Moving to another country with children always raises many questions for parents: will they be able to adapt, find friends, and feel at home? For the Finnish couple Tuuko and Janika Tuunainen, these questions became reality after Tuuko got the opportunity to teach in India. The family decided to leave their familiar life in Finland and make Mumbai their new place of residence.
Tuuko recalls that he agreed to this, but the decision involved great risk and uncertainty for the whole family. Initially, the language seemed unfamiliar, the food was different, and finding accommodation presented its own difficulties. There were many moments when they doubted the correctness of their choice, but gradually Mumbai began to take on a familiar appearance for them.
When Mumbai Became Home
For the children, the city quickly turned into a place of first discoveries. They made their first friends, took their first ride in an auto-rickshaw, and tried dishes they had never eaten before. However, the most significant thing for the family turned out to be something intangible—the warmth of the people around them. Repeated instances where strangers offered help when the family needed it became important moments.
Once, when the family was trying to fix the children's bicycles, they found it difficult to explain their needs. A passerby noticed their difficulty and, before they could ask anything, helped them with the translation. Such small interactions slowly changed the family's perception of their new homeland.
The Lesson They Want to Teach Their Children
For Tuuko and Janika, perhaps the most important lesson India gave them is not related to food, language, or adapting to a new city. This lesson is about openness towards the people around them. They hope that their children will learn to notice when someone needs help, offer it even without being asked, and feel their connection to the community they are part of.
After all, childhood is shaped not only by what parents teach at home but also by the people and places children encounter during their growth.
Continuing to Discover India Every Day
The family still misses Finland. Nevertheless, their children explore India daily: making new friends, discovering new experiences, and growing under the influence of two cultures that shape their worldview. Having direct experience living in India, the family conveys a simple message to everyone who observes the country from afar: one should not judge it from a distance. They call for: 'Come closer. There is so much warmth, humanity, and joy here.'
For this family, the move, which initially seemed like a risky step, turned into an opportunity to give their children a priceless gift—the confidence to step outside their comfort zone, accept differences, and find a sense of home in unexpected places.