Pedram is a 19-year-old man from Iran who has lived in Finland for 8 years. He originated from Iran but speaks Finnish, Azeri, and lives as a Catholic in Finland. He dreams of finding work helping disabled people. He enjoys sports and spending time with his family, which includes his mother, father, sister, and three brothers. His family migrated to Finland so that disabled people could have better access to healthcare and education. Pedram graduated from a vocational school in 2009 and hopes to find independent living and employment while maintaining his Iranian cultural identity and connections to friends in Finland.

1. Pedram 19 years old Originates from Iran Languages: Azer and Finnish Religion: Catholic Has been living in Finland for 8 years

2. Family Mother, a housemother. Dreams of studies for practical nurse and working with the disabled. Father, an enterpreneur in Iran. In Finland he is now taking horticulture studies. Dreams of a horticulture business where Pedram could also work. Sister Katrin 16 years Brothers Puja 9 yrs, Parsa 6 yrs, Pecsam 3 yrs

3. Hobbies Football in summer Floorball in winter Takes part in all the hobbies his family has

4. Reasons for migration Disabled persons had poor possibilities to get healthcare services and education in Iran

5. Moving to Finland January 1999 From Turkey to Russia, stayed there for 3 years From Russia to Finland and Vaasa

6. Education Started special needs education in Finlandat grade 3, fullfilled compulsory education at the age of 16 Preparatory and rehabilitative education and guidance for work and independent livingat Luovi Vocational Institute, 3 years Graduated in May 2009 Has got rehabilitation allowance  pension

7. Life in Finland Starts working at the day activity center in autumn As a social person Pedram has got many new friends at school Has only few friends on leisure time Family has some Finnish friend-families In Vaasa there are no other Catholic families from Iran

8. Life in Finland Feels living in Finland is safe and peaceful A disabled person can get all the healthcare and welfare services plus education he needs The biggest problem is the difficult Finnish language

9. Culture Pedram has learned Finnish culture and lifestyle Family maintains their own culture through language, family relationships and satellite channels Traditions, festival days and cuisineare important ways to maintain the Iranian culture

10. Futuredreams and hopes ”To get a nice job with salary” ”Girlfriend and a flat of my own” ”When you get older you can live alone, without support” ”I want to maintain contacts with my fellow-students”

11. Finnishness Feels himself to be a Finn Grown up in the Finnish culture Has Finnish friends