Finnishness

I arrived for the first time in Finland on the 16th of August 2019. I was so excited to move to Tampere to finally start my dream studies and of course, I already knew how amazing the country is.

In this blog, I will talk about my experience in Finland during my study years as seen through the eyes of a Southern European. Originally from Albania, I moved to Corfu island, Greece when I was just a teenager. After my high school studies, I took my year off to travel and to prepare my portfolio for applying at TAMK. I remember watching videos about Finland and its people and was already so amazed at how different the lifestyle is.

• Finnish people are quiet and humble. They show their emotions in a very reserved way. In Finnish public transport, people talk very slowly, making sure they are not bothering any other passengers during the route. They say hello to the bus driver when they enter and goodbye when they exit. They are kind and gentle with the ones sitting next to them and always give up the seat to the elderly.
• The education and healthcare system in Finland is very much taken care of. The government has made sure to invest enough in young people who are willing to study and in older people who cannot work anymore and need healthcare services.
• Making friends in Finland was a journey. When I first met my Finnish best friends, I noticed how shy they were and not up to talk to me first. I had to make the first move and show interest in their company and in them. In general, Finnish people are shy at first but can be very good friends with time spent with them. My Finnish friends give the best advice. They are so honest with their feelings and are always there when I need them.
• Finland is a clean country. People are very careful with not harming their environment with trash or anything. They grew up learning the importance of nature and their connection to a clean and sustainable future.

During winter, Finnish people do lots of winter sports and go to saunas. It is amazing how well they know winter, how to dress properly, what to eat during these cold days, if it will rain or snow in the next days just by looking at the sky and when is it best to do ice skating in the frozen lake. These are things that come to them naturally because they grew up in such conditions, therefore they are very familiar with them. As a Southern person, I am still learning how to connect and think like a Finn when winter is around. I remember the first winter in Finland, a time when I was asking my friends for advice on what kind of clothing to buy so I do not get cold.

During summer, Finnish people are different somehow. They are more outgoing, more opened up, louder and happier. You can feel the good and party vibes all over the country. They know that summer will only last three months, so they make the best out of it.

Living in Finland has changed who I am, for the better. The country and its people have inspired so much of my art. A place where I am growing and evolving as a person and as an artist.