Obaida Alkhatib chose Finland for its excellence in education and research.

I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology in Dubai, having originally come from Syria. From there, I enrolled in the EIT Digital Master School, which provided me the opportunity to explore several European cities and campuses through a double master’s degree. I started in Trento and then chose Turku. Despite having other opportunities, I opted for Finland because I saw great potential in my field here. I consider Turku one of the best choices for students. The city is peaceful and provides a great atmosphere for goal-oriented individuals.

I took part in a student mentorship programme as a mentee, where I made friends with a Finnish student. I believe this is an important way to create connections and bridge the gap between Finnish and international students.

Many student organization activities are organised in Finnish, and I felt there could have been more opportunities in English. However, through my EIT Digital study program, I was able to support other students who wanted to study through the EIT Digital programme, which gave me a sense of community and extracurricular engagement.
 

Since my graduation, the job market has been particularly challenging. I started applying to jobs even before graduating to maximize my chances. I believe students and recent graduates should apply for all the opportunities they think they can pursue within their field, even if it is not their dream job. The point is to be proactive in contributing to the industry and building their career path.

I used services provided by the university to streamline my job search. Career services helped me perfect my CV and become familiar with the job-hunting culture in Finland. I strongly believe that students should take full advantage of these resources to increase their chances of employment. I also recommend students make good use of LinkedIn. Create a profile and improve it daily, even if it is just small updates.

From several applications, opportunities arose, and I chose the one that fit best. With dedication, hard work, and a passion for learning and growth, I was grateful that my short-term contract turned into a full-time position with Ericsson.

I advise all students, especially international students, to be active and participate in everything beneficial they can. Connecting with people, attending events and workshops, and seizing every available opportunity is the way to succeed. There are many resources available to students, and it is useful to utilize them.

I recommend making a thorough plan and always having a backup plan. Students should not be afraid to be flexible and adapt their plans if circumstances change; that is often how life goes. Always keep moving forward; ups and downs are a normal part of life, and no one should give up hope.

One of the main factors that contributed to my success is the help I received along the way, and I encourage students to remember the support they received from others during their journey. Giving back to the community is important, and now, as an alumnus, I am doing so by participating in the mentorship programme as a mentor. I believe other alumni should follow suit and help students wherever they can.

I use English in my daily life, but I believe that learning Finnish is essential. While some job positions, such as those in the tech sector, may not require Finnish language skills, I believe it is beneficial to learn the language at some point to build connections with local people and open the door to new opportunities.

Image created and provided by the alumnus Obaida Alkhatib.