Before coming to Finland, I did my research in the internet and social media platforms. I thought there would be endless snow, quiet people and a country where everyone drinks coffee and milk every day. Most of the things on the internet are stereotypes.
I came Finland to study and heard many positive things about the education system here, the happiness rankings and the famous saunas.
First impressions
The first thing that I noticed when arriving in Finland is the quietness especially in public transport and public areas. The quietness here is real, compared to the public area from Nepal it is very quiet. While I used the public transport in here for the first time, I felt very uncomfortable because I was not used to quietness of this level. People mind their own business and do not talk very loudly inside buses and trains. Unlike in Nepal where people are talking to each other even if they do not know each other, they make small talk.
But over time, I began to understand that silence in Finland is not uncomfortable, but it is about the respect to others and their personal space.
The weather
Yes, Finland is cold, but it does not justify the beauty. I might be little biased in this case because I have not been to places with snow except the Himalayan region in Nepal. The seasons here is beautiful, in summer and spring you can experience green forest everywhere. In autumn you can see the trees with yellow leaves which is very beautiful to see. In winter you can see snow and everything looks very beautiful.
I expected to struggle with the weather, and especially in winter it was very hard at first but now I have started to appreciate it. It allows you to slow down and notice small things.
Sauna culture
Before coming to Finland, I thought sauna was just a Finnish thing and sometimes you try once as a tourist. But it has more to offer, sauna is a place where people can socialize and share personal experiences. Mostly people go there to relax: people feel relaxed in the warmth of the sauna. It is one of the most authentic parts of Finnish culture and something that I have grown genuine interest for it.
Everyday life in Finland
Finland’s reputation for efficiency is true, and people here are very punctual. Public transport works smoothly. It also affects your mindset as well and everyday life becomes less stressful and calm.
Finnish people are very punctual about the time, and everything starts in time. Being punctual is about respecting the time of other people as well. At first, it was hard for me to adapt to being on time as I was not used to it. But now I have started to appreciate punctuality, and everyday life becomes much easier.
Final thoughts on Finland
Before coming to Finland, it was just a collection of stereotypes and rankings. Now, it’s a place filled with real moments like quiet mornings, snowy walks, sauna evenings and everyday comforts. And more importantly, the biggest difference of all is Finland is no longer just a country I read and researched about, it is a place I have started to understand.
Text and pictures: Pradin Thapa, International Tourism Management student