I moved to Finland after reading it's the happiest place on Earth. It's exceeded all my expectations.

• Jorge Reyes, 27, moved from Bogotá, Colombia, to Helsinki without ever visiting Finland.
• He says he was curious about what makes people characterize Finland as the happiest place on Earth.
• Reyes says he loves how the Finnish connect to nature and support each other.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jorge Reyes, a 27-year-old professional from Bogotá, Colombia, who moved to Finland less than a year ago. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

Since I was in high school I was told by my teachers that Finland was a safe and great country with robust education systems and a government and society that coexists well.

Finland was the opposite of my hometown in Bogotá, Colombia, and completely unlike my Caribbean background, where 40 degrees Celsius, beaches, and sunshine are the norm. But I wanted a change.

I saw on social media that Finland was ranked one of the happiest countries in the world. I needed to know why. Ironically, Colombia was up there on this list, but I felt I needed to experience Finland for myself.

I found a job in Helsinki on LinkedIn and packed my bags

Despite having a great job at the software company HubSpot in Bogotá, I logged on to LinkedIn and looked for job opportunities in Finland in my field. I found a job as an account executive at a Finnish startup called Supermetrics.

In March 2023, I packed up my life in Colombia and moved despite not knowing anyone there. My new company paid for my relocation and the $1,200 one-way flight from Bogotá.

As a fluent English and Spanish speaker, I originally feared being unable to communicate with others, but people speak English so well here.

My friends and family weren't surprised when I told them I was moving, because I'd lived abroad in Spain and have traveled extensively.

The last nine months have been a life-changing experience.

Logistically, it was simple to navigate the visa process. For work, I entered into a professional-skills contract and qualified for a specialist visa. When I arrived, I could easily get an ID, open a bank account, and find an apartment. I rent a studio close to the Helsinki city center and pay about 950 euros monthly for it.

Making friends with Finns takes time

At first, it took some time to make friends and find my community. The Finnish take time to warm up to you, but once you become friends, those relationships are long-lasting.

Even the dating scene here is straightforward. There are the usual apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge, and people are open to going on walks or coffees, though dinner in the beginning may be too much for a Finnish person.

I feel safe and connected to nature in Helsinki

Families leave their children alone to sleep outside and acclimate to the weather. I've never felt unsafe walking alone no matter what time it is. I could also leave my laptop or personal belongings at a café and return hours later, and it would still be there.

There's a culture of walking in nature here. There are many open forests — much of Finland is dominated by conifer trees — and people spend a lot of time going on long walks or strolls without any fear of their surroundings.

This immersion in nature is a complete disconnect from the haste of urban life. Unlike parks, the forests never really close. It helps me feel grounded and relieve stress from the fast-paced lifestyle of working in tech.

Here in the winter, when it starts to get dark at 3 p.m., people help each other by checking in on each other more often, hosting sauna sessions, and making more plans together. The mentality is "it's us against the dark,'' and it helps build a sense of community.

I have more disposable income and am respected at work

In terms of expenses, I spend about 200 euros on groceries a month. I pay about 35% of my annual income in taxes. My salary is taxed at 25% plus other deductions, but they vary depending on how much you make. I have more disposable income here than back home.

Working in Finland has been easier than other roles I've held because there's less bureaucracy here. I don't need to ask permission to speak to different people in the company, and my values and opinions on my work are respected.

I miss home, but I'm getting used to Finnish mannerisms

I've never experienced any racism. I'm sure smaller cities within Finland might not be as receptive to foreigners as the bigger cities, but they're becoming increasingly inclusive.

Plus, it's easy to travel within Europe — so far I've visited Sweden, London, Estonia, Amsterdam, Italy, Paris, and Spain.

My biggest challenge is missing my family and friends, music, and food from back home. But I'm slowly getting used to the environment here and learning about Finnish mannerisms.

Living here has certainly exceeded my expectations. I came with an open mind and a desire to enrich myself with new experiences.

I'm documenting my journey on TikTok because I want to show the world how powerful it is to move to an unknown country and make it home.