Joining Petra in this episode is a Finnish-American named Matthew (or in Finnish Matti) who moved from New Jersey to Finland in 2019.

Matti received Finnish citizenship through his grandmother’s descent when he was a child, and moved to Finland in 2019 to complete a year of military service. During this time, Matti learned more about his own leadership abilities and his family’s culture. His unconventional time in the military was transformed when the COVID-19 pandemic began, complicating the normally by-the-book operations of the Finnish military.

To hear more about Matti’s time in the army, give this episode a listen. Be sure to check out the links section below for more information about the Finnish military. Tune in next week to hear more about Matti’s life in Finland, and for a sneak peek at his recent book!

Links:

Finnish Defence Forces Conscription Information

Training and Career Opportunities in the Finnish Defence Forces

Coronavirus FAQ For Finnish Defence Forces

Westside Barbell Audio Articles 03 - No Body Said It Would Be Easy