I’ve been supporting, mentoring and coaching people as a part of my work for over 20 years. After moving to Finland with my family in 2011, I realized that even though I was in a neighboring country, I found myself living in a totally different world. People were friendly, I was even able to understand the local language, still my thinking schemes were predominantly on the “us and them” level. I was a stranger. As an immigrant, I then got a chance to participate in a mentoring / coaching program and benefit from support and guidance on a regular basis.
It felt great to have someone to help me improve my CV in order to meet the local standards, someone who explained local cultural differences to me and felt comfortable in local public places. The deepest value though, in my mind, was that when I dared to open myself during those meetings, then with the support of a professional coach, I learnt a lot more than just some technical and behavioral skills. I learnt about myself in the context of a local cultural environment. My world became broader, my self-confidence started growing and self-reliance strengthened as I became a part of something that used to be unfamiliar and strange.
As my life goes on in my new home land and coaching activities are still a meaningful part of my job, I continue benefitting from regular meetings with a coach. I enjoy having a professional companion on the journey of my life. I love my life, although not knowing every moment what will happen next, as the change is constant and rapid. I feel ok, I don’t need to be in control. I swim in the new waters confidently.
Now I participate in a coaching project for refugees in Finland who have recently arrived fleeing from the war. In this project lead by Uraklinikka we help up to 30 highly educated people to integrate in their new home land and become a valued member of the Finnish society. You are very welcome to contribute to the success of those people by following and sharing the news about our project or financing our work via a crowdfunding platform.
Thank you very much!