Navigating the Digital Landscape: A Student’s Journey

Terve ! I’m Gilbert. Although I wasn’t born in Finland, I’ve been fortunate to call it home for the past 18 years. I’m currently pursuing a Master’s Degree at LAB University of Applied Sciences while working full-time at Framery. As husband and father if two children born here, engaging with Finland’s digital services has been a central part of our everyday life. This assignment offers a valuable opportunity to reflect on tools that have become deeply embedded in our daily routines.

KELA and OmaKanta. : The Digital Backbone of Finnish Social Security

For anyone raising a family in Finland, the social insurance institution KELA is an essential part of everyday life. It forms the foundation of the country’s social safety net and has played a continuous role in supporting my family . When our children were born we used OmaKELA to apply for maternity and parental allowances. Being able to complete the entire process online was a major help, especially with a newborn at home. We also receive the monthly child benefit for both children all handled efficiently through the same digital platform.

As a higher education student, my primary interaction with KELA now involves paying the student healthcare fee . This is a simple process via the OmaKELA portal: I log in using my bank credentials, make the payment, and it confirms my access to the Finnish Student Health Service (YTHS). It’s a clear example of how well the system works.

Another important element in this digital infrastructure is the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC): Before going on holiday, I ordered EHIC cards for my whole family through OmaKELA. The process involved selecting a few options online, and the cards arrived by post a couple of weeks later at no cost. Knowing we have access to public healthcare while traveling within the EU offers significant peace of mind.

OmaKanta, Finland’s national health data repository, complements KELA’s services. As a parent, this tool is invaluable. With secure access using my bank ID, I can view not only my own health records but also with appropriate authorization those of my children. This included vaccination history, notes from neuvola ( child health clinic) visits, and management of their e-prescriptions. Having all this information in one place simplifies how we manage our family’s healthcare and gives a clear sense of control and transparency.

Planning for the Future : A look at pensions

This assignment also required us to explore our future pensions. Since I hold a permanent position at Framery, my pension is managed through the private sector system. I used one the available online pension calculators .

The results offered a clear financial overview.

Retiring at 63 would qualify as early retirement, which results in a reduction due to taking the pension before the official age. The estimated monthly pension is around €1500. While this provides a reasonable foundation, it marks a notable decrease from my current income.

If retiring at 68, five years beyond the earliest retirement age, the estimate rises to approximately 2100€ per month. This increase reflects both the additional years of pension accrual and the bonus applied for postponing retirement.

Seeing these figures laid out makes the broader political debates about extending working careers much more concrete. The balance between enjoying more free time in retirement and ensuring long-term financial stability becomes immediately apparent.

Global vs Local: The E-commerce experience

Next I examined the landscape of online shopping by comparing pricing and user experience on major international platforms; specifically Amazon.de and Booking.com with their Finnish counterparts.

For electronics, I selected a specific headphone model and compared its price on Amazon.de with that of Verkkokauppa.com . Amazon’s offer was approximately 15% cheaper, even after accounting for shipping costs. Additionally, Amazon’s extensive user reviews and Q&A section provide a depth of product information that local retailers often lack. That said, Verkkokauppa.com has a key advantage in reliability. If there is a problem with a purchase, I can visit a physical store and speak with staff directly- The process for handling warranties and consumer rights feels more straightforward and predictable. In contrast returns through Amazon involve international logistics which can complicate resolution.

In the travel category, I compared prices for a hotel in Naantali listed on Momondo and Trivago against those on the hotel’s official website. Momondo and Trivago stood out for their abundance of user reviews, images and intuitive map-based interfaces. Their prices were competitive and in some case, slightly lower than booking directly, thanks to negotiated deals. The primary benefit lies in the ability to compare a wide range of options easily. Still booking directly through the hotel can sometimes provide added value, such as loyalty points and more flexible cancellation terms.

A Digital Tool in My Field : Zotero

In my field, which involves extensive research and academic writing, having a dependable reference management tool is essential . The one I consistently rely on is Zotero. It’s a free, open-source application designed to help users collect, organize, cite, and share research materials.

I chose Zotero because of its seamless integration with both web browsers and word processors. When I came across a relevant academic article online, I can save the citation details and often the full PDF directly to my Zotero library with a single click. This functionality has been useful not only for my univerity coursework but also for managing research materials and industry reports at Framery.

When writing papers in MS word, Zotero allows me to insert citations and generate bibliographies in various formats (APA; MLA….) with minimal effort. It has significantly reduced the time I would otherwise spend formatting references manually and helps ensure proper citations practices, which is critical for avoiding plagiarism. Overall my experience with Zotero has been positive 🙂 .

The Digital Gaps : Risks and Challenges

In a society as digitally advanced as Finland, the digital divide presents a serious challenge.

There are several risks facing individuals who do not use online services .

Social exclusion is one the most immediate. Much of today’s social interaction whether through family group chats, digital invitations or community events, takes place online. Those without digital access can become increasingly isolated.

Financial disadvantage is another concern. Many companies impose extra charges for paper invoices, and the most competitive offers and price comparisons are typically found online. Everyday banking is also becoming difficult without digital tools.

Access to public services is heavily affected. As seen with platforms like KELA and OmaKanta, many essential services are now designed with a digital first approach. While non digital options still exist, they are often slower, less efficient and more difficult to use, creating real barriers to basic entitlements and support.

Information inequality is also a growing issue . News updates, emergency alerts and civic announcements are increasingly published online first. Those not connected may be less informed about important developments.

The problem is not only about having devices or internet access. It also involves digital skills, confidence, and trust in the systems. To address this, digital literacy education must be prioritized, especially for older adults. At the same time, services need to be designed with accessibility and easy of use in mind, ensuring they are usable for the broadest possible range of people.

Engaging with the Community

Comment 1 on https://blogi.savonia.fi/edris/digi-citizen/

You can check me out from here –> https://blogi.savonia.fi/nubiangg/

Comment 2 on https://blogi.savonia.fi/ingachirvanen/digi-citizen/

You can check me out from here –> https://blogi.savonia.fi/nubiangg/

Digital Competence Test

I took the recommended Digital Competence Test, which offered a thorough assessment across several key areas, including information literacy, communication, content creation and digital safety.

My overall score was solid as expected but the test helped highlight specific areas where there is room for improvement, especially in understanding the more detailed aspects of digital copyright.

Based on this, I’m considering pursuing an Open Badge for some of these competencies, both to strengthen my skills and to add a recognized credential to my CV.

Self- Reflection

In my honest opinion this assignment was more than a list of tasks. It served as a practical examination of life in a digital society.

It taught me to view the digital services I use daily with greater awareness. I now have a clearer understanding of how my personal moves between public services like KELA, the income register and OmaKanta. Moreover I recognize better the security frameworks that protect that data. The pension calculation based on my earnings offered a necessary and realistic look at the future making long-term planning feel more tangible.

The comparison between global and local e-commerce platforms emphasized that there is no universally best option. Each involves trade-offs between cost, convenience and the benefits of local service and support. More importantly reflecting on the digital divide made me more conscious of my role as someone with strong digital skills. It reminded me of the importance of supporting those who may face challenges and in my future professional work, promoting and helping to create inclusive digital systems.

This assignment wasn’t only about technology. It was about understanding how technology influences our lives, communities and the paths we take forward.