Bridge to Iisalmi
Welcome to Iisalmi, the bridge to your future! On this page you will learn more about Iisalmi and its extraordinary career opportunities and rush free way of life.
The bridge to your future
Did you know that in the heart of Finland resides a place as inviting as it is irresistible?
Nestled between two bridges and surrounded by Nordic lakes, you will find the inclusive and inspiring town of Iisalmi. A town where nature, innovation, and opportunity intersect, Iisalmi is more than a destination – it’s a community.
For professionals, it’s a hub of groundbreaking industries, where careers flourish alongside the calm of pristine lakes and forests.
For students, it’s a launchpad for personal growth, offering world-class education in an environment that feels like home. And for dream chasers, it’s a place to belong. Where people can make miracles happen. Where diversity and every story is welcomed.
In Iisalmi, the town’s bridges aren’t just landmarks – they symbolise connection. To new beginnings. To a vibrant community. To a brighter tomorrow.
Welcome to Iisalmi. The bridge to your future.
€1,000 Bonus Welcomes Students to the City of Miracle Makers
Iisalmi is looking for three students who want to combine a great summer job with a €1,000 bonus and a €300 experience pass. If you want to make next summer your best one yet, this is your chance.
When you apply for and are selected for a summer job in the Iisalmi region and move to Iisalmi from outside Upper Savonia for the summer of 2026, you may receive a €1,000 bonus to support your living or housing costs. In addition, you will receive a €300 “Life in Balance” experience pass, giving you access to a wide range of sports, wellness and leisure activities in Iisalmi.
A total of three students will be selected for the campaign. During the summer of 2026, they will create content for the @koeiisalmi Instagram account, sharing authentic experiences of everyday life, work and leisure in Iisalmi. In your application, we encourage you to highlight your ideas, strengths and experience in creating social media content.
Read more and apply now:
Build your career in Iisalmi
Iisalmi is a safe and welcoming town where work-life balance is more than a promise – it’s a way of life. With abundant career opportunities in groundbreaking industries, affordable early childhood education, and an easy-to-integrate community, it’s the ideal place for your family to thrive. In here, rush-free living and career growth go hand in hand.
Diversity builds the future: Your skills and experiences are valued
in Iisalmi – international professionals are vital to our success. This is a town where opportunity and community connect.
Here, pristine nature, enriching hobbies, and a sense of belonging make life fulfilling and humane. You are not just welcome in Iisalmi – you are needed.
Read more about the interesting career opportunities Iisalmi provides from the By Iisalmi -page:
Studying in Iisalmi
As a student in Iisalmi, you’ll find a safe, inclusive environment that feels like home. With world-class education, affordable daycare, and everything within walking distance, life is made simple so you can focus on your studies. Explore the beauty of Nordic nature, enjoy vibrant cultural activities, and step into exciting career opportunities after graduation. Iisalmi needs your talent and diversity – you are more than welcome here.
Educational institutes, that provide bachelor’s or master’s degrees and vocational training in Iisalmi:
Savonia University of Applied Sciences(siirryt toiseen palveluun)
Savo Vocational College (Sakky)(siirryt toiseen palveluun)
Ylä-Savo Vocational College (YSAO)(siirryt toiseen palveluun)
Photo: YSAO
Rush-free Iisalmi
Rush has a negative impact on our wellbeing. The more you pick up the pace, the worse you feel. Rushing is not good for people, nor does it improve the quality of work. If we want people and businesses to thrive, it is essential to identify and eliminate unnecessary rush. In Iisalmi, we recognise these facts. We want to lead the way in creating a rush-free zone, and aim to reduce our stress footprint to net zero by 2025.
Why Iisalmi?
Iisalmi is a community where dreams take root and opportunities flourish. With a strong welfare system, excellent education, and a family-friendly environment, it’s a place where safety and connection go hand in hand. Surrounded by clean Nordic nature and vibrant culture, you’ll feel inspired to achieve your ambitions. International professionals and students are vital to Iisalmi’s growth, and we welcome you with open arms.
Interested to move to Iisalmi, Finland? Check out these useful websites!
International services of Iisalmi: International services provide guidance and counselling services to all immigrants living in the area of Upper Savo. The city’s international services organise services for the reception of refugees as well as for the integration of immigrants on the basis of work, family ties and studies. Cooperation is carried out with authorities, educational institutions and organisations.
InfoFinland: A multi-language website (twelve languages available!) providing reliable information to people planning to move to Finland and to those already living in the country. InfoFinland is made in cooperation with the authorities, and the pages are constantly maintained.
Fintegrate.fi: When you move to Finland, there are many activities that can help you settle in. However, finding them can be hard if you don’t know where to look. Fintegrate.fi makes it easier by bringing together information about local activities and services, all in one place. Fintegrate.fi is availabe in Finnish, English and Swedish.
Tips from the locals
There are plenty of leisure opportunities in Iisalmi that help you to recover from stress or rush. The surrounding nature offers a wonderful and versatile setting for hiking and exercise. In Iisalmi, you can often go to your hobbies right from your doorstep. When everything is a short distance away, there is more time to focus on your well-being. Check out the locals’ tips and insights for recovering from work!
Miki Chen, Genelec
Miki Chen
Export and Sales Specialist, Genelec
I appreciate the peace and closeness of nature in Iisalmi, but also the fact that you can be part of an active and communal life here if you want to. I enjoy the beautiful nature and the numerous leisure opportunities offered by the city.
When the workday is over, the best way to recover for me is to head straight to the nearby forest, breathe clean air and just enjoy the peace and quiet offered by nature. It’s a quality of life that I value very much. I’m also an active volleyball player, and when I play with my dear teammates, I forget about the rush and stress!
My home city in China had 21 million inhabitants. When I moved to Iisalmi, I learned to appreciate my own peace and time. In my opinion, Iisalmi has a unique combination of the peace of rural life and internationality.
Deli Kreander, Iisalmi swimming hall
Deli Kreander
Physical education instructor, Iisalmi swimming hall
If I feel rushed or stressed during the workday, I may sometimes relieve it by giving massages to my colleagues, because concrete actions help. Casual conversations with people also calm me down. Sometimes it’s also good to just sit down, stop and focus on breathing.
After a day at work, the best way to recover is to move to a different environment – if I have a morning shift, I have time to go to visit a café or library after work. Going for a walk and exercising are also good ways to recover from the working day. My hobbies include basketball, going to the gym and sometimes also water aerobics, either led by a colleague or virtual guidance!
One of my favorite places to recover is the walking routes in Iisalmi – it’s nice to walk everywhere and enjoy beautiful nature. The Haukiniemi beach area, which is close to me, and the sand court there are also important places for me, I like to play beach volley there in the summer. In addition to the diverse sports opportunities offered by Iisalmi, I also take advantage of the services of the Cultural Centre by attending concerts and events.
True stories from Iisalmi
Watch the videos and hear the true stories from international talents, who have decided to move to Iisalmi for career or study opportunities! From this video list you can also find By Iisalmi brand’s videos, so you could learn more about our beautiful city and feel the local miracle maker spirit!
News
Miten voit löytää kansainvälisen osaajan yritykseesi?
Onko mielessäsi jokin tutkittava aihe, johon osaaja voisi löytyä yliopistosta tai ammattikorkeakoulusta? Yrityksen kansainvälistyminen uusille kv-markkinoillekin voi käynnistyä siten, että kv-opiskelija tulee tekemään yritykseesi esim. markkinakartoitusta omaan kotimaahansa liittyen – hyödyntäen natiivikielitaitoaan ja kulttuuriosaamistaan.
Residents of the Future -hankkeen päätös: projektin anti, lopputulemat ja tulevaisuuden askeleet
Kesäkuussa 2023 alkanut EU-maiden välinen verkostohanke päättyy vuoden loppuun mennessä.
Kaikenkattava Iisalmi: Uusi somesarja tuo Iisalmen kaupungin palveluita kansainvälisen kohderyhmän tietoisuuteen
Iisalmen kaupunki kehittää viestintäänsä kansainvälisten asukkaiden ja osaajien kohderyhmälle. Uudessa ”All-inclusive Iisalmi” -somesarjassa painopisteenä onkin tuoda kaupungin tarjoamia palveluita esille ulkomaalaistaustaiselle väestölle, ja siten lisätä heidän tietoisuuttaan monipuolisesta tarjonnasta sekä auttaa heitä integroitumaan kaupunkiin paremmin.