive supervisors create a healthy working culture.
− As I started working here, I felt respect for one’s personal time after work, and the short coffee breaks that are an indivisible part of daily life in the office. My supervisors were recommending me to take some breaks and sometimes even took me with them to the break rooms to meet with other colleagues.
Flexible and predictable working hours allow her to finish work early enough to spend meaningful time with her family in the evenings – a rhythm that suits her both as a professional and as a parent.
− My work starts at 8 am and finishes at 3:45 pm. Although many people are also flexible to choose their time of work depending on their scope of work, I love to start working earlier and finish my tasks before it gets dark, then I spend the evening with my family.
Although language can be a barrier at first, learning and using Finnish in everyday life has helped her integrate more deeply. Conversations with neighbours, small moments of connection, and even trying local dialect words are often met with encouragement and smiles.
Looking back, Könül sees Oulu as a place that has taught her to slow down, trust herself, and prioritise wellbeing. For her, Oulu is not just a city to live in – it is a place where life feels balanced, meaningful, and genuinely fulfilling.
She describes Oulu as a dream city she did not even know she was searching for – one that offers many opportunities for international talents and families.
How I Started Building My Network in Oulu – Könül’s Tips
“I started building my network from the university. I knew that I wanted to be in the university environment. With this goal in mind, I took a few training sessions at the career center, visited the career counsellors with my CV and cover letter for a specific job.
I had great teachers in our faculty and we had discussions about our interests and goals in life. These discussions with my teachers, friends and internship supervisors help me find the connections that would lead me toward my career goals or help me feel more connected to Oulu through time.
Despite being an introvert, I tried my best to be an active community member at the university, take courses, apply to volunteering, and not be shy in speaking up my ideas. I learned that people do remember you when you share opinions, bring innovations, talk about your own culture.
This is how I started building my network from zero, because in Oulu, I didn’t know anyone – the first person I got acquainted with was my landlady who has also been very kind towards me since day 1.”
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