Nordic Student Network Opens a New Professional Pathway Between Young Finnish Americans and Finland
Written By:
Nina Dahlblom
A new network for young Finnish Americans, the Nordic Student Network (NSN), kicked off in Silicon Valley this August.
Aug 06, 2026
The network’s mission is to help young Finnish Americans support one another through mentorship, shared experiences, and professional networking. In addition, Nordic Student Network aims to build a broad mentor community and create meaningful professional connections with Finland.
Young People Taking Charge of Their Own Future
The new network is coordinated by lifelong friends Edla Lahtiranta and Olivia Backholm, who have known each other since childhood camping trips.
Growing up together in Silicon Valley, their conversations have long revolved around life, education, and the future.
“Over time, we realized that our Finnish heritage and the network that comes with it are a unique strength,” says Edla Lahtiranta, who studies anthropology at Middlebury College in Vermont. This summer, Edla is an intern at Nordic Innovation House in Silicon Valley.
One example came when Edla was applying to college and considering her next steps. Olivia became an invaluable source of guidance.
“I remember that neither I nor my parents really understood the American college system very well. Olivia had already been through the process herself and knew exactly how to help.”
The two friends feel they have benefited enormously from their own networks and wanted to turn that experience into something that could benefit others through Nordic Student Network.
The idea of the network had been developing within the Finnish-American community for some time, but it was ultimately their own experiences that inspired them to bring it to life as they did.
Olivia Backholm, who studies engineering at Harvey Mudd College and works as a Research & Development Intern at Stellartech Research Corporation, explains:
“We grew up in a close-knit Finnish community that our parents spent years building here. When I started looking for internships, it felt natural to reach out to people I already knew. Opportunities often come through relationships. That’s the opportunity NSN wants to create for more young people like us.”
“Why should we keep valuable experiences to ourselves? We want to create opportunities for everyone to learn from one another,” Edla adds.
“Many young Finnish Americans have a strong Finnish identity, but they don’t have a clear professional pathway to incorporate that part of themselves into their careers. We want our network to encourage both young people and established professionals to build meaningful connections. At its best, everyone benefits.”
Staying Connected to Finland After Finnish School
According to Olivia, it’s common for young Finnish Americans to lose touch with the Finnish community during one of the most important stages of their lives.
“Finnish School brings children together until they’re about sixteen years old. After that, many Finnish organizations are geared toward working professionals or families. We wanted to create a community for our own generation—young adults for whom being Finnish is still an important part of their identity and who need professional networks in their early careers.”
Edla remembers what the Finnish community in Silicon Valley looked like when she was growing up.
“I used to go to Finland Park as a little kid. It was full of Finnish children. Today there are fewer of us. Some families have returned to Finland, while others have moved to different states or countries. We’re literally rebuilding this community—one person, one connection at a time—from the perspective of young adults.”
Today’s Mentees Become Tomorrow’s Mentors
As NSN invites students to join its mentorship program, it is also recruiting experienced professionals to serve as mentors.
“Silicon Valley is known for technology, but we’re looking for mentors from every profession,” says Olivia, an engineering student.
“We encourage everyone to join the conversation about career opportunities, regardless of age or professional background.”
The goal of NSN is to build lasting relationships and strengthen young people’s understanding of professional life through mentorship and shared experience.
“Our hope is that every mentee finds the program so valuable that one day they’ll become a mentor themselves and provide the same support to the next generation.”
The first step begins this August, when Nordic Student Network launches its inaugural mentoring cohort at Nordic Innovation House in Silicon Valley. In addition to in-person events, participants can join virtually from anywhere in the United States.
“Many of the young people in our community attend college or take their first steps in their careers elsewhere in the U.S., and some even study in Finland. We want them to feel like they’re part of this community wherever they are.”
Finland’s Innovation Ecosystem Inspires the Next Generation
Edla says her summer at Nordic Innovation House completely changed the way she sees Finland.
“I’ve met dynamic Nordic entrepreneurs and, for the first time, learned about events like Slush. I realized just how much exciting innovation and entrepreneurship is happening in Finland.”
Olivia sees that inspiration leading somewhere bigger.
“We want to build a professional bridge to Finland. We want to understand what it’s like to develop innovations, conduct research in Finland, and build careers in Finnish companies.”
“In the United States, the transition from college to professional life is very structured and intentional. We’d love for our Finnish heritage to become a meaningful part of that journey as well.”
Building Living Professional Connections with Finland
Many young Finnish Americans have family in Finland, but relatively few have professional networks there.
“I’ve dreamed for a long time about studying and working in Finland. It would broaden my perspective and enrich my professional experience. Without contacts and networks, opportunities like that can be difficult to find.”
Olivia believes NSN can strengthen collaboration between Finland and the United States while helping young professionals build lasting relationships across the Atlantic.
Vice President Jenni Backholm of Finlandia Foundation SF Bay Area supports the development of the initiative.
“Young Finnish Americans are fluent in both Finnish and English, understand the cultures of both countries, and bring cutting-edge knowledge from outstanding universities.”
“Finland is increasingly attractive to young people because of its innovation ecosystem. Finnish employers could benefit tremendously from their skills, perspectives, and networks—whether they’re based in the United States or in Finland,” she adds.
The Finlandia Foundation serves as the network’s sponsor and enabling organization. Backholm explains the broader vision of the Finlandia Foundation San Francisco Bay Area Chapter.
“The Finlandia Foundation is widely known for promoting Finnish culture. For those of us living in Silicon Valley, Finnish culture also means a culture of innovation. Our history is important, but we’re building Finland’s future image for the next generation—not just for ourselves. That’s why we’re building the Nordic Student Network.”
Learn more:
- Nordic Student Network: https://finlandiasf.org/nordic-student-network/
Contact:
FinlandiaSF.Youth@gmail.com
Olivia Backholm and Edla Lahtiranta kicked off Nordic Student Network by moderating a panel discussion with Lina Merk, Emilia Korhonen, Otso Veitserä and Heini Lahtela at Nordic Innovation House in August 2026.
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