The last but not least stop on the trip was Helsinki! We visited two businesses in Helsinki which provided us with information about immigration and innovation in Helsinki. Business Helsinki is located in the heart of the city and specializes in business development. They offer services in R&D, connections with investors, and hold events to promote entrepreneurship. One of the members was an American, Issac Garfunkel, and offered an interesting POV of moving to Helsinki. Many students were intrigued how the adjustment to Finish culture was as well as how opportunities may differ from those in America for young entrepreneurs.
In addition, we visited the Life Science Center in Helsinki who are the inventors of Finland’s first 20-qubit quantum computer, LUMI. They are currently working on a 50-qubit quantum computer in collaboration with VTT and IQM Quantum Computers. We learned that Finland is an optimal place to store a quantum computer, with theirs located in Northern Finland where the weather is cold year-round. This weather helps disseminate the heat created by running the computer which is then routed to the nearby city of Kajaani to heat all the homes located in town. This economical and sustainable practice embodies the environmental awareness many people in Finland are conscientious of. Although the quantum computer is still in the early stages of development, many European countries are eagerly paying the associated fees to have access to this technology. The hope is to continue increasing the qubits or amount of information the computer can process in order to explore applications. This is not to replace supercomputers which can perform some tasks better than LUMI, but to assist in computations and problem solving of large magnitudes. We cannot wait to see what Helsinki Life Science Center will accomplish with LUMI in the near future!
During our free time in Helsinki, I visited two of the city’s most popular attractions: the Temppeliaukio Church and the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress. Each site offered a unique glimpse into Helsinki’s rich history and stunning architecture, making them must-see destinations for anyone visiting the Finnish capital.
The Temppeliaukio Church, also known as the Rock Church, is a testament to innovative design and the harmonious blending of natural elements with human creativity. Completed in 1969, this Lutheran church was designed by the Suomalainen brothers, Timo and Tuomo, who ingeniously integrated the structure into a solid rock outcrop in the Töölö neighborhood. From the outside, the church’s modest copper dome might not immediately suggest the architectural wonder within. However, stepping inside reveals a breathtaking space where rugged rock walls and a circular skylight create an atmosphere of serenity and awe. The natural rock provides excellent acoustics, making the church a popular venue for concerts. The interplay of natural light, reflected through the skylight onto the rough stone surfaces, creates a constantly changing ambiance, enhancing the spiritual experience for visitors.
A short ferry ride from Helsinki’s bustling harbor leads to the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site sprawled across six interconnected islands. Originally built by the Swedes in the mid-18th century to protect against Russian expansion, Suomenlinna (meaning “Castle of Finland”) has since played pivotal roles under Swedish, Russian, and Finnish rule.
Wandering through Suomenlinna is like stepping back in time. The fortress’s walls, tunnels, and cannons tell tales of its strategic military importance, while the surrounding parklands and seaside views offer a tranquil escape from the city’s pace. Key attractions within the fortress include the King’s Gate, the Great Courtyard, and several museums that delve into Suomenlinna’s military history and maritime heritage.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Suomenlinna is its ongoing role as a living community. About 800 residents call the fortress home, and the area boasts a vibrant mix of cafes, craft shops, and cultural events, blending historical significance with contemporary life.
Overall, this has been an incredible trip exploring historical sites as well as meeting international businesses. We are grateful for this opportunity and it has opened our eyes to foreign business and the potential of living abroad in Scandinavia.
