Experience stories

Meet Ieva Putnina — diagnosed with Alopecia Areata at 12 years old. For years, she hid behind wigs and fear. But everything changed when she chose to embrace her true self.

Hear Mariia Kashych’s powerful story of resilience and hope in the latest Stories from the North episode. Host Linda Paulauska explores Mariia’s journey from fleeing war-torn Ukraine to rebuilding her life through studies in Germany and Finland. An inspiring testament to courage and determination—don’t miss it!

In this episode, we uncover the amazing journey of ⁠Yulu Liu⁠ from China. Passionate about service design, Yulu embarked on her Erasmus Mundus Master’s degree in “⁠Service Design Strategies and Innovations.⁠”

Nicole added a new chapter to her life story as a surrogate mother by fulfilling another family’s dream of having a baby.

Discover Judy’s inspiring journey from Thailand to the Arctic in the latest episode of Stories from the North. Host Linda Paulauska delves into Judy’s experiences as an Erasmus Mundus student at the University of Lapland, exploring cultural contrasts, personal growth, and life in Lapland. Don’t miss this uplifting story of resilience and transformation.

An orphaned girl with Down Syndrome was offered for adoption to 127 families, all of whom declined. The girl’s story deeply touched the Wimmer family, leading them to embark on international adoption before even seeing a photo of the child.

Patrick is a 6th-generation show organizer from Germany. Yuliya is a professional show performer from Ukraine. Their daughter, Nika, is part of every show across multiple countries. They share an inspiring life, but deep inside, their hearts and plans for a home in Ukraine have been broken.

Ieva faced alopecia and lost her hair at the age of 13. Hiding under wigs, she feared judgment. It took her 15 years of self-exploration to open up in public, and now she is an inspiration to many.

With the help of a sperm donor, a couple was able to conceive a baby after years of infertility. This is the long-awaited child Emma and her story from the perspective of a donor-conceived child.

Kiwoong Nam shares his inspiring move from South Korea to Rovaniemi - Finland’s Northern city, and his story of adjusting to Arctic life with his family.