Md Nakibul Islam Abid from Finland :
Finland is widely known as one of the happiest and safest countries in the world. In 2025, it continues to be a top destination for international students seeking quality education, a peaceful environment, and a high standard of living. Among them, many Bangladeshi students are now choosing Finland for higher studies. Since 2015, the number of Bangladeshi people in Finland has been steadily growing—from around 7,000 in 2017 to an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 in 2025. Of these, approximately 3,000 are students enrolled in various universities.
Finland has 13 public universities and 22 universities of applied sciences. Most Bangladeshi students attend LUT University, Tampere University, Aalto University, and the University of Helsinki, with the largest number studying at LUT University. The majority of the Bangladeshi community is concentrated in the capital city, Helsinki.
However, despite the academic opportunities, many students are currently struggling to find part-time jobs. The Finnish economy is under pressure due to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Finland has taken in around 700,000 Ukrainian refugees, which has increased competition for jobs—especially for international students.
A major barrier for Bangladeshi students is the language. Most do not speak Finnish and lack prior work experience, making it difficult to secure employment. As a result, many rely on food delivery platforms such as Wolt and Foodora. It is estimated that between 80 to 85 delivery accounts are used by Bangladeshi students. In major cities, students can earn between €1,800 and €2,000 per month, while in smaller cities, earnings range from €800 to €1,200.
Shah Poran Uddin Sakib, a student at LUT University who arrived in September 2023, initially worked in food delivery. Later, through a relative’s reference, he managed to get a job at a restaurant. He explained that getting a job without knowing Finnish or having connections is very difficult.
Deb Jyoti Pal, another student, came in August 2024 and initially found no job or delivery ID. After several months, he managed to get a delivery account and now earns enough to cover his living and study expenses.
Md Rafiqul Islam, who arrived in March 2025 with his wife (a student), holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Bangladesh. Yet, he has not been able to secure a job in Finland. However, he receives support from the Finnish government, including unemployment benefits and partial housing rent assistance from Kela and the TE Office, amounting to €600 to €1,500 per month.
The cost of living in Finland averages around €800 per month, although some students manage with €400–€500 by sharing rooms. Still, many report that expenses for rent and food are steadily increasing.
Community leaders warn that some education consultancies are giving students false hopes about job availability in Finland. They advise incoming students to bring enough funds to cover at least one year of living and educational expenses, in case they cannot find work right away.
Finland remains a safe and high-quality education destination, but students should prepare thoroughly and understand the realities of living and working there before arriving.
