Are you looking for company, new friends or something enjoyable to do in your daily life? Why not join our group, ‘Women’s Thursday Get-togethers’, which starts in August! The Sotek Foundation’s activities are aimed specifically at immigrant women aged over 50 who have stayed at home. You’re also welcome to bring a friend along. At…
The ‘Go for it, Supergirl!’ project will launch in August 2026 and offers support with the Finnish language, digital skills and employability. Through the programme, you can find your own path to work, further study or entrepreneurship. You can undertake the course either full-time or flexibly alongside work. The programme is organised in Kouvola, Kotka…
The Finnish Parliament has approved an amendment to the law that tightens the requirements for obtaining Finnish citizenship. The law will come into force on 1 January 2027 and will apply to applications submitted from 1 March 2027 onwards. In future, applicants will be required to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of and integration into Finnish society.…
There are many international residents in South Kymenlaakso – over 8,000 last year alone. An increasing number of newcomers are arriving to study or work. This brings vitality to the region. The purpose of the International Kotka–Hamina website you are currently reading is to help newcomers easily find essential services in one place. The site…
Kymenlaakson Opisto will organise free digital training for immigrants at its Hamina campus in autumn. The training will be held on Fridays from 21.8.-25.9. at 9.30-14.00 and will be conducted as a face-to-face course. During the training, participants will learn how to use a computer, understand the basics of information security and how to use…
The guidance and counselling services for immigrants are available during summer opening hours by phone and on-site at the Karhula service point: June 22–26, 9:00–15:00June 29–July 10, 13:00–15:00July 13–17, 9:00–15:00 In Hamina we will continue to serve normally on Tuesday 23.6. Summer break in Hamina is 30.6.-28.7., after which service will resume normally from Tuesday…
Join a fun day trip to Verla! You’ll find great nature, an interesting destination and great company. The KymiUnited project invites immigrants aged 18-29 from all over Kymenlaakso to a day trip to Verla on Tuesday 9.6.2026 at 10-15 am. Verla is a world heritage site. It is an old factory site that is well…
Mular Hser was 10 years old when her family moved to Finland 18 years ago. Before arriving in Finland, the family had fled the civil unrest in Myanmar to a refugee camp in Thailand, where Mular was born. Today, all family members – parents and five siblings – live in Kotka, in different parts of…
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…