I know first things that come in mind about Finland may be sauna, nature and silence. I don’t see myself as a traditional Finnish person in a way because I’m not so much about the sauna, wandering in the woods or keeping quiet. Yeah, I enjoy seeing beautiful views and I appreciate the serenity on a lakeside in the morning mist as much as any other person… But it is not that for me. It is the people, the food, the darkness, the humor, same language and deeper level of understanding when sharing the same culture, the warmth indoors when it’s cold outside, drinking culture – stuff that I’m accustomed to and I enjoy. Stuff that makes Finland home.
I will miss rye bread, Karelian pies, Finnish egg cheese and bread cheese, black sausage with lingonberry jam, cloudberries, Korvapuusti -cinnamon rolls, salty liqorice in all its forms; candy (especially hot&sour Tyrkisk pebers), liquor, even potato ships and pop corns… I will miss Finnish student events. Of course it usually involves drinking and partying, but that is only a part of it… Main thing is spending time with friends, fun activities and laughter, the togetherness and bonding in the events. But most of all, I will miss my family and home, my own space. The essence that shapes me into me and my way of being a Finn.
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