When Jorge Fuentes first arrived in Helsinki 8 years ago for his job interview, the city felt starkly different from the places he had lived before.

“It was cold, but the city was so clean. My friend was living in Espoo, a city near Helsinki, so at first, we travelled there,” he recalls.

Though the trees were still bare, Jorge could sense the potential: the natural beauty, abundant green spaces, and, most of all, the sea. Growing up near the bay in Matanzas, Cuba, Jorge felt Helsinki reminded him of something familiar.

“Being close to the sea again felt like home,” he says. “It’s something I missed when I lived in Belgrade for a while, and it’s one of the first things I fell in love with here.”

Even now, with his busy schedule, Jorge cherishes moments by the sea, often walking along the Ruoholahti Canal or near Kaivopuisto, one of the oldest and most popular parks in the city.

Zalando – a mix of talent and play

Jorge’s life in Helsinki began with a role at Zalando, where he quickly found his place in the company’s diverse and welcoming work environment. Over the years, working as a Principal Software Engineer introduced him to colleagues from around who live in Helsinki.

“It’s always been such a fun and collaborative atmosphere,” he shares. “Everyone speaks English, and the culture is inclusive – you feel like you’re welcomed from day one.”

Zalando’s Helsinki office, with its mix of international talent and a relaxed vibe, reflects the city’s broader ethos of openness and community. Jorge remembers the work activities that helped him connect with coworkers early on, from pool and table football tournaments to gaming sessions. 

Keeping busy with activities year around

But outside of work, Jorge stays active year-round with a range of hobbies he’s picked up since moving to Finland. In the summer, he’s an avid cyclist, often exploring Helsinki’s bike-friendly paths. He’s also become a regular in a local American-style baseball league, a niche but thriving sport in Finland. 

Coming from Cuba, swimming is close to Jorge’s heart, but only when it’s not too cold. He describes a Scandinavian style hot tub called palju in Finnish. 

“I know cold swimming is a thing here, but I’m not a fan of that. But instead, I enjoy hot tubs when you’re in a wooden barrel filled with hot water and surrounded by snow.”

When autumn rolls around, Jorge switches to running and a newly found hobby, frisbee golf.

“Frisbee golf is something I never thought I’d enjoy, but it’s become one of my favorite pastimes here,” he laughs. “It’s such a uniquely Finnish activity.”

An accidental love story

But Helsinki didn’t just shape Jorge’s professional and personal passions, it also introduced him to love. Jorge and his now wife both happened to be viewing the same apartment, and while Jorge ended up securing the rental, it was his wife who got the last laugh.

“She moved in with me later, so she got a fully furnished apartment ready including a boyfriend!” he jokes.

Maybe the love story is an embodiment of why Jorge has found happiness in Helsinki. In his own words “It’s a place where people are free from constraints of language or origin.”

Stroll along the Ruoholahti Canal or visit one of the oldest parks in Helsinki at Kaivopuisto by the sea.  Explore the city’s cycling routes and try a round of frisbee golf. After that, have a cup of coffee at a café like Cafferino Oba, and you might just run into someone completely new.