What is it like to move across the world? From Sri Lanka to Finland.
My personal experience moving from the island paradise of Sri Lanka to the happiest country in the world—Finland, 3 years in.
“To travel is to take a journey into yourself.”
-Søren Kierkegaard (Danish Philosopher)-
Growing up, I never imagined leaving Sri Lanka. Most Sri Lankans move abroad for studies or seeking better economic prospects. My parents never encouraged it—they were content with their life in Sri Lanka, and so was I.
Although I was born during the 30-year civil war and witnessed many catastrophes in Sri Lanka, I had a relatively sheltered upbringing. My parents often reminded me to appreciate what I had, emphasizing that they had endured far harder times. I took their words to heart, focusing on excelling in my studies while remaining grateful for life in this sunny paradise. I acknowledge that my experience is likely of someone from a privileged background compared to most who grow up in Sri Lanka.
Deciding to leave home
After graduation, I felt lost about my direction in life. Despite having an engineering degree, I didn't feel like a "real" engineer. Looking back, I realize this was impostor syndrome—I struggled to recognize my own abilities and competencies.
Beyond my privileged identity crisis, I felt the weight of societal expectations. In my mid-twenties, Sri Lankan cultural expectations around marriage felt suffocating. Living with my parents, though loving, restricted my independence and ability to think freely. It wasn't that my parents' perspective was wrong—I just needed to discover life's truths for myself.
Hoping to buy time to figure out what I wanted to do in life, I applied to a few master's programs abroad. As luck would have it, I received a tuition fee waiver to study in Finland. I didn't hesitate to accept the offer. Though I had no grand plans of permanently moving to Finland, it felt like the right decision at the time. I trusted that I would work things out along the way.
As I prepared to leave Sri Lanka, I felt ready for a new adventure. I loved my parents and younger brother deeply, and though the thought of living thousands of miles away from them brought sadness, I yearned to explore different ways of living and discover more about myself. With my parents in good health and nothing holding me back, the timing felt perfect.
Life in winter wonderland
I knew Finland would be cold, but I naively had no idea that winter lasted almost five months! I love the bright, snowy winter days that inspire awe about nature's wonders, especially coming from a tropical climate. However, even after three years, I'm still adjusting to the winter darkness when the sun appears for only a few hours. Most Finns admit it affects them too. Thankfully, friends, family, and sauna serve as antidotes to Finnish winters.
If you can handle the winters, the Finnish summers are magical and picture-perfect. Midsummer days, when the sun never sets, are a truly delightful experience.
Moving to Finland as a university student made adjusting much smoother since the university was multicultural and English was the main language of communication. I made friends easily and enjoyed how the studies were more practical than theoretical. I loved meeting other students from all around the world and felt like I was learning to be truly independent for the first time in my life.
However, after my studies, finding work in Finland was a completely different ball game. It's hard for locals to find work due to the current economic hardships in Finland, and even more challenging for immigrants. The language barrier and lack of local connections and networks make it especially difficult for immigrants to secure employment.
I am grateful to have found work here—it not only pays my bills but has helped me understand Finnish working culture.
Work holds profound importance in Finnish society. Both men and women are expected to participate in the workforce, and there's social pressure to be employed. Yet Finns also strongly value work-life balance and respect boundaries between professional and personal time. The workplace culture thrives on trust among colleagues, with little competitive pressure.
Looking back at the past three years, meeting people—especially my partner and close friends in Finland—has made me realize one central idea.
The more people I met the more I realized that humans all over the world have quite similar inherent needs and wants . Everyone wants to feel that their voice is heard and livelihood is secure while figuring out life.
Sauna is life
To an outsider, Finnish culture appears simple and understated. From what I've seen, it values speaking only when necessary, maintaining personal space, and building trust between people. Finns love salmiakki (eng: salty licorice), tend to drink heavily, and enjoy sauna whenever possible. Like many reserved cultures, Finns often become more sociable and conversational after drinking. Alcohol plays an important social role in Finnish culture.
One of the only few things Finns are loud about is their love for sauna (Apparently, the word ‘sauna’ is a borrowed word from the Finnish language). There are more saunas than cars in Finland and every Finn goes to sauna at least once a week. Sauna is a spiritual experience on its own where you release the stresses of your day to day lives.
I have grown to love sauna as a weekly ritual myself. The warm air touching your skin, profuse sweating, followed by jumping in a cold shower is a feeling unmatched.
A more intense sauna ritual involves jumping into the icy sea or lake and rushing back to the sauna for warmth. I've tried this a few times, and I vividly remember my muscles freezing and teeth chattering as I hurried back to the sauna, desperately trying not to freeze to death.
Let's just say I'm still a bit too tropical for these icy plunges.
Missing the sunny chaos
Even in this relatively short time in Finland, it has begun to feel like a home away from home. I feel freer, safer, more independent, and more confident than I ever did in Sri Lanka. I can walk alone at night without having to look over my shoulder. Though I'm still learning Finnish, my understanding has improved, and I feel comfortable in most settings.
However, I sometimes find myself missing the sunny warmth and walking through streets in Sri Lanka where I can just blend into the crowd. I miss the chaotic energy, the street vendors selling piping hot 'wade'—those delicious lentil fritters. I miss the sound of leaves rustling in the lush green trees and coconut palms. I worry about my parents growing older and feel guilty about being so far away from them.
Though I have a good life and the most wonderful partner I could ask for, I still long for the warm winds of Sri Lanka. One day, I caught myself thinking: when I die, I want my final resting place to be Sri Lanka.
I feel immense gratitude for all that life has taught and remain open to the journey ahead.
Let me end today’s post with a Buddhist quote:
All mental phenomena have mind as their forerunner; they have mind as their chief; they are mind-made.
If one speaks or acts with a pure mind, happiness (sukha) follows him like a shadow that never leaves him.
-Dhammapada, Verse 2
See you soon with more stories and reflections about life!
~Amali
P.S. I love this song! Finnish-Swedish band KAJ, “Bara Bada Bastu (Let’s just sauna)“, Swedish entry for Eurovision 2025 song contest. Click here:
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