Melissa Plath works as a project manager at the University of Helsinki. She has experienced the importance of international collaboration on both personal and professional levels.
Born and raised in Montana, a state known for its sprawling landscapes and close-knit communities, Plath found a surprising sense of familiarity in Finland when she moved in 2006 to pursue higher education. With a passion for understanding development and political systems less tarnished by colonial legacies, she was drawn to the Nordic countries, ultimately choosing Finland and the University of Jyväskylä.
– Free master’s programs didn’t hurt, but my academic interests led me to study political science in Jyväskylä. I focused on gender quotas and nation-building in post-conflict scenarios, particularly in African countries.
Plath’s current work with the University of Helsinki as a project manager involves spearheading significant projects that aim to deepen collaboration among European universities. The projects she’s involved in showcase her commitment to enhancing international academic cooperation.
– These initiatives, funded through the European Commission, strive to overcome barriers to joint programs and shared knowledge.
A safety net for international academics
However, Plath’s personal journey has not been without its challenges. Her early career in Finland was marked by the stress of short-term contracts, the looming threat of visa expiration, and a need for more understanding of her rights as an international worker.
– This period of uncertainty highlighted the systemic issues faced by non-EU academics and professionals in Finland, from permit renewals to the inability to fully participate in societal functions, from voting to obtaining a credit card.
The turning point came when Plath, through a friend, discovered the Finnish Union of University Researchers and Teachers (FUURT). This union provided the safety net she desperately needed.
“FUURT’s role is crucial in facilitating dialogue, offering support, and lobbying for governmental reforms to create a more inclusive and supportive academic environment in Finland.”
– Through FUURT, I found not only a source of legal and professional guidance but also a platform to actively contribute to the academic community’s well-being.
Plath’s engagement with FUURT, transitioning from a member to an active participant in the local chapter, marked her evolution into an advocate for improving the conditions of international staff in Finland.
Work to be done and hurdles to overcome
Plath’s story is emblematic of the broader issues facing the academic community in Finland, particularly the precarious nature of short-term contracts and the bureaucratic hurdles for international professionals.
– FUURT’s mission extends beyond the traditional confines of research to encompass the entire ecosystem of academia, advocating for lab workers, administrators, and those building international bridges, Plath emphasizes.
Melissa Plath’s journey from Montana to Finland represents the collective aspirations and struggles of the international academic community. Today, as a Finnish citizen, Plath reflects on the improvements made in the permit situation, yet acknowledges the ongoing challenges that demand attention.
– FUURT’s role, both at the local and national levels, is crucial in facilitating dialogue, offering support, and lobbying for governmental reforms to create a more inclusive and supportive academic environment in Finland, Melissa Plath concludes.
Join now as a member of FUURT!
We are offering all new members their first month of membership free of charge. If you join the Finnish Union of University Researchers and Teachers (FUURT) during the period 1 September–31 December 2024, you will get your first month free. All you need to do is fill out a membership application during the aforementioned time period and you will automatically receive your first month free of charge!
Campaign terms: The campaign is valid 1 September–31 December 2024. The free month of membership is the calendar month in which the membership application is submitted to the Union. The membership fee will then be charged for payment normally from the first day of the following calendar month. Read more about FUURT’s membership fees here. To ask more about joining, membership, and the campaign, please contact our member services.