From Las Vegas to Kuopio

American Bailey Burch moved to Kuopio for the duration of her fiancé Patrick Curry’s hockey season with KalPa. Before coming to Finland, Bailey had never traveled abroad, making the move a leap into the unknown.

Throughout the spring, Hello Kuopio’s Instagram will feature videos of Bailey showcasing her life and experiences in Kuopio.

Having lived in Kuopio for half a year, Bailey has found the city to be a positive experience from the start. Her first impressions were entirely based on her fiancé’s experiences. “Patrick arrived in Finland six weeks before me to start the hockey season, so my expectations of Kuopio were shaped by what he told me. He described the city as beautiful, clean, and very safe,” Bailey recalls. In addition to the feeling of safety, she highlights the city’s short distances and the exciting atmosphere at hockey games as its best qualities.

Kuopio’s diverse café and restaurant scene has also made a great impression on Bailey. When asked about her favorite restaurants, she mentions Coffee House, Panza, Isä Camillo, and Kreeta. As for Finnish cuisine, her top picks are salmon soup and reindeer.

Bailey describes Finns as very nice, though a bit reserved and not overly emotional.

”I have absolutely loved living in Kuopio. It’s a wonderful place with friendly people!”

Experiencing the four seasons

Bailey, who grew up in Michigan, lived in Las Vegas for eight years before moving to Finland. Coming from the desert heat, experiencing four distinct seasons has been a particularly memorable part of her time in Finland. She arrived in Kuopio in the fall and has since witnessed autumn, winter, and early spring. The summer in Kuopio is still ahead and she is eagerly looking forward to it.

”I love how clearly the different seasons stand out from each other.”

Before moving to Finland, Bailey worked in social media in the fashion industry and pharmaceutical sales. In Finland, she works in social media. You can follow her journey in Kuopio on Hello Kuopio’s Instagram, as well as on her own Instagram and TikTok accounts.

Header photo of Bailey: Tuukka Ahonen / Huhu Digital, other photos: Bailey Burch