of, but Emilia was ready to jump in. Two months later, she found herself organizing the Finnish Independence day, the biggest annual event of the year, as the new Executive Director of Finnish Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. “Don’t ever settle in your comfort zone. I believe it’s healthy to challenge yourself, no matter what.” After two and a half years’ experience of organizing events, Emilia is ready to host some of the grandest events in the history of the chamber coming up later in 2016 and 2017.
Finnish focus Emilia has experienced an increasing Chinese interest to focus on Finland since she took over the helm at Finncham. “There are four strong trends right now: Finnish education, food, fashion and lifestyle products. China has fallen in love with Finnish berries, Marimekko and other fashion brands, and especially Finnish way of education.” Emilia is already arranging a conference on the latter, where Finnish companies will promote educational products to Chinese parents and schools; “The education in Hong Kong and China tends to be heavily focused on memorization and long hours of studying, while Finnish education is focused on creativity, play time, innovation,
and twenty-first century skills that will allow the students to prosper when they enter the workforce. Finland also has excellent PISA test results, which has created interest from Asia into how these results were achieved in Finland.” This Finnish Education Conference is a way to foster dialogue, learn from each other, and showcase something Finland is truly excellent at. A local Hong Kong TV station will make a documentary about the Finnish education system and will attend the Finnish Chamber’s conference together with a local Hong Kong radio and other media. The relationship between Finland and China are blooming. Emilia experiences how the amount of interest from Finland is growing, and how corporate members help Finnish companies to China. At the same time, China is becoming more interested in Finnish products, lifestyle and culture. Even the Finnish moomin trolls are now playing in Chinese theatres, and the popular Finnish “Angry Birds” is coming out with an animated movie this spring.
Girl on the go Her Finnish career in Hong Kong happened “at the right time and the right place” according to Emilia. Emilia never regretted coming to Asia. Since arriving to Hong Kong, she has not been visiting
Finland, but the Finnish community has made her feel like at home. She is very happy about her position at the Finnish Chamber. At the moment, she adds. “No person should stay in this position for more than three years. I think the dedication to promote one’s country will always be there, and for me I will always be involved with the chamber no matter what. But I think after three years you have to begin a new chapter to get fresh ideas and keep yourself motivated.” Always looking for the next adventure, Emilia has already an idea for “what’s next”, which will unlikely her past; she is considering to stay on. “I will not stay in Hong Kong forever, but when I finish working for the chamber I would love to put an effort in real estate here.” Her ideal is to have a base in Hong Kong, and a little cottage in Finland to spend the summers. “And also a couple of homes in other parts of the world!” “I am excited about the next adventure to come, but right now, Hong Kong is the perfect place for me to be.” No matter where in the world she will be, she will always feel Finnish by heart.
April 2016 • ScandAsia.China 9