Wondering what it’s like to work in a land where Santa Claus lives, the Northern lights shine, and winter wonderland exists? We reached out to some of our employees who work in various positions throughout Lapland and asked them to share their experiences with us. This interview will give you insight into their typical workday, life in Lapland, and whether this type of adventure is something they would recommend to others.
If seasonal work in Lapland appeals to you, ensure you don’t miss an insider’s view of Lappish life and work.
Karol from Poland
Where do you currently work, and why did you choose to come to Lapland?
I am currently working in the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. I chose Finland because I have never been here before and enjoy exploring new places. Without this work opportunity, there was a slight chance I would come to this Nordic country
How did you learn about Barona and the job opportunities we offer?
A friend who enjoyed working for Barona recommended the agency to me.
What did you know about the country before moving to Finland? What encouraged you to come here?
I knew little about Finland but wanted to learn more about this beautiful country. Do Moomins and Santa Claus even count as knowledge about Finland?
What surprised you after you arrived in Lapland?
The hospitality and kindness of the Finnish people surprised me, as well as how they live and spend their free time.
What was your biggest challenge when you started working in the Finnish Lapland?
Nothing seemed particularly difficult to me. At first, I wasn’t sure how I would cope, but there was no need to worry. Finns speak fluent English, so there weren’t any communication problems.
How would you describe living and working in Lapland?
Working in Lapland is a pure pleasure. The Finnish work culture and ethics are top-notch. The country is very well organized from all points of view. Working here is stress-free – everyone is equal and polite, and no one looks down on you. Finns are calm, kind, constant, and incredibly helpful. Finland is the seventh country I have worked in. I must admit that I like it best regarding earning possibilities and my mental well-being.
In Finland, there is no nepotism, sneaky behavior, gossip, or aggression. Finns don’t judge you based on who you are or where you come from. They are peaceful people, and nobody interferes in other people’s lives.
What is the atmosphere inside your team?
I’m adjusting smoothly to my new workplace. I work in a multinational team and have many friends I get along with very well.
Have you had the chance to experience typical Finnish activities, such as the sauna or dog sledding? Or have you seen the Northern Lights? What has been your most memorable experience?
I’ve seen the Northern Lights, and they were spectacular. I’ve tried reindeer sledding, which was an exciting and unforgettable experience.
I use the sauna four times a week and “bathe” in the snow instead of a cold shower. You get used to it the second time, and frankly, I can’t imagine my life without the sauna.
Lapland is generally known for its harsh climate and weather. Can you tell us about the weather and how you experienced it?
As for the weather and temperature, it is freezing. At -25°C, long thermal underwear is a must. I wear it every time I leave the house. Good quality warm shoes, gloves, and winter clothes are essential. The homes are very warm and comfortable.
Snow starts in November, and there’s a lot of it, so if you like winter, it won’t be a problem. The temperature so far has always been below zero. It’s usually -10°C, but there have been days when it’s been -25°C for several days.
How has Barona helped you in your journey in Lapland?
Barona is in a class of its own. It offers top-quality service and helps incoming foreigners with everything that may be challenging, from finding a job to helping with tax formalities. Barona is very professional in its customer approach and guarantees error-free, on-time salary payments. I’m genuinely impressed.
I wholeheartedly recommend working with Barona. I’m satisfied, and that’s what it’s all about!!!
Agnieszka from Poland
Where do you currently work, and why did you choose to start working in Lapland?
I now work in the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. It’s my second season here. I applied for this job last year because I was curious about this country.
How did you learn about Barona and the job opportunities we offer?
I was just looking for a seasonal job. If I remember correctly, I saw Barona’s job advertisement online and applied for it.
What did you know about the country before moving to Finland? What encouraged you to come here?
I didn’t actually know that much about Finland. But during the recruitment process, I started searching for more information. For me, small population size is the most significant advantage ;).
What surprised you after you arrived in Lapland?
The total calmness.
What was your biggest challenge when you started working in the Finnish Lapland?
It wasn’t my first stay in a foreign country, so I cannot say I faced severe difficulties. But if I must think about a challenge, then learning Finnish comes to mind.
How would you describe living and working in Lapland?
I enjoy working and living here very much. I don’t feel like I’m at work because the atmosphere is nice and friendly. Life here is very peaceful.
What is the atmosphere inside your team?
My team is multinational, but we find common ground despite the differences. And I’ve met interesting people here.
Have you had the chance to experience typical Finnish activities, such as the sauna or dog sledding? Or have you seen the Northern Lights? What has been your most memorable experience?
I have tried a few activities, but I’m not a big sauna fan. However, the Northern Lights are frequent and beautiful
Lapland is generally known for its harsh climate and weather. Can you tell us about the weather and how you experienced it?
The cold is not extreme, but winters are long. Last season, I started winter swimming here, which I’m keen on continuing this year. I highly recommend this type of activity. The only advice I can give is to equip yourself with good, warm clothes and take plenty of vitamin D over the summer to compensate for the lack of sunlight during wintertime ;).
How has Barona helped you in your journey in Lapland?
From the start, I was in constant contact with Kirsi, a dedicated Barona consultant, who was always happy to help, not only in job-related matters.
Anna from Poland, working in Santa Claus Village in Rovaniem
Where do you currently work, and why did you choose to come to Lapland?
Currently, I work in Rovaniemi in the Santa Claus Village, I clean hotel houses, and I am a supervisor. I came across a job offer here by complete accident.
I was thinking more about going to Sweden or Norway. Still, looking through the available foreign offers, I came across the one with Rovaniemi. Finland was guaranteed jobs throughout the winter season.
How did you learn about Barona and the job opportunities we offer?
I found out about Barona while looking for a job in the north of Europe. A career in a hotel in Rovaniemi was an offer presented on one of the popular websites for people looking for employment.
What did you know about the country before moving to Finland? What encouraged you to come here?
Before leaving for Finland, I had some information about this country and watched vlogs of people living here. But in the beginning, I didn’t think about coming here.
What surprised you after you arrived in Lapland?
I was surprised that reindeer are not that big, more like donkeys :D. I was also surprised that people are very welcoming even though they live so far north.
Even strangers in the shop or on the street sometimes want to talk and smile sincerely. And that the -15 °C frost feels light after a while. Only below -20 °C, we say that it is cold.
I also thought that Rovaniemi was a small town, but it’s pretty big – 65,000 inhabitants, with restaurants, pubs, and clubs.
Being a vegan, I wasn’t sure if I would have a larger selection of vegetables and fruits in such a place. But it quickly turned out that you can find even more exotic products here, such as dragon fruit.
What was your biggest challenge when you started working in the Finnish Lapland?
Just paperwork, I guess. Because here, you must report to several places after your arrival, such as the tax office. And all these formal things have always been a nightmare for me. Luckily, Kirsi – Barona’s consultant – helped me along the way.
How would you describe living and working in Lapland?
Life in Finland is safe. You can walk without fear even late at night, leave your car unlocked or leave your handbag unattended for some time. If you arrive a little before winter starts, you will naturally get used to the short days and the cold. It is convenient to travel by car because there is not much traffic here, and even snowy roads are not a problem. Knowing only English, we can arrange everything and communicate.
What is the atmosphere inside your team?
This is my second season, so people on the team have changed. Our team was a fantastic group. We all quickly became good friends and spent time together at work and outside of it. Everyone was always accommodating and kind to each other.
Have you had the chance to experience typical Finnish activities, such as the sauna or dog sledding? Or have you seen the Northern Lights? What has been your most memorable experience?
I try to take advantage of the opportunities offered by Finland. I saw the Northern Lights, and I’ve been dog sledding, snowmobiling, swimming in a hole carved in the river, sauna, jumping into the snow, and bonfires at -20 °C. In the evenings, we go snowboarding on the nearby slope, and this year I even started learning Finnish at the local school.
Lapland is generally known for its harsh climate and weather. Can you tell us about the weather and how you experienced it?
I am a person who likes both freezing and hot climates. So, I quickly got used to the cold. In severe frosts, I’m still working in sneakers and a T-shirt. But during free time, snowboarding or walking, I recommend warm shoes, a jacket and, above all, gloves. And dress in layers. But really, because the air is drier here, you don’t feel the cold as much. For the cold, there are additional insoles for warming shoes or hands.
How has Barona helped you in your journey in Lapland?
Barona helped with all matters related to taking up work here. They picked us up from the airport, and everything was already organized. In case of any problems, I know I can count on them. Plus, if I had any questions about staying here and working here, I could always ask. Even if you ask for help in, for example, a tax office, people from Barona are happy to accompany you to solve any problem. I really recommend it!