Our alum, Viivi Rintanen is known as a property investor and the host of a podcast on sex. She is also a doctor with a degree from the University of Helsinki's Faculty of Medicine and a mother of seven. She saw her medical studies as a great privilege.
- Tough years, is how Viivi Rintanen describes her studies at the Faculty of Medicine.
While the studies themselves required a great deal of work, Rintanen had a lot going on in her private life as well. She already had three children when she began studying medicine.
During her studies, Rintanen and her husband Antti had three more children. They also started a company together and began to invest in property. They now own over 100 flats. In addition, the couple built their own house when Rintanen was still studying.
While a student, Rintanen became a social media content producer as well. She started her Instagram account, Kotimatka, which now has about 50,000 followers, and created a podcast on sex and sexuality, Paritellen, with Desire Nymark.
- I'd have liked my medical degree to include compulsory studies in sexual medicine. Sexuality affects us so much, Rintanen says.
Her spouse Antti also studied to become a doctor alongside his high-level sporting commitments: he went on to win medals in major competitions in taekwondo and kickboxing.
Viivi Rintanen graduated from the Faculty of Medicine in November 2023. At this point, people who enjoy a less hectic pace of life may feel overwhelmed. But not Viivi and Antti: the couple welcomed their seventh child, a foster child, at the beginning of the year.
Rintanen is currently at home with the latest arrival.
- But I do want to work as well because I want to master the basics of practising medicine. So I work a few nights a month in a hospital A&E department and will start working at a health centre next year.
Saved by daycare
Rintanen spent a year each at home with two of her children born during her studies. Medical education follows a rather strict, predefined curriculum applying to all students. Courses must be completed in a specific order alongside other students admitted the same year. Rintanen explains that the birth of a child during the academic year usually requires taking a year off.
The couple's sixth child happened to be born on the last day of Rintanen's final compulsory training period. She completed her final project during the baby's first year.
Her spouse Antti was two years ahead of her in his studies. The two-student household long lived a hand-to-mouth existence.
- That's why we decided it would be better for Antti to graduate as soon as possible and find a job. It was better than both of us taking family leave and being delayed in our studies.
Despite her family leave, Viivi too completed her medical degree fairly quickly.
- It took me eight years even though I had three kids during that period. I'm really pleased. Fortunately, here in Finland people work pretty much eight to four. And thank goodness for our daycare system.
In the morning, the couple took their children to daycare and then headed to the University.
- At the Faculty of Medicine, attendance is required at practically all sessions. You can resit exams, but certain teaching sessions, such as seminars, are offered only once a year. I sometimes had to accompany my children to school, with my husband stepping in later in the day. It wasn't impossible, but took a lot of planning.
Doctors can be themselves
In total, Rintanen studied three major subjects at the University of Helsinki. She began with early childhood education and then studied dentistry for a while until being admitted to her dream subject of general medical practice.
She thinks medical studies were thoughtfully designed and prepared students well for practical work, particularly because of the many compulsory training periods. The students also practised interaction skills with professional actors almost from day one, which Rintanen appreciated.
- I feel really privileged to have been part of this learning journey and growing into the role of doctor in a safe environment without any pressure. I also feel I've grown as a human being. Medicine is so deeply intertwined with human lives that you're bound to learn a great deal about human nature.
One of the important lessons she has learned is that not everyone can be healed, but everyone can be helped. The desire to help others was a key factor for Rintanen to study medicine.
- If you're considering applying to study medicine, think about your motives. There are easier ways to make money.
Rintanen says that medical studies are based on conservative ideas and a strong view of how a doctor should be.
She describes students being instilled, for example, with the idea that they will first and foremost represent their valuable profession even out of hours. However, she herself is happy to be known for her podcast exploring sexuality also from a personal perspective.
- I feel that doctors too are allowed to show their personality.
