A life-changing move to the other side of the world
If someone had told Angelo Villasanta a year ago that he would move to Finland from the Philippines for an ICT job, he wouldn’t have believed it. Now he has a fulfilling working life, a nice community of friends and a plan to build his life in Turku for the long term.
How does a software developer from the Philippines end up moving to Finland?
My dad is also an ICT professional, and we had our own ICT startup back home. Just before we were ready to put our first product to the market, covid hit and everything shut down. We needed another plan for our careers. My dad started to look for work and found us both an opportunity to work for Teleste in Finland.
How did it feel to move to the other side of the world?
Daunting but very exciting as well. Taking yourself out of your comfort zone is very difficult for anyone. At the same time, I was excited because it was a new country and a chance to learn more about myself.
What does Teleste do?
We help people manage their everyday lives. Our technology makes it possible for people to connect to the internet or to cable channels both at home and in the office. We also have systems that guide people’s use of public transport and secure their safety in public places.
What is your role as a Software Designer at Teleste?
I am part of the Research and Development Team, and I work on the core technology of Teleste’s products. My work can be bug fixing, developing new features, or building automated testing for our products.
Why are you so excited over your job?
What I do here impacts people’s lives. Also, it is rare for an ICT professional to get a chance to work on the core technology. It’s like building the engine of a car rather than just putting the side mirrors on.
How is the working atmosphere at Teleste?
Teleste is a democratic and open company, and people are very helpful. We have had a lot of guidance, but at the same time, they have allowed us to solve things the way we think best. They have also wanted to learn things from us.
How did Teleste help you with moving to Finland?
Teleste was very generous in getting us here. From helping us clear all the documents we needed, from our flights to our transportation, and helping us familiarise ourselves with Turku, they were with us every step of the way.
What do you think about living here?
I like the fact that things work. I don’t need a car to get around the city of Turku because public transportation works so well. I like expanding my horizons when it comes to food. I really like the bread, cheese, and meat you get here. I have also been excited to see snow for the first time in my life.
How do you spend your free time in Turku?
I go to two game shops every week to play a card game called Magic the Gathering. It is a good way to socialise and make friends. I think the local community has been amazing with accepting new people in.
What do you think about your career prospects at Teleste?
I am excited, because a lot of the people I work with here have been with the company for a long time. That doesn’t happen by accident, and I would love to see that for myself as well. It would be great if I could eventually manage my own team, and really grow as an ICT professional here in Finland.
What do you see in the future?
Moving to Finland has been life-changing, and it changes the way I view my future. I would like to grow as a person, and learn more about myself, the city, and the country that I now live in. If there is one thing I know, it is that I want to have my own life here as well. For the long term.
🡪 Read Teleste’s comments on hiring international talents from the Philippines here.
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Text: Heidi Pelander
Video: Simo Ahtee