From Iran to Oulu: Mitra’s Insights on Life in Oulu




My name is Mitra Marofi. I hold BachÂeÂlor’s and MasÂter’s degrees in Remote SensÂing and GeoÂgraphÂic InforÂmaÂtion SysÂtems from the UniÂverÂsiÂty of Tehran, Iran. Before comÂing to FinÂland, I worked as a SpaÂtial Data AnaÂlyst. AlongÂside my proÂfesÂsionÂal backÂground, I’m also an artist—I love to paint and dedÂiÂcate much of my time to this pasÂsion.
I moved to Oulu in May 2021 with my husÂband, who acceptÂed a posiÂtion at the UniÂverÂsiÂty of Oulu. At first, we didn’t know much about Oulu; FinÂland is mostÂly known for its capÂiÂtal, HelsinÂki. But after researchÂing online, we disÂcovÂered Oulu is a Nordic city with a unique cliÂmate, long days and nights in sumÂmer and winÂter, and plenÂty of cycling routes.
When we arrived, I was struck by the warmth and hosÂpiÂtalÂiÂty of the peoÂple here. Even though Oulu is the largest city in north of FinÂland, it feels calm, safe, and friendÂly. It surÂprised me to see how active peoÂple are here, even when it’s below zero—people are still out runÂning and exerÂcisÂing.
ComÂpared to othÂer places I’ve lived, Oulu stands out for its peaceÂful enviÂronÂment, welÂcomÂing comÂmuÂniÂty, and closeÂness to nature. This lifestyle has changed me perÂsonÂalÂly. Before Oulu, outÂdoor activÂiÂties like hikÂing didn’t appeal to me, but now I love explorÂing the woods, swimÂming in the lakes, and campÂing. My favorite activÂiÂties here vary by seaÂson: in winÂter, watchÂing the auroÂras is unforÂgetÂtable, and in sumÂmer, I enjoy the beach and campÂing.
GetÂting around Oulu is easy thanks to the reliÂable bus sysÂtem, though travÂelÂing to HelsinÂki can be a bit pricey and time-conÂsumÂing. LearnÂing Finnish has been a big chalÂlenge, but inteÂgraÂtion proÂgrams have helped me manÂage it. I’ve found that speakÂing Finnish is essenÂtial here, espeÂcialÂly with Oulu’s small size and few interÂnaÂtionÂal comÂpaÂnies. While the peoÂple here are warm and friendÂly, effecÂtive comÂmuÂniÂcaÂtion often requires Finnish.


Oulu has givÂen me opporÂtuÂniÂties I might not find elseÂwhere, espeÂcialÂly in balÂancÂing work and famÂiÂly life. I’ve had a wonÂderÂful job expeÂriÂence at SYKE, where I startÂed as an intern and latÂer extendÂed my role for a year. The supÂport from my colÂleagues made me feel like famÂiÂly, which was a very excitÂing expeÂriÂence.
One of my best memÂoÂries here has been watchÂing the northÂern lights on cold, quiÂet nights in winÂter. For anyÂone conÂsidÂerÂing a move to Oulu, I recÂomÂmend learnÂing Finnish and securÂing a perÂmaÂnent job beforeÂhand. The inteÂgraÂtion proÂgrams here are also a fanÂtasÂtic way to start buildÂing a netÂwork.
@mitra_marofi
@mitra_marofi_calligraphy
Text editÂed by: JesÂsiÂca SeguÂra Polo.