The Nordic Student Network connects Finnish-American college students with the mentorship, professional networks, and career opportunities needed to explore and build a meaningful connection to Finland and Finnish companies — whether that means an internship in Finland or with a Finnish company right here in the Bay Area.
NSN is launching its pilot cohort in the 2026–2027 academic year under the Finlandia Foundation SF Bay Area Chapter.
OUR MISSION
- We’re building a community centered on shared heritage by giving students the support and connections to explore what building a career with a Finnish company might actually look like.
- Many Finnish-Americans grow up with a strong sense of Finnish identity, but little structured, professional way to act on it. NSN exists to close that gap through pairing students with mentors who can speak to both the immediate transition into a career and the longer-term path toward Finland-connected opportunities. Finnish companies benefit too: NSN broadens the talent pipeline in both directions, giving employers access to candidates – and to those candidates’ American professional networks – they’d be unlikely to reach otherwise.
HOW IT WORKS
- Recent Graduate Mentors — Speaks directly to the experience of moving from university into a professional setting — resume feedback, interview prep, and what the early career actually feels like.
- Senior Professional Mentors — Offers broader industry perspective, reviews application materials, and makes direct introductions within the Finnish business community.
- Mentees — A Finnish-American student ready to explore what a career connection to Finland — in Helsinki or right here at home — could look like.
WHO IT'S FOR
- high school students
- college students
- recent graduates — clarify eligibility at a glance
GET INVOLVED
For students
For mentors
For companies
Contact us for collaboration opportunities.
UPCOMING EVENTS
NSN Launch
Join us on Friday, August 7th at 6:30pm as we officially launch the Nordic Student Network (NSN) — a mentorship and career program connecting Finnish-American college students with professional opportunities in Finland and Finnish companies.
The evening will feature a panel of Finnish and Finnish-American voices sharing their own career journeys, followed by light refreshments and time to connect with the community.
Event details:
Time: Friday, August 7th at 6:30pm
Place: Nordic Innovation House, 470 Ramona Street, Palo Alto
Sign up here