When I was 18 years old, I traveled abroad for the first time on my own with my best friend. One thing that has stayed with me forever from that trip is the Finnish sense of hospitality and especially the importance of personal space compared to many other cultures. Even though I was aware of this beforehand, some situations still felt a bit shocking. For example, the way people talk and say goodbye by giving kisses on the cheek to complete strangers because it is part of their culture. We were not used to that at all, and it made me reflect on the Finnish way of interacting with others.
In this text, I want to go through a few things that I am especially grateful for in Finland and things that I like about Finnishness.
Finland has incredibly beautiful nature. It is known as the land of a thousand lakes. When you go into nature or the forest, you can truly relax in clean surroundings and enjoy silence in a very Finnish way. I love spending time at our summer cottage by the sea, where everyday life feels calmer and more peaceful.
The sauna is one of my favorite ways to relax and an important part of my life. I love going to the sauna and ice swimming. After moving out on my own, it has been surprisingly difficult not being able to go to the sauna whenever I want, like I could when I was living with my parents.
Safety is one of Finland’s greatest strengths. Society functions well, and Finland is a safe place to live. It is something that you might take for granted until you see the world and compare different countries.
Finnish food is also an important part of Finnish culture for me. Finnish Christmas food is the best. Some of my other favorite Finnish foods are Fazer chocolate, rye bread, reindeer stew, and mashed potatoes.
I am truly grateful that I have had the opportunity to grow up in Finland. Being able to ski and ice skate during winter are experiences I deeply appreciate. Finnishness means peace, safety, and a strong connection to nature for me.
I used AI to help improve the language and clarify the structure of the text. The content and ideas are my own.
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