With over a decade of teaching experience and multiple degrees in education, Nisha Rathnayaka came to Finland with a clear goal: to build a strong foundation in Finnish education before pursuing her dream of a PhD. Today, she is studying Lifelong Learning and Sustainable Development at the University of Eastern Finland.
“I hold a Bachelor’s degree, a Master’s degree, and several professional diplomas in the field of Education, supported by extensive experience as both a University Teacher and a High School Teacher. With over a decade of teaching practice, I have worked with diverse learners across diverse academic contexts. I am deeply passionate about education as a transformative force and committed to empowering learners through meaningful, inclusive, and lifelong learning experiences,” Nisha shares.
UEF was her chosen university for a reason. “My dream is to pursue a Finnish PhD in Education. The University of Eastern Finland has an excellent reputation as a research hub and is widely recognized for its highly inclusive practices in international education. Before directly starting my PhD journey in Finland, I wanted to gain a strong foundation in Finnish General Education through a Bachelor’s degree. UEF offered the perfect match, a research/project-based General Education programme that fully aligns with my academic and professional goals. I am completely satisfied with my choice and confident that UEF is the right path toward my future in educational research.”
Her studies have been transformative. “My degree programme aligns perfectly with my goals and academic needs. It includes all the foundational components I had been eager to explore before taking my ‘big step’ in the field of education. Gaining expertise in General Education through these studies opens many doors for me, especially within the Finnish context. The Finnish higher education system is unique in many ways, its flexible study patterns, strong emphasis on learner autonomy, and flat hierarchy where teachers, lecturers, professors, staff, and students are treated as equals.”
UEF’s inclusive environment has made a big difference. “UEF, as a truly international academic bubble, offers a deeply inclusive and supportive environment. We receive all the guidance and resources we need for our studies, both from the staff and through excellent campus facilities. The real challenge began when I started learning Finnish, it is demanding, yet fascinating. Even being able to say a few Finnish sentences now gives me immense satisfaction and confidence.”
I am deeply motivated to contribute to educational research and practice, and I see this path as a meaningful way to combine academic growth with real-world impact.
Nisha Rathnayaka
Student of Bachelor's degree programme in Lifelong Learning and Sustainable Development
Finding home in Joensuu
Her most cherished memories are from last summer. “The first was seeing the very first flower bloom in the flower bed I cultivated during campus farming last summer. Tears welled up in my eyes, I had grown a plant on Finnish soil. That simple act gave me a deep sense of belonging to the campus and to this land. The second unforgettable moment was being selected for a internship in the faculty, a dream I had carried with me. The day I received the email confirming my selection, I was truly over the moon.”
Adjusting to a new culture and language was challenging at first, but Nisha found support and resilience. “Making friends, especially building connections with Finnish students, was not easy at first. However, through university and faculty events, as well as student associations, I gradually found meaningful ways to connect and belong. Another significant adjustment was becoming fully independent in making study-related decisions. As a student and a working mother, this was sometimes demanding, yet I learned to manage my responsibilities with resilience and balance.”
Joensuu has become a peaceful home. “Joensuu, as a small university town, offers a perfect balance. Everything is gathered in the center, yet it is surrounded by forests and lakes. This setting brings immense peace to life, there is no rush, yet all the comforts of a city are within reach. Living and studying here allows me to breathe, reflect, and grow, both personally and academically, since I come from a very busy city from my home country.”
Her advice to future students is the following: “UEF is not just a place to earn a degree, it is a place to grow. If you are looking for an education that respects you as an individual, encourages independent thinking, and nurtures both your academic and personal journey, UEF is the right choice. Here, learning happens without pressure but with purpose. You are trusted, supported, and treated as an equal, by professors, staff, and peers.”
Looking ahead, Nisha aspires to join the research field and pursue a PhD, possibly while working. “I am deeply motivated to contribute to educational research and practice, and I see this path as a meaningful way to combine academic growth with real-world impact. Later, I wish to bring back these experiences to my home country, Sri Lanka, as a well-established educator from Finland.”
“In a nutshell, I would say that education is not merely about degrees and achievements; it is a journey of becoming, growing roots, building confidence, and discovering oneself, even in a new land.”
