Last modified 15.3.2011 at 13:20

Practical training is the best part of studies

Text and photos: Anni Jyrinki

Two Chinese students of the Degree Programme in International Business are enjoying their practical training in a recently founded company.

Mikfast Ltd was founded only couple of months ago. With CEO Mikko Juntunen (in the middle) this company offers a job to Liang Jee (left) and Fu Yong.

Liang Jie came to Finland ten years ago. She already had a commercial degree and a good job in China. Then Liang fell in love with a man from Finland.

– I thought that I would manage to get a job here. But unfortunately that wasn’t the case, Liang says now.

– Finnish employers don’t appreciate a foreign degree. I had to start my own business. I imported things from China to Finland. This business was successful but it ruined my marriage.

These reasons made Liang start studying again. She studies now in the Degree Programme in International Business. Liang has studied now for three years. At the moment she is having her practical training in Mikfast Ltd.

Great opportunity to trainees

Mikfast Ltd is actually now a really new company. It has been working only for a couple of months. Founder of Mikfast Ltd is Mikko Juntunen. He has now two employees: Liang and Fu Yong. Fu is also from China and studies in the Degree Programme in International Business, too.

Even though Liang and Fu are trainees in Mikfast Ltd, they work there as they were hired employees.

– Mikfast Ltd is a specialist organisation. Our niche is to be a link between Finnish and foreign companies, Mikko Juntunen tells about their business idea.

– We are concentrated on improving Finnish companies’ trade values in international market. We offer our services especially to technology and mechanics industry.

Liang works now as Asian sales leader and Fu’s title is Special area expert.

– This company is a very instructive place to work, Liang and Fu nod together.

– It’s so wonderful to learn how a recently founded company develops its business activity.

Liang Jie came to Finland ten years ago. To get a proper job here she needs a Finnish degree, even though she has a degree from China.

Compliments and criticism

Liang and Fu seem to think that practical training is the best part of their studies. Otherwise Oulu University of Applied Science is, in their words, okay. There are only few things that don’t work so well.

– Relations between the School and working life should definitely be improved, Liang points out.

– It would be educational and intensive to have guest lecturers from real business life, Fu continues.

Most of their student friends are Finnish. Studying with them turns out well. Fu is just a little surprised how quiet the other students are.

– Maybe they just are shy to speak English. That’s weird because all of our courses are in English.

– Finnish teachers are nicer and more relaxed than in China. Their way to teach and School’s work tools, like computers, are the highlight of our degree programme, Liang and Fu cite together.