Melis stood by the kitchen window, looking out over the snowy bay. Night had fallen silently, as if the universe had stopped time, and her heart pounded with uncertainty. She took a deep breath, but this new and strange feeling remained in his mind. She felt as if a cold air had invaded her, and unanswerable questions appeared in her mind: why had they been brought here, away from all that was familiar?

When Melis and her family moved to Finland from Turkey five years ago, she never imagined that life could be so different. Her days in Turkey were full of hustle and bustle, life and sounds. Here, everything was different; Laajalahti on the edge of Espoo was like a quiet, snowy dream that separated her from everything else. Although she felt stuck, only the strong winds and snowfalls reminded her that life went on.

Melis’s husband, who left behind a long and successful academic career, brought his family to this strange world. She felt insecure. The nights were long and dark, giving them time to think; perhaps too much. Every time 16-year-old Sezgin tried to swallow his tears, a knife would get stuck in her heart. His 8-year-old brother Kerim missed his friends in Turkey, and school was particularly difficult for him. Loneliness weighed heavily on his heart and he often sat in the schoolyard watching other children play. The language that circled around him now seemed distant, like an echo.

One night, Melis decided they had to find a way to connect to this new life. She started organising events for the family. Together they began to explore their surroundings: the playgrounds, the lakeside and local events. Melis and her husband began volunteering in a variety of fields. She then continued to volunteer independently, focusing on supporting children and young people. She also began participating in events in the area, at the library, city and university. Melis realised that she was not alone.
Melis looked out her kitchen window and saw the express train number 15 passing peacefully over the snow-covered streets. It felt like a message from a city full of possibilities. The speedway was carrying people towards new dreams and adventures, and Melis felt it could also carry their family towards a new life. The opening of the new express line had brought a sense of hope and mobility that had seemed so distant before.

The new rapid transit line, which opened recently, was intended to make it easier for families to move around Espoo. Melis and the children welcomed the opportunity to hop on the express tram and travel around the city. They saw new places, met new people and started to feel more a part of this strange country. Sezgin and Kerim had smiles on their faces as they made friends on the ride. This new connection to the city gave them a strong bond in their new life.

In addition, the Laajalahti library opened its doors at the same time. Melis was thrilled when she first heard about it. Far from their familiar surroundings, this new place seemed like a goldmine in their midst. She took the children to the library, where they received a warm welcome. Kerim immediately found the children’s section, where he could dive into the world of adventure books. Sezgin decided to join the youth group, where they organised musical events and other activities. The library became an important place in their lives to connect and learn.

Melis’s husband started his studies at Laurea University of Applied Sciences, where education combined theory with practice and laid the foundations for future dreams. The opportunities and supportive environment at Laurea UAS gave them hope and strength. Melis, inspired by her husband’s studies, also decided to apply to study social work, where she could deepen her knowledge and learn new skills. She felt like a new life was beginning, a new path was opening up. Studying at Laurea gave her strength and she decided it was time for her children to find their own place.

Slowly, the children began to get used to their new environment. Kerim found a friend who was equally passionate about football. After an hour together, laughter began to fill Kerim’s heart again. Sezgin, on the other hand, found a new passion for music and joined a local music group, where friendships were formed and he was encouraged by his achievements.

The fire of hope shone in Melis’s heart. Initially lost, the family slowly began to find their roots in this new and cold land. The streets of Laajalahti, which felt more like a stranger than an echo of the past, began to take shape as a home. New opportunities opened up for the Melis’s family, and their bonds with each other grew stronger.
Melis closed her eyes and listened to the children’s laughter in the kitchen. She felt that this new life, this new story, was just beginning. The future was still uncertain, but full of dreams and possibilities. There was more to Laajalahti, on the border with Espoo, than they had imagined. Melis was ready to face all the difficulties and adventures life would bring her.

This text is linked to the writing event organised by the European PIONEER University Alliance in autumn 2024, where people of all walks of life were invited to write about their experiences, thoughts and views on PIONEER university campus cities. Laurea is part of the PIONEER Alliance and its campus cities are Espoo, Vantaa, Hyvinkää, Porvoo and Lohja.