Insights into International Affairs and Trade: My Internship at FinnCham
As my internship as an International Affairs and Trade Intern at the Finland Chamber of Commerce in Helsinki comes to an end, I look back on this period with deep gratitude for an instructive and enriching experience. During my internship, I have been involved in the coordination, organization, and development of the FinnCham network through events, communications, and marketing activities. Above all, I have had the privilege of gaining a first-hand perspective on how the FinnCham network operates as a vital backbone in supporting Finnish companies seeking to expand internationally.
In practice, my responsibilities have included compiling the monthly FinnCham newsletter, which highlights upcoming and recent events, business opportunity articles, and interviews with ambassadors as well as FinnCham partners and Business Associations. I also had the opportunity to interview company representatives at the Journey to Hong Kong – Grow and Succeed and the Lunar New Year Reception 2026 – Year of the Fire Horse, the flagship event of the Finland–Hong Kong Business Association, held on 11 February 2026.
The FinnCham network operates in close cooperation with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Team Finland, and the 19 regional Chambers of Commerce across Finland. Together, we have organized events on a weekly basis. One of the most recent was EU–Mercosur Free Trade Agreement – Business for Finnish Companies, a seminar focusing on the EU–Mercosur FTA, which will be provisionally applied starting from the 1st of May 2026. We have also worked closely with embassies in Helsinki and Finnish embassies abroad, engaging in discussions on business opportunities both in Finland and internationally. In March, together with the Embassy of Egypt in Helsinki and the Africa Business Network, we organized the event Roadmap to Egypt, offering companies interested in entering the Egyptian market an opportunity to present their work and connect with key partners.
Meeting the Ambassador of Tunisia to Finland, H.E. Mrs Nabiha Hajjaji Ep Haj Ali, with the Africa Business Network in January 2026.
In addition, I have been responsible for the cooperation of the Finnish-American Chambers of Commerce (FACCs) in the United States, organizing joint events to strengthen bilateral relations and support business expansion between Finland and the U.S. Earlier this year, the Finland Chamber of Commerce published the Overview of the USA 2026, which I had the opportunity to work on together with the International Affairs team. Most recently, we have been preparing an Overview of Estonia, scheduled for publication on the Finland Chamber of Commerce website in May 2026.
Overall, my internship has further deepened my understanding of the importance of bilateral relations, particularly in today’s global context. Being involved in these events and witnessing the strengthening of Finland’s international partnerships has been especially inspiring. I am confident that the insights and experiences gained during my time at FinnCham will continue to shape my interests and aspirations within the field of international affairs.
Finally, I would like to thank the International Affairs and Trade team, the personnel of the Finland Chamber of Commerce, the Helsinki Regional Chamber of Commerce for financing the internship, as well as all collaborators for these inspiring and rewarding six months of cooperation. Kiitos!
Jenni Tiainen