Imagine you live in Greece, known for its warm weather, beaches, history, and open people, and suddenly you find yourself in Finland to complete your degree.
For me, Finland is the country in Europe that is the polar opposite of what I was used to. Going through such an experience was a true blessing.
If I could describe “Finnishness,” it would be a mix of words like nature, patience, trust, sauna, silence, cold, reliability, and organization. Finnish nature consists of vast forests, numerous lakes, and breath-taking trails. It is a great mix where the darkness of winter meets the light of summer, and the white snow meets the green grass. This variety makes you embrace the conditions, accept the country as it is, and finally appreciate each passing moment.
But Finnishness goes beyond nature; it is also about the people. Finns know how to live in Finland better than anyone else. It is as if they took the characteristics of the land and weather and transferred them to their character: cold when you first meet them, but warm and kind once you “discover” them. They are organized people who have created a system of trust that develops continuously and works. They save time whenever possible, respect others without even knowing them, and separate work from personal life. When they have free time, they connect with nature through activities like hiking, skiing, ice skating, or swimming (depending on the season).
Sauna deserves a chapter of its own. It is the warmth after a cold winter day. The place to relax. The place you look forward to visiting. The place where you can socialize with strangers more than anywhere else. There are approximately as many saunas as there are dwellings in Finland (about 3 million), a number that shows how connected people are with the sauna culture.
Sometimes when I think of Finland, I can “hear” the sound of the sauna and the “sound” of silence when you are alone. This loneliness that comes with silence is there to fulfill you and make you independent. In Finland, being okay with doing nothing and being alone is something you learn.
Lastly, I want to reveal the unknown side of Finnishness, the one that surprised me the most: the summer. When green is everywhere, the sun enlivens nature, the colors of the sky paint your memories, and every lake calls you to swim and find relief. Only if you ever spend your summer in a mökki will you understand what I am talking about.
Kiitos Suomi!
Comments