Isabelle Pekonen moved from France to Finland over 40 years ago through marriage. The family settled in Kotka. Now her three children are grown up and her life is enriched by a four-year-old grandchild. Isabelle retired about a year ago after a long career as a language teacher and interpreter.

– Our home is in Karhula. We also enjoy our cottage and the nearby forest and lake, she says.

Sea, nature and culture attract

In Kotka, Isabelle relaxes by the water on the banks of the Kymijoki river and at Sapokka water park. For exercise, she often goes from Kumparepuisto to the Luovi fitness track.

– The sea, nature and parks are the best things about Kotka. There is also a lively cultural life. The concert hall and libraries are important to me. You can even visit the changing exhibitions at the Vellamo Maritime Centre for free on wednesday evenings, she says.

The fishmongers and small restaurants in the harbour have also impressed her. Retirement dreams include travelling more in Finland, for example to Ostrobothnia.

Connecting to work and community through language

Isabelle has been working for most of her time in Finland, except for parental leave. She first taught French in schools and later qualified as an interpreter.

– There was plenty of work and I felt good about the way the employers trusted me.

After moving to Finland, it took time to build up social networks, but through the church she made close friends.

– I made friends for the rest of my life, she says happily.

Her Finnish language skills developed through study, intensive courses and reading.

– Learning the language did not seem difficult. It made it easier that Finnish is pronounced the way it is written.

Empowered by experiences and the joy of helping

Isabelle enjoys the Finnish cultural offer, from summer theatre to music. Literature and food – especially soups and mushroom pie made with mushrooms she picks herself – are also part of her everyday culture.

In her spare time, she has volunteered with immigrants as an interpreter, Finnish teacher and support worker.

– The best part is seeing how language skills bring freedom and make life easier. All the newcomers I have met have wanted to settle in Finland.

Two countries’ customs meet

Cultural differences between the two countries may be encountered, for example, when relatives visit.

-Words and ideas flow very quickly in France! I even get tired from it easily these days, he laughs.

Isabelle herself has learned to enjoy the peace and quiet of Finland.

Sometimes, however, cultural differences come as a surprise in the small things in everyday life. For example, Isabelle jokingly advises people moving to Finland not to ask for a small baby’s name here, as in Finland names are often only given and revealed at a naming ceremony when the baby is 2-3 months old.

Isabelle has a wish for the locals:

– Treat people from elsewhere as people first, not as foreigners. A friendly encounter and an accepting look means a lot.

Recently life and people have also given a new pleasant surprise in Finland. Now that she is retired, Isabelle Pekonen has made more new friends than ever before in the place where her holiday home is. The sense of community has been refreshing!

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