“Finns don’t joke with time” – Elizabeth is back and getting settled into her life in Finland

Elizabeth back in Aqsens’ laboratory in Turku.

After two years of working together with Aqsens Health through our malaria research project with the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research in Ghana, Elizabeth Cudjoe returned to Finland to work as a Senior Application Scientist at Aqsens Health. The official affairs are settled and all the governmental processes have gone incredibly quickly and smoothly. 

Third time in Finland

Elizabeth is already familiar with the Finnish way of life. Before moving to Turku this September, Elizabeth has previously spent quite a bit of time here. In 2022 she was part of the group of researchers that Aqsens trained and certified in the use of E-TRF and biosensors in Finland. She then returned in the summer for further training in our biosensor technology and got to experience Turku in the summer. 

Moving to work in Finland was something that didn’t really even cross her mind.

“I never in my wildest dreams imagined that I would be relocating to Finland.  For me keeping those beautiful memories was more than enough.  Back in Ghana, I had  a dream where I was working with the team back in Finland. I am quite a dreamer so I just discarded it as one of those numerous dreams I have every night. It was a pleasant surprise when my boss informed me some few days later that I have been asked to return to Finland,” Elizabeth explains. 

Happy surprises from the Finnish tax office

Elizabeth arrived in Turku on Tuesday evening on the 12th of September. On Friday she had an appointment at the Finnish Tax office to apply for a Finnish ID number and a tax card. 

The appointment was in the afternoon, so we didn’t really expect to hear back from the Tax office until the following week. So imagine the surprise when on Friday at 4pm Elizabeth received a message that her documents were ready and she now had a Finnish ID number and a tax card. 

“I was happy I took all the necessary documents with the help from the Aqsens team and so the process was quite smooth. But I was not  expecting it on the same day. I must say, they are precise and timely at the tax office.  Experiences at all the appointments have taught me that Finns do not joke with time,” Elizabeth recounts.

So we definitely owe a special thanks to Vero for excellent service!

Other processes related to Elizabeth staying and working in Finland for a longer period of time have also progressed quickly, even though it is hard to beat Vero’s service time. The Digital and Population Data Service Agency’s instructions for foreigners working in Finland are very clear, and the service Elizabeth has received has been great. 

“I knew it was not going to be easy and so I was a bit anxious. I felt completely lost with all the paperworks and formalities that I needed to go through. It turned out I worried needlessly,” Elizabeth says.

The team at Aqsens has also been trying their best to make Elizabeth’s arrival as smooth as possible. 

“I have been so blessed to have the whole team going out of their way to help.  I really have nothing to worry about knowing that I have such a supportive team,” Elizabeth continues. 

The only thing still missing is a Finnish bank account, but that is also already in the works! 

Settling into her new life in Finland

Now when almost all the official matters are in order Elizabeth can start fully focusing on her new normal in Finland. This includes shopping for furniture, settling into her new apartment, and starting a Finnish language course.

“I look forward to learning the Finnish language and also some traditional Finnish cuisines.  I hope to make  new friends and enjoy the Finnish way of life,” Elizabeth concludes. 

This is the first time Elizabeth will be in Finland to experience the darkest months of the year, and of course Christmas, which she already looks forward to.

“My deductions from what I have observed in Finland is that Finnish are happy people who enthusiastically plan and eagerly look forward to the otherwise normal events. I am looking forward to a joyous Christmas,” she says.

Elizabeth, we are so happy to have you here with us in Turku!

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