At Vammaisten maahanmuuttajien tukikeskus Hilma (Hilma – The Support Centre for Immigrant Persons with Disabilities), we are committed to providing meaningful learning opportunities for students, interns, trainees, and individuals participating in work trials. We believe that practical experience is one of the most valuable ways to learn, develop professional skills, and contribute to an inclusive society.

One of our recent trainees, Jelena Nekvapil from Croatia, completed her internship at Hilma during her exchange studies in Finland. We are delighted to share her experience in her own words:

”Hello everyone!

My name is Jelena. I am 24 years old and I’m from Croatia. From January to June 2026, I studied social work at Diaconia University of Applied Sciences (Diak) in Helsinki as an exchange student.

As a requirement from my home university, I needed to complete a practical internship in the field of social work with people with disabilities. That is how I found Hilma, a wonderful organization that supports immigrants with disabilities and this entire journey has been absolutely amazing.

I adapted to the environment very quickly and immediately clicked with the team which made working together an absolute joy. Although having a wide range of languages is definitely a big plus in working with immigrants, I managed to communicate completely hassle-free. I used Croatian with fellow Slavic speakers and English with everyone else and it worked beautifully!

Every day was filled with fun, laughter and successful communication and work. Working on these topics has truly deepened my sensitivity and empathy toward immigrants and people with disabilities.

This has been a profound experience that has made a lasting impact on both my personal and professional development.

I definitely recommend Hilma to everyone! It is a place where you will not only grow as a professional but also feel like you belong to a warm dedicated family.  Jelena Nekvapil, Croatia”

We sincerely thank Jelena for her valuable contribution, positive energy, and dedication during her time at Hilma. Her experience reflects the supportive, multicultural, and inclusive environment that we strive to create every day.

Join Hilma as an Intern, Trainee, or Work Trial Participant

Vammaisten maahanmuuttajien tukikeskus Hilma regularly offers opportunities for:

• Student internships
• Practical training placements
• Work trials
• Volunteer activities
• International exchange placements

We welcome students and professionals from Finland and abroad who are interested in social work, disability inclusion, immigrant support, community development, and human rights.

If you are looking for a meaningful placement where you can gain practical experience, develop your professional skills, and become part of a supportive team, we encourage you to contact us.

We wish Jelena every success in her future studies and career and thank her for being part of the Hilma family.

Vammaisten maahanmuuttajien tukikeskus Hilma
Supporting inclusion, participation, and equal opportunities for immigrant persons with disabilities.