Tuula Äärelä carried out studies for a bachelor degree in translation (diplomikielenkääntäjä, DKK) and graduated in 1976 from Language Institute of Kouvola with excellent grades. As the primary language she studied Russian. Her secondary language was German and additionally she studied Swedish. During that time she also received the right to officially confirm translations from Russian to Finnish and vice versa. Since that time she has kept these skills on a high level:  Authorized Translator in Russian and Community Interpreter Degree (asioimistulkki), year 2018. The studies establish a firm ground for work in the international technology trade.