Erica Armstrong followed her passion for science all the way to Finland. From inspiring coursework to peaceful nature, her time in Kuopio became a life-changing experience.
When Erica Armstrong from Canada first began thinking about her future, she asked herself a question: What do I actually enjoy learning? That reflection led her to toxicology, a field that combined her love for science with a desire to make a difference.
“I always dreamed of coming to Finland. It has a reputation for excellent higher education.”
She applied to just two programmes: medical school and the Master’s degree Programme in General Toxicology at the University of Eastern Finland. When she was accepted to both, she chose UEF
The coursework was so interesting, and the lifestyle was something I never could experience in my Canadian city.
Erica Armstrong
Graduate of Toxicology programme
A New Life in Kuopio
From the moment she arrived in Kuopio, she found that the pace of life was different. The air was cleaner, people biked to university, and the cost of living was manageable. She also enjoyed her classes.
“I wish I could come back and go to lectures again!” she says.
“The coursework was so interesting, and the lifestyle was something I never could experience in my Canadian city.”
Before her Master’s studies officially began, Erica joined a summer programme in Global Health. It was her first taste of Finnish culture, and it was unforgettable. She still remembers the bus tour around Kuopio, the sauna on campus, and a cozy cooking class with fellow students.
“It was so lovely,” she recalls.
Erica’s time in Finland wasn’t without its challenges. She studied during the COVID-19 lockdown, which made everything more complicated, especially as a foreign student. Many essential services moved online, and she couldn’t access them due to authentication systems that required Finnish bank credentials.
“Booking a visa renewal was incredibly difficult,” she explains.
“I got my vaccine just in time to travel home before my visa expired.”
Falling in Love with Finland
What kept her going was the country itself. Finland’s nature, its calm societal structure, and the way things just worked — all of it made a deep impression.
“Nature is a top reason I love Finland,” Erica says.
“But really, it’s the way society functions compared to Canada. It’s peaceful, organized, and respectful.”
