“I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.” ― Brené Brown
Connections. I know I wrote a post on this already, but one of the best things about being here in Finland is connecting with the people. It is through connections that I came to be involved in a project titled “Finnishness as seen through the eyes of foreign students” (or “Suomalaisuus ulkomaisten opiskelijoiden silmin” in Finnish). And, it is through involvement in this project that has had me reflecting and learning about all things Finnish.
So, let’s start with the story of Tiina and Yundan.
Connections.
I met Yundan on the Couchsurfing network I am a part of (which, if you remember, is also how I came to live here at Kontionkatu 6). When I was looking for a place to live back in November, she sent me a message with some housing tips. After messaging back and forth a bit, and connecting on Facebook, I learned she was also a student of education, from a small village on the coast of China, and had been studying in Finland since the fall. She offered her number and I promised to get in touch when I got settled in Joensuu.
Not long after my arrival, I noticed some beautiful pictures she had posted on Facebook. This is how I came to meet Tiina, a visual communications student at the Karelia University of Applied Sciences. Tiina is working on the photo exhibition, “Finnishness as seen through the eyes of foreign students” (or “Finnishness” for short), as part of her thesis for her degree (more on this project in my next post). I had the privilege of meeting both Tiina and Yundan one cold weekend in January, as I embarked on my journey of “Finnishness”. We spent the evening talking, baking Karjalanpiirakka, and enjoying the sauna.
The evening we met is a particularly fond memory for me for many reasons. Not only did it bring together the Finnish, Chinese, and American cultures, but also fed this desire to “embrace my inner Finnishness”, as I like to call it. I also met two amazing people who have made my time here in Joensuu so enjoyable.
After living here now for 3 months, I have continued to embrace my “Finnishness” and immerse myself in the culture I have called home this year. Through this learning and reflection, I have learned that “Finnishness” is not only about experiences, but the reflection that goes along with each experience.
Finnish Experiences.
My list of Finnish experiences is growing each day as I strive to look for unique ways to integrate myself into the culture. Here are just a few of my highlights (see my page, Daily Musings, for more).
Cross-country skiing
In Finland, there are two “must learn” winter sports for children: cross-country skiing and ice skating. Since I’ve never cross-country skied before, I opted for this new experience. When I was in Helsinki, I purchased cross-country ski boots, and my advisor, Kari, and I have been hitting the trails throughout the winter. It is great, because most of the trails are lit up at nighttime, so you can (almost) always see where you are going. There are a couple nice loops right next to campus, and I think I showed some improvement throughout the winter. Not only did I ski on the tracks near campus, but I also explored other areas around town, including our lake. In March, they opened tracks at various locations around Lake Pyhäselkä. What a calming experience to ski across a wide, open lake!
Nature in Koli
I’d been wanting to go to Koli since I first came to Joensuu, because it had come highly recommended as a beautiful national park in our area, and because it was one of the only downhill ski places around here. I was not disappointed. Despite the short, small downhill trails, Koli was beautiful, even with the dense layer of fog that surrounded the park all day. The heavy snow layered the trees, and we enjoyed getting a little lost in the winter wonderland. I have now been back here several times since my first visit, and am looking forward to seeing Koli in the summertime with my parents.
Salibandy
My roommates are awesome. I couldn’t be happier where I live, and have enjoyed being a part of an international household. Of course, being active is also a great thing we have in common. Every Sunday, they play salibandy, or floorball, with people from their church (another must-learn sport for Finnish kids). They invited me to come along one Sunday, and I have been hooked ever since. While I’m no professional yet, I have managed to score a few goals, and incur some nice bruises blocking the ball.
Ice Swimming and Sauna
Ice swimming was definitely on my Finland Bucket List, and I realized just how lucky I was to have our very own “Polar Bear” ice swimming club just a couple of miles from my house. I fell in love after my first visit, and it is now almost a weekly occurrence. I even rallied my California sister and a few other newbies to this unique experience.
Lapland
You can’t visit Finland without visiting Lapland, the elusive, northernmost part of the country known for Santa’s village, the indigenous Sami people, and of course, the famous Aurora Borealis. When my youngest sister, Lisa, came to visit me in March, she had one goal: to see the Northern Lights. I am happy to say that we exceeded her expectations and saw the lights several nights, in addition to many other fun Finnish adventures.
With each experience comes reflection, and I have spent a lot of time thinking about how these experiences connect to the Finnish culture.
More on this and the Finnishness photo project in my next post… Finnishness Part II: Reflections.
