Hey hey hey, it’s fall again!

You must be thinking about the next move in your life like we all are now that the summer’s over and it’s time to dive into studies or work again. Whether it’s about starting a new hobby, applying for a job for next year or starting a new project, there are new choices to be made.

The Startuplifers experience is a life-changing one, regardless of the background you have. Several Lifers shared with us how they could’ve never imagined the life in Silicon Valley being, the learnings they’ve gotten and the lifelong friends they’ve made.

We wanted to share with you the reasons why we have seen this program to be such an important one, and why you should be interested. After all, who wouldn’t want to bring their mindset to a whole new level, maximize their learning and join a community of like-minded future builders?

Change your mindset.

Here in the Nordics, we tend to be relatively modest and don’t take too much credit for our skills. We are thorough, we study hard, and do what we have to without a single complaint. Strangely though, when it comes to getting out of our comfort zone and doing something bold, the answer often is “Oh come on, I can’t do that, I’m not good enough, there must be already someone better than me doing this stuff”.

We disagree. You are way better than you think you are, and definitely among the best on this planet. Students in Finland and Sweden have received top-notch education, combined with quite an amazing package of skills and work experience despite the fact that we’re just students finishing our degrees. We have a high working morale, and ability to “get shit done”. Even founders from our partner startups in Silicon Valley have told us that the interns we have sent them are better than the ones coming from MIT, Stanford, and Harvard. That’s something for you to think about.

Maximize your learning.

Working at a startup is one of the fastest ways to improve your skills and gain expertise. But why do that abroad?
Although we have a growing startup ecosystem in the Nordics, it is a fact that we are years behind from great startup ecosystems such as the one they have in Silicon Valley. The startup network there is something else, and working at (or even founding) a startup is just as common as any other profession.

The companies we work with are filled with extremely intelligent people, they work in a tremendously fast-paced environment and are growing fast. In an environment like that, you get an opportunity to improve your skills unbelievably fast and learn how a successful startup is run and scaled, straight from the very best. Working with these people and at their pace is the best accelerator you can get for yourself. At a startup company, you get a lot of ownership of what you’re doing, do a bit of this and that, and face some true challenges. It might not always be easy, but it’s a road worth taking.

Join a community of the like-minded.

Startuplifers isn’t just an experience of a year or so. When entering the program, you also enter our community of like-minded people with similar interests, ambitions, and experiences as yours. Both during your internship and after it, our community is here to support and share the experience with you. Thanks to the community, the learnings you have done during the Lifer experience are not forgotten – vice versa. Alumni meetings and random gatherings make sure that you are able to sustain the acquired mindset, share your experience and spread everything you have learned also to others in Finland. 

One could say that it’s all about the community. We have an amazingly talented group of people, with a lot of potential to create something bigger together. These are the people, who become the doers of the Nordics and build a better future together.

So, what are you waiting for? It was Steve Jobs that once said that you cannot connect the dots in your life beforehand. However, the dot right here called Startuplifers is something that will surely take your life and learning to a whole new level. We’re open for applications 24/7/365. Send us your application here and drastically increase your chances of scoring your dream job abroad.

Would like to give Silicon Valley a go? Build your path and apply! 
Want reference stories? Read what Emma wrote about her experiences.