So now I’m supposed to write something intelligent after making it all the way into the mainstream media—a sector I may have occasionally criticized in the past. “No pressure,” the editor-in-chief remarked.
I am Juha-Matti Kinnunen, a 37-year-old practical nursing student. My studies brought me to Kuopio. I began my practical nursing studies in Lieksa in the autumn of 2024, and my educational journey eventually led me to the heart of Savo.
First of all, I want to admit something about myself: for a critic like me, it is almost impossible to accept the idea that nothing could possibly be improved. For that reason, Kuopio can sometimes be a slightly frustrating city. The more comfortable I become here, the more I start thinking about how good things could be made even better.
Since I have already earned a reputation as a critic, it seems appropriate to find something in this city that could be improved as well. Before that, however, credit must be given where credit is due.
A city surrounded by lakes has inspired me to take up fishing, hiking, and spending time in nature in an entirely new way.
I simply cannot help praising this city. There is something in Kuopio that I always felt was missing when I lived in Joensuu. Surrounded by lakes, the city has encouraged me to rediscover fishing, hiking, and outdoor activities. You can get almost anywhere by bus, and owning a car is not a necessity.
It was quite different in North Karelia, where everyday life—and often even employment—requires owning a car. Public transportation does not serve people in the same way, and reaching the region’s beautiful natural destinations is difficult without your own vehicle.
There is, however, one thing from North Karelia that has stayed with me.
I cannot help but miss the municipality of Eno, its village association, and the wonderful people who welcomed me there. They offered meaningful activities, a sense of community, and the opportunity to be a full and valued member of the local community.
In my view, this is also where Kuopio has room for improvement. The city functions well, services are readily available, and getting around is easy, but new residents are largely left to find their communities on their own.
The City of Kuopio should take greater responsibility for ensuring that people have opportunities to connect with the sense of community offered by neighborhood and village associations. This also means supporting such activities consistently over the long term and recognizing them as an important part of helping new residents become attached to their hometown.
Based on my own experience, neighborhood and village associations could play a much larger role in helping new Kuopio residents find their place in the city. Moving to a new town is not just about finding housing and a place to study—it is also about putting down roots and feeling that you belong somewhere.
Kuopio has given me many opportunities. It has helped me rediscover nature, become more active, and experience a city where everyday life can function without owning a car.
Still, if there is one thing I would like to bring here from Eno, it would be a stronger sense of local community. A city works well when its services function efficiently. It only begins to feel like home when someone invites you to be part of it.