Sisu & Slay: Don’t Become a Finn—Do This Instead with Marii Juht

Moving to Finland is one thing. Building a life here is another. In this episode of Sisu & Slay by Herizon, host Viivi sits down with Marii Juht, founder and CEO of Intero Integration and a seasoned relocator, to talk about what practical integration actually looks like — beyond the paperwork and the official courses.

Integration is your responsibility too

Marii built Intero Integration from a very personal place: her own struggles settling into Finland. Having relocated across the US, Australia, New Zealand, and Estonia before landing in Helsinki, she noticed a gap between the support systems that exist and what people actually need. Intero was built to fill exactly that.

Her core message is clear: the government, municipalities, and society all have a role to play in helping you integrate, but so do you. The systems are there to give you tools and access. What you do with them is on you.

Don't fit in. Show up.

One of the most memorable parts of this conversation is Marii's take on the pressure to "fit in" — and her firm rejection of it. She's seen many internationals try to become more Finnish: adopting the style, the pace, the mannerisms. And almost universally, they end up feeling more lost, not less.

You will change when you move countries — that's unavoidable and actually healthy. But change should be a natural, flowing process, not a goal to check off. The people who stay true to their values while genuinely exploring the new culture tend to thrive. The ones who try to erase themselves tend to struggle.

Where to actually find your people

Marii's practical advice for finding community starts with one question: what are your interests? From there, she gives people a small number of starting points, not an overwhelming list, and lets the snowball roll. Finland is small enough that once you start showing up to community events, you begin to meet people who lead you to other events, other communities, other connections.

Her other suggestions for getting under the skin of Finnish culture:

• Watch a Finnish film—even without English subtitles. It tells you a lot about the people and what they value.
• Try Finnish experiences: sauna, seasonal foods, mushroom picking. Do it because it's interesting, not because you're trying to assimilate.
• Accept that things move slowly here. Systems, decisions, relationships — all of it operates at a different pace. Fighting that is a losing battle.

Networking in Finland is a long game

Finland is deeply trust-based, and trust takes time. Marii's advice for building it is deceptively simple: show up consistently, give value before expecting anything back, and be genuinely yourself. Going to a networking event hoping to extract something immediately is the wrong frame entirely.

She describes networking like planting a seed: you water it, give it light, make sure the conditions are right — and then you wait. The returns come, often in unexpected ways, but only if you've been patient and authentic.

Key takeaways

• Be yourself. Stand out—don't fit in. Your background and diversity are assets, not things to smooth over.
• Show up. Staying in your comfort zone guarantees nothing will change. Discomfort is the price of belonging.
• Give first. In networking, in friendships, in community. Contribute before you expect anything in return.

You can find Marii Juht on LinkedIn, or reach out via the Intero Integration website. And if you're looking for a community of international professionals in Finland, the Herizon community is free to join at herizon.io.

Listen to the full episode of Sisu & Slay by Herizon on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music.