Helsinki-lehti’s feature story is an interview with Jochen Faugel, project planner for Helsinki’s Spouse Program. Launched in 2020, the informational Spouse Program was designed for people who have moved to Finland to be with their partners. In Helsinki, the service has already helped over 850 new arrivals to the country. Participants rave about the friends and opportunities they have discovered.
“One of the biggest goals I set for myself when I started to build this programme was to build a community, not just an employment programme,” says Faugel, who came to Finland from Austria in 2007.
The Spouse Program is just one of many English-language services provided by International House Helsinki (IHH). For example, a new personalised and no-cost employment coaching service was launched at IHH this autumn.
The English page also highlights the city’s measures to reduce overall electricity consumption ahead of possible energy shortages. Helsinki is part of a national energy saving campaign ‘Down a degree’, which encourages people, companies and other organisations to save energy through everyday actions.
Helsinki has now received its first snowfall of the season; temperatures are dropping, and the days are growing darker. Maybe this is the year for you to finally try winter swimming? While the idea of taking a dip in freezing water may seem crazy, the activity gains more avid fans in Helsinki each year. Many swear by its health benefits and ability to stave off the winter blues. Helsinki offers many convenient locations to give it a go.
Each Helsinki-lehti publication features one page with information on city services in the English language. You can find the stories listed above, along with many others, on page 24. In addition to the print version, Helsinki-lehti is available online in an accessible format at julkaisut.hel.fi/en/helsinki-lehti(Link leads to external service).
More information:
julkaisut.hel.fi/en/helsinki-lehti(Link leads to external service)
spouseprogram.fi(Link leads to external service)
ihhelsinki.fi(Link leads to external service)
hel.fi/energy(Link leads to external service)