I have never planned to come to Finland before in my life. The story of me reaching Finland or Tampere, in particular, was so random that it enhances my belief in destiny.
During my 2 years in Finland, I have learned so many things about this welfare state and the spirit of Finnish people.
1.THE ART OF DONT GIVE A F*CK.
I was reading the book about how to not give a f*ck about what people think about you but just be yourself, do the things you want to and have to do. As a kid growing up in a very conservative environment where we are strongly affected by Confucianism plus, a totalitarian system of the Communist North Vietnam, I was taught to behave according to the expectation of the society but not being myself. However, I have been exposed to other cultures especially what so-called “American values” in my country that I don’t really care about what people think of me. I’ve traveling to quite a few countries all over the world, the more I go, the more I see that the true master of the “Giving no F” is Finns.
Nobody cares about your outfits, your hairs, your shoes in this country. They only care about what you do, the value and efficiency of your works.
2. GENDER EQUALITY
Social issues including gender inequality and women empowerment have long been causes of my life. I traveled to many places in Vietnam, flew to other countries to learn how to advocate women rights and empower girls in my society. Yet, Finland remained silent during my search.
But when I come here, I was so overwhelmed by the level of equality in the society. Women are so strong, confident and free in Finland. There is still room for improvement, I know. Hence, it can not be denied that Finland has gone far ahead almost all countries in the world regarding gender equality.
3. TRANSPARENCY
As mentioned before, I was born and raised in Vietnam under the totalitarian system of the Communist regime. Back in my country, the level of corruption is alarming high that it might break the ceiling somewhere along the timeline. Nobody cares about politics even though it is just as simple as tampon tax or VAT on a can of coke.
We never know how the national budgets are used or where the money actually goes. I had no idea that we have access to the database of the government in Finland to see how much we have paid as Vero and whether if we need to pay more or get a refund.
As a student working part-time, I do pay tax and I am so proud that I am contributing even so little to the society that accepted me.
4. SISU FOREVER
Never give up and nothing is impossible are the two things that I keep telling myself every day as a child. I am the stubborn kid that would do anything that does not violate moral values to achieve the goal. I thought it was special but people just do it as a usual thing in Finland.
I hate the long winter in Finland. Sometimes, I told my friends back home and aboard that I hate this place during the winter.
But only when I left Finland to Vietnam, to the US, to Taiwan and other Southern European countries this summer. I knew that I love the land.
See you again, mun Suomi.
I have never planned to come to Finland before in my life. The story of me reaching Finland or Tampere, in particular, was so random that it enhances my belief in destiny.
During my 2 years in Finland, I have learned so many things about this welfare state and the spirit of Finnish people.
1.THE ART OF DONT GIVE A F*CK.
I was reading the book about how to not give a f*ck about what people think about you but just be yourself, do the things you want to and have to do. As a kid growing up in a very conservative environment where we are strongly affected by Confucianism plus, a totalitarian system of the Communist North Vietnam, I was taught to behave according to the expectation of the society but not being myself. However, I have been exposed to other cultures especially what so-called “American values” in my country that I don’t really care about what people think of me. I’ve traveling to quite a few countries all over the world, the more I go, the more I see that the true master of the “Giving no F” is Finns.
Nobody cares about your outfits, your hairs, your shoes in this country. They only care about what you do, the value and efficiency of your works.
2. GENDER EQUALITY
Social issues including gender inequality and women empowerment have long been causes of my life. I traveled to many places in Vietnam, flew to other countries to learn how to advocate women rights and empower girls in my society. Yet, Finland remained silent during my search.
But when I come here, I was so overwhelmed by the level of equality in the society. Women are so strong, confident and free in Finland. There is still room for improvement, I know. Hence, it can not be denied that Finland has gone far ahead almost all countries in the world regarding gender equality.
3. TRANSPARENCY
As mentioned before, I was born and raised in Vietnam under the totalitarian system of the Communist regime. Back in my country, the level of corruption is alarming high that it might break the ceiling somewhere along the timeline. Nobody cares about politics even though it is just as simple as tampon tax or VAT on a can of coke.
We never know how the national budgets are used or where the money actually goes. I had no idea that we have access to the database of the government in Finland to see how much we have paid as Vero and whether if we need to pay more or get a refund.
As a student working part-time, I do pay tax and I am so proud that I am contributing even so little to the society that accepted me.
4. SISU FOREVER
Never give up and nothing is impossible are the two things that I keep telling myself every day since a child. I am the stubborn kid that would do anything that does not violate moral values to achieve the goal. I thought it was special but people just do it as a usual thing in Finland.
I hate the long winter in Finland. Sometimes, I told my friends back home and aboard that I hate this place during the winter.
But only when I left Finland to Vietnam, to the US, to Taiwan and other Southern European countries this summer. I knew that I love the land.
See you again, mun Suomi.
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