Gopal Krishna Sharma moved to Finland from India eight years ago. For the last two years he has been living in Kotka, Kotkansaari, which has become his home – and also the place where he is realising his dream as an entrepreneur. Sharma runs the New Royal India restaurant on Kotkansaari.

Working in the area feels safe and balanced, he says. Finnish culture has made a positive impression on Sharma.

– Finnish culture is peaceful, respectful and communal. People value honesty, equality and personal space,” he says.

– The best thing about working here is the peaceful and safe environment. The community is supportive and it creates a good atmosphere for both work and personal life. Kotkansaari is a peaceful place, close to nature and the sea. It supports my well-being and is practical for work,” he says.

As a restaurateur, Sharma is responsible for almost everything himself. His job includes managing the kitchen and customer service, menu planning, marketing and developing the customer experience.

– Entrepreneurship has been challenging but rewarding. It has taught me a lot about problem solving and leadership,” he says.

But the realities of a small town have quickly become familiar.

– This is a small town and there are plenty of options for customers. Competition is fierce and it can be difficult to stand out as a business. You have to constantly attract customers,” says Sharma.

Basic services are close by

According to Sharma, basic everyday services, such as shops, health services and public transport, are mostly easily accessible in Kotka. However, everyday life is not always entirely hassle-free in a city of 50 000 inhabitants.

– Not all the products I need are available locally, so I often have to travel further afield. Public transport is sometimes a challenge, so I often need my own car,” he says.

In everyday life, he gets around either by car or on foot whenever possible.

Sharma doesn’t have much free time, but the area offers a wide range of opportunities.

– Here you can walk along the seafront, visit parks, stroll along nature trails, visit cafés and museums or take part in seasonal events and festivals,” he says.

Language, realism and honest advice for newcomers

Learning Finnish has been one of the biggest challenges for Sharma, especially due to his busy work schedule.

– I have not had enough time to study regularly. I can manage with basic phrases and simple situations. I can manage in English in many places, but I know that knowing Finnish will help me a lot in the future,” he says.

In hindsight, Sharma wishes he had been more realistic before moving to Finland.

– I would have liked someone to tell me how difficult the start can be – especially in terms of understanding the language, the work and the service system. It takes time to settle in and uncertainty at the beginning is normal.

His advice to new immigrants is direct and practical.

– Be open, ask questions and use the services available. Even small steps in learning Finnish help. Don’t come here expecting things to happen easily. Hard work is essential.

Sharma stresses that his own journey is still unfinished.

– If you want to run your own business in a foreign country, you need to be patient, committed and willing to work hard all the time.

Despite the challenges, Kotka is an important place for him. A peaceful, safe and natural city where he continues to build his life and his business – one step at a time.

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