Even when I stepped on the plane, my life changed. I encountered people from all over the world and sat next to a guy from Germany. Just talking to him was eye opening and I could practice some of my German I learned over the summer!
When we finally arrived in Tampere, I was greeted by my Finnish natives, Matti and Lasse. They were very shy and quiet, but so sweet. They helped me and Cayle so much! Meekins and Cody went with Meekin's tutors. They helped us get our bus cards, student cards, survival kits, dinner, groceries and they were just awesome!
I then met my flatmates, Victoria and Yai-Wei. Victoria is from Russia and Yai-Wei is from Taiwan. They are so sweet and speak English very well.
We then quickly made friends from Spain, Germany and Austria. We even had a Spaghetti Dinner the first weekend we were here.
The next week, we had orientation with all the exchange students. There we met Hilary from Steven's Point and students from all over Europe and Asia! We loved meeting the new students! They are all so wonderful! We also enjoyed meeting the Finnish tutors who have been a great help in our stay here!
We all loved just roaming the city center in our free time! One of our favorite places to visit is IKEA for their food, hot chocolate and furniture that we wish we could afford.
One weekend the tutors and the student union planned a short boat ride to an island in Tampere, Finland. The island also had a sauna. They provided lots of snacks and the guys and girls took turns in the sauna. Most people then jumped in the lake and went for a short swim (including me) and then hurried back in the sauna! The water was very cold, but my skin and whole body felt so nice and relaxed afterward. I have been in the sauna 3 times since then...I love the Finnish culture.
This was a really cool picture because everyone was amazed how much the water came up under our feet before we landed to the earth again. I look very scared and I was, but it was so fun!
After the boat trip we wondered to the Tampere United Soccer Stadium. It was no gates and there was no one there so we just had a "field day" of random fun!
We have met so many different people from different places and countries that the Americans and a group of exchange student decided to host a dinner or lunch from a different country. The Americans hosted spaghetti night twice and it fed alot of people. Team Spain (as well call them, you know the country that took the world cup!) hosted Spannish lunch one weekend. We had Spanish Omlettes, cold soup and fried bread in milk and brown sugar (please forgive me I forgot the name, but it was so good). The following weekend my flatmate from Russia decided to host Russian lunch. We had a Russian soup with fried beats and carrots, cabbage and potatoes. It was delicious. We had about 25 people in our flat that day! It was packed, but lots of fun! My mouth was watering the whole day they were cooking!
So far we are having a ball! I am having the time of my life and I besides having my family and friends from home here with me, I could not ask for anything more.
Thank you to my teachers for organizing this, my Mom, Dad, brother, family and friends! I love and miss you! There will be many more post!!
