When I first moved to Finland, I was struck by the cultural difference with my own country.
I have always been surrounded by chaos and a lot of people. Coming from a small sea town, it was a shock to first adapt to the Finnish landscape and, in particular, to a city that counted more than the 600 inhabitants that my town had. Despite the initial unsettling feeling, now the peace of Finland is what I am looking for the most when I go anywhere else or return home.
My first flight to Finland
For me, Finnishness is a blend of Silence and Nature. One of the first things that I noticed when I arrived in Finland was the profound silence that permeates everything, a silence deeply connected with the Finnish landscape. The lake and the forests are stunning, their untouched beauty offers a sense of peace that is hard to find elsewhere. The stillness of the Finnish countryside made me realize how much noise I had been living with—and how much I needed this quiet.
When I first arrived in Finland, I stayed with a Finnish family, and the first experience I had was a walk in Aulanko National Park in Hämeenlinna. The experience of berry picking, feeling the soft forest floor underfoot, and taking in the breathtaking views from the viewpoint overlooking the lake made me realize the deep connection Finns have with their natural surroundings. It was in these moments that I began to understand the true value of Silence and Nature in Finnish culture, and how they play a crucial role in the Finnish way of life.
Aulanko National Park
And I can’t wait to experience as much as possible of this beautiful country and its people, immersing myself even deeper into the Finnish way of life. With every new adventure, I hope to continue discovering the rich tapestry of Finnishness and carry these experiences with me for many years to come.
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