Katja Laakso

Name: Katja Laakso
Age: 29
Born: Finland
Lived in Scotland: Five years

Katja Laakso works as a senior campaigns officer at the Scottish Waste Awareness Group (SWAG). Growing up in Finland, Katja did not know much about Scotland but she has lived and worked in the country for the past five years and plans to stay for the foreseeable future.

Katja said:

"I was largely unaware of Scotland growing up. It is a relatively small country and my impressions were more of Britain as a whole.

"I first came to Scotland seven years ago and was very pleasantly surprised by the beautiful scenery and lovely friendly people. Having spent a summer working in Manchester I took the opportunity to visit various parts of the UK and Ireland before heading home.

"Scotland was without question the best place I visited on my tour. I returned home to Finland and began looking into the possibility of studying in Scotland.

"I was particularly drawn to Scotland's capital city, especially after visiting the Edinburgh International Festival. I was delighted then, when I secured a place at Edinburgh University where I studied a Masters degree in environmental sustainability.

"I now live in Dunblane and I've totally fallen in love with Scotland's beautiful scenery. The Scottish people are so friendly and accommodating and there are more job opportunities in campaigning here than there are back home. Scotland also has an unmistakeable identity of its own that appeals to me greatly.

"Working as a campaigns officer for SWAG means that I'm able to indulge my love of the environment. I love the Scottish outdoors and I'm so glad that I have the opportunity to help protect it for future generations.

"There is one place in particular that I regard as being a hidden gem. The Moray coast has some of the most breathtaking scenery that I have seen anywhere in the world. That combined with the tranquil atmosphere makes it the one place I love to visit time and time again."

Information correct at June 2007