Xamk and City of Kouvola Are Building Bridges to Working Life for International Students

Sharier’s interest in technology and digitalization sparked during secondary school, partly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. During upper secondary school, his curiosity expanded to include business studies.

The Digital International Business (DIB) degree programme offered by Xamk seemed like the perfect combination of both interests. Xamk was chosen after comparing suitable study options.

Support and Networks from Xamk as Enablers

Sharier found his 2025 summer job at the City of Kouvola with the help of his study counsellor. “Our counsellor actively shares various job opportunities with students through the course platform. That’s how I ended up applying,” Sharier says appreciatively.

The study and career planning course for international students introduces Finnish culture, job-seeking practices, and workplace behaviour through events and lectures.

Another significant networking opportunity Sharier mentions is Patteri – a student-led entrepreneurship community that supports business idea development, networking, and highlights job opportunities.

Summer Job at the City – Development Work and Practical Learning

Sharier’s summer role is within the City of Kouvola’s Education Services Department, working alongside Education Services Manager Maria Lammi.

Employing international students in the municipal sector is seen as important, as it helps address labour shortages in various fields amid demographic changes. It also promotes intercultural interaction and brings in multi-skilled individuals with strong communication abilities, diverse language skills, and broad networks.

“Hiring an international student has gone smoothly. The city has previous experience with international interns, and Xamk’s guidance has been clear. Internships for international students should be treated as a service – tasks should be planned in advance, tools and credentials arranged, and time allocated for mentoring,” Lammi explains.

Sharier’s task is to investigate how local high school students and international students have integrated into Finnish study culture. He gathers their experiences, identifies best practices and areas for improvement. He also compares student life in Kouvola and nearby cities, aiming to find good examples that can be used to develop local activities.

The job has also included travel, networking, and exploring nearby cities. The summer job has improved Sharier’s meeting and communication skills, and he especially appreciates the punctuality and reliability of Finnish work culture.

“Collaboration with Xamk strengthens mutual understanding of operational environments, which helps if the intern later becomes employed by the city, but also more broadly improves the availability of internship placements. The threshold to take on interns is lower when there’s experience with international students. Good generates more good in this area too,” Lammi summarizes.

Adapting, Language, and Future Direction

Sharier is charmed by the local nature and people in Kouvola. Finnish is challenging for someone newly settled in the country, but he approaches learning the new language with a positive attitude.

Sharier’s roots are in Bangladesh, but he has spent most of his life in Dubai, known for its international atmosphere.

“At home, I’ve been used to an international environment and various English accents. To learn Finnish, I’m doing my best – attending language classes and taking different tests to prove my skills,” Sharier shares about his goals.

Digital International Business

Digital International Business is an English-language bachelor’s degree programme focusing on international business in a digital environment. The studies last 3.5 years and provide broad competencies for working in international marketing, trade, and entrepreneurship.

Learn more about the DIB degree here:  Bachelor of Business Administration, Digital International Business – Kaakkois-Suomen ammattikorkeakoulu Xamk

Learn more about the student-driven entrepreneurship community Patteri here: Home | PatteriEs