My name is Quang “Neo” Bui and I am an Associate Professor of Information Systems at the Rochester Institute of Technology in the Western New York area. My research focuses on the strategic and behavioral implications of digital technologies for organizations and individuals. It covers four main areas: cybersecurity, digital transformation, human-centered AI, and healthcare IT.
This year, I am visiting the University of Vaasa as a Fulbright scholar for five months to work on a project related to cybersecurity resilience in energy sector. During my visit, I collaborate with my hosts, Dr. Tero Vartiainen and Dr. Duong Dang, to explore cybersecurity challenges and best practices in energy companies and compare them with those in the US. The project aims to strengthen US-Finland collaboration in cybersecurity, an important topic given the current geopolitical landscape.
Over the past months, my family and I have been living and learning—not just through research, but through our daily routines in Finland. One of the questions that I have been most curious about is why Finland has consistently been ranked as the happiest country in the world. Through our experiences, we have come to the following realizations:
Happiness through nature and outdoor plays: Finland’s happiness often starts outdoors. As a family, we have found endless opportunities to engage with nature and outdoor activities: playgrounds are everywhere, each often with its own unique design; plenty of hiking trails to lose ourselves in nature; Lapland adventures give us magical experience with northern lights; and sauna culture adds another dimension where we can recharge and have meaningful connections.
Happiness through supportive social systems and family well-being: Finland has a strong supportive system for families, and it truly shows. Childcare is affordable and built around play-based learning which really excites my son. Schools and workplaces offer affordable and healthy foods, something that we deeply appreciate. We have also been fortunate to find community activities we enjoy: ice skating, soccer, and the local gyms. All of these have made our transition not only smoother but also deeply fulfilling.
Happiness through positive work environment: Finland has a strong culture of openness, trust, and work-life balance. I remember being surprised by a bit of “work culture shock” when I first arrived: no emails after hours, weekends reserved for personal life, and lunch starting at 11am. In my work project, my colleagues have been incredibly supportive, connecting me with industry partners to jump-start my project. These small but meaningful differences have truly elevated my experience here in Finland.
Looking ahead, we came to Finland to better understand the ingredients of happiness. What we’ve learned is Finns are content with life through a combination of nature, community, work-life balance, and trust—all woven into the rhythm of everyday life. We still have much more to discover during our stay, but this has already been an exceptional and enriching experience for our family. We are excited to continue learning, contributing to this community, and carrying these lessons forward in our work and lives back in the U.S.
