I moved to Finland after reading it was the happiest place on earth. Here are 6 things that surprised me living and working here.

• Jorge Reyes had never been to Finland before he moved from Bogotá, Colombia, to Helsinki. 
• He was prepared for the extreme weather, but other aspects of Finnish culture shocked him. 
• Naked saunas, no shoes at work, and acceptable dating protocol all took Reyes off guard. 

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jorge Reyes, 27, who moved from Bogotá, Colombia, to Finland, rated one of the happiest countries in the world. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I moved to Helsinki without ever visiting Finland because I read that it was the happiest place on earth.