Akseli celebrates completing his degree in social services: “Graduation is a mountain I’ve always dreamed of climbing”

“Right now, it feels like I’ve climbed the most beautiful mountain in the world—the one I’ve always wanted to climb. I’ve been training for this, and it’s been a bit windy at times along the way, but now I’m feeling great.”

This is how Bachelor of Social Services Akseli Hepo-oja described his feelings at the moment of graduation. Akseli celebrated his achievement today at Laurea’s graduation ceremony alongside hundreds of others.

“I’ve always dreamed of being a student”

“When I was young, I was a pretty wild student, and the first time I actually enjoyed being in school was when I was 30,” Hepo-oja recalls. At that time, he was studying to become a practical nurse and began working in mental health care and with young people, but the dream of continuing his studies had been ignited.

In 2022, Akseli began his studies in Laurea’s English-language social services degree programme. The highlights of his studies were the international intensive weeks, which allowed him, for example, to visit prisons in Finland and Estonia and to work on improving the safety and livability of residential areas in Germany. Akseli has also completed the internships required for his studies abroad.

My time as a student has been a story of growth

“Studying has been the best thing in my life,” Akseli Hepo-oja sums up his time as a student at Laurea without a moment’s hesitation.

“My time as a student has also had its challenges, but at Laurea, I’ve always received help whenever I’ve asked for it. I’m especially grateful to my tutor for the help and support I received.”

Studying at Laurea has also been a story of personal growth for Akseli. He vividly remembers his first essay assignment and the moment he stood in front of his class to present it:

“I was shaking so much with nerves that I thought I was going to die. I got through it, so I started practicing public speaking. Since then, I’ve given many presentations to various audiences,” Akseli says.

“If I can do this, anyone can,” he encourages everyone considering starting their studies.

“Be curious and find your own path”

Akseli is currently working at the Deaconess Foundation’s housing unit in Rinnekoti, which operates on the “Housing First” principle, until the end of the summer.

“I still don’t know what I want to do when I grow up, though. Most of all, I’d like to support people who’ve been knocked down by life,” he says, describing his future plans.

To help students find their own path, Akseli Hepo-oja encourages every student to be brave and curious, to ask questions and wonder—to explore what it is that interests them most.

“Laurea offers a wide variety of projects and other opportunities to help you find your own thing. My studies have also allowed me to use the skills I already have and build my own path from them.”