Husam Al Tawalbeh helps immigrants arriving in Tampere by drawing on his own experiences
Husam Al Tawalbeh shows a small plot of land in his backyard. The fresh spring reveals the area under cultivation last summer and the places where various vegetables were grown. Husam shifts his attention to a vine that has survived the winter.
– This yielded five grapes last summer, Husam says with a smile.
Next to the grape vine is a planting box, where the mulch also seems to have survived the winter. Although Husam is familiar with growing vegetables and fruit, the seasons and weather conditions in Finland are very different from those in his native Syria.
– There you can grow crops all year round, whereas here in Finland the warm season is a "little" shorter, Husam laughs.
Through challenges to become a specialist
As Husam describes the growing area and the vines of the grape, he also talks about his own twists and turns, as his past experiences and challenges in life spurred him on to future career turning points.
“If our family life is in order and family members support one another, we can help others as well.”
Husam arrived in Finland as a quota refugee in 2015 and lived in Kuopio for the first two years. Despite the challenging early days, Husam wanted to show a good image of immigrants who had come to Finland and set an example of an active member of Finnish society.
– The first years in Finland were very difficult. But I want to be a good role model for my children and other people in the same situation.
Before coming to Finland, Husam completed a Bachelor's degree in International Relations in Syria and also studied for one year in Egypt. In Finland, Husam wanted to finish her studies, and with hard work, the Finnish language started to catch on quickly, despite the long word structures and the peculiar political vocabulary.
– Many people wondered how I learned Finnish so quickly.
Hard work, a keen interest, and a focus on integration and refugee issues ultimately led to a place in the Management program at the University of Tampere, with a concentration in international politics.
– I got a place to study in Finnish for my Master's degree and have lived here in Tampere ever since.
Husam stands up next to the grape vines and planting box and pulls out his phone, showing the summer crops from different years. The photos on the phone show a huge amount of crop and Husam posing with his family.
The importance of family is a recurring theme in Husam's speeches. Although education is a very important part of life, Husam still considers family and home to be key.
– It all starts at home. If we have a good family and support each other in the family, then we can help others.
Husam's education and career both share the same theme: helping others. Husam recalls the job search after graduation as another difficult moment in her life, until a job came up in 2020 in the communications team of the current International House Tampere (IHT). Today, in addition to her specialist role at IHT, Husam also works as a customer service representative, where she helps immigrants with higher education who have arrived in Tampere.
– I remember how difficult it was for me to arrive in Finland and how important it is to have support right from the start. Now I have a job where I can help other immigrants who need support.
Husam's desire to help others has guided his career choices at every turn in his life, from being an expert in integration and refugee issues to meeting people in need. Just like tending a garden and crops, helping and supporting others produces a better common harvest for all.
In addition to an appealing job, Husam is enjoying his time in Tampere, and the coming summer is naturally leading his thoughts to the crops to come. However, this summer Husam does not plan to cultivate as enthusiastically as in previous years.
– The whole family will be going to Syria this summer. The situation has improved, and now the children are seeing their grandparents for the second time in their lives, concludes Husam.
Husam Al Tawalbeh
- International House Tampere Specialist and Account Manager
- 36 years old
- Besides farming, he also likes swimming.
- Family includes wife and three children.
- Wow! Husam is a member of the Tampere Immigrant Council and vice-president of the Pirkanmaa Syrian Association.
