Tervetuloa Suomeen! - Welcome to Finland! A semester
abroad with insights into Finnish culture, many new impressions and more than
enough coffee. The land of
a thousand lakes. A country that is 70% covered by forests, has a unique
education system and is not only known for its Northern Lights, but also for
its customary coffee culture: Finland. Finland was not without reason nominated
as the country with the highest level of life satisfaction and quality, which I
had the opportunity to experience for myself. I spent my semester abroad with
the Erasmus+ program at a very special campus of the Haaga-Helia University of
Applied Sciences.
Vierumäki - the Finnish Sports
Institute
Unlike many
previous accadis students, I was not drawn to one of the three main Haaga-Helia
campuses in Helsinki, but instead to the Vierumäki campus, which is located 110
km north of Helsinki. Given my sports management studies, I definitely wanted
to expand my knowledge in the sports-specific sector during my stay abroad,
which is why the Vierumäki Campus turned out to be the ideal opportunity. For a
few years now, an international program has been offered there, which appeals
to sports students of all backgrounds, but has not yet been taken up by any
accadis student. I was all the happier that I was able to take advantage of
this opportunity!
The Finnish
Sports Institute is located on the campus in Vierumäki, which not only offers
Haaga-Helia students a place to study, but is also a training center for many
top and amateur athletes. Guests and families are also made welcome there with
many recreational activities, which is why Vierumäki is considered a valuable
and renowned destination for excursions.
Group work and the Finnish language
I was one
of a total of four Erasmus students who spent an unforgettable time in
Vierumäki from mid-August to mid-December. Unfortunately, not all lecturers
spoke English well and especially the Finnish students had problems
understanding everything in English, which is why we often switched to Finnish.
The Finnish language is definitely a challenge, but within a few months, you
can at least learn the basics and pick up a word or two. The academic program
was characterized by group work of all kinds, and the Finns also make a point
of including practical lessons. A highlight was also the active break, i.e. a
5-minute unit with brief stretching exercises, which revived the mind and body.
Lahti - a world of winter sports
Besides
visits to the more distant cities of Helsinki or Porvoo, I was particularly
impressed by Lahti. The city is located only 20 km from Vierumäki and - among
winter sports fans - is especially known for its ski jump. In addition to
numerous highlights, such as the ski museum, you can also learn about the
Finnish passion for coffee, because the Finnish population has the highest per
capita coffee consumption in the world! A real Finnish coffee break, however,
traditionally includes a cinnamon bun.
Cultural highlights in Finland
Apart from
the usual clichés, which can be found in various travel guides, I made an
astonishing observation right at the very beginning of my semester: Besides
coffee, milk in particular is a kind of national beverage, of which every Finn
consumes about 136 liters per year! In addition to the customary milk
alternatives made from oats or soy, the Finns attach particular importance to a
large selection of milk varieties. There are more than 50 different types in
the supermarket - which initially presents a challenge for an exchange student.
From non-homogenized milk to soured milk and clabber, there is something for
everyone. The incredible nature in Finland is justifiably raved about, because
it is truly unique. This also includes Everyman's Right, i.e. everyone is
allowed to move and stop freely and everywhere in nature. What I also learned:
Finland not only has the cleanest water in the world, but also the cleanest
air. As a result, it is all the more understandable that the Finns love,
appreciate and care for their nature. The only thing Finnish citizens love even
more than coffee and nature is the sauna, which is used daily, is often open to
the public and of which there are over three million throughout the country - a
considerable number for a population of 5.5 million!
Résumé
My stay abroad in Finland not only showed me new facets of sports, but
it also enriched me with cultural knowledge about the country. Never before
have I been in a country that on the one hand is characterized by a high degree
of internationalism, and on the other hand is so attached to its native
traditions and values. In my opinion, the Finns can truly be proud of their
carefully thought out education and health care system and are not without
reason so satisfied with their lifestyle. For me, the trip to Finland was a
unique opportunity to get to know new cultures and myself a little better in
the process, which is why I can only recommend this experience to everyone.
Hannah Ruess, International Sports Management B.A. 2021