As recently as July 2026, Xamk students MD Samiul Shah Imon Khan and Masfaqur Rahman Jonaid were living in Bangladesh, one of the most densely populated countries in the world. By August, a new chapter awaited them: a move to Mikkeli and the start of their IT studies at South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk).
Imon comes from Cumilla, while Masfaqur Rahman Jonaid lived with his family in Dhaka, one of the largest cities in the world by population. While Finland’s total population is around 5.5 million, the Dhaka metropolitan area alone is home to nearly 37 million people.
Moving to Mikkeli has therefore been a significant step. In Bangladesh, people, traffic, and noise are everywhere. In Mikkeli, what first caught the students’ attention was quite the opposite.
“I knew beforehand that Finland is a peaceful country where people respect each other’s privacy. Mikkeli is exactly as calm as I expected it to be,” Masfaqur Rahman Jonaid says.
Xamk Offered the Right Path Forward
Imon and Masfaqur Rahman Jonaid came to Mikkeli to pursue their studies. Both are studying Information Technology at South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk). Having already completed vocational qualifications in Bangladesh, they were looking not only for international experience but also for a high-quality educational pathway. Their choice was influenced by the strong reputation of Finnish education and Xamk’s practical, hands-on approach to learning.
Imon’s and Masfaqur Rahman Jonaid’s story is part of a broader trend of internationalisation in Mikkeli. According to Xamk’s preliminary student statistics, there are currently 255 international degree students studying at the Mikkeli campus. The largest numbers of students are enrolled in the English-taught programmes in Information Technology, Water Technology and Sustainability, Nursing Top-up, and Tourism and Hospitality Business. In addition, a total of 31 students are studying in two Foundation Year groups. Altogether, the Mikkeli campus community currently includes 286 international degree students or students preparing for degree studies.
But how does someone on the other side of the world end up studying in Mikkeli? Through online research and positive recommendations from people they knew.
“We explored different options online and ultimately chose Finland because of its highly respected education system and the opportunity to earn an internationally recognized degree. Positive feedback from friends and acquaintances about Xamk, its student services, and Mikkeli as a peaceful and well-organized student city also played a major role in our decision,” Imon explains.
“It’s also great that around 30 Bangladeshi people came to Mikkeli this year for studies at XAMK. The overall Bangladeshi community in Mikkeli is more than 50 people.”
A city that feels just the right size
Mikkeli’s size already felt like an advantage even before the move.
“In a smaller city, it’s easier to get to know local people. When you keep running into the same people, you begin to recognize one another,” Masfaqur Rahman Jonaid reflects.
During their first weeks, the students have been particularly impressed by the city’s cleanliness, orderliness, and sense of safety. They feel comfortable moving around Mikkeli even late in the evening. Local residents have also been quick to lend a helping hand.
“When I arrived in Mikkeli by train from Helsinki for the first time, I didn’t know how to get from the station to my new home. I asked some local people for help, and one of them even stopped his car to give me directions. That was incredibly kind. People in Mikkeli seem to have time to help others,” Imon recalls.
A welcome event for new residents at Saimaa Stadium helped the students discover local services, hobbies, and community activities. It also gave them a chance to meet people from the area.
“It made us feel that the city genuinely welcomes us.”
Compared with the constant bustle of Bangladesh, and especially Dhaka, Mikkeli feels remarkably quiet and peaceful. At the same time, Masfaqur Rahman Jonaid sees familiar elements of his hometown, Khagrachari, in Mikkeli. Like Mikkeli, it is green, scenic, and surrounded by hills.
The local traffic culture has also left a lasting impression.
“When I stand by the side of the road, cars stop and drivers signal for me to cross first. At first, I tried waving them on, but the drivers would simply wait for me to cross,” Imon laughs.
Finding a sense of home, one step at a time
After classes, the two friends also enjoy spending time outdoors. They have already gone berry picking, and Imon has even experienced a Finnish sauna. Near their student apartment there is a bridge where Masfaqur Rahman Jonaid often stops to admire the lake and call his family in Bangladesh.
“That bridge has become an important place for me. Looking out over the lake helps me feel calm and at peace,” Masfaqur Rahman Jonaid says.
Mikkeli does not yet feel entirely like home. Their families are far away, and at times the language barrier makes everyday interactions and meeting new people more challenging. They study Finnish twice a week but hope to see more opportunities for international residents and local people to connect.
“You can’t learn Finnish culture just by watching videos online. We need to talk with Finnish people and find activities we can share together,” Imon concludes.
Also, he wishes more opportunities for international students to become connected with local companies and the Finnish working environment. For example, Mikkeli could organize more company visits, informal networking events, career days, and opportunities for students to meet local employers and professionals. Creating stronger connections between students and the city’s working life could help international students feel that they have a real future in Mikkeli.
And so, we return to the bridge that has become so meaningful for Masfaqur Rahman Jonaid. For a moment, it allows him to be in two places at once. On the other end of the phone is his family in Bangladesh. Around him, the quiet lakeside landscape of Mikkeli stretches into the distance. Home is still far away, but perhaps this new city will begin to feel like home, one familiar place, one encounter and one moment at a time.