Jörn's story

“Why Imatra?” 

When 31-year-old Jörn Erlenmaier packed his car in Germany a year and a half ago and set off driving toward Finland, many of his friends shook their heads.

–My friends said I was strange and crazy, he laughs.

Bit over year later Jörn lives at Vuoksenniska, works as a Product Group Manager at a company in Imatra, studies Finnish at Virta College, and volunteers with the Tainionkoski Volunteer Fire Brigade. He has no longing to return to Germany—even though he could easily live back home near Frankfurt, or in cities like Helsinki or Tampere.

– I have no need to move away. I believe that in five years I’ll still be living in Imatra.

Ten year journey to Finland

The story actually began back in 2016 in Ireland. Jörn was there as an exchange student and met several Finns, with whom he quickly became friends. After the exchange, he visited Finland for the first time, travelling to places such as Helsinki, Kouvola, and Lappeenranta.

In 2019, Jörn came to Jyväskylä as an exchange student. He originally planned to stay for one semester, but ended up staying for a full year.

–At Jyväskylä, I felt like I was at home. It was the first time I thought that I could stay in Finland. 

In Germany, Jörn worked as an engineer. He holds a degree in mechatronics equivalent to a Master of Science in Engineering. The professor supervising him suggested pursuing doctoral studies, but Jörn preferred to focus on working, what he had already been doing alongside his studies.

Jörn didn't forget Finland. Year 2022 he came to Helsinki to watch football match Frankfurt against Real Madrid. At the same time, he asked if he could visit a company that sold products in Finland manufactured by the German company Jörn represented. That company happened to be located in Imatra.

–I said that I would like to work in Finland. The CEO replied that they might have a need for someone like me, but the matter would need careful consideration

The discussions and consideration continued for some time before a mutual solution with the employer was finally found. In August 2024 Jörn moved to Imatra. 

First night in an empty apartment

Jörn left Germany by car on August 25 and arrived in Imatra two days later. He went straight to the workplace.

– I just said, Here I am.

One hour later he was standing alone in his empty rental apartment at Vuoksenniska. It was 75 squaremeters three-room apartment which Jörn had found by himself from web.

– When the agent handed over the keys and left, it felt strange. Now I’m really here.

The next day, the furniture arrived. Then the process of building everyday life began—setting up a bank account, getting a personal identity number, and obtaining a Finnish ID card.

"Why Imatra?”

– My friends who live in Jyväskylä and Tampere often wonder why Imatra. Many people have some kind of image of the city, even if they have never actually been here. But when they come to visit, they find the place quite pleasant. Relatives who have visited Imatra have also said they understand why I might not want to return to Germany.

Jörn doesn't think himself as a big-city person. He is from Kaichen, small German village, which is only 25 kilometres from Frankfurt.

– It is small village in the middle of nature, but everything is near. Imatra has the same feeling.

Jörn lives in Vuoksenniska, near cinema BioVuoksi. There are empty storefronts in the area and a sense of times gone by.

– Some of my friends from Imatra have wondered why I live in Vuoksenniska. Maybe 30 years ago it was livelier than it is now. Because of the empty storefronts, the area can look a bit sad, but I’ve enjoyed living there very much.

The first local friend he met in Imatra was at the Karelia Fight event in 2024, and it turned out he lived just 150 meters away. Through that friend, his network began to grow.

– I moved here alone, but it’s not nice to always be at home by yourself. Now I have about 10–15 good friends in Imatra. That’s important.

In Imatra, you can get by with English almost everywhere.

–That’s a good thing about Finland. I can use Finnish or English depending on the situation. In shops I already speak Finnish, but with friends the language changes depending on the situation and the topic.

Work isn’t everything — but it should be meaningful.

In Germany Jörn worked at the busy Frankfurt area. 

– Everything had to happen right away there. Typically, everything was expected to be ready yesterday.

There is urgency in Imatra too, but it isn’t constant. Jörn works as a Product Group Manager in a relatively small company.

–In a small company, you have to be able to do many different things. That’s a good thing. I’m ambitious and want to develop myself, but what matters more to me is that the workplace and colleagues are nice. What more could you need?

Salary was not the reason Jörn moved to Finland, but here you can make a good living from your work. Rent is reasonable, electricity is affordable, and Finnish home insurance is comprehensive.

–I could earn more in Germany, but money isn’t everything. In Finland, people who work are able to live well.

He also points out that from an international perspective, the exact location of a workplace within Finland makes little difference.

–When it comes to work experience, working in Finland is already a plus. No one really cares whether your job is in Imatra or Helsinki. What matters is whether you do your job well or poorly.

In Germany, Pekka served as the head of the volunteer fire brigade in his home village. Now he is involved with the Tainionkoski Volunteer Fire Brigade in Imatra.

Another important hobby for Pekka in Germany was carnival dancing. The ten-minute story-driven performances are a bit like small musicals.

– What I liked most about the carnivals was that every weekend we were somewhere, and there was always a celebration.

During summers and weekends, Pekka also helped out on a friend’s farm.

– I drove a tractor, repaired machines, took care of cows, helped with both calving and slaughtering—in other words, I did all kinds of farm work. It was a hobby where you could immediately see the results of your work. As an engineer, you don’t see it in quite the same way.

He admits that sometimes he misses sitting behind the wheel of a tractor.

– It’s rewarding when, after a few hours of work, you can look at a field you’ve ploughed yourself and see it finished.

Nature, sauna and winter

Jörn appreciates especially nature in Imatra.

– I like lake Saimaa and Vuoksi river. I don't have any favourite spot in the city. My friends like to show me their favourite places from childhood.

Imatra is not perfect.

– There could be more young people in Imatra. Many move away to study. Still, many would like to raise their children here, if only they could find work.

Jörn believes in Imatra. He has met people working in business development and keeps an eye on opportunities for new companies.

– I hope Imatra will grow again with the help of new promising investments in the energy sector and other industries.

What about Germany?

His hometown is still important to Jörn. Last year he visited Germany five times—at Christmas, during his summer holiday, at the carnival, and on work trips. On one of those trips he spent only 19 hours in his home country.

– It wasn’t cheap, but it was possible. From Imatra it’s easy and quick to travel to Germany.

This year, however, Pekka plans to travel less.

– It’s exhausting if you have to see everyone during your holiday. A holiday should be for resting.

Fortunately, relatives and friends also come to visit him in Imatra.

“If you want to integrate, everything will work out”

Jörn doesn’t romanticize moving abroad. Moving alone is a big decision, and the Finnish language is difficult. Everyday life has to be built from scratch.

– But if you want to integrate, everything will work out. That applies everywhere.

He attends Finnish language classes after work.

– It’s not easy, but knowing the language is important. I don’t want to live here for ten years without speaking Finnish.

In five years, Pekka hopes to speak Finnish more fluently. By then he would like to live in an apartment with a sauna and having his own summer cottage would be nice too.

– And hopefully by then I’ll also have a girlfriend, he adds with a smile.