A rewarding and developing job that brings great joy!

- My husband and I wanted more than what we had in Ukraine, here we saw the life we wanted for our children, says Iryna Yurchyshyn, who came to Åland eight years ago.

- We dreamed of having our own house, and four years ago we were able to make that dream come true.

Swedish is the key

Nowadays Iryna Yurchyshyn and Biljana Dragic work as childcare leaders in childcare services in Mariehamn, but the path there has not been easy. Language was the first obstacle. Iryna explains that she worked on a dairy farm and as a cleaner before she made sure to learn Swedish on her own.

- Since I only had a work visa, I couldn't participate in the Medis courses in Swedish for newcomers. It wasn't easy, but once I had learned Swedish I got to come in for interviews at the childcare services. Now I work at the Strandbacken day care centre.

Biljana Dragic in turn moved to Åland with her husband ten years ago. She too learned Swedish on her own, largely by borrowing books from the library. It went so well that she later got the chance to teach Swedish to newcomers at Medis in Mariehamn.

- I got into working life quite quickly, and then it just flowed from there. For the past eight years I have worked in childcare, and right now I am a childcare leader at the Nyängen day care centre.

No validation

Both Biljana and Iryna are already qualified primary school teachers with university degrees from Serbia and Ukraine, but since those countries are outside the EU, their qualifications have not been possible to validate in Finland.
- If you move from a country within the EU it is much simpler. Even though we spent a lot of time and money translating all our documents and submitting applications and supplementary materials, we still did not get our professional qualifications approved.

Therefore, they advise others who are thinking of moving to Åland to translate their educational documents into Swedish or English before the move, as you need to have the documents stamped in your own country. 

Double qualifications

Iryna and Biljana had to start over from scratch instead. The studies required to obtain a Finnish childcare leader qualification have already been completed alongside full-time work and family life. They share the same determination and patience, and soon both will also have completed their training as teachers in early childhood education.

- It has truly been tough, while at the same time I am glad for the opportunity to be able to study in adult life. Now I can put what I learn into practice straight away, and I know what I need and want, says Iryna, who is also looking forward to some recovery time when she receives her degree next year.

- I long to have more time for my children, and to do things just for my own sake. Then perhaps I will choose to study again in the future, we'll see.

Biljana also believes it is important to recover from studies and to have time to relax and spend time with family. She adds that she has had the strength to keep going with work and studies because she is in a place where she feels safe and accepted.

- Åland is a wonderful place with friendly people who have welcomed me with open arms and helped me to get the job I dreamed of in my home country.

Thriving in childcare

Despite all the effort and extra work, Biljana and Iryna recommend other interested individuals to move to Åland to work in childcare.

- We feel great gratitude towards the childcare services in Mariehamn and that we get to be a part of it. Working with young children is truly a rewarding and enriching job that brings a great deal of joy. In addition, the working conditions are good and there is always work available – especially if you are a specialist. You also have the opportunity to take courses and further your education.

Both appreciate that the children's groups are smaller and that there is access to good tools and resources. Compared to their previous experiences, they feel they have time to be present as educators and that they manage to see and engage with the individual children. They are pleased that it is possible to have close contact between staff, children and guardians. More staff also means the opportunity to learn from one another.

- Diversity truly enriches, we all have different skills that we can make use of!

Intensive days in a noisy environment are among the drawbacks, however. Furthermore, finding solutions for children with different needs can be both stimulating and challenging.

- At the same time, we get a thousand hugs every day!

A calmer everyday life

In their daily lives, Biljana and Iryna value the sense of security in Ålandic society and the closeness to nature and fresh air. Good childcare and schools, as well as a wide range of sports and other leisure activities to choose from, are also among the advantages.

- It has taken a little time to learn the Ålandic culture and get used to the slower pace when you come from larger cities like we did, but now we appreciate that the children can walk to school on their own. When everything is close by, life also becomes simpler. 

Nowadays they see Mariehamn as an active and vibrant city that embraces many different cultures.

- You just need to accept that everything takes time – becoming part of the community, learning a new language and finding a job in your field. At the same time, the people of Åland are friendly and help you when you are a newcomer!