Tekijä: SAMK Matkailu

Julkaistu

Pärnu on suuri kesäkaupunki – Tour4Youth-tiimi hioi kuvioita

Tour4Youth projekti on yhteishanke, jonka partnereina ovat Satakunnan Ammattikorkeakoulu, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Kurzeme Planning Region ja Pärnumaa Vocational Education Centre. Interreg rakennerahasto mahdollistaa yli rajojen yhteistyön keskisen Baltian alueella ja vahvistaa verkostoa kuntien ja alueiden kesken. Tour4Youth tukee 15 – 24 vuotiaita nuoria uraohjauksen ja työmahdollisuuksien saralla matkailu-, ravitsemus ja majoitusaloilla.  

Kaksi kolmesta SAMKin osallistujasta Tour4Youthin projektikokoukseen Pärnussa matkasi kaupunkiin ensimmäistä kertaa elämässään. Hyvä se oli kuuluisa kesäkaupunki kokea, vaikkakin hieman viileinä ja tuulisina kevätpäivinä! Vierailun tapaamispaikkana oli Pärnumaa Kutsehariduskeskus, joka on projektin virolainen partneri. Tässä ammattioppilaitoksessa opiskelee 1300 nuorta eri alojen ammattiopintoja.

Matka alkoi heti Satakunnan ammattikorkeakoululla järjestetyn tutustumispäivän jälkeen junalla Tampereen kautta Helsinkiin, sieltä laivalla meren halki Tallinnaan ja bussilla Pärnuuseen. Eli meille tuli lentävä lähtö, vaikkemme lentokoneella tällä kertaa matkustaneetkaan.

Tour4Youth toimii matkailu-, majoitus- ja ravintola-alan nuorten parissa, ja olikin upeaa, kuinka alan opiskelijat olivat sekä valmistaneet että tarjoilivat meille herkulliset ruoat. Sillä sitä ne olivat, erinomaista ruokaa ystävällisen ammattimaisesti tarjoiltuna. Voisi sanoa, että nämä lounaat olivat kokousmatkan parasta antia, sillä se ylpeys, ilo ja oppiminen, mikä nuorista eri tilanteissa huokui, on juuri sitä, mitä nuorten osaamisen ja työllistymisen edistämiseen keskittyvä Tour4Youth tavoittelee – voimaantumista.

Tour4Youth-projektitiimiläisiä ja tarjoilijaopiskelijoita.

Pärnun kuuluisa ranta oli vielä kylmä maaliskuisessa säässä, mutta rannan promenadit, rannan laajuus, meren upeus ja kaikkialla leijuva kesää odottava tunnelma antoi ymmärtää, kuinka eläväinen kaupunki Pärnu kesällä on. Kaksi projektin lähempänä Raumaa elävät työntekijät kävivät fiilistelemässä myös Raumalta lähtöisin olevassa Steffani pizzeriassa muistojaan nuoruusvuosilta, he tosin tunsivat paikan nimellä La Bamba. Edelleen herkullisia pizzoja, ja paikka oli suosittu myös Pärnussa.

Pärnun läpi virtaa samanniminen joki Pärnunlahteen Itämerellä. Kaupunki mainitaan historiankirjoissa jo 1200 luvulla, ja kylpyläkaupungiksi se alkoi kehittyä 1800 luvun alkupuoliskolla. Katuja astellessa matkailijoille tulikin hieman kotoisa olo, onhan Satakunnassa Rauma myös rannikon tuntumassa ja on kesäkaupunki, vaikkei kylpylää olekaan. Porin Yyterin hiekkaranta oli hyvin samanlainen verrattuna Pärnun rantamaisemaan. Kaikilla kaupungeista on myös vanha kaupunginosa, jota onneksi myös Pärnussa oli ihailtavana, ja Vanhan Rauman tapaan täälläkin löytyi putiikkeja, kahviloita ja ravintoloita vanhasta kaupungista.

Keskustan ravintolatarjonta oli erinomaista sekin, eli vahva suositus Pärnulle matkakohteena meiltä! Kaupunki tarjoaa rantaelämän lisäksi paljon kylpyläpalveluita, jotka ovat suosittuja matkailijoiden keskuudessa. Myös 2/3 matkaisista kävi tutustumassa hotellimme kylpylään, kävi suolasaunassa, niin sanotussa savusaunassa (joka oli sisustettu sinne päin, mutta oli sähkösauna), ja yksi jopa kokeili kellumista Kuolleen meren suola-altaassa. Kylläpä tuntui iho pehmeältä sen jälkeen! Suolavedessä kellumista on jo entisaikoihin pidetty nuoruuden ja terveyden lähteeksi. 15 – 25 minuuttia suola-altaassa vaikuttaa kehoon tervehdyttävästi, kertoo kylpylän sivut.

Maaliskuun säät olivat jo keväiset, mutta silti kesäisen lämmön uupuessa, tuli ajatus, josko pitäisi mennä uudelleen kesällä…

Teksti ja kuvat: Tiina Leino ja Teija Nuurma, SAMK Matkailun kehittämiskeskus

Julkaistu

My solo travelling experience

Is anyone thinking about solo trekking? Well, this crazy idea of solo traveling came to my mind when I saw a video of a YouTuber named Thomas, who is a member of the Yes Theory channel. Where he showed his lone survivor without money for 24 hours in Korea.

So, I was planning to trek alone in the Himalayas. My main motive was to have a personal experience, contact with nature, and experience the feeling of independence. In mid-November 2023, I started my 4-day journey to Mardi Himal, 4500 meters above sea level. In this blog post, I will share my solo travel experiences and international trips in Finland as a tourism student.

Mardi Himal High Camp 3550m

Before heading out on my hike, I did a bunch of planning. I looked up some trails, got myself some cool gear, watched some videos, and even did a quick 1-hour hike to make sure I was good to go. It was kinda tiring, but I’m glad I did it. Then I packed a bag with the essentials and set off from home to my destination. I took a bus at night and my journey began.

The next morning, I reached a place where I had to start my trek. On the way, I met many Nepali and foreign trekkers and exchanged our stories, and every connection created an unforgettable memory in my heart. Solo trekking in the Himalayas was an incredible adventure. With every step, I left the noisy, polluted city, social media life, and daily work behind and entered a peaceful environment where my goal was to reach my destination. Each day had its own special story.

On the second day, after crossing the Forest Camp, I saw the beautiful Mount Machapuchre with its snow-capped peak, my nose felt cold, and the fresh air was a blessing. Loneliness gave me time to reflect on my life and enjoy the petty things in life.

On the third day of my trip, I woke up at 4 am and headed to Mardi Viewpoint which is at an altitude of 4200 meters, to get a better view. On the way, I saw almost a hundred people lighting up the way with torches and I was thrilled. After hiking uphill for almost 3 hours, I finally reached my destination and felt proud of myself for completing the challenge I had set for myself. To celebrate my achievement, I enjoyed a hot cup of tea while waiting for the sun to rise.

Myself in the Mardi Viewpoint 4200m


After spending almost 4 hours creating breathtaking memories in this place, it was time to return home, thinking that I would have to start the same life again. So, while I was walking downhill back to the high camp, there were 3 to 4 memorial statues for those who had lost their lives on the way to the viewpoint, including Nepalese, Germans, and other nationals. I was sad to see this, and many things went through my mind.

Travelling alone is so scary and no one knows what will happen to you. For those who want to try solo trekking, here are a few pieces of advice: learn about the trek, take what you need, appreciate the peace, stay safe, and believe in yourself.

Trekking the Himalayas is an amazing adventure. My solo trip was unforgettable and very special to me.

My travels as a tourism students


For my further studies, I chose International Tourism Management at the SAMK in Pori, Finland, for my bachelor’s degree program. Traveling to Finland was my first international experience.

The country was covered in snow, the temperature went down to -30 degrees, and the new food and the language barrier in communication were the first challenges I had to face. However, I realized that the equal rights of all foreign citizens and the good government rules and regulations made Finland one of the happiest countries in the world. Meeting strangers, exchanging, and learning about new cultures, and interacting with nature motivates me to travel to other places.

Tourism is one of the growing industries that help boost a country’s economy. After finishing my studies, I want to learn more about it by working with tourism organizations in Europe and I want to use all my knowledge and experience in tourism for the development of my home country.

Central Pori Church


Text and pictures: Sanjay Shrestha, International Tourism Management student

Julkaistu

Warm and Cozy Christmas in Rauma: A Trip to a Winter Wonderland

Hello everyone, I am Bipana Rana, an international student of International Tourism Management. I love travelling and exploring diverse cultures, so I set out on a delightful trip to Rauma, Finland, to celebrate Christmas with my close friend.

Come explore this charming seaside town with me and uncover the allure of Finnish Christmas!

My bus reached the snow-covered runway in Rauma, and the sight of a blanket of white gave me hope for a classic Finnish Christmas. The town was illuminated by the warm and bright lights of the seasons, and the air was fresh. With sparkling lights and smells of holiday food, my friend’s apartment transformed into a hygge heaven. We sat by the fireside, drinking glögi, a traditional mulled wine, and exchanging tales about our Christmas customs.

Old Rauma looked like a scene from a Christmas card, with its wooden homes dating back centuries. There were candles in the windows and wreaths in each home. It was a winter wonderland with cobblestone streets that beckoned us to walk hand in hand.

My friend and I spent the afternoon making traditional Christmas sweets. Then, we went for a relaxed sauna. A trip to a sauna is necessary for any Finnish Christmas and it was a very peaceful and calming experience.

It was a joy to visit the Rauma Christmas Market. Handmade goods, regional specialties and joyful decorations brimmed from stall to stall. And I discovered beautiful presents for loved ones. We went to the midnight Mass at the church of the Holy Cross on Christmas Eve. It was an incredibly special occasion because of the peaceful, spiritual ambience of the choir and the gentle glow of the candles.

Finally, my Finnish Christmas dream was realized when the warmth of friendship and the bitter cold merged into one unforgettable moment.

Text and pictures: Bipana Rana, a second year International Tourism Management students

Julkaistu

A journey beyond culture, map, and adventure

As a travel-enthusiastic person, I have travelled a lot in my amazing diverse country, India. I travelled from north to south India to almost all discovered and undiscovered places.

From snow to desert areas my travel list is practically full with lots of unforgettable memories and experiences. While travelling to any destination I will make sure not to disturb nature and try to preserve it.

My motivation for tourism

For me, travel is not just about reaching a destination but about the journey itself. As a traveller, my legs never stop for any particular destination and just like my extra active legs my camera also never stops for clicking mesmerizing pictures.

And for me, I think photography motivates me to travel because I am excellent at clicking pictures which can get millions of likes on social media. And as I have good taste in photography my taste buds also have amazing taste in food, just because I like spicy as well as sweet cuisine, food also motivates me to travel! It looks strange but I can happily pay hundreds of euros for the opportunity to taste new dishes. The way magnets attract metals, food attracts me in the form of travelling. These are my chief motivations for travelling.

Most important journey of my life

One of my most significant journeys or adventures was moving to Finland – a journey of student life and an adventure of a different culture.

My journey as a student is not so complicated because I like studying tourism, and I have been interested in it since my childhood, but the cultural differences have been an adventure in themselves.

My adventurous tour of cultural differences allows me to accept different weather, living and learning styles. On the map of the world, there is not a huge distance between India to Finland in miles, but in the form of culture, there is a great distance covered by spicy food and vibrant festivals to punctuality and the long, dark winters of Finland.

However, I have enjoyed living in Finland and loved being surrounded by nature and the warmth of the Finnish people. May this journey overcome cultural differences and challenges, ultimately reaching the milestone of success!

Text and pictures: Sainy Rathod, first year International Tourism Management student

Julkaistu

Exploring Tampere: A First Timer’s Perspective

I went to Tampere with all my classmates for a study visit for the Tourism and Culture course. I was very excited about this trip because it was my first time exploring about Tampere’s history and culture. Our lecturer Emma warmly welcomed us and explained Tampere’s history, natural beauty, and culture. After listening to her I realized Tampere is very rich in cultural heritage!

Pispala – the area full of traditional cultural history and natural beauty

I never heard about the Pispala landscape before enrolling in the course. That’s why I was a bit curious to see it. Pispala is located on the northern slope of Pispalanharju. When I saw the surrounding lake view and the traditional wooden houses from the top of the hills, I was surprised and mesmerized by its beauty which was beyond my words.

Overall, in my opinion, Pispala is beautiful for not only nature but also for traditional wooden houses, and there’s own tradition. If you want to explore nature besides this traditional heritage, Pispala is one of the best places to explore the inner beauty of nature and observe the traditional Finnis wooden houses.

Traditional Tampereen Kauppahalli

After visiting Pispala, one of the old markets named Tampereen Kauppahalli grabbed my attention. When I entered the market, I felt like I entered my country’s market. This market was very old. I noticed that every shop was very traditional, and when I saw a vegetable shop, I was fully surprised as it looked like my country’s shop.

At that time, I was thinking that before moving to Finland, my mom bought groceries from this type of shop. In our country, this type of shop is available but in Finland it’s very rare. Pharmacy, coffee shops, flower shops, shoe shops, and bakeries also looked like very traditional. In every bakery, people make bread by themselves, fresh groceries, fish, and meat are all things always available there. This market indicated Tampere’s traditional local culture.

I must recommend to everyone that if you want to explore local things then Tampereen Kauppahalli is the best market to explore.

Later in the afternoon we also visited Tampere Art Museum, the Keskustori church to explore religious history, and the Labour Museum to explore the traditional history. Overall, Tampere is a nice place to explore culture, history, traditional places, and the local community. It was a really good experience!

Text and pictures: Taslima Akter, second year International Tourism Management student

Julkaistu

Kurpitsoja ja kurpitsavohveleita Kurpitsapuistossa

Matkailuliiketoiminnan opiskelija Katja Kalevo kirjoitti blogiin jutun Matkailu ja kulttuuri -opintojaksoon liittyvästä vierailustaan kulttuuritapahtumassa.

Viimein onnistuin ajoissa nostamaan kytkintä ja suuntaamaan auton kohti Halikon kurpitsapuistoa. Joka vuosi, kun kurpitsapuisto on järjestetty, on tarkoituksenani ollut mennä katsomaan kauniita kurpitsalyhtyjä, joita alueella on vaikka millä mitalla. Aikaisempina vuosina olen ollut liian myöhään liikkeellä, ja havahtunut siihen että kurpitsaviikot ovatkin jo ohi. Tänä vuonna onnistuin kuitenkin viimeisenä viikonloppuna vierailemaan tässä kulttuuritapahtumassa.

En ollut tutkinut aiheesta etukäteen mitään. Olin nähnyt vain sen, mitä kaverit ovat sosiaaliseen mediaan jakaneet. Pienessä mielessäni kuvittelin, että puisto olisi ollut paljon suurempi kuin mitä se todellisuudessa oli. Somejulkaisujen perusteella vaikutti siltä, että puisto olisi laaja alue. En kuitenkaan sanoisi puistoa liian pieneksi, mielestäni se oli juuri sopivan kokoinen. Sen jaksoi helposti kiertää muutamaankin otteeseen ja joka kierroksella huomasi jotakin uutta. Maissilabyrintti oli todella kiva lisä puistoon, en tiedä oliko sellaista ollut aiemmin, mutta sitä oli kiva kierrellä.

Positiivinen yllätys oli se, että ainakin tänä vuonna puistossa oli tarjolla jos jonkinlaista kurpitsoista valmistettua syötävää, esimerkiksi kurpitsavohveleita. Hinnatkaan eivät olleet kovin korkeita, jolloin tapahtuma oli myös opiskelijakukkarolleni ystävällinen. Puhumattakaan siitä, että vohvelit olivat todella maukkaita! Ensimmäisellä haarukallisella maku ei vielä tullut esille, mutta jo toisen haarukallisen kohdalla kurpitsan maun huomasi selkeästi.

Vierailimme puistossa päiväsaikaan. Monet sanoivat, että olisi kuulunut vierailla siellä silloin kun on pimeää, jolloin kaikissa kurpitsoissa palaa kynttilä. Mielestäni kurpitsapuisto oli kuitenkin valoisaankin aikaan mieluisa kokemus, ja ehkä ensi vuonna jaksan odottaa pimeän tuloa. Lähtiessämme puistosta alkoi kuitenkin jo hieman hämärtää. jolloin kynttilöitä alettiinkin sytytellä.

Kurpitsoja oli niin paljon erilaisia, ja tuntui täysin mahdottomalta valita yhtä lempparia. Ehkä suosikkejani kuitenkin olivat puissa roikkuvat kurpitsat, joiden katseleminen auringonsäteiden saattelemana tuntui taianomaiselta. Oli myös upeaa, että kurpitsapuistoon johtava polku ja silta oli koristeltu kurpitsalyhdyillä!

Kaiken kaikkiaan reissu oli kaiken odotuksen arvoinen, ja aion ehdottomasti vierailla ensi vuonna uudestaan. Mahtaakohan silloin olla kehiteltynä jokin uusi kurpitsaherkku, ja minkähänlaisia koristeita mahdetaan keksiä? Kenties silloin näen puiston myös pimeällä, jolloin pääsen kokemaan kurpitsalyhtyjen ja kynttilöiden luoman tunnelman.

Teksti ja kuvat: Matkailuliiketoiminnan opiskelija Katja Kalevo

Julkaistu

Alone but alive: The magic of solo travel experiences

Life is all about learning, experiencing new things, enjoying every moment of life as much you can. Creating a new way of living life is very important to find happiness. In the hustle and busy of our fast-paced lives there is a trend happening in the tourism industry that has been quietly gaining or growing momentum – solo travel. Travelling alone and finding a new place and people has made me interested in this topic.

Why solo travel?

Solo travel is something everyone must try once in their life. People must give their time to themselves and that is what solo travel means. It’s a life lesson to grow up self-confidence in life, to know better yourself, to become a guide for yourself. You don’t have to depend on others to go somewhere, without any others interrupting or like freely you can do whatever you want. Nature can be felt closely without any distractions. Decision making power will improve and can self-discovery of cultures. 

Personal encounters with solo travel

My journey of solo travel began with the quick decision to explore one of the underrated tourism sides of Nepal which is Ghandruk. At first it felt a bit scary because I have never travelled alone.

When I started to explore that place, I found many streets, got a chance to interact with local people and in a few hours, I was like covering the beautiful place with them. I got knew how their culture is like, how they live there, what are the problems and so on. I was making all my decision myself to go somewhere, to eat somethings and I felt so independent. This was a time when I started to be known that solo travel is one of the best lifetime experiences, relaxed, independent, and enjoyable things in the world. One of the advantages of solo travel is it develops personal growth.

The presence of solo travel

Solo travel is no longer a small concept, it’s completely forcing tourism sector to modify the tourism scenery. Different travel agencies and accommodation are being recognizing this trend and working on this for the betterment of solo adventurers. Apps and other different kinds of social media platforms are helping many solo travelers to connect and motivating each other to reach the new destination.

Destination is not only the thing in solo travel; it’s a journey within. It develops self-esteem, breaking the comfort zone and maturing flexibility. You don’t need anyone’s company to travel, learn and create memories. Solo travel is exactly challenging people and showing what travel experiences looks like. Finally, it’s you and your life so you can do anything alone and that’s important in life.

Speculations on the future

Looking forward, in my opinion solo travel is becoming more and more popular. As technology and social media are connecting us universally, many solo travelers have been sharing their view and experiences of their journey and this will be going to help upcoming solo travelers in the future. I think solo travel will become a path for positive change, encouraging culture understanding.

Solo travel is one of the trending topics nowadays in the world, many people want to try that one in life, but they are scared or do not have that much belief in themselves. Nothing would happen if you never tried. Money can be earned but the time which you spent with yourself, and nature will can’t be earned. It’s hard to do solo travel at first, but nothing is impossible. You can reach a new level of point in your life for you must step out your feet and try to travel alone, meet new friends, new culture, new places, and other so on.

Solo travel is not just a trend it’s a transformative movement for making individuals’ lives more powerful, positive and fill with full of self-confidence in them.  If you are a solo traveler or planning for solo travel then, remember that you are a part of transformative movement. With this I want to close this with one of a popular slogan for solo travelers “The world is your movie set and solo journey is a director waiting to be masterpiece”.


Text and photos: Pratik Pandey, second year International Tourism Management student

Julkaistu

T4Y travels in Valmiera and Riga, Latvia, 14.-17.10.2024

Tour4Youth project is a teamwork effort between Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Kurzeme Planning Region and Pärnumaa Vocational Education Centre, funded by Interreg programmes.

Interreg programmes support the integration of border areas and wider, cross-border cooperation areas, as well as the creation and strengthening of networks between regions and cities. (“Interreg programmes | Structural funds”) Tour4Youth supports young people between 15 to 24 years of age to have career opportunities in the field of Tourism, Hospitality, and restaurant sectors by providing career counselling and opportunities via internships and employment events such as recruitment fairs and online events.

Tour4Youth project group had a project follow-up meeting in a municipality called Valmiera, in Vidzeme region of Latvia. We had about 10 to 12 degrees and mostly sunshine during our trip. Our entourage was formed from project manager Tiina, project researcher Teija and tourism teacher Jonna.

We took the train from Pori to Helsinki via Tampere on a Monday morning, flew from Helsinki to Riga in the late afternoon. From Riga bus station a bus ride towards Valmiera began. We travelled through Latvia in the darkening evening for two hours, so no sightseeing on this bus ride. Autumn forest looks a lot like in Finland, except with a lot of maple trees and other leafy trees instead of conifers. Last project meeting in the spring 2024 was in Kuldīga, closer to the seaside, this time we headed more towards the centre of Latvia.

Arriving to our hotel late in the evening after 12 hours of travelling, the only thing any of us could think was sleeping and resting. A quick bite fetched from local Rimi and looking forward to next day meeting.

Project meeting in Vic campus library with Aija, Ilze, Linda, Laura, Agnece, Thea, Karmen, Jonna, Tiina and Teija

Valmiera is one of the oldest cities in Latvia built by Livonian order in the 13th century, and a part of the Hanseatic league from the 14th century. You can still see remains of a castle wall and cellar as a part of museum, The whole city was destroyed in 1702 war. The city later became the cultural and economic centre of Northern Vidzeme with also strong emphasis on sports events. We stayed in a sports hotel, but unfortunately had no time for doing any sports.

We got to keep the project meetings close to beautiful river Gauja in Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences. Sun was shining to honour our meeting for almost the entire trip. It was pleasant to meet project partners face to face again, some new faces too. We worked together as a team pitching ideas about the Introduction days for Tour4Youth, targeted events for participants and employers, recruitment fairs and the dissemination days. Many exciting days coming up in each country; Finland, Estonia and Latvia! The meeting days went quickly by, our only evening in Valmiera even quicker, but luckily, we got a chance to explore the city on Tuesday afternoon while walking to our evening dinner destination of a restaurant and brewery called Valmiermuiža Craft Brewery. Got to taste some biscuits made of malt and discuss about differences in food culture between countries.

After the second meeting day was over, we were lucky to get a ride from Aija and Agnese from Valmiera to Riga, which took two hours. Driving during sunlight we got to see the countryside in Latvia with cows in the fields and forest in the colours of autumn. After gathering up strength in our next hotel, we went shopping for homecoming gifts and later summoned the troops to have dinner at the old town.

Riga old town is found in the UNESCO World Heritage site list since 1997. Riga has been the major centre and port for the Hanseatic league and its history starts also from the beginning of the 13th century. The core of the city is still from medieval times, built through centuries to be stunning in architecture and cultural heritage.

Teija and Jonna had an opportunity to explore briefly the church of Saint Peter´s church, which is built already in 1209, but also been reconstructed in history three times. Nowadays an Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia, strongly influenced by reformation period in the 16th century. During second world war the church faced much damage and was restored in 1954. A lift has been built to the tower in the hight of astonishing 123 metres. From the peak one can see all over Riga, which once more left a powerful desire to visit Riga with better time to explore.

Travelling home took a bit less than arriving, but back in Pori we discovered autumn was a bit colder and less leaves in the trees already, than in Latvia. Next travels during spring 2025 to Pärnu with the same entourage. So excited to see also Estonia during this project.

Meanwhile, doing our best to support young people getting employment in Tourism and Hospitality sector. If you fit to the category, or you have vacancies for internships, please be in contact via website https://tour4youth.eu/ and follow us in Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TourForYouth.


Text: Teija Nuurma, Researcher, SAMK Center for Tourism Business Development
Pictures: Teija Nuurma and Jonna Huuhka

Julkaistu

Pian uudestaan vaihtoon!

Lähdin vaihtoon 17-vuotiaana ja olin todella innoissani tulevasta, ja mitä seuraavat kuukaudet toisivat tullessaan. Vaihto jännitti tosi paljon ja ensimmäinen viikko olikin rankka. Päätin jo, että en pysty tähän ja lähden takaisin kotiin. Soittelimme koko ajan opettajille ja vanhemmille tilanteesta.

Annoin kuitenkin uuden mahdollisuuden ensimmäisen viikon koronapaniikin jälkeen ja päätin jäädä Alankomaihin, Amersfoortiin, meidän ihanaan pieneen maalaisasuntoomme. Kävimme ensimmäiseksi hotellikoulua kuukauden verran. Siellä pukeuduimme pukuihin ja todellakin opimme miltä tuntui työskennellä hotellissa, joka pyrkii täydellisyyteen ja ylellisyyteen. Koulussa taso oli Suomeen verrattuna hyvin korkea.

Työskentelimme hotellissa pääasiassa ravintolan puolella, joka piti sisällään aamupalaa, lounasta, illallista, baristana oloa, drinkkejä ja ihan kaikkia hommia lattiasta kattoon – kirjaimellisesti. Koulussa myös harva osasi hyvin englantia, joka yllätti, koska sanotaan, että Alankomaissa englantia puhutaan todella hyvin.

Hotellikoulusta suuntasimme työskentelemään Van Der Valk hotelliketjun hotelliin Leusdeniin ja se vasta kokemus olikin. Töissä sattui ja tapahtui, mikä oli mielenkiintoista, koska se oli sen verran monipuolista ja tapahtumarikasta. Työskentelimme kerran esimerkiksi gaalan jatkoilla, johon tuli kaikki tunnetut Alankomaiden laulajat ja bändit. Monesti myös palvelimme erilaisia ryhmiä tai esimerkiksi ympäri maailmaa tulleita jääkiekkojoukkueita. Työtä oli paljon ja nukuinkin aina välillä vapaassa hotellihuoneessa, koska se oli nopeampaa.

Vapaa-ajan vietimme kiertelemässä läheisiä kaupunkeja, shoppailemassa tai muuten vain palloilemassa kaupungilla. Lisäksi kävimme testaamassa yöelämää muutaman kerran ja hengailimme työkavereiden kanssa.

Vaihdossa kasvoi ja oppi ihan huimasti. Oppi ymmärtämään niin paljon muita ja itseään ihan eri tasolla. Varsinkin tuossa iässä, 17-vuotiaana teininä. Olen myös todella kiitollinen, että oikeasti pääsin kokemaan näinkin huikean kokemuksen ja, että ihmisistä keiden kanssa ennen oli erimielisyyksiä, ystävystyttiinkin oikein kunnolla.

Suosittelen kaikille kyllä vaihtoon lähtöä esimerkiksi juuri ammattikorkeakoulussa. Itse kyllä uudestaan vaihtoon lähtö edelleen kiinnostaa, oli se vain niin ihanaa!

Teksti ja kuvat: Matkailuliiketoiminnan opiskelija Lilli Vuohelainen

Julkaistu

My Journey in Sustainable Tourism: A Traineeship at SAMK

Embarking on my second Bachelor’s degree in International Tourism at SAMK University of Applied Sciences has been an incredible journey, blending new academic challenges with exciting practical experiences. Having already completed a Bachelor’s degree in Arts from a Sri Lankan university, I felt prepared yet curious about diving into a completely different field. Little did I know, my first year at SAMK would bring an unexpected opportunity that would shape my understanding and passion for sustainable tourism.

During my first year, I was fortunate to secure a traineeship at the Center for Tourism Business Development at SAMK. This opportunity has been nothing short of transformative. I have delved deep into the core principles of sustainable tourism and learned how to steer a region like Satakunta towards sustainability. From project creation to implementation, my hands-on experience has equipped me with the tools and knowledge necessary to make a tangible impact in the field.

Some of the team members from the Center for Tourism Business Development.

One of the most significant lessons I’ve learned is the true meaning of sustainable tourism. It’s not just a buzzword; it’s a comprehensive approach to tourism that prioritizes environmental conservation, respects local cultures, and ensures economic benefits for local communities. I’ve seen firsthand how projects are developed to promote sustainability from reducing carbon footprints to enhancing cultural heritage sites.

Working closely with tourism companies, I’ve gained insights into what they expect from students and how we can contribute to sustainable tourism. This traineeship has shown me the importance of aligning academic knowledge with industry needs. By understanding these expectations, I feel more prepared to step into the professional world and make meaningful contributions.

The experience has also enriched my understanding of Finnish culture and business etiquette. Punctuality, honesty, and direct communication are just a few of the values that I’ve come to appreciate and adopt. Moreover, working with an international crowd has honed my intercultural communication skills, preparing me for a global career in tourism.

Through this traineeship, I’ve significantly improved my computer skills, particularly in creating impactful presentations that highlight the historical and cultural significance of the Satakunta region. Gathering and presenting facts and figures has become a second nature, and I’ve enjoyed making these aspects of the region come alive for diverse audiences.

My traineeship at SAMK’s Center for Tourism Business Development has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It has not only broadened my understanding of sustainable tourism but also enhanced my professional and personal skills. As I continue my studies, I am excited to apply what I’ve learned and contribute to the development of sustainable tourism practices in the Satakunta region and beyond.

I look forward to sharing more about my journey and the projects I undertake. Stay tuned for more insights and stories from my exciting adventure in sustainable tourism!

Text and picture: Nayani Wasana Kalubowilage, second year International Tourism Management student