Episode 1: Bridging the language gap

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Eunice: Welcome to Journeys in bilingual nursing education, the podcast where voices from across culture and languages come together to share stories of growth, resilience and purpose. I’m your host Eunice, a trainee at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, and in each episode we explore the lived experiences of nursing students navigating a unique bilingual pathway where Finnish and English blend into rich journeys of becoming a nurse in a multicultural world. Before diving in today’s conversation, let me briefly introduce the bilingual nursing education model developed by Metropolia and Tampere University of Applied Sciences that is known as TOKASA. The model blends Finnish and English in both classroom and clinical training, helping students to gradually gain professional level Finnish by the time they graduate. Even if students begin with no Finnish skills, they learn the language functionally through real life practices, not just theory. The model emphasises collaboration between nursing and language teachers, uses authentic environments and supports each students with personalised language pathway. The goal is to prepare future nurses who can confidently work in Finnish healthcare, communicate across cultures and thrive in multilingual society. In this opening episode of Journeys in bilingual nursing education, we meet Naza, a second year nursing student whose journey began with uncertainty around language and evolving into a story of resilience and growth. Hello Naza.

Naza: Hi.

Eunice: It’s nice to have you here.

Naza: Thank you. I’m really excited.

Eunice: We will explore how bilingual nursing education shaped your communication skills, clinical confidence and personal identity. This episode is a deep dive into how language can go from being a challenge to becoming a tool for connection and care. As we begin today in our topic, can you briefly introduce yourself and your background before joining the bilingual nursing programme?

Naza: OK, yeah. So my name is Naza. You know that already. I am originally from Nigeria. Technically, this is my second bachelor’s degree. I have a previous degree in accounting, which is what I used to do back home when I was in Nigeria. And before I moved to Finland, I spoke two languages, English and my native language, which is Igbo. I had no knowledge of Finnish, not even how to say hi or hello in Finnish. This has been an interesting journey for me.

Eunice: What were your first impressions when you learned that the programme would be in both Finnish and English?

Naza: First impression, I was really excited because I really wanted to come study nursing in Finland. But I was also really worried about the language because I know to survive in working life as a nurse in Finland, you have to have good command of the Finnish language skills. So I knew I wanted to come here and study, but I didn’t know if I could get a good degree that could teach me the nursing skills and still afford me the ability to work when I graduate in Finnish. So when I figured out this was bilingual, so I was going to be learning in English and learning the Finnish part as well, it was like the perfect butter to my bread. It was really nice. It was exciting. So I instantly applied, and I crossed my fingers and toes and hoped I was going to get in. I was really happy about it because it’s perfect.

Eunice: It’s nice to hear that. What has been the most challenging part of studying in the bilingual environment?

Naza: The most challenging part for me would still be the language and having to apply it in working life because it is hard to learn a new language as an adult. And when we have to go for practices, because we have to go for practices all the time, and then when we have to go, you are pushed into the working life and you have to survive. So the good thing is that they give us the skills, they give us the tools to help us to survive. So it is all up to you on how you apply yourself. I’m a person that I am somewhat of a perfectionist. So I like to be absolutely sure of what I’m saying and be sure that it’s correct before I say it. So it kind of holds me back because sometimes I’m not sure, oh, is this the correct sentence, is this the correct word, is this the correct tense. So it kind of holds me back and stops me from speaking out when I have something to say. But it has also helped me to build my confidence because when you go there, you have to do it and you eventually learn that it’s all about communication, and as long as you understand what is being said to you and the other person understands what you’re saying, that’s what’s important, and the rest will come gradually with time.

Eunice: That’s true. I’m glad you mentioned that, taking steps, deliberate moves to speak the language, to put yourself out there and then the rest come. So thank you for sharing that. And moving forward, have there been moments where language helped you connect better with patients or colleagues?

Naza: Yes, absolutely, because I have done quite some practices with the elderly people and a lot of the older generation, they don’t speak a lot of English. They don’t understand a lot of English. So it helps me to help them better when I can speak their language, even if I am not yet fluent in it. I can get my point across. I can communicate with them. So it really helps me to connect with them better, and it helps to get better results for both me and them. And then for colleagues, the same thing. Sometimes it’s just nice to just feel like you’re one of them, feel like you belong with them. Just speak their language, join in on the conversation. It feels really nice, during the breaks at work, and then everyone is just sitting and speaking Finnish and drinking their coffee. And then you’re like, oh, yeah, yeah, and then you’re just following in on the conversation. That is really nice. Instead of just being left out because you are not understanding what they’re saying or you’re not able to contribute to the conversation because you don’t understand Finnish.

Eunice: That’s true. Thank you. Moving forward, what strategy helped you to improve? I mean, what strategy helped you improve your Finnish language skills while keeping with the nursing content in English?

Naza: First of all, the degree itself is my number one strategy because you learn the theory in English and then you learn the Finnish part of it just the same day or the next day. So it’s like you’re doing the two degrees at the same time. You’re getting a Finnish degree and you’re getting a nursing degree. It can be difficult and challenging at times, but it is very effective and it works. You just have to stick with the programme. And something else I do, one thing that people always tell you in Finland is like, listen to Finnish music. I can sing 15 different Finnish songs now, and I try to learn words from there. Then another thing, I’m not much of a reader. I don’t really like reading books and novels and stuff, but I do like books with pictures. So I go to the library and I get kids’ books. I remember my teacher once suggested sometime in my first semester, I think, she said, go get Aku Ankka from the library. And during my summer holiday, I went and I got Aku Ankka and I read it during the holiday. And I picked up quite a few words from there. So right now I’m reading the Disney fairy-tale stories. I’m currently reading Sleeping Beauty, I think. And when I read it, I’m reading all in Finnish and I pick up new words that I don’t understand because in school they are going to teach you the nursing part, but when you read books, you listen to music, you get to learn more about the everyday things and the spoken Finnish and all of that. And then it kind of just blends in together. So books, music, that’s my go to. And I try to speak with my friends as much as I can in Finnish as well.

Eunice: OK, that’s great. Thank you for sharing. Of course, I mean, these strategies are personal. This is your personal journey, and this is how you learn your Finnish skills and how you improve on them. I remember, it just reminded me of my own journey as a nursing student in this bilingual programme. Speaking Finnish is something that I was not even paying attention to. But when I came to this programme, I could see the necessity of it. So it was interesting, and I feel like learning the jargon for the profession is very important because then it helps us build the foundation when we go to work in the industry. And I mean, that’s the whole purpose of the model that it bridges the gap between academia and industry, so I really appreciate that you shared your strategy, and it’s something that would be helpful for someone.

Naza: Thanks.

Eunice: Were there any turning points where you started to feel more confident in both languages?

Naza: Yes, for me, that would be when I had my internal medicine practice. I was pushed into a hospital, first time in a hospital setting ever, but in Finnish and English, never been there. So I had to adapt. I had to adapt really quickly because it was a high paced environment. So I had to put in everything I had learned for a year, I had to put it into practice and it really helped. I would talk to my teachers about it and be like, oh, I’m worried about this and that. And they’re like, just do your best. You don’t have to be perfect. They know you’re trying, and that’s what’s important, the fact that you’re trying. So by the time I was done with that practice, I felt like my Finnish had gone from 20 percent to 70 percent in five weeks.

Eunice: Wow.

Naza: Yeah, so it really built my confidence.

Eunice: That’s nice. That’s amazing.

Naza: Yeah, exactly. So I felt like if I can get through that, I can get through anything in Finnish.

Eunice: Well said. How do you see your bilingual skills benefiting your future career in nursing?

Naza: Well, we’re in Finland, so obviously Finnish is your first language. OK, another thing is that Finland has a lot of aging population and a lot of that generation, they don’t speak a lot of English. So if you want to survive in nursing in Finland, you do need the Finnish skills because English alone is not going to get you very far because the instructions are in Finnish. The patients speak Finnish. You write your report in Finnish. You give your reports in Finnish. The systems are in Finnish. So learning all of that is going to help you really thrive, and it’s going to help your patients as well, because then you’re better at what you do if you understand what you’re doing in the language you’re supposed to be doing it. And it’s to help you to communicate and connect more with the patient. And it’s not like you need to use a translator all the time, but you actually know what’s going on. And when they’re talking to you, you understand what they’re saying. You can relate with them if you understand the language. So I feel like it’s a very huge part of it. The Finnish language is quite, I would say, as important as learning the actual hands-on nursing skills, because they go hand in hand. You can’t have one without the other. It wouldn’t work.

Eunice: Thank you so much for sharing that, and thank you that you tabulated and mentioned the fact that everything that is done at the hospital is in Finnish. The reporting is in Finnish. The writing of reports in Apotti, for example, is in Finnish.

Naza: Yes.

Eunice: So it’s really important that you have this background. Otherwise, then you will not thrive as a nurse in Finland. So it’s very important that we put effort on that. And I’m glad that you shared your story and your strategy…

Naza: Yes, of course.

Eunice: …on how you’re learning Finnish. So what advice would you give to future students worried about the language aspect?

Naza: Well, I have two advices. First is don’t give up. Don’t ever give up. There are times where you will feel like this is too much for me. I can’t do it. Because, like I said, learning a new language as an adult, this is the first language I’m learning as an adult. It is difficult. But ‘til today, there are still days when I’m like, oh, my God, Finnish is going to be the death of me. But then I remember where I come from. I remember how far I have come. I went from not knowing how to say one in Finnish to having full on two hour conversations in Finnish with my friends. Then when I remember that, I’m like, if I can get there, I’m very sure I can go all the way. So just don’t ever give up, no matter how hard it is. You can take a break. Like, OK, Finnish is stressing me out right now. Take a day off. Take a week off. Recollect yourself. Go back. Go back at it with a fresh mind. And it’s just going to help. Second advice. The school, the programme provides you with resources you can utilise. You have books. You have your teachers. Most of all, you have your teachers. My teachers are the best. They are here for you. Whatever you need, utilise the resources that the programme provides for you and you will not regret it. That’s my second advice. Don’t give up, and utilise the resources at your disposal. They are there for you to use.

Eunice: Thank you. You have given us a lot to reflect on and your story is truly, truly inspiring. Thank you, Naza.

Naza: Yes, you’re welcome.

Eunice: Thank you for joining us on Journeys in Bilingual Nursing Education podcast. Thank you, Naza…

Naza: Thank you.

Eunice: …for sharing your view on bilingual nursing. Hearing these real life experiences truly highlights the impact of this bilingual nursing programme. And thank you to all our listeners. This podcast is produced by Metropolia as part of the TOKASA initiative fostering inclusive and innovative nursing education. If you are a future or current health care professional, stay tuned for more topics or discussions. Until next time. Stay inspired and keep bridging the cultures in health care. Thank you.

Naza: Thank you.

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