Coming from Hanoi, Vietnam, winter in Finland was one of the biggest adjustments for me. Vietnam is a tropical country, and the weather in each part of Vietnam is different. In Hanoi, there are four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Winter in Hanoi is cold, but the lowest temperature I had experienced in Hanoi was around 5 degrees Celsius, which is totally different from Finland, where the temperature can be below zero for most of the winter.
I had heard many things about Finland before coming here, and winter was the thing I feared the most. However, after two winters living in Finland, I think winter is the thing I would miss the most when I leave Finland. During my first winter, I found it difficult to get used to the short daylight hours, and the extremely cold weather was also a challenge for me.
What impressed me most was how Finns adapted to winter without letting it stop their daily lives. People continue cycling, walking, exercising outdoors, and participating in winter activities despite the cold. Schools, universities, and workplaces continue operating normally, and people simply dress appropriately for the weather.
Over time, I also learned how to adapt to winter. I learned to wear several layers to keep my body warm, and I tried saunas and winter activities such as skiing and ice skating. I even started to appreciate the beautiful snowy landscapes and the peaceful atmosphere that winter in Finland brings. These are experiences that I could not have had in my home country, and through some of these activities, I also made many new friends.
For me, winter has become more than just a cold season. It has become an important part of my experience in Finland and one of the things that I will probably miss the most when I leave.
Use of AI
I used AI to help me check and improve the grammar, sentence structure, and logical flow of my writing. The ideas, personal experiences, and main content are my own. I reviewed the suggestions and made sure that the final version reflects my own experiences and thoughts.
Comments