Waiting, learning and the joy of success

Deniz Özel, 37, moved to Finland from Turkey in August 2014. Finland was already a familiar place to him, as he had previously lived in Mikkeli for a while. The new trip made the traveller stay in the country longer than before. First to Joensuu, then to the Helsinki metropolitan area, and from there to Jyväskylä, where he currently lives.

– I originally moved to Jyväskylä because I got a job as a teacher. I was a Turkish mother tongue teacher for Turkish children of primary school age. I moved here from the metropolitan area for this job, even though there were only two lessons a week. That work lasted two years, from 2021 to 2023. Moving didn't make sense in terms of finances, because there was so little work, but it was a wise decision for my career, Deniz says.

Why was Finland interesting?

– I was young, I wanted to see new things and make my dreams come true. Everything was different in Finland than in Turkey. At first, it was difficult to get used to the culture, food, language, and weather. But then I ended up liking everything and wanted to return to Finland to study more.  

Deniz had completed a degree in English language teaching at Ankara University.

Dreams became reality, and soon Deniz realized that learning Finnish is challenging but important. Finnish is not the easiest language in the world. However, there was, and still is, enthusiasm for learning the language. According to Deniz, one learns a language simply by speaking it. His greatest help has been his Finnish-speaking wife, as help is nearby. In language courses, Deniz was surprised that people do not speak the same way as in everyday life. He soon noticed that written Finnish and spoken Finnish are not the same thing.

I did not know how much additional study it would take to work as a teacher in Finland.

Deniz completed his pedagogical studies at Haaga-Helia and is doing advanced studies at the University of Jyväskylä. He has had to actively seek help to clarify practical matters related to his studies.

– In 2020, I found information on the Finnish National Agency for Education’s website about how I can work as a teacher in Finland. I also emailed the agency, and they helped me with the application process so that my Turkish teaching degree could be recognized in Finland. A Finnish language coach from International House Jyväskylä helped me with advanced English studies later. This practical help has been invaluable, and I am grateful for it.

– Initially, I did not know how much additional study it would take to work as a teacher in Finland. Additionally, I had to be very highly active and seek out information myself, Deniz emphasizes.

According to statistics, the employment status of immigrants is weaker than that of the majority population, but Deniz was fortunate.

Working as an English teacher is not just about teaching the language

Deniz, who currently works as a substitute English teacher, has adapted well to her work at Keuruu Primary School. Children are similar around the world. The work of a teacher is not just about teaching a language. Sometimes you can be a referee, sometimes a father or mother. In the classroom, things happen all the time. Many positive sides can be found in the Finnish educational system:

– Finland does not have such large class sizes as my home country, Turkey, and there is a wide variety of materials for students, Deniz enthuses.

Jobs are often found with the help of networks. Someone knows someone who needs an expert. Deniz has also experienced the importance of networks and contacts in his own life and access to work.

– It's important to get to know a lot of people. There you may find the connection that leads to the workplace. I have experienced kindness and warmth from my colleagues in the school community. They have helped me in many ways.

– I always enjoy my job. The long commute, the daily commute from Jyväskylä to Keuruu, is the biggest challenge, but it will work out. It is worth accepting the work, even if it is far away. You never know what it will lead to in the future.

There have also been surprises when the work starts for the new teacher:

– At first, I wondered about supervising recess. It was completely new to me that the teacher supervises the students during recess. But I have noticed that recess supervision is a necessary and responsible job.

What advice would you give to immigrants looking for a job or study?

– Speak Finnish, speak Finnish, speak Finnish! Anywhere, anytime, with anyone! It helps a lot. The most important thing of all is language learning. And the fact that you do not give up!

Learning depends on one's own activity. Learning a language is the most important thing for an immigrant, because insufficient language skills are usually the biggest obstacle to finding a job.