How would you like to return to second grade with your kids? That's exactly what 41-year-old Frank Boateng from Ghana is doing in Vantaa to learn Finnish.
The city launched the programme for parents years ago, although it used to target stay-at-home mothers, reports Helsingin Sanomat.
Before pursuing his sociology master's in English at the University of Helsinki, Boateng worked as a teacher in Ghana. But since his qualifications were not recognised in Finland, he had to find something else. He now works in a warehouse.
At this point, the father of three said he knows his academic qualifications alone won't get him a job in Finland. This is why he told HS he plans to train as a care assistant once he learns enough Finnish.
School teachers are happy with the bring-your-parent-to-class arrangement, saying the adult learners have not only progressed in their studies, but also have a calming effect on the school environment, too.
The All Points North podcast recently asked if it is getting more difficult to find a job in Finland.
Listen to the episode via this embedded player, on Yle Areena, via Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Rebuilding Ukraine
The war in Ukraine might be approaching its end, but when and under what conditions remain highly uncertain, according to Hufvudstadsbladet.
What is certain, according to the daily, is that Ukrainian reconstruction is well underway, citing an interview with Finland's leading business lobby, the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK). The funds needed for Ukraine's reconstruction are, however, five times greater than the Marshall Plan after World War II, the EK's Petri Vuorio told the paper.
He would like to see Finland's financing for reconstruction efforts be more on par with that of Sweden and Denmark, the latter of which has invested 420 million euros in building a wind farm just 100 kilometers from Ukraine's eastern front.
Kone, Nokia, Valmet, and Orion are among the Finnish firms already operating in Ukraine. The Finnish presence is, however, not as prominent as that of Danish and Swedish companies.
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Reindeer spotting
Up in Finland's far north, the regional paper Lapin Kansa explores mysterious cases of reindeer theft that may suggest poaching.
Reindeer remains have turned up in the Lapland wilderness this winter, sparking suspicions that poachers may be active. A few years ago, a similar phenomenon was happening on a large scale, but the group responsible was caught at that time.
"These cases arise occasionally. Reindeer herders discover these cases fairly easily in the wilderness during the winter season," Anne Ollila, executive director of the reindeer herders' association, told LK.
"A few quieter years passed, but this winter, cases have surfaced again," she said.
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