How international students turn to entrepreneurship in hopes of staying in Finland

The challenges of living in a different country are now beyond language and cultural barriers. With a declining student employment rate, international students are increasingly concerned about their career opportunities in Finland. For many, employment is a constant concern. Amid the uncertainty, a quieter movement is forming – one where entrepreneurship becomes more than a popular concept, a possible real-life solution.

International student unemployment

While learning a new language in a foreign country, international students are also competing for limited international jobs. Khoa Vu, a student at Aalto University aiming for a Master of Science in Information Networks, has applied to around 200 jobs but has not yet secured a position (Yle 2024). The employment challenge isn’t limited to international students, as the overall student employment rate in Finland is declining (Statistics Finland 2025). Many international students leave Finland after graduating or find alternative ways to secure their future in the country.

Entrepreneurship as a career path

Being a student entrepreneur has its benefits. Entrepreneurship is actively encouraged by national and local entrepreneurial organizations. As an example, free business consultations, tailored support programs and access to grants are available for students in Finland. Most importantly, international students turn to entrepreneurship for its ability to provide a legal pathway to stay in the country. The Finnish startup ecosystem grows more and more vibrant every year, inspiring students to pave their career paths. Students at the Lahti campus have decided to take their future into their hands by forming businesses and building their own entrepreneurship communities.

[Alt text: a hand helding a pink booklet with title startup business.] — Image 1. hera (2025) is a student-led community dedicated to fostering and empowering female entrepreneurship. (Image: Isana Dougherty)

According to Dougherty (2025, 27), students are turning to entrepreneurship to gain experience, expand their networks and improve their chances of staying in Finland. A student expressed their opinion about the local job market, stating that starting a business is a solution to their unemployment issue. While entrepreneurship appears to be a strategic solution, it comes with its difficulties. Some students get the benefits of academic connections and support, while others still struggle to scale their business ideas beyond the university environment. For students wishing to pursue self-employment through entrepreneurship, several legal matters require careful consideration. Nevertheless, students are getting support within the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the Lahti campus. So far, students have cited LADEC, a local business advisory organization, and StartHub, a start-up community on campus, as the most popular services.

It may be even more challenging to apply for jobs that align with the education field. To gain more work experience in an aligned field, many international students choose to try entrepreneurship as a way to apply their skills and talent. Some gain organizational experience from a startup or volunteering. Additionally, international students mentioned feeling welcomed within the entrepreneurship society on the university campus, for it is described as inclusive. The entrepreneurial community events allow international students to network because it is all hosted in English. (Dougherty 2025, 18–30.)

[Alt text: artificial and colourful nails in transparent small boxes.] — Image 2. Isana Dougherty sold handmade products on March 8, 2025, at an entrepreneurial event hosted by hera, LahtiES. (Image: Isana Dougherty)

The findings show that entrepreneurship can offer an alternative to traditional employment for international students studying in Finland. There are challenges, which include limited funding, and difficulties in reaching the market depending on location as an example. However, the report suggests that a strong support system from the universities and clear communication can go a long way in enhancing students’ entrepreneurial journeys.

Authors

Isana Dougherty is a graduate of the Bachelor’s Degree Programme in International Business at the LAB University of Applied Sciences.

Sari Suominen works as Senior Lecturer at the LAB University of Applied Sciences in Lahti.

References

Dougherty, I. 2025. Enhancing Entrepreneurial Journey at Lahti Campus. Case: LAB University of Applied Sciences. Bachelor’s thesis. Lahti University of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Business and Hospitality Management. Lahti. Cited 20 May 2025. Available at https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052415659

hera. 2025. Fostering and empowering female entrepreneurship. Lahties. Cited 20 May 2025. Available at https://www.lahties.com/hera

Statistics Finland. 2025. Employment rate of students decreased slightly in 2023. Cited 20 May 2025. Available at Employment rate of students decreased slightly in 2023 | Statistics Finland

Yle. 2024. 200 applications and 3 interviews: Foreign grads struggle to get jobs. Cited 20 May 2025. Available at https://yle.fi/a/74-20068332