Meet the Finns in their Homes
Cozy Finland offers tourists the opportunity to meet with Finns in their homes for coffee, dinner, and socialization.
Dec 6, 2006 Lisa Sabol-Sikorski
Q: How did you get the idea to start Cozy Finland?
A: I have traveled and seen tourist sights all over the world. On a trip to Gambia, I was in a five star hotel, but daily life was somewhere else. I thought it would be interesting to see real life, to see how people live and to discuss things, but it is hard to get to know people when you are a tourist. I first thought about starting this business four years ago, but I buried it in my mind as a "mission impossible." But, the more I thought about it, the more I thought I could do it.
Q: How do you find people who want to bring visitors into their home?
A: I have been very lucky because I have received plenty of media coverage. People contacted me and told me that they are interested in working with me. I have almost 150 hosts. One family even invited (former Italian Prime Minister Silvio) Berlusconi, who recently criticized Finnish culture and people!
Q: What types of Finnish people are interesting in hosting visitors?
A: I personally meet families who are interested in hosting visitors. People need to speak a foreign language very well. Many speak English and many speak other languages. My hosts are usually interested in cross cultural things. I check to see how many people can fit in their homes and to ensure that their homes are up to health and cleanliness standards.
Q: How do match visitors with hosts?
A: The language is important. Some people requests singles, couples, or families with children. Also, distance is a factor. Most hosts are in Helsinki, but I have some in Tampere, Turku, Kuopio, and Jyväskylä.
Q: What is your most popular activity?
A: Dinners and Sunday lunch. I will be offering more services, like a "Cozy Ladies Evening," where Finnish and foreign women can meet and socialize and "Bring Your Own Wine Evening" in a Finnish home. I have many more ideas, too. But, I do not want to be a dating service for foreign men to meet Finnish women.
Q: Do people get paid to host visitors?
A: Hosts are paid to cover the costs of the visit.
Contact kirsti.sergejeff@cosyfinland.com if you are interested in arranging a home visit on your next trip to Finland. Kirsti will email you a quote tailored to your request, but prices normally start around 57 euro.
Cozy Finnish Dinner Table
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