Matkailun blogi

Before coming to Finland, I thought it would be a very cold, quiet and very clean country as I heard about Finland. I have heard about thousands of lakes, beautiful nature and fresh air and 100% clean fresh water.

Not only that, but qualities of Finnish people also like to being independent, punctual, respectful and peaceful, etc. Furthermore, Finland is the happiest country in the world and Finland has the best education system than other countries. Mostly, I was excited about Northern lights and Santa village in Lapland.

My first experience in Finland Pori City

From the very first step, I realized that what I thought about the country and what I expected about the country was damn true! Fresh air and beauty of the country was amazing. As a newcomer to the country, I experienced the life in Finland is less noice and more peaceful than Sri Lanka because there are fewer people in Pori. I felt a little strange about that much silence because as Sri Lankans, our ears are used to hearing loud noises.

Finnish nature

Seeing beauty of Finland is one of the blessings in my life. Human being, animals, beautiful nature is amazing. Since I arrived in midsummer, I got to experience and see the colorful nature in Finland. We are so lucky to have that kind of experience in our lives.

Finnish weather and people

I knew Finland was so cold than ever I have experienced before. Yes, experiencing Finland cold was completely different. As an Asian, I need time to get used to Finland climate.

From the beginning, I noticed that people in Finland value their own and others personal space and independence very much. Punctuality is the most important thing when we are living here. In Finland their main language is Finnish and the 2^nd Language is Swedish. Nowadays I am learning Finnish language, and it is one of my biggest challenges in Finland.

Academic experience

SAMK university in Pori is one of my best experiences in my life. When I saw the university first time, I was surprised. I thought, ‘Oh! This is the place that I am going to study for my next 3 years.’

Yeah, now I am studying at SAMK. One of my dreams has come true now. Inside of the university is wonderful. We don’t feel it like we are in a study environment, instead we feel it like a very familiar and very interesting place since we came there. Classrooms are very comfortable and very study friendly. All the lectures and the academic staff are so nice and very friendly. As I realized, the opportunity of studying at SAMK could be one of the luckiest things that students get in their entire lives.

My Reality

Finland really looks like the same as I expected and I heard before. I enjoy the peaceful environment, beautiful nature, good people, quality foods, fresh water with fresh air. Living in Pori specially, helping me a lot to become more independent and to adjust myself to a new culture.

My Finnish journey has just started, and I am looking forward to discovering more about Finland!

Text and pictures: Rasini Neelawala Muhandiram Gamladdalage, International Tourism Management student

My life felt like a game: go to college, graduate, and find a job. But the pandemic hit, and I had to stop because of circumstances. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life, so I did a series of “side quests”, I worked at a call centre, and I even became a caregiver. Life was predictable, with the unchanging routine every morning.

For a change of pace, my mother recommended applying through an agency and following her and my siblings to Finland.  I applied to agency after agency, and eventually I found one that even helped me get accepted at SAMK as an international student. Finally, I was off.

Seeing Finland from a plane was beautiful; forests were everywhere. When I landed, it felt like a new beginning!

I arrived during the summer, but it was surprisingly cold, and everywhere I looked, it was very clean. The people loved the silence. The buildings and museums were picturesque. The food was delicious, and I tried some things that I hadn´t tried before. The transportation was different too; everything was always right on time and organised.

The days flew by, and before I knew it, school started. I was nervous about moving to a new country; the thought of it worried me. My mind was filled with ‘what ifs’: What would people be like? Will I be able to adjust? Will people like me?

Surprisingly, everything was different. SAMK was very welcoming; the school organised fun events and activities for international students. This made it easier for us to adjust and interact with other students too.  

Overall, Finland has been amazing, and SAMK has given me the best opportunity to change my life. So far, I haven’t “unlocked” all the places and characters. But I am happy that my life is finally moving forward, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Text and pictures: Ericka Reyes, International Tourism Management student

Before coming here, I thought there would be very challenging weather and I would feel alone because I didn’t know anyone or anything here, especially in Pori. Also, I thought a lot how I would survive, what would happen after arriving, how will the Finnish people be and many more. Literally I made a virtual Finland in my imagination. But after arriving here so many of my thoughts have changed already. I feel that it’s not like I thought. For example, I can talk about weather, people and so on.

WEATHER CHALLENGE

Before applying Finland, I knew that as a European country maybe there is cold weather most of the time across the year. But it’s not like that I thought. There are four seasons such as summer, autumn, spring, winter and weather is very nice here except for four to five months winter. I am from a warm weather country so it’s very challenging for me to adjust in winter as expected. But now I am feeling that I can easily adjust in Finnish weather and it’s giving me a good vibe. Already I enjoyed it a lot in summer and feeling good in autumn.

IS IT TRUE THAT FINNISH PEOPLE ARE INTROVERT?

Normally I heard that Finnish people are self-centered, not friendly, introvert until reaching here. But after reaching here, that thought has also changed. They are very friendly people and very kind to others when there is any need.

For example, in Helsinki VR station there is a man who helped me to understand how I must go and what I could see in the journey. Another incident was when I was running in a park, and a Finnish old man told me how to survive here, how is Finnish people thinking, what is Finnish culture and many more. That discussion was very effective for me to understand Finnish life and culture.

It’s true that Finnish people like to maintain their personal space, but they are not self-centered at all. They take time to understand opposite person, and they behave like what they see. Also, they are not introverted as we thought but punctual.

A FEW LAST WORDS

In conclusion, I like to say that overall experience in Finland till now like reality vs expectation. Before arriving here, a lot of myth and misunderstanding going on my brain about Finland and Finnish culture. But after reaching here now I am feeling much more comfortable than I never expected.

Moreover, I am feeling safe all around in Pori and I can go whenever I want and there is no one to judge me. I believe that everything depends on how I am adjusting in a new place and how I am thinking about next days. When I was in my country, I thought a lot about many topics but here most of that thinking has changed and gives me a positive vibe.

Text and pictures: Tanzid Amin, student of International Tourism Management

First step to Dream

A few years ago, my plan was to go to another country and study at an international University. It felt like a dream. However, being busy with work and family commitments, I was unable to find a way to realize my dream. I was planning to start my higher education in New Zealand. But however, my office friend said about Finland, and I searched details from the web. As per the search history Finland is very nice country. About Weather, People, Technology, Culture I read information. Then I planned to choose Finland for my higher studies. My friend and his wife are very supportive of me. They take me on the right path and guide me.

I have finally made my dream come true. I came to the Finland with my husband and my 6 year old daughter!

Moving to Happiest Country

On 13^th August we moved from my mother country to the happiest country in the world. We came to Helsinki airport in the evening. First time landing the plane that feeling I can’t ever explain. I felt it was magical landing. Going to be future steps starting now in this magical country. My brother’s friend came to the airport for pickup us. We arrived in Pori city with him. Finland is a very calm country. That is first thing I felt landing here. No sounds, people are also so calm.

Next day we went to the shopping centre to buy some foods and things to the apartment with my husband’s friend. Shopping centers have many more items and more places have self-service. That was a new experience for us, because in my country we do not have that. It appears people are very honest. They buy what they need and pay the bill themselves without anyone. I was happy to come to Finland!

Getting to know the happiest country’s beautiful environment, weather and people

After two or three days we went for visit some places in Finland. We walked along the roads with nice cool mid-summer weather. I love it. Trees have been planted on both sides of the road. That is environmentally friendly. People are also very friendly. They always enjoy their life. Riding bicycles, dancing and singing at the park. They are very free to enjoy the moments. I thought about Finish people as individuals who live their lives freely without any haste or restlessness.

Start of studies at my dream University SAMK

My first day at SAMK was very exciting. SAMK is a very nice University.  Many international students try to succeed in their dream through the University. Campus environment and lectures are also very exciting. The campus has many facilities for students such as a library, gym, comfortable study rooms and nice areas for rest and relaxation.

But learning is not easy for me yet. As a mother I am busy with my family responsibilities, but now I should also handle studying and lots of assignments. I thought that was very easy and I can handle that, but now I can understand that it is not very easy. I should learn Finnish language also. It is also challenge yet.

An endless end

I thought before living in Finland very easy. No matter, no sadness, all moments are enjoyable. However, I must make many more commitments to achieve it. Finland is very beautiful, calm and comfortable country. There are no words to describe what kind of country it is. Always, I think I was very lucky to come to Finland as a SAMK student.

Even more than me, my daughter is very lucky to come here because of very high demand for Finland pre-school education system. Therefore, I believe that when returning to the mother land Sri Lanka, I will be able to take back a wealth of experience and valuable insights. Until then I look forward to happily experiencing snow for the first time!

Text and pictures: Piumi Pathmasiri, International Tourism Management student

Before everything, I was in a so crazy about travel to a European country to study and live with my family and I work hard to fulfill my dream all the time. So, I searched through websites by web sites to find a good opportunity and finally I found the correct website to start the steps to make my dream come true. Best education system, happiest country, beautiful nature, snow and cold together I decided to move to FINLAND. You see the below pictures, this is how I felt about Finland!

When I was in the process of applying to universities and selecting universities, I did not have idea what the regions and cities look like and, in my mind, I thought about every city that looks like same. I was very curious about travelling to my chosen country as soon as possible.

I expect to go through all the processes in smooth way, and do you think that my expectations work as same? I was so stressed when I went through the visa process. After so many difficulties, I completed visa process and waiting long made me think about my decision again.  But after long waiting, finally we received what we waited: to fly to FINLAND…

First day in Finland

I expected to have interesting and enjoyable first day in my new county and I imagined experiencing my new surroundings at the beginning of my new life. But on my first day, I found myself stressed and arranging everything for everyone in my family was very difficult as there were so many things to be taken care of at the same time. It was challenging but I learned how to adapt to these while I’m starting new life here.

Beautiful places in Pori

When we walked around the city, for the first time my expectation and my reality were in the same level about the beauty of nature. My kids were thrilled to see the beauty of nature, and they were laughing and playing all the time when we were out and enjoying our next few days after we moved in Finland.

Education at SAMK

I expected similar lecturing methods what I experienced before by sitting in a classroom, listening to the teacher, taking notes on paper about important points during the lecture. I expected to use technology for some extended.

But reality was different from what I expected, and much more individual effort, active participation, and group work would involve in learning process.

Kids school and day care

As per my expectations, it was less homework and stress-free environment for kids. Yes, it is correct and my kids are learning how to do things on their own. This makes me feel happy about them and the decision I took regarding their moves.

Finally, moving to another country leaving all the factors I had was a different decision and even though I doubt it at the beginning, I feel that I have taken the correct approach while im staying here. Even it’s a short period of time, we are happy as a family here in Pori, Finland.

Text and pictures: Buddhi Wimalasena, student of International Tourism Management

Back in 2020, I was scrolling my Instagram casually but one random post made me take a pause for a while. The post was about the ethereal green swirl of the Northern Lights and I was mesmerized by its beauty. I started to search more and I got to know about Finland.

Snowy forests, lakes, pine trees, Lapland, the sauna culture, their simplicity and of course one of the happiest countries in the world. These were the things which made Finland my dream destination.

And finally, I got my visa as an international student at SAMK and I was over the moon. But, at the same time I was nervous too because this was my first international flight and I was travelling alone to an unfamiliar land. The closer I got to the departure, the louder my doubts became. I began to question myself: what if dream doesn’t match the reality or what if I end up being lonelier, but I gathered my courage and began to packed my dreams in a suitcase.

The moment I landed in Pori

The day I arrived in Pori was cold, dark and windy. It wasn’t an instant fairytale. The first few weeks were really hard as I don’t speak the Finnish language. Sometimes I forgot my way to home, got confused while buying groceries, felt awkward and strange in the Finnish silence and their direct communication.

But slowly, the roads, the places, the surroundings started to feel familiar. I met new people, made new friends and I was at my dream university. The silence I felt before started to feel comforting. The snowfall and sauna which I had dreamed about turned out to be best. The place once felt dreamy began to feel real.

“Breaking” the Finnish myth

Like others, I also used to think the Finns are quiet, cold and rude until I met this kind and humble man at church. His name is Jouko, and he helped me in so many ways in this unknown city. He also invited me and my friend for a dinner at his place. Being far from family, this guy made me feel like home again and changed my perspective about the Finnish people.

Text and pictures: Leena Rai, International Tourism Management student

When I saw snow for the first time

I still remember the morning I woke up and looked outside the window. Everything was white. The trees, the ground, even the small playground below my apartment, all covered in soft snow.

It was completely silent.

I stood there for a long time, just watching. I didn’t feel cold at that moment. I only felt calm. It was my first time seeing snow in real life, not on TV or in pictures. And it felt almost unreal, like I was inside a different world.

Back in my home country, Vietnam is a tropical country so we never have seen snow before. This first moment felt very special to me. Simple, quiet, but unforgettable.

A season of colors I had never seen before

Before winter came, Finland gave me another surprise: colorful autumn.

I had never seen trees turn so many shades of yellow, orange, and red. One day, I stood under a big tree with golden leaves, and I just felt happy for no reason. The leaves were falling slowly around me, and everything looked so warm and alive.

It was very different from what I knew before. In my country, seasons don’t change this clearly. But here, nature speaks in colors.

These small moments changed how I see nature. In Finland, nature is not loud or overwhelming. It is quiet, simple, and peaceful. But somehow, it makes me slow down and feel more. The first snow made me feel calm. The autumn leaves made me feel joy.

And both reminded me that sometimes, the most beautiful experiences are also the simplest ones.

Text and pictures: Thom Le, International Tourism Management student