From Southeast Asia to the Nordics: Myanmar Student Education Journey at HAMK

The reputation of Finland echoed around the globe: the happiest country. This sparked a curiosity within me, a desire to understand what made this Nordic country so content and to experience its education when I considered studying abroad. Coupled with a fascination for the origin of Santa Claus in Finland, I felt a pull to experience the snow and the unique cold, since I had never seen snow outside of a screen before. My home country is Myanmar, a Southeast Asian country, and I could not imagine what student life would be like in Finland. Yet, here I am, now one of them, though. My name is Yu Ki Ko.

I’m an international student, currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in the English-taught International Business programme at Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK). My journey to HAMK is a story of cultural exploration and a personal journey to combine my background in journalism and communication with the dynamic business world — especially in digital marketing and other multidisciplinary fields.

Prior to coming to Finland, I worked in communication and public relations for foreign NGOs in Myanmar. When I considered studying abroad, I looked for a learning environment that offered practical, hands-on experience I could effectively apply. HAMK’s strong international programme, providing opportunities for exchange studies and for a double degree, particularly appealed to me. During my entrance interview to HAMK, I was particularly attracted to the equal opportunities offered to all students for these global experiences. While Finland’s happiness and Lapland’s magic were certainly appealing, I was equally drawn to the Finnish perspective on study, work, and nature. My personal perspective was strongly aligned with Finland’s respect for personal space. I would love to have access to advanced study resources in a quiet study setting connected to nature; now I really appreciate it.

Supportive Approach and Practical Learning

One significant aspect of my study at HAMK is that exams are less pressured for me, as someone coming from Myanmar, where exams are often high-stakes with intense pressure. Though exam pressure has different impacts in different dimensions, I’ve been deeply impressed by the relaxed and supportive approach to assessments in Finland.

My study covers a wide range of disciplines essential for an international business degree, fulfilling a strong foundation in key areas like strategic management, global market trends and financial insight, sustainable business practices, data-driven decision-making, research skills, and so on. For instance, the way I’ve developed practical skills in market analysis and digital marketing is by enrolling in the HAMK Marketing Team, an optional yet practically useful experience. This enhanced my public speaking, networking, and facilitation skills through participating in different events and school visits. Another highlight that brought an impactful hands-on experience was the Marketing with Data course’s group project – there was a chance to do collaborative work with a Finnish company in terms of website data analysis. This experience allowed me to familiarize myself with SEO, SEM, growth hacking, and metadata essential in today’s digital landscape.

Global Perspectives

At HAMK, the collaborative and diverse learning environment is a highlight for us students. The opportunities to engage with other students from different backgrounds have expanded my understanding of global business dynamics. There are some international programmes I previously joined which have further enhanced my experiences in different ways. As an example, the Short Advanced Programme (SAP) in Portugal on Geopolitical Challenges in a Rapidly Changing World provided insights into the significant role of geopolitics in economic decision-making. I also got a unique opportunity to explore Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) from an entrepreneurship perspective according to the Erasmus+ blended intensive programme in the Netherlands. These international experiences are eye-opening for me, and I will be participating in more different themes in the future.

Groupwork and Exploring the Nature

In my daily studies at HAMK, it is important for me to have self-discipline. A typical day at the campus includes lectures, interactive discussions, group work, and things like that. Teamwork is a key component in most tasks, where we can collaborate with each other, people of different nationalities with diverse backgrounds. By doing so, I can enhance my cross-cultural communication skills more effectively. Outside of scheduled classes, I spend time reviewing course materials, brainstorming in groups, and practicing digital tools useful for academic and professional development.

In my free time, since I love walking around, I enjoy seeing the everyday sight of well-behaved dogs walking with their owners; this is pretty much what we can see everywhere in Finland. When it comes to short study breaks and long holidays, I continue to enjoy exploring Finnish nature and culture. I love traveling and making short videos as well. Among the memorable experiences in Finland, especially from my Lapland trips, include the unique tradition of sauna, the experience of petting reindeer, watching the magical midnight sun, and even driving across the borders to Sweden and Norway.

Future Aspirations and Some Advice for Upcoming Students

Following my passion, after graduating from HAMK, I plan to pursue a career in the digital marketing and market data analytics industry. My intention has grown through my academic journey and my own initiative in creating content on different social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube. These allowed me to experiment with different content styles, understand algorithms, and analyze audience behavior. Alongside my career plan to work for companies, I try to give myself personal space to grow, experiment, and explore new opportunities in digital marketing.

For those considering studying International Business at HAMK, my advice is to be open-minded. Everything is open for you, so choose your passion and don’t hesitate to follow it. Engage in projects, network with peers and professionals, and take advantage of international exchange opportunities. The programme provides a solid foundation for a global career, and HAMK’s practical approach encourages students to gain practical skills and experiences in real life. Be prepared to step outside your comfort zone and embrace the challenges and opportunities of studying in a new country where authentic nature exists.

My journey at HAMK has been transformative, equipping me with the skills and confidence to contribute to the global business landscape. I’m excited for what the future holds and eager to make a meaningful impact. – Yu Ki Ko, International Business Student