For Matti Hirvola, who was born and raised in Pori, the University of Helsinki was a natural progression from upper secondary school. His Finnish teacher had inspired him to study the literature and the cultures of antiquity, to which purpose the Faculty of Arts at the University of Helsinki was best suited.

Matti Hirvola already dabbled in politics at university. Like many others, this happened through student movements. The years he spent at the Student Union of the University of Helsinki were good practice for national politics.

Matti Hirvola is concerned with the division between the private and public sectors in contemporary society. Hirvola longs for stronger national discourse through lobbying and communications, i.e. passing information from one sector to another.

In August 2015 Matti Hirvola began working in lobbying for the Central Organisation of Trade Unions, SAK. He wants the raise the Organisation’s profile in the national discourse.

One of my best experiences at the University of Helsinki was when, as a fresher, I opened a textbook for the first time. It gave me a strong sense that I had become part of something with a very long historical tradition. I had the same feeling when I received my Master’s Degree at the graduation ceremony. The University of Helsinki is the oldest university in the country, and that is one of the reasons these rituals are particularly festive and memorable.