For our group’s first EOTO session, we combined a quick supermarket tour with a relaxed visit to the park. On September 24, we met at the Lidl in the city centre and walked through the different sections of the store. While browsing, we taught each other basic vocabulary and short phrases in our languages. Since our group is fairly large, we mainly focused on Dutch and Finnish. We translated everyday foods and drinks and pointed out some typical or well-known items from our countries—for example, Gouda cheese or stroopwafels for Dutch; Karjalanpaisti for Finnish; and schnitzel or Weißwurst for German.
As a German, it was fun to introduce my classmates to traditional German foods, which are often hearty and meat-based. In the Netherlands, foods are sometimes simpler and lighter, with a focus on bread, cheese, and sweet treats like stroopwafels. It was interesting to compare how everyday groceries differ between our countries and to notice what we each consider “typical” or essential foods.
The atmosphere was easy-going, and it was a nice way to get to know everyone better, learn about each other’s food preferences, and pick up some new words along the way.
Afterwards, we bought a few snacks and headed over to Sorsipuisto, where we sat together, ate, and chatted for a while. It was a relaxed and enjoyable start to our EOTO sessions, combining language learning, cultural exchange, and simple social interaction in a casual setting.
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