My Experience with the Finnish Social Insurance System (KELA)
I had no idea how the social insurance system worked when I moved to Finland. However, I soon needed to know how to apply for KELA benefits, especially for medical care. I applied for KELA coverage on the internet, and although the site was simple to navigate, it still took some effort at first since everything was computerized and not familiar to me.
Over time, I adapted to it and learned how efficient the system is. You do not have to stand in lengthy queues, and your documents are stored and sent safely online. This saved me a lot of time and taught me how to have faith and trust online services for official tasks. When I got my KELA coverage, I had to view my medical records and vaccination history, and that is how I found OmaKanta. I hadn’t dealt with a national health portal before, so it was new and a bit intimidating. But after getting in using my online banking code, I was actually pleasantly surprised to find it quite easy to use. I could search for prescriptions, see my COVID vaccination history, and even see lab results.
I helped my new gym colleague once. She was new in Finland and had no idea how to sign up for KELA or use OmaKanta. I showed her the way. It felt great to help someone who was going through something that I myself had gone through prior to this. That is when I realized how vital it is to transfer digital literacy to other people, especially when you’re in a different country.
Digital Services in Nepal – Pros and Cons
In my home country, Nepal, digitalization is underway, but it is not that advanced as in Finland. Patients can make appointments with doctors through cell phone applications in urban areas, and some hospitals notify them of appointments through SMS messages. However in, rural Nepal, paper records and verbal discussions are still practiced.
One major challenge is the availability of the internet and familiarity with computers. Many elderly people or villagers don’t even know how to work online systems. Positively, a massive effort towards rolling out mobile banking and health information systems in small towns reflects positively if solid infrastructure is created. Thinking about my family back home, I often worry about how my parents would cope if everything went digital. They still prefer to call the clinic to book an appointment and keep paper prescriptions at home. I once tried to help my father install a mobile banking app, and even though we succeeded, he still preferred to withdraw cash from the bank.
These little things show how digital tools are useful but not always easily adopted. They made me understand how important it is to consider people’s comfort level, especially when introducing tech to older generations or those in rural areas.
Making use of Global Online Platforms
Although I am located in Finland, I regularly use Booking.com for travel and Wolt for food ordering. Booking.com has been fine, and I appreciate how it gives detailed hotel reviews and prices.
I have also used Amazon, but the delivery is slow and more expensive in Finland. That was when I started using Finnish alternatives like Verkkokauppa for electronics; it’s much faster and supports local businesses.
With these interactions, I’ve gained the skills to compare sites and test if they really deliver what they promise, either in cost or reliability.
Digital Services in My Own Industry
Since I work in a gym and also study business, I’ve had the opportunity to experiment with fitness and business digital services. We utilize fitness center management software like MyWellness and other programs to organize bookings, track exercises, and speak to clients.
These assistances save staff time and help clients plan their workout sessions more easily. The company also assists in gathering valuable insight into when the gym is most crowded or what schemes are most popular. Through this, we can improve services based on actual feedback and usage patterns.
What amazing value from one application changing the way an entire business works.
Digital Gap
One thing I’ve noticed both in Nepal and even in Finland is that older people often struggle with digital services. In Nepal, many don’t own smartphones or trust online payments. They prefer visiting banks in person or paying bills with cash.
In Finland, even though services are digital and fluid, there are still some people, especially the elderly, who are intimidated or excluded. I think training and support need to be offered to those who do not have knowledge of digital tools so they will not be excluded.
My Digital Competence Test Results
I completed the Digital Competence Test on March 30, 2025. It took about 13 minutes, and it was a great way to understand my strengths and weaknesses.
My strongest areas were Automation (93%), Collaboration (85%), and Law (84%).
My lowest score was Configuration (64%), which shows that I need to do some work in learning how to understand and manage the more technical sides of digital tools.
Overall, the test left me feeling at ease but also aware that there is always something more to learn.
Data Privacy
As I have integrated more online services into my daily life, I have also become aware of data protection. Whether it’s logging in on OmaKanta or shopping online, personally speaking, I always think twice before providing personal information. As I reside within the EU, I have learned about GDPR intended to protect the likes of me.
I appreciate that my health information or personal data is protected legally, but I also comprehend that the burden, in a way, falls on me. I do try to use good passwords, not click random links, and get devices upgraded. Being a digital citizen isn’t simply having technology in practice but utilizing it wisely and safely.
Self-Reflection
Finishing up this Digi Citizen assignment prompted me to realize how much life is centered on digital services these days. Whether it’s health and government documents or food and fitness tracking, there’s something digital for all of it.
It also made me see the digital divide more clearly, how some people are left behind due to fewer skills or resources. I realized that technology can make life easier, but it has to be made accessible and safe for everyone.
Most importantly, I’ve developed confidence in utilizing digital tools ethically and helping others understand them, too.