Mentor Jarkko Kaplin and mentee Hourakhsh Bayat met for the first time in 2022 in ÅAU’s mentorship program for international master’s students. Today, both are ÅAU alumni and their friendship continues.

Tell us shortly about your educational background, current position and something you remember from your time at Åbo Akademi University (ÅAU).

Hourakhsh: I relocated to Finland with my family in 2021 to pursue my Master’s in Sustainable Chemical and Process Engineering at Åbo Akademi University, which I successfully completed and started my new career journey as a Process Development Engineer at Neste. Attending ÅAU was a fulfilling journey where I encountered professors who were not only kind but also exceptionally knowledgeable and supportive. I forged strong friendships that endure to this day, and I’ve never second-guessed the choices I made during this transformative period.

Jarkko: I have a Master in Chemical Engineering from ÅAU. I was not too fast to study, but more focused on building networks, engaging myself in various activities both related to student organizations as well as ÅAU, and this close connection to university and students’ organizations has continued ever since. After my examination, I have had the opportunity to work within several industries, widely in Europe and in different positions. Even though we have moved and lived abroad, Turku has stayed as our anchor location.

Why did you join the mentorship program as a mentor?

Jarkko: I have had the privilege of having mentors during my career. I know how it is to move to a country with no or very limited networks around you. This role of a mentor enables me to support a foreigner in finding his or her way in a country with a different culture and a new language.

What do you think that the mentorship program gave you in terms of finding your way and building your life in Finland?

Hourakhsh: The mentorship program is an exceptionally well-structured program and very useful in equipping me with invaluable experiences and essential skills for navigating my professional journey in Finland. Through this program, I was paired with a friendly, experienced mentor who offered great support and guidance, both during my studies and after them. The organized workshops and events provided by the mentorship program were immensely informative and beneficial. I remember a workshop where I gained valuable insights into effective interview techniques; strategies that have consistently led to success in every interview I have attended since then.

Discussing career aspirations, family life related concerns, and the Finnish work and life culture with my mentor gave me a comprehensive understanding of life in Finland. In every job interview, I have always mentioned the mentorship program and how my mentor helped me successfully integrate into Finnish society. I believe this showed my adaptability and played a significant role in securing my first job opportunity.

Discussing career aspirations, family life related concerns, and the Finnish work and life culture with my mentor gave me a comprehensive understanding of life in Finland.

What did you learn from being a mentor and what did you get out from the program?

Jarkko: I learned that in the 2020’s it is still tough to find your way as a foreigner into the Finnish society, and also how far away an employment can be, although you have succeeded in your studies. In Finland, we believe that we are easy to reach – open-hearted and open to all kind of cultures – but is it really so? I will continue to support foreigners and their families to have a good career and life in Finland.

What was the best thing in being part of the mentorship program?

Hourakhsh: One of the most rewarding elements of the mentorship program was the opportunity to forge a genuine friendship with my mentor, who not only provided invaluable support to me but also extended that support to my family, making various aspects of our lives significantly more manageable.

Why should an ÅAU alumni apply as a mentor in our mentorship program at ÅAU?

Jarkko: In a small country like Finland, we need all the expertise we can gain – from people with origin in Finland, and especially from people who have been brave and strong enough to move to our country and to a new culture.

Why would you recommend an international student to apply to our mentorship program?

Hourakhsh: When someone immigrates to a new country, it’s essential for them to integrate into their new society. Participating in programs designed for this purpose can greatly assist newcomers in boosting their confidence to tackle the challenges of their new life. These programs facilitate the building of robust social networks and teach effective communication with people from diverse backgrounds. Drawing from personal experience, mentorship programs stand out as excellent examples of multicultural initiatives. They not only acquaint students with Finnish work and lifestyle but also offer insights into various cultures and strategies for making new friends.

In essence, I strongly advocate for students to seize such opportunities to broaden their horizons and immerse themselves in novel environments, learning from the experiences of others rather than solely relying on their own. This approach undoubtedly accelerates their future successes.

How does your relationship with each other look like today?

Hourakhsh: Jarkko and I have a great relationship. We stay in touch, check in on each other, and he is one of my best friends.

Jarkko: I call Hourakhsh and his whole family friends to me and my wife. I am happy to continue supporting his family and I wish them a good and successful life in Finland, or wherever the journey takes them.