From Nysa to Finland - an unforgettable professional exchange
In February, Patrycja Kulik and Patrycja Bezara, Laboratory Technicians from Nysa, embarked on a remarkable journey to work in Kokkola, Finland. This professional exchange was part of Umicore's initiative to foster international collaboration, enhance technical skills, and promote cultural understanding among its employees. By facilitating such exchanges, Umicore aims to build teams that can share different ideas and skills, helping us solve problems in innovative ways. These experiences allow our employees to learn from each other and bring fresh perspectives to their work, making our company stronger and more innovative. Their adventure was enriched by the Finnish work culture, a unique laboratory setup, and the warm hospitality of their Finnish colleagues.
Patrycja Kulik wanted to combine work with pleasure, gain new experiences, break the language barrier, and explore Northern Europe. Meanwhile, her colleague Patrycja Bezara was eager to learn about the new scanning electron microscope at the Kokkola lab, which offers high magnification views of material surfaces.
“The friendly atmosphere and culture of appreciation stood out,” says Patrycja Kulik. “Daily breakfasts, shared meals, and regular check-ins from the shift supervisor made me feel welcome and part of the team”.
Patrycja Bezeara adds, “And the respect for work-life balance, noting that leaving on time was the norm.”
Both Patrycjas embraced the Finnish lifestyle with enthusiasm. They plunged into winter swimming, glided across the frozen sea on ice skates, and indulged in regular sauna sessions. Their weekends were filled with exploration: wandering through Turku, the oldest city in Finland, taking a ferry to Stockholm, visiting a Moomin museum, Santa's village in Lapland, and even a national park in Norway.
The ease of life and friendliness of the Finn surprised Patrycja Kulik, while Patrycja Bezara admired their relaxed nature and deep connection with the environment. Watching the sunset on Kalajoki beach and the aurora borealis were unforgettable experiences.
When it came to local cuisine, reindeer was a must-try dish for Patrycja Kulik, while Patrycja Bezara enjoyed munkki, sweet buns with cream and jam, and various sausage dishes. Both found Finnish challenging but managed to learn basic phrases. Where one of them used Duolingo to prepare, the other learned to count and say hello. Their favorite phrases were "I am Patrycja" and "I am Patrycja too," which always elicited smiles.
This exchange enriched their professional skills and broadened their cultural perspectives, supporting Umicore's commitment to ensuring a global and inclusive work environment. Both are eager to return to Finland and explore more, especially in summer when everything is in bloom. The beautiful nature, national parks, and greenery promise a completely different experience.
Instead of Arctic frosts, both Patrycjas were greeted by an exceptional mild winter, much like the weather at home. This allowed them to see the Northern Lights almost every night: all they had to do was take a few steps outside in the garden of the lodge where they were staying, to admire the spectacular green light dancing in the sky.