Everyday life for a multinational family begins in Finland – “GMCFinland’s help has been invaluable”
When the Saarnio family finally arrived in Finland together, they had to continue their business at the Digital and Population Data Services Agency in Rauma, among other places.
We previously reported on how GMCFinland helped a multinational family move from Uruguay to Finland. ”I don't know how much longer it would have taken us to get the family to Rauma without Jenny Rajahalme's help”, said Ville-Veikko Saarnio.
His wife Noemi, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, had already begun to doubt that she would ever make it to Finland. “Jenny knew what to do and reassured us,” says a grateful Noemi.
After Midsummer 2025, Ville-Veikko, Noemi, and Milagros finally arrived in Finland – but GMCFinland still had a lot to do before the family could start their new life in their new home country.
"Even though I'm Finnish, it would have been really difficult for me to take care of everything myself. Luckily, Jenny knew what to do and in what order," Ville-Veikko praises.
From one government agency to another
The process continued in Finland. First at the Immigration Office and then at the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. In about three weeks, permanent residence registration was completed for the mother and child, as well as registration of the marriage concluded in Uruguay. On the same trip, Noemi was registered as an unemployed job seeker in Finland.
Jenny then applied for Finnish Kela cards and child benefit for the family. After that, Jenny made an appointment at the police station, where Noemi was issued with a foreigner's identity card. This was needed when she opened a bank account.
The Employment and Economic Development Office (TE-toimisto in Finnish) arranged an interpreter and orientation courses for Noemi. ”This is important so that immigrants who are not yet fluent in the language do not become isolated”, Jenny points out.
Rikhard Tolonen, who works with immigration and integration at the TE Office, helped Noemi draw up a personal plan. Noemi has no vocational or higher education qualifications. After high school, she worked in South America as a kitchen assistant, in shops, at an ice cream kiosk, and as a cleaner, among other things. In Finland, she would like to train as a practical nurse.
Work trial and language courses
Jenny had enrolled Noemi in a Finnish language course at the adult education center. At first, it helped to hear Finnish and see other people. However, Noemi did not learn Finnish quickly enough to be able to study.
"I got a work trial at Toivontalo through the TE Office. It cheered me up and I learned more Finnish when I heard normal speech, practical language. I think the work trial went well and they wanted me to continue there. Tolonen advised me to stick to the plan," says Noemi.
In August, Noemi was accepted into an intensive Finnish language course at the Rauduskylä Christian College. It’s like working, as immigrants study Finnish remotely for four hours a day, five days a week.
“Even though I’m Finnish, it would have been really difficult for me to take care of everything myself. Luckily, Jenny knew what to do and in what order.”
Noemi wants to work with the elderly
Improving her language skills brings her closer to her goal: working with the elderly.
"We have been living in Finland for just over a year now. At first, it was very exciting because everything was so new and different. Everything works really well in Finland. Yes, I am satisfied and happy now that life is starting to normalize here. I don't regret moving, even though I do miss my good friends sometimes," says Noemi.
After moving to Rauma, Ville-Veikko's work took him to Äänekoski. It's not worth driving home from there every weekend. The round trip is approximately 700 kilometers. In winter conditions, this means about five hours of driving each way.
"We discussed this before moving. I've been traveling for work for about thirty years, and that's not necessarily going to end. I miss them, that's for sure. But there's something good in everything. In this situation, my wife had to start taking care of the family's daily affairs herself, says Ville-Veikko.
Noemi hopes to make new friends in Finland. She says she has met nice and helpful people, but has noticed a fairly big cultural difference. Finns don't tend to introduce themselves to strangers right away: "Hi, I'm Noemi, who are you?"
”Milli” already has new friends
Daughter "Milli" was enrolled in school, which has actually gone better than in Uruguay. At the same time, she has learned Finnish, made friends, and tried out different sports.
"It was exciting when I went ice skating for the first time. I like swimming better, though," said Milli.
When you listen to the story of this family's move and think about it, you understand better how difficult and burdensome the permit process can be.
"Finns don't know all this when we are born with a Kela card in our hands. If an employee is important and you want to retain them, it is worth the employer's while to make sure that the family's affairs are in order," Jenny emphasizes.
"I couldn't agree more," says Ville-Veikko.
