From exchange student to international marketing specialist, Ann’s ICE journey in Finland shaped her skills, built lasting friendships, and launched her career. Through intercultural communication, internships, and hands-on experience, she learned to navigate global markets and thrive in diverse teams.
When Ann Dänner first came to Finland in 2018 as an exchange student from Germany, she didn’t expect the experience to leave such a lasting impression. “Everything about Finland just really caught my attention and never really left my mind,” she recalls.
Back then, Ann was studying Media and Communication Science in Germany, but the University of Helsinki planted a seed. So when it came time to pursue a master’s degree, the Intercultural Encounters (ICE) programme felt like a natural choice.
“I’ve always been super interested in anything related to intercultural communication and studying internationally,” Ann says. Since she already knew she liked the university, and that the ICE allowed her to study in intercultural communication, Ann was excited to begin her studies.
Embracing Finland
One of the things that struck Ann most during her exchange, and later as a master’s student, was the cultural difference in how people relate to each other.
“I’m always so amazed about the kind of flat hierarchies here,” she says. “In Germany, university culture still follows a lot of formalities and hierarchies. Here in Finland, everything more like a family. Courses were really fun, and people took their time for certain things. It’s this Finnish mindset that I really enjoyed.”
That openness also encouraged her to learn Finnish.
“I think it has given me a lot of possibilities and advantages in building a career, making the hard work of learning the language pay itself off,” Ann says. “I took all the possible Finnish courses at the university, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to stay here. Also, dare to make mistakes when speaking Finnish.”
Today, Ann works in a Finnish company where English is the working language, but Finnish is used in more informal settings. “If we go for lunch, we sometimes switch to Finnish. It’s good practice and makes you feel more integrated,” she explains.
Skills for an International Career
Ann highlights that ICE helped her develop both soft and technical skills. She highlights skills such as communication, listening, writing, and research.“
Her career path demonstrates how those skills translate into the workplace.
Today, Ann works as a Content and Digital Marketing Specialist for a Finnish MedTech company. “I, for instance, create content for the website and social media, and because we operate in more than 50 markets worldwide, I always think about the interculturality of things,” Ann says. “How do you reach your diverse target groups effectively? How do you localize content? Being able to work so internationally is something I really, really enjoy.”
Making the Most of Opportunities
During her studies, Ann also worked as a student ambassador and later as a trainee in the university’s marketing and recruitment team. That was the first step for me to apply and further develop my marketing skills in Finland, she says.
Ann describes creating content, doing Instagram takeovers, writing blogs, and seeing behind the scenes of how programmes are promoted. She believes this opportunity helped her get her foot in the door in Finland.
That experience led her to an international traineeship at Business Finland, where she worked with Visit Finland on global influential marketing projects. “I never would have thought I’d get such an inspiring opportunity to start my career in Finland, but it’s really possible. You just have to be active and take advantage of the opportunities the university offers.”
Community and Lasting Friendships
Although she started her master’s during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ann still formed strong connections. “We became really good friends. One of my best friends from the programme is actually my neighbor today.”
That sense of community also shaped her personally. “We were doing exactly what we’re studying because we are all from different cultures,” she says. “I think that like kind of you’re not just learning a theory, but you’re actually practicing it while you’re in the classroom. I really appreciated having this international community with people who have different ways of thinking are super eager to discuss and challenge you.
Looking Back
For Ann, the multidisciplinarity and international classroom were what made ICE special. And her advice to future students? “ Be proactive, take the opportunities the university offers, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes, whether in learning Finnish or in trying something new. It all pays off.”