Kelly Duval, a former Montreal resident now residing in Finland, shares her journey of moving to Finland in her mid-20s, a decision that may have surprised her Finnish grandparents who had immigrated to Canada for better opportunities post-war. With her sister, she embarked on a “heritage tour” to Finland in 2017, marking the country’s 100th year of independence and experiencing the midsummer celebration of Juhannus.
During their visit, they connected with relatives, explored their grandmother’s hometown, and traced her stories to actual locations like the farm she grew up on and the path she took to school. Despite their grandparents being deceased, they felt a sense of fulfillment in honoring their heritage and experiencing the magic of midsummer in Finland.
A year later, feeling the need for change while living in Toronto, Kelly decided to move to Finland to delve deeper into her roots and experience life in a new country. Initially planning to stay for a year, she found herself still in Finland at 33, with her perspective on home evolving significantly.
While Montreal had always been her perceived “true home,” Helsinki gradually became a place that felt like home too, witnessing her personal growth and significant life milestones. The two cities resonated with her in distinct ways, with Montreal offering a sense of familiarity like a comfortable sweatshirt and Helsinki providing a fresh perspective akin to trying on a new outfit.
The anonymity of Helsinki allowed Kelly the freedom to explore, try new things, and discover more about herself without the weight of past expectations. As an immigrant, she acknowledges the challenges of integration while recognizing her privilege as a white woman with Finnish roots, allowing her to blend in until she speaks.
Living in Finland accelerated her personal development, pushing her out of her comfort zone and teaching her resilience in navigating unfamiliar territories. While Montreal will always hold a special place as her birth city and where her loved ones reside, Helsinki has become a significant part of her identity, shaping her into a hybrid of cultures and experiences.
Reflecting on her journey, Kelly finds parallels between her immigrant experience and that of her grandparents, fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges and triumphs of starting anew in a foreign land. Balancing between two worlds, she embraces the complexity of calling two different places home while cherishing the richness of her dual cultural identity.