Finding Your Place Through People
News
Text: Essi Partia
Photos: Elmeri Elo
International House Ambassadors are volunteers who help newcomers find their feet in Rauma. Coming from different backgrounds, they share their own experiences of arriving, settling in and building a life here. Here, two International House Ambassadors share their own journey – and how they support others finding their place in Rauma.
Sandesh Tamang, Nepal
Where are you originally from and how did you end up in Rauma?
I am originally from a small town in eastern Nepal and moved to Finland in 2010 to study mechanical engineering and production technology. Over the years, I graduated, and my studies and work took me from Lappeenranta to Helsinki and to Uusikaupunki. In 2021, I moved to Rauma while working at the Olkiluoto 3 power plant – and decided to make the city my home.
What do you remember most clearly from being new here?
My first visit to Rauma was in the summer of 2020. The beautiful wooden houses with their unique architecture in the old town, the captivating market square, the river and the bridge near Rauma’s theatre, along the route from Poroholma to Kappelinsalmi with the view of the sea, and the plain road Eteläkatu running on the side of the old town are the most vibrant memories of my early days in the beautiful city of Rauma.
What do you hope you can offer others as an International House Ambassador?
Having built a life in Finland, I understand both Finnish society and the challenges newcomers may face as they might lack appropriate knowledge on services provided by different local and central government bodies and values that Finnish society appreciates. As an Ambassador, I want to serve as a bridge helping newcomers access essential information while also fostering meaningful connections with the local community.
Ishara Dissanayake, Sri Lanka
Where are you originally from, and how did you end up in Rauma?
I am originally from Sri Lanka and moved to Finland to support my wife’s studies.
Rauma became our chosen home because of its calm atmosphere and supportive academic environment. I arrived here with my wife and our four-year-old daughter, and we have experienced this transition as a family journey. Living here has given us both challenges and opportunities as we adjust to a new culture and way of life.
What do you remember most clearly from being new here?
What stands out most is adjusting to a completely new environment – the climate, the language, and the culture were all very different from Sri Lanka. At the same time, I clearly remember how welcoming and well-organised everything felt, which made the transition smoother.
What do you hope you can offer others as an International House Ambassador?
As an International House Ambassador, I hope to offer support and guidance to others who are new to the community. I understand how challenging it can be to settle in a new country, especially with a family. I would like to share my experiences and provide practical advice to help others feel more comfortable. Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment is very important to me. I hope to help others feel that they belong and are not alone in their journey.
This article was originally published in Rauma Magazine, which was released on 10 June 2026. If you did not receive the magazine in your mailbox, please provide feedback at jakelupalaute.fi (in Finnish). The magazine is also available online via the Issuu service.
