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My Career: From Start to Finnish

Genetics professor Craig appreciates much about living here

Get to know more about Craig via ResearchGateElmo Primmer

Craig Primmer, Australia. Professor of genetics

“When comparing salary level versus the cost of living, remember the ‘hidden’ perks included in life in Finland.”

  1. The reason I ended up in Finland is…
to live with my wife. I first moved to Sweden to do genetics research in 1993 with a one-year agreement and very soon met a nice Finnish girl. The rest, as they say, is history!

  1. What I find surprising about working in Finland is…
the total shutdown of the whole country from midsummer to the end of July when everyone takes a holiday.

  1. If I could change one thing about Finnish working life it would be…
getting people to not be quite as shy about talking to people they don’t know well.

  1. My best tips for surviving winter in Finland are…
don’t become a hermit! Get out and enjoy winter activities when the weather is good – meaning cold and snow or ice – and get good outdoor gear so you can get fresh air even when the weather is bad. For example, I am an avid all-weather cyclist.

  1. The piece of advice I would give to someone contemplating coming to work in Finland is… 
when comparing salary level versus the cost of living, remember the ‘hidden’ perks included in life in Finland like high-quality free schooling, healthcare and very affordable childcare, and also other aspects that don’t have a price tag like safety, the possibility of a short commute and living close to nature. I live four kilometres from downtown Helsinki and the closest fly-fishing location is 600 metres away!

Published on 19.11.2018