Can has explored new paths in tech and culture in Finland

It’s easy to see that Murat Can Özbaşaran values new challenges. After completing his bachelor’s degree in Turkey, he moved to Finland to pursue a master’s degree in sustainable and autonomous systems at the University of Vaasa, inspired by his professor’s experiences. Since arriving in the autumn of 2023, Can has kept busy. He has participated in two Demola innovation projects and is currently finalising a system-on-chip (SOC) traineeship at Nokia while working on his final thesis. He has also moved to Kauniainen, near Helsinki. After eight years in Istanbul and lengthy commutes, Can appreciates reaching his office in just 10 minutes.

Can’s curiosity extends beyond professional ambitions. He has been exploring the Helsinki capital region and set a winter goal of trying ice swimming and learning to ice skate with the help of a Finnish friend. With his positive outlook, living in the happiest country in the world, Can’s prospects are very good indeed. 

I did my bachelor’s degree in Turkey… and met a professor, a really visionary guy, who had done his master's degree and PhD at Aalto University [in Helsinki]. I worked with him on a few projects and made a publication together.

He often mentioned his old life in Finland; he was here for about eight years. That sparked my curiosity, and I applied [to study in Vaasa] after I graduated, and now, I am here.

There’s another strange story related to that. I’m from a small city in Turkey. My dad met a man there who was working as a doctor in Vaasa. I can’t even begin to calculate the probability of that happening, as Vaasa is a small city, too. When my dad told me, I thought he was joking. But I met him on my first day in Vaasa, and he helped me move. 

There are a lot of differences… studying in Finland compared to Turkey. I have a technical background, and the university where I studied in Turkey is well known for that field. They focus on engineering formation and how an engineer should be and [what an engineer] should know. 

When I came here to study, it was hard for the first time because I needed to get used to the system here. I feel that their job here is not to teach you something but to make you do it. They don’t just give you a lecture about being an engineer but give tasks that let you learn while doing. That’s the main difference. 

To use a metaphor, they’d use a book to teach you to swim in Turkey. They’d show you from the book that you should move your legs and arms this way. But here, they put you in a shallow pool and you learn by trying. 

It was much easier for me when I got used to the Finnish style, and now I like it. My personality is so that I want to do things by hand. 

One of my intentions when coming here… was to join something where I could prove myself. I like challenges. I learnt about Demola during my first semester here; they were doing a project in Vaasa for the first time. I thought, why not join it and try the competition environment in Finland, too? But it turned out it’s not a competition with others but with yourself and [about] learning how much you can improve.

On the first day, I wondered if I really wanted to join this. At the end of the second day, I said let’s try it. At the end of the first month, I was like, “Let's go and do this”. 

Demola is a collaborative environment. You work on a project with a team, primarily students and people you don’t know. You have a problem you work on, not really to solve it but to create an idea. There are no boundaries except the limits of your own creativity. 

The first time I joined a project, it allowed me to learn how things work. I wasn’t used to that kind of work culture, so I made a lot of mistakes. But the thing I like most about projects like Demola is that people accept you as you are. If they see that you are trying to learn and do better, they will give you a chance to do that. 

I joined the second time because I was thinking, ‘can I do something better than the first time’. Demola doesn’t tell you what you should do, they just guide you. The guidance is all about asking the right questions, and it’s the team’s duty to find the answers. It’s all about teamwork.

There are a lot of job openings… for summer trainees, but I was also lucky to get my current position at Nokia. I found it through networking. There was a position in my friend’s team [at Nokia]. I was chatting with him about my courses, and he said they were doing similar things. So, I applied to join, went through a few interviews and was accepted. 

I’ll finish my six-month traineeship soon, but then I’ll continue for another six months as a thesis worker. 

Many of my university friends ask about opportunities here, and I’ve realised people assume [Finnish companies] need well-educated people. And they do, but you have to find and grab the opportunities. Projects like Demola and hackathons are great for networking. It’s not easy to hire people, and at those events, companies can see how you work. 

There is a lot of investment in the chip industry… in Finland, for example, in Tampere. As far as I understand, Finland wants to be the knowhow creator. It’s hard to produce more chips, and Finland can’t compete in that, but Finland can compete with patents and knowhow and the quality of the chips. That’s how I see it.

Many of my friends ask about… the differences in the work culture. One interesting thing is that mistakes are seen as part of learning, and being open about them and working to fix them is really appreciated. 

I read a lot about Finland… before coming here. Everyone said that people here are introverts and it’s hard to make friends. So, what has surprised me the most is that Finns are incredibly open if you let them get close to you and get to know you. One of my closest friends now is a Finn.

I recommend the Helsinki capital region… to everyone. It’s a great place. There are a lot of people and opportunities, and there are always things happening. 

Kauniainen, where I live, is a calm, safe and wealthy area. It’s close to my work and [offers] easy access to the centre of Helsinki. I spent hours commuting when I lived in Istanbul, so taking half an hour to get to Helsinki feels like nothing to me.

I only moved here five months ago and have been discovering the capital area, attending concerts and spending time with friends. In my free time, I enjoy trying different cuisines and playing board games. In the winter, I want to try ice swimming and ice skating. My friend used to skate a lot in childhood, so she promised to teach me. 

I’m planning to stay in Finland… but it doesn’t only depend on me. I’m working on it and I’d like to stay, but I need to work to live here. What I like about here is that there is fair competition. [Companies] don’t care who I am but what I can do now and in future. They invest in you.