This essay is based on a conversation with Andro Lindsaya 48-year-old who moved to Helsinki from Santiago, Chile. Text has been edited for length and clarity.
I was born in Santiago and grew up in Chile. My relationship with Finland started over 20 years ago – I have been involved in several companies with ties to Finland and some of my best friends are Finnish.
I am an industrial engineer and started my career in large companies in Chile, but I always wanted to make a difference as an entrepreneur.
In 2009, I quit a very good job at an airline to start my own business. I built online marketplaces and co-founded a photovoltaic and energy efficiency company, a company focused on copper mining, pulp and paper, another in AI and robotics, and several consulting firms.
Currently, I am responsible for business development at VTT Technical Research Center of Finland on systemic, complex challenges with a focus on carbon neutrality.
A program called “90 Day Finn” was introduced in 2021
Launched by Helsinki Partners, the program aims to attract talent from the rest of the world and bring them to Helsinki. Selected applicants will receive a 90-day relocation package for their entire family.
The package does not include a specific amount of money, but rather comprehensive support with everything you need to move, including help with visa applications and finding accommodation, a virtual preparation program, networking events, a consultant, support with your business plans and access to a coworking space.
My Finnish friend Janne told me about the program. I applied and found out in January 2021 that I was one of the 14 people selected from over 5,500 applicants. In July 2021, I moved from Santiago to Helsinki.
I built my private and family life here
Lindsay and his daughters. Andro Lindsay
I am a proud father of two intelligent and beautiful girls. It was the perfect time to bring them to a new country where they could experience education, safety and a Finnish attitude to life.
The Helsinki Partners team provided me with detailed information on visas, accommodation, schools for my girls and activities in the area and helped me throughout the process.
I knew I would like Helsinki and decided to stay. The logistics of moving to Finland and landing here went smoothly. I applied for a residence permit for my family and me and the residency visas were ready within a few weeks.
What I like most about Finnish culture is the balance between work and private life, technology and nature, and economic growth and sustainability. I also appreciate the fantastic free education, free healthcare, safety, access to everything you need and proximity to nature, saunas and ice cream.
The company I originally wanted to build in Finland, which focused on smart cities, failed, but I was still in love with my vision
When I moved, I got to know most of the Finnish ecosystem in construction, energy, mobility, building and architecture. I started collaborating with companies and investors, including VTT.
It made sense to become an intrapreneur, join VTT and help the organization from within to tackle new global challenges such as sustainable mining, decarbonization of cities and competitive production of green hydrogen and derivatives. I expanded my work to sustainable mining, green hydrogen and more.
I am currently leading a binational consortium between Finland and Chile that brings together governments, private companies, research and development institutions and universities from these countries on strategic issues such as sustainable mining, which are key to the sustainable development of both countries.
The only challenge was learning the local language
Finnish is quite tricky and requires a lot of time to learn, but everyone in Finland is fluent in English and many other languages. Every day I meet Finns who speak fluent Spanish with me.
Helsinki is an amazing city. Santiago has ten times more inhabitants than Helsinki, but everything I can have in Santiago I can have in Helsinki (and more).
We had two cars in Santiago. Here everything is less than 15 minutes walk away. Helsinki has amazing natural surroundings, such as Kaivopuisto Park, Seurasaari Island and Hietaranta Beach. It is a smart, sustainable and resilient city.
I really like the food in Finland. My daughters and I love Fazer chocolate and Korvapuusti (Finnish cinnamon rolls). We also love Poronkäristys (sautéed reindeer), salmon soup, salmon in any form and toast skagen (originally Swedish but very much rooted in Finland).
In summer, there is a lively social life, with many events and activities taking place every day. In winter, it is much quieter and people are more focused on getting things done. Art and cultural activities are very present in Finland all year round.
My daughters fell in love immediately after our arrival in Finland
Lindsay and his daughters. Andro Lindsay
My daughters already speak Finnish. Their school was great from the start and both of them received extra language support and everything they needed. Soon they started speaking not only Finnish but also a little bit of other languages thanks to the international students in their group.
Since everything is close and safe in Helsinki, my girls were quickly able to gain more freedom and go to nearby parks and other places. Their favorite place became the public library.
We all fell in love with Finnish culture and couldn’t be happier here. This is our home now.
