“I achieved my academic goals in Finland”
From a young age, Gomathy Chakkaradhari wanted to aim high in her academic career. Consequently, when she completed her Master’s degree in General Chemistry at the University of Madras in India, she knew that there was still more for her to achieve in academia.
Following her graduation, Chakkaradhari worked almost five years as a researcher in chemistry before she started to explore study opportunities outside India.
“I looked into many European universities and read about their programmes, but it was the University of Eastern Finland (UEF) that stood out to me the most”, she reminisces.
“Not only did UEF have the most interesting international Master’s programme for Research Chemists, it also offered students the chance to continue their studies at the doctoral level. On top of all that, I had heard that Finland has a great education system. So, I decided to apply.”
It was 2012 when Chakkaradhari was accepted to UEF and moved to the city of Joensuu in Eastern Finland. Seven years later, she had both a Master’s degree and a PhD in the field of chemistry research.
Since 2022, Chakkaradhari has worked at the global materials technology and recycling group Umicore. She is the R&D Manager at the company’s facility located in the Kokkola Industrial Park in Central Ostrobothnia. The area is known as Northern Europe’s largest ecosystem of inorganic chemical industry. There, Umicore produces different battery materials.
“My main responsibility is researching and analysing the battery materials that we produce. I am happy to work in such an inspiring field and be part of the Umicore family – our team is truly amazing”, Chakkaradhari smiles.
Compared to when she first started working at Umicore, the personnel at the Kokkola unit has become increasingly international.
“I have noticed the same change in other companies in the region, too.”
Chakkaradhari commutes to Kokkola from Oulu, a city further up north where she moved to after her graduation. Since Oulu is a much larger city than Joensuu, she now meets other immigrants more often.
“In Oulu, I have come across many people who are from the same area in South India as I am. Although I can follow conversations in Finnish to some extent nowadays and many people here speak English, it is still nice that I get to use my native language Tamil as well.”
Despite having moved to a new city, Joensuu is still like a home to Chakkaradhari.
“It is where I achieved my academic goals and became a mother of two”, she says.
Now that I have achieved my dreams in academia, I am looking forward to developing my career here in Finland
In 2024, Chakkaradhari gained Finnish citizenship. Having lived in Finland for over a decade, she has found many things to appreciate.
“Lifestyles in India and here are quite different – I enjoy the much more peaceful and relaxed way of life in Finland. This is also a safe country where you can let your kids play outside by themselves.”
Additionally, Chakkaradhari mentions how impressive she finds the Finnish education system that offers equal opportunities for all.
“Although everything is possible in India, not everyone there can afford high-quality education. For me, studying in Finland as an international student was completely free since I got a scholarship for my Master’s and doctoral funding”, she notes.
It was September when Chakkaradhari arrived in Finland for the first time. Regardless of having missed her connecting flight from Helsinki to Joensuu, she was pleased with the warm welcome she received from the customer servant at the airport.
“She helped me book a taxi and find my lost luggage. I got a really good first impression of the country.”
When it came to the weather, the welcome was not as warm.
“I did expect the weather to be cold, but not that cold! It was quite the change compared to South India. Nevertheless, I have grown to like winter over the years”, Chakkaradhari laughs.
Although Chakkaradhari enjoys her life in the north, she still misses her family that lives in India and the local food. However, by learning to cook Indian dishes using the ingredients available in Finland, she has been able to enjoy her favourite foods in her new home country as well.
When asked about the future, Chakkaradhari answers:
“Now that I have achieved my dreams in academia, I am looking forward to developing my career here in Finland.”
