About the experiences of my six-month research stay in Helsinki within the MoLeWe collective.
Reasons for a research stay
We’ve all been there. After a few years of working on the same research project with the same team at the same institution, it’s easy to become stuck in our own bubble. This is true even for me as a PhD student. While having a consistent work environment can be a privilege, offering stability and focus, sometimes stepping out of our comfort zones is essential to foster new experiences and growth.
Needless to say, there are numerous career-oriented reasons to do a research stay. Engaging with a different research group exposes you to novel methodologies and innovative approaches that you might not encounter at your home institution. You can gain new insights into your own work, which can spark fresh ideas. The new contacts you make could lead to future collaborations, joint publications, and increased visibility in your field. On top of all that, an international experience is often seen as a great addition to your resume, as it shows that you can adapt to new environments and thrive in different contexts.
But beyond the professional advantages, there is a deeply personal reason for embarking on a research stay—a reason that, while quantitatively fewer, is qualitatively far more significant. For me, it’s the belief that may sound a little cheesy or like a cheap wall tattoo, but it’s simply that I deeply believe we are all better together. It’s when we step outside our own bubbles that we realize we all share the same goals and encounter the same problems, but we don’t all have the same knowledge. And that’s exactly when we can learn from one another! So, if you’re feeling stuck, maybe it’s time to shake things up a bit—who knows what new horizons you might discover?
Preparation
It all began with one of those emails—the kind we often gloss over because they seem less thrilling than our research or deadlines. But this one was a game-changer! It was about funding for international research stays, and it immediately caught my attention. I learned about the possibility of securing funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation. After discussing this opportunity with my supervisor, who encouraged me to move forward, I set my sights on one destination: Finland, specifically the MoLeWe group.
I had already made connections with MoLeWe PhD students at JURE conferences, crossed paths with Markku Niemivirta at the ICM summer school, and attended Heta Tuominen’s mid-career speech at the same conference. Through these interactions, I realized we not only share similar research interests but also always enjoyed a good laugh during those long conference days. So, I took the plunge, contacted the MoLeWe collective about the research stay, and simultaneously applied for the funding. To my delight, the MoLeWe group was incredibly supportive, even though I was just a random PhD student from Switzerland to them. Once I received the green light and the funding in October, it was time to prepare for the adventure. So even if you’re just a PhD student, don’t hesitate to approach people—you have nothing to lose.
Settling in
The beginning of my stay in Finland was a whirlwind of emotions. Even though I’m conducting research on well-being and relationships (or maybe exactly because I’m doing this), I experienced a rollercoaster of emotions. It was bittersweet saying goodbye to my loved ones, but the excitement of everything new was equally overwhelming. Arriving at the end of January, not exactly the warmest welcome Finland has to offer, added another layer of challenge.
Let me tell you, stepping out of your comfort zone doesn’t end with your arrival; it truly begins there. The MoLeWe group made the settling in smoother by welcoming me warmly from the start. Despite my initial faux pas of admitting I knew more about Swedish brands than Finnish ones, I felt part of the group from day one.
Establishing new routines, both in terms of work and leisure was key. I met new international friends at my accommodation, took part at various meet-ups, and I ventured out to explore the city of Helsinki without relying on Google Maps.
If you're thinking about going on a research stay, my main advice is not to stress too much at the beginning. It's perfectly normal to take some time to adjust to your new life abroad. Remember, you have several months to explore and immerse yourself fully. Take your time to settle in, establish new work and leisure routines, and don't feel pressured to know everything in the first two weeks. Even when it doesn’t feel like it, try to go out and socialize (if I can do it in -20°C and snowy weather, you can too).
Experiences during the stay: Work
The difference I noticed right at the beginning was the concept of personal office space. In Switzerland, even though the COVID-19 pandemic made home offices more popular, it's still common to have a designated personal office and to be present at the workplace most of the week. In Finland, however, hot-desking and shared workspaces are the norm. Although this was a bit of a surprise at first, I quickly appreciated the freedom it gave me to explore other places like libraries, coffee shops, and coworking spaces. Speaking of collaboration, Finland excels in inter-university teamwork. Researchers frequently work with peers from other institutions, creating a rich, interconnected academic landscape. In contrast, Swiss researchers tend to collaborate more within their own departments and universities.
Work-life balance is another area where Finland and Switzerland differ significantly. Finns, in my experience, place a high value on maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal leisure activities. While the Swiss also value work-life balance, there’s a stronger emphasis on productivity and efficiency. Conversations in Switzerland often start with work-related topics and can quickly become work centric. This difference is reflected in the working hours as well. In Finland, there’s more flexibility, while in Switzerland, work hours are typically more rigid, emphasizing punctuality and efficiency—a trait perhaps influenced by those famous Swiss watches.
The strength and roots in diplomacy associated with Switzerland are evident in the way communication occurs within the workplace setting. Communication tends to be formal and polite, with a strong emphasis on maintaining workplace harmony and finding that classic Swiss compromise to make everyone happy. In Finland, I found the work environment to be less hierarchical and more egalitarian. Finns are direct and straightforward in their communication, which can be refreshing but might take some time getting used to. However, I really appreciated this directness in the end. And here’s a quick tip: if you ever present at a conference in Finland, don’t be discouraged by the seemingly stern faces in the audience—they’re just showing their concentration and interest. Finns might look like they’re plotting your demise, but really, they’re hanging on your every word.
Experiences during the stay: Culture
During a brief trip back to Switzerland, I was struck by how stressed people seemed at the Zurich airport. In Helsinki, I never experienced the rush and urgency I felt back home. If you ever visit Switzerland, be aware that people might get annoyed, VERY annoyed, if you stand on the wrong side of the escalator! Despite this, the cultural differences weren’t as vast as I expected. Both Finns and Swiss tend to be reserved initially, preferring a free seat next to them on public transport. It’s like an unspoken rule: personal space is sacred.
Speaking of personal space, the Swiss, while valuing their tranquility, tend to fill the silence with polite conversation. In contrast I would say that Finns take quiet to a whole new level. In Finland, you can sit in silence with someone for hours without it being awkward. It's almost an art form, expect you’re in the sauna! In Switzerland, you’re more likely to bond over a cup of coffee and a slice of cake, rather than sitting naked in a steam room with your colleagues. I still find it interesting that many Finns enjoy the heat of the sauna but find 30°C outside unbearable.
Both countries I would say have a profound respect for nature, but they express it differently. The Swiss are all about their mountains and punctual hiking schedules. You can set your watch by a Swiss hiker’s timetable. Nature-loving Swiss folks take their outdoor activities seriously and often have accurately planned hiking trips. Finns, on the other hand, have their summer cottages, lakes and forests, where they retreat to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, which I enjoyed as well. However, compared to some cities in Switzerland, Helsinki already feels like a big summer cottage to me.
In terms of hospitality, both cultures are warm, but in their own unique ways. Swiss hospitality is courteous and efficient—guests are treated with respect, and everything is meticulously planned. You don’t want people to complain that you didn’t heat up the plates for the main course of your four-course menu. While Finnish hospitality may initially appear somewhat understated, guests are assured of a welcoming atmosphere where they can relax and feel at home, rather than in a Michelin-starred restaurant.
It would be a mistake to ignore the concept of «sisu» in Finland, which I would posit also served to maintain my motivation and well-being during the challenging winter months. The concept of resilience is also present in Switzerland, but it’s wrapped up in a different package—perhaps one that’s a bit more punctual and orderly.
So, while there are similarities in their initial reserve and love for nature, the Swiss and Finns express these traits in wonderfully unique ways. Navigating these cultural nuances, filled with quiet moments and polite nods, has given me a deeper appreciation for both countries’ ways of life.
Having to say goodbye
Saying goodbye is tough, but in the spirit of Finnish cultural wisdom, I’ll keep it short and to the point. If I could leave you with one piece of advice, it would be to consider pursuing a research stay.
My journey from Bern to Helsinki, from the familiar comforts of chocolate and mountains to the unique delights of salmiakki and lakes, has been one of the best experiences I could make. Embracing Finnish culture, from the focused intensity of conference audiences to chatty sauna sessions, has deepened my understanding and appreciation of our cultural differences. The past six months have provided an opportunity for personal and professional growth. It reinforced my original motivation for pursuing a PhD and undertaking this research stay: a passion for learning new things, an interest in thinking outside the box, and the belief that while an individual may be capable of climbing a hill, it takes a team to successfully navigate a mountain.