From tropics to arctic

Reflections on my journey to Finland

From the land of scorching heat to the land of subzero temperatures, my journey to Finland has been nothing short of a dream. Though India has a very diverse climate, I come from a place which is rather hot, dry and humid most of the year. My decision to come to Finland to study at the University of Oulu was not a very well planned one. It happened in a somewhat serendipitous manner while I was searching for options to do my Master’s abroad. However, once I applied, I really wished to get an offer from the university and I am happy that I did.

It’s been almost a year now. As I wrap up my first year of studies, I would like to share some of the most memorable moments and give you a sneak peek into this incredible experience.

First of all, this is not just my first study abroad experience but also my first ever international travel too. So, there are many firsts here.

I am enrolled in the Master’s ( Learning, Education and Technology) programme under the Faculty of Education and Psychology. The education system here is completely different from my native country. On my first day at the university, our kummi tutors showed us the campus and in- formed us of the various apps that we would use frequently for studies, library services and navigating the campus. For me, however, everything was new. I was in awe of the beautiful campus and amazing modern, state-of-the-art infrastructure. At the same time, I also felt overwhelmed and confused with so many changes to adapt with. It took a while to understand the usage of those apps and my way around the campus.

Then came our first introductory class with our tutor teacher and subsequent orientation lectures. My class is highly diverse with students from seven countries even though we are a small cohort of eight students. I was happy to see that the system and people here are quite supportive and accessible. However, the teaching and learning methods are very different.

In India, I was still used to studying in conventional style, teachers usually give lectures according to a pre-fixed syllabus. We make notes, study the content from books and then take final written exams which assess our learning. In Finland, on the contrary, the emphasis is on learning continuously and collaboratively. One doesn’t feel the pressure to perform in a written exam to pass.

There is more emphasis on project work. These projects are designed in a way that covers the curriculum and enables learning while working on them. Teachers are more like facilitators whereas a student has a lot of agency and autonomy. Support in terms of accessing laptops, softwares and other web platforms is ample. Overall, I find the system here less stressful and more creative.

During the beginning months, I also got the opportunity to be the ambassador for our masters programme. As part of our training, we went to Hailuoto island near Oulu. The beauty of the island and the serene beach, accompanied by a ferry ride to reach the island, made it an unforgettable experience.

Later on, I was also introduced to my kummi family as part of the Kummi Family Programme started by the University. We often spend time together whenever time permits. I have also visited their home a couple of times. We also visit different places; once I went trekking in Pilpasuo nature reserve and had a great time walking through the forest and sitting by the fireplaces. I love spending time with my kummi family. Contrary to the usual perception that Finnish people tend to be introverts, I have found them very warm and welcoming. I have learnt to embrace Finnish culture because of my many good experiences with them.

Lastly, one of my major concerns before arriving in Finland was the climate and whether I would be able to adapt to it or not. However, I fell in love with the city of Oulu the moment I stepped out of the airport. Be it the weather, northern lights or the nature and the seasons, everything here just oozes beauty and calm. I have adapted well to this place and made it my new home. From being a tea lover in India to becoming a coffee person in Finland, I have found my own way of living these moments here with utmost gratitude and contentment.

As my first year of studies comes to an end, I have another exciting opportunity of being a kummi tutor for the next cohort in front of me. I can’t wait to share my experiences with them and guide their arrival to this amazing place. •