Advertisement
Published: September 4th 2014
Edit Blog Post
Hello beloved friends and family!
I am so touched that so many people want to know how I am doing and what I am up to so I have decided to make this blog in order to keep all of my loved ones informed and of course, to document my experiences in Finland.
It has only been 3 days and there is already so much to say I don't even know where to begin.
As many of you know, I am very jet lagged. My body doesn't understand what time it is or what it is supposed to be doing. Right now, it is 10:39 AM in Salem, Oregon but here in Jyvaskyla it is 8:39 PM. That is a ten hour time difference.
As many of you saw, I took pictures of Pusheen the Cat, who I crocheted just in time for this trip, during my entire journey to Finland. And even a bit after we arrived. Those were unfortunately on my snapchat story so if you missed it, I'm sorry. I will post a few of the photos I saved. Taking those photos brought me a lot
of enjoyment at the airports and filled up my time. Seriously, it was so much fun.
I arrived super late at night on Monday, just barely within the time that we were advised to arrive. I got to my apartment and unfortunately found out that I had very little to live with and no toilet paper. Luckily, I had napkins. I also thought that they would provide a towel, which they didn't, so I used my pj pants for my hair on Tuesday. I tell you all this because it was funny and resourceful and I would do it again. In fact, I did do it again, on Wednesday. Other than a few minor setbacks, like how the mattress on my bed is a foam pad, I really like my apartment. Mostly, I like living in my own place for the first time. My room is very large and for the first time in my life I am cooking my own meals. Today I made couscous and it was delicious! I think I have enough to eat it all week. I never thought I would enjoy planning and preparing my own food but luckily I was wrong!
My first day of orientation was an early morning so I only recieved a few hours of sleep but I quickly met my new friends Nathalie and Christina while we were waiting for our tutor Mari. I have already become somewhat attached to everyone I have met. They are all so nice and funny and they are all around very interesting. As someone who really enjoys learning about people and even just plain old people watching, this experience is like a constant field day. I LOVE IT.
Nathalie, who just celebrated her 21st birthday and who I just really enjoy being around, introduced me to her friends from Belgium; Lukas and Liza. The three of them are a hoot and I can't even say how grateful I am to have met them. Liza is hilarious, and a drinking champion. Lukas is constantly filming and photographing everything that is happening. I encourage this because he then takes the documentation and puts together small films which are extremely creative. He is very talented and I will be sharing his videos on my timeline so please please watch them. I promise they are worth it.
Since
coming to Finland, I have also made the acquintance of a friend named Marleen. She is from the Netherlands and she is just very beautiful and kind. I am glad that we will likely share many of our communications courses together. I have gotten to know my roommate Linda a bit. She is very nice and I think we will live well together. I look forward to getting to know her more.
A few things about Finland:
Everyone rides bicycles. I MEAN EVERYONE. It is the most common way to commute. There are barely any cars and there are bikes parked absolutely everywhere. Many aren't even locked up. There is an essence of trust here that I can't even wrap my brain around. Unfortunately though, I am still working on obtaining a bicycle myself and have been walking or riding the bus everywhere. From walking, I have shin splints and blisters on my feet and from the bus, I have a lighter wallet haha. But I have a bicycle being fixed and I'll have it by next week.
Being one of roughly 4 Americans is a blast. I have already spoken about American
politics multiple times with my peers. To everyone's surprise we are realizing that we mostly agree.
Sadly, I have been here for several days and have not yet set foot inside a sauna. Where is the naked, steamy time you promised me Finland?!
Finns drink milk with every meal and they eat very healthy which is wonderful! I get a full course lunch for only 2.60 E here and it's delicious!
Finns never break the rules of the road. While almost everyone walks or bikes, they do not dare to cross the road before they are signaled. It's enduring but also a bit infuriating. "No one is coming! JUST GO!"
After having a long discussion with my tutor Mari, I found out that Finns are very very focused on equality. The poor aren't very poor but at the same time, the rich aren't able to become extremely rich because they pay so much in taxes. Taxes are like 50% of their income. No one suffers. The streets are extremely clean. You don't see signs of drugs and there are rarely any beggars or homeless. The only beggars I
saw were two musicians in the city center. But at the same time, while there are so many people living comfortably, there is an economic crisis. I don't know exactly what I think of all of this but I find it extremely fascinating.
Do you know people are paid to go to school here?
I'm permanently moving to Finland.
This is my official notice.
While this is a mass update of my life, I really would love to hear responses or answer questions so please contact me!
Don't forget me.
Send me love letters.
For now,
Hannah
Advertisement
Tot: 0.084s; Tpl: 0.019s; cc: 9; qc: 50; dbt: 0.0419s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
Calla Mosczynski
non-member comment
This blog is great!
Sister, you are not moving to Finland. Although, I am so happy that you are having a fascinating time!