Gaurav Kandpal, Market Access Lead, moved to Finland from India and joined Orion in December 2021. This was during the coronavirus pandemic, so the recruitment process, including the job interviews, had all taken place remotely.
“I had never been to Finland before, so I moved here on my first visit. It was -20 degrees when I arrived and the cold air hit my face when I got off the plane. It was quite an experience right from the start,” Kandpal says of his first day in Finland.
Now, after 18 months in Finland, he’s had time to get used to the changing weather and seasons.
“I’ve learned to check the weather and temperature every day before stepping outside. I now also know what clothes to choose to suit the conditions,” says Kandpal.
Fortunately, adjusting to the Finnish working culture was much easier as there were no extreme phenomena to get used to.
I was pleasantly surprised by how open everyone was at Orion. It has also been nice to discover that people are trusted here."
“I had already learnt about the European working culture in my previous job. I was pleasantly surprised by how open everyone was at Orion. It has also been nice to discover that people are trusted here.”
The flexibility of the workplace already became apparent during recruitment. It took time to obtain visas and work permits and the pandemic also posed challenges.
“Orion was really flexible the entire time about when and how I would join the team and start my job. It was great. Within a few months, however, everything had been taken care of and I was able to start working in Finland as planned,” says Kandpal.
Learning about life in Finland with Orion’s help
During the initial phase of integration, Orion provides a service for employees moving to Finland, which:
- provides assistance in finding somewhere to live
- offers advice on the various official systems and processes
- familiarises employees with Finnish services.
“The service was a great help. A specialist company was able to help and I found a home within a few weeks. The support was important because in a new country, you don't always know where to start or what to do.”
Friends and colleagues from Orion have also played a key role in introducing me to Finnish life.
Finns have been very open about telling me about and introducing me to their culture."
“It’s really important to get to know the local culture. Finns have been very open about telling me about and introducing me to their culture. I have tasted tippaleipä and sima, a cake and drink traditionally enjoyed on May Day, and mämmi, a Finnish Easter pudding, at Easter. I really appreciate being able to experience local things,” Kandpal says.
Expert on European markets from India
Gaurav Kandpal’s previous job was also at a pharmaceutical industry company and focused on the European market.
“I was interested in Orion because this role was focused on the Market access in European market. It’s my core competence and I have many years of experience in this area,” says Kandpal.
Kandpal has the kind of expertise that Orion needs. The recruitment and successful relocation of international talent is important, as the process will produce a mutually beneficial and good result.
Working on the Market Access team requires specific skills and expertise to ensure that Orion’s medicines are made available as quickly as possible and at a reasonable price to patients in different countries who need them. The job requires knowledge of markets, the legislation, healthcare systems and processes in different countries, and negotiation skills, among other things.
I feel that in this job at Orion I can make use of my expertise, experience and specialised knowledge in a variety of ways."
“I feel that in this job at Orion, as a part of the Market Access team, I can make use of my expertise, experience and specialised knowledge in a variety of ways,” says Kandpal.
Looking forward to new experiences
Kandpal plans to spend the summer holidays in Finland with his wife. Their plan is to explore Finland outside the capital region and experience new things, especially learning the Finnish language together.
“It would be great to visit Lapland. Turku and a trip to a summer cottage are also on our to-do list. I also really enjoy spending time outdoors in Finland. The nature and sea are very close by in Espoo, which is great. Sometimes, I just walk for four or five hours outside surrounded by nature and it’s so refreshing,” Kandpal says.
So, what would Kandpal say to a foreigner who is considering moving to and working in Finland?
“Working in Finland is a great opportunity, which is worth grabbing if you’re at all interested. People are helpful and friendly. They are happy to introduce you to new experiences and tell you about Finland. But you might have to get used to the weather and climate,” says Kandpal with a smile.
