Hey everyone! I am Maria Mengual Renart, a Spanish exchange student from Málaga. During my exchange studies at SAMK I really liked the Well-being from Blue Spaces course and I am going to explain you why.
Overall, I have studied and for instance learned more about the positive effects of water to the well-being of people and also the environment.
My favourite part was getting to know more about what activities are helpful for people, like anti-stressing stuff, or increasing the circulation of our blood.
If you had never thought about it like me, now you know that water makes a huge impact in our life. Some of these activities that helps us are; ice swimming, spa treatments, saunas, thermal baths, ice fishing, even just walking down along the beachside and enjoying the sound of the sea will make a change of your mood and for instance it will helps you.
The girl in the picture is me when I tried for the first-time ice swimming! It was such a funny and enriching experience. After doing it, I felt like a whole new person!
Did you know that water also helps our skin? Well, yes, it does. Water helps to moisturize, refresh, clean and also helps to improve the texture and appearance of the skin. There are a lot of cosmetics that uses water as their main ingredient, for example, micellar water, which is a facial cleanser that uses the natural attraction of micelles (tiny particles that attract dirt and oils) to cleanse skin without leaving a greasy residue. Additionally, water can help balance the skin’s pH, which can help reduce the appearance of large pores and improve skin texture.
This picture shows a micellar water of a famous Finnish brand Lumene that I discovered during my stay in Finland.
On the whole, I have learned a lot of new things about the impacts of water that I didn’t know before and I hope I have helped you to realise some of these great effects that water provide us!
Text: Maria Mengual Renart, en exchange student in SAMK International Tourism Management degree programme
I went to Yyteri beach with some friends in October, and it was an experience I will never forget. I started my trip in Pori, which is one of the greatest places near the sea. I had never before gone close to the ocean. I had never seen the vast blue sea before. Yyteri Beach, in my opinion, is a hidden gem with a unique blend of pristine surroundings.
I was astounded by the shoreline’s magnificence and the surrounding scenery when I first arrived. The environment was serene and calm, and the place was remarkably clean. The fact that the site was totally sustainable benefits next generations.
I think that any trip to Finland must include a visit to Yyteri Beach. Me and my friend were just sensing the energy. I just stood and watched the waves for a short while, taking in their sounds. The ships that were arriving and the crispness of the wind hitting me made my day. I had only heard theoretical information about the beneficial effects of water before this trip, but this actual visit made it clearer to me how beneficial water is for healing.
Blue spaces are defined as any natural or artificial water-related habitat, including lakes, rivers, swimming pools, oceans, and so on, as we have learned. The importance of nature and blue spaces in our lives was the most fascinating thing I learned during my studies.
According to studies, spending time in blue environments enhances one’s sense of wellbeing and lowers stress, anxiety, and sadness. It’s a fantastic way to get back from the hectic everyday life and the digital world.
As is well known, there is a wonderful, serene setting by the water, complete with the sound of breaking waves, which is truly mind-refreshing. This pushes us to live in the moment and let go of our fears. I was only concentrating on the surrounding environment when I was at the beach, which allowed us to become more conscious of our feelings and ideas. All in all, that trip helped me to enhance my wellbeing.
When discussing the therapeutic properties of water, swimming is the most effective activity. It offers numerous, priceless benefits. Regular swimming enhances the quality of our sleep by regulating our sleep patterns, according to research. We all know how crucial sleep is to maintain both our physical and mental well-being. The sound of running water has a very soothing effect that eases stress and promotes calmness in our minds.
There are further scientific advantages to swimming as well. Research indicates that swimming releases endorphins, which are naturally occurring mood enhancers that can help reduce symptoms of fear and hopelessness. It also serves as a kind of replacement for individuals who are unable to engage in other sports or hobbies like weightlifting, cycling, trekking, and so forth. People congregate in swimming locations, which presents opportunities to interact with people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and wellbeing practices. All in all, it’s a fantastic method for enhancing our mental well-being.
Text and pictures: Shahbaj Husen Khan, first year student in International Tourism Management
As part of our Culinary Experiences course, I had the privilege of listening to two guest lectures by two experts in the field. Janne Larisuo, Hotel Manager of Yyteri Hotel & Spa, shared with us the journey of revitalizing Yyteri Hotel to what it is today with his combination of insight and great experience in the face of various challenges.
Moreover, coffee expert Jani Wahlman took coffee to an unknown dimension by leading an enchanting exploration. I offer my heartfelt thanks to both Janne and Jani for nurturing us with knowledge!
A journey with Janne Larisuo
Yyteri Hotel & Spa, which has been in operation for more than 50 years, is situated in a quiet natural setting on a stunning beach in the Satakunta region of Finland, approximately 18 kilometres from the city of Pori.
A new chapter in 2017 was opened by Janne Larisuo, who unfolded the story of the revival of the Yyteri Hotel in his lecture given to us in January 2024.
Yyteri Spa Hotel
Janne said the arduous journey of ongoing reforms was delayed by the unexpected shadow casted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Under Janne’s stewardship, the hotel has expanded to a total of hundred fifteen rooms by adding two new suites with modern facilities. It appears that this is a tourist’s paradise during summer. I listened with interest as he presented the progress of his business. ”My goal is to increase the revenue and to increase the number of rooms,” Janne stated.
Obviously, we all know that places like Lapland and Helsinki are considered top tourist destinations in Finland. However, Janne described the profile of customers visiting his hotel as follows: ”Yyteri Beach is one of Finland’s most attractive beaches, but it’s remarkable that more than ninety percent of our potential guests are from within a three-hour drive.”
In addition, Yyteri’s consumer segments were presented and accordingly there were four main consumer segments. Clients span a wide range from business clients, couples, subsidized vacationers, and loving families.
Restaurant services at the Yyteri resort
Janne revealed that Yyteri’s main source of income lies in its culinary talent. ”Food and beverages contribute fifty percent to annual revenue, making it the base of our revenue stream” he stressed. Yyteri has two restaurants within the Yyteri Hotel, a beach restaurant called Helmi during the summer, and many facilities including a gym, spa, and sauna. Accordingly, it is clear that Yyteri has reached an important milestone in the tourism industry, while celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024.
Being aware of the target groups in restaurant operations helps in the success of the business. By understanding the different levels of customers, their preferences, and the services they expect to receive, they are able to provide superior service. Every aspect of the dining experience must be aligned with the expectations of target customers, such as tailoring menus to suit different demographics, setting up the restaurant premises, and making necessary purchases. Because it not only increases the income and profit compared to the operating cost of the restaurant, but also reduces unnecessary waste and runs a sustainable business. Ultimately, being aware of target groups can increase customer satisfaction, foster loyalty, develop long-term relationships, and provide memorable services to customers.
Discovering the world of coffee with an expert
Reflecting on Jani Wahlman’s fascinating lecture on coffee, I began to note down thoughts about it. I feel like I am drowning in an ocean of coffee with the rich aromas and delicious flavours that truly exist in coffee.
Although I am not much of a coffee lover, Jani’s presentation was a great opportunity to add to the book my knowledge of the art and facts of making the perfect and quality cup of coffee. It is a great opportunity to explore the facts about coffee while experiencing the world’s largest coffee-drinking country. Join me on a coffee quest!
While making the perfect cup of coffee requires the right proportions of coffee powder, the amount of water and the cleanliness of the equipment, everything contributes to the final flavour profile. Jani’s extensive knowledge and experience with coffee lead to a proper understanding of this process.
Among the world’s most popular coffees, Jamaica’s Blue Mountain coffee stands out among quality brands. I never knew there was such a wide range of coffees. However, I was surprised when Jani explained it. His presentation made me realize that the world of coffee is truly diverse and rich in complexity. There are over 50 varieties, including Arabica and Robusta as the original varieties, and many sub-varieties such as Gesha, Typica and Bourbon. There is a curiosity to know what the flavours of all these are.
Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee. Picture: https://www.beaches.com/blog/jamaica-travel-tips-dos-donts/
The methods of making coffee are also very complex. Sometimes I think it is not as easy as drinking tea. Pouring methods have gone beyond traditional methods to French press, modern machine brewing methods. Meanwhile, coffee lovers can enjoy an ocean of different flavours and aromas. Not only sweet, bitter, salty, sour flavours, but also fruity, spicy, floral, nutty, and chocolate-like aromas provide a wonderful experience.
However, amidst all the praise for coffee, it must be remembered about its consequences. Jani explained it by adding an experience he had. ”One day I drank a lot of coffee all at once to test myself. I felt my heartbeat faster” he said. Since coffee is a highly caffeinated beverage, those seeking a good night’s sleep would like to fondly remember that they should not drink coffee close to bedtime.
Broadening my mindset on coffee
Jani Wahlman’s guest lecture significantly changed my vague picture of coffee. I really do not like coffee very much. But now I have an interest in trying different flavours of coffee. I gained some insight into the factors that go into making a good cup of coffee. Jani’s exploration of the diverse range of coffee producing countries expanded my knowledge of the global reach and impact of coffee cultivation. Also, introducing the different flavours and aromas of coffee broadened my enjoyment. I did not know that caffeinated beverages can make the heart beat faster and I also learned how to maintain good health while consuming beverages like coffee.
In conclusion, encounters with guest speakers like Janne Larisuo and Jani Wahlman as real-world experts not only foster industry-specific knowledge but also lead to curiosity for a deeper study of the hospitality and culinary industries by sharing their experiences. By sharing their expertise, these guest lectures bridge the knowledge gap between theoretical and practical in our learning journey.
Text: Dona Sameera Welivita, first year International Tourism Management student
As an Asian, education has always been something bland and boring, but it all changed when I chose Finland as my destination for my bachelor’s degree, and SAMK to be specific.
First, let’s talk about Finland’s education. It is said that Finland is the 8th most educated country in the world so you are guaranteed to have a good education here. Then about SAMK, the school teaching method is very practical, as can be expected from an applied science university. The teachers here is also very passionate, they willing to help you with any question related to your studying, even sometimes about your difficulties in living in a new country. This help me a lot in the beginning when I have no knowledge of the place I’m gonna be in the next 4 years.
Besides that, during my study in the Autumn semester, I have studied a lot (as a tourism student) about marketing and tourism as a definition. In my opinion, this is the foundation knowledge for my study in this major. So the teaching structure here in SAMK is also very good. But after all the most important thing I learned here is the ability to self-study. Since I’m a college student, this is a very important skill to have, it is a requirement for anyone.
I am happy I chose Finland
For a person that loves traveling like me (this is also one major reason why I choose tourism as my major), I am happy that I chose Finland as a place for my study. I had the chance to travel abroad to a foreign country and live here. Finland is a northern country so it does have a lot of northern traits such as the people here or the weather.
During the winter it snows most of the time which is quite enjoyable for me, as a tropical country resident, this is a very new experience for me. I enjoy seeing snow showering – in my opinion, it is one of the most beautiful weather phenomenon!
And about the destination here in Finland, it is sad that I haven’t had the chance to travel to any tourist destination in Finland yet, but I sure know Lapland is very popular in the winter (I would love to go there next year). Oh, and Finland is also famous for having the most beautiful beach in northern Europe, Yyteri, which is also here in Pori where I live!
Text and photos: Duy Le, second year International Tourism Management student
Hasselt is a beautiful place to visit, especially during the winter season. We travelled to Hasselt during December, so it was a bit weird for us to not see any snow on the ground, as we had just left Finland, a place which was filled with snow.
All of the people we encountered during our trip were polite, helpful and social! We loved every second of getting to know more and more people, some of whom had visited Finland or had Finnish friends.
Cultural differences
The biggest cultural difference for us was the lack of snow, but also the architecture and the school life. For example in Finland, it is customary to call the teachers by their first names whereas in Belgium it is customary to call them madam, Mrs, Mr, etc… When thinking about the differences, we realized that even with all of our differences, in tourism and in our personal lives, we were all clicking instantly and gaining new friends.
The university was great, the people were really friendly, as well as the teachers and personnel. Their university was modern and the cafeteria/restaurant was in really good shape, they also served amazing food.
Their way of teaching is different from ours, as they have big auditoriums for every lecture and seminar, whereas we, in Finland, have cosier and more welcoming classes.
Learning and making friends
During our exchange in Hasselt, we learned some things from the speakers, for example information about the Castle of Leut, MICE tourism, SMART theory, SDGs, and Pink flamingos. When visiting the Castle of Leut, we could experience it first-hand, and immerse ourselves in the surroundings of the it. For us, it was a great place to visit, and we would recommend others to visit there too.
Helen: From my point of view, the most impressive activity at the Hasselt exchange was the visit to the castle, as it was the first time I visited a castle and it is a beautiful place!
Overall, we think this experience was great, as it has taught us a lot about different cultures and different people. We made great memories and friends in Hasselt and we would all go back there anytime, just to seek around the beautiful country of Belgium, as the time was a bit limited in the short exchange week we experienced.
Every second was enjoyed, until the last, and we are really thankful for this opportunity and will definitely take part of similar projects in the future.
Text: Alexa Marin, Jasmin Rosengren & Helen Wan, second year International Tourism Management students Picture: PXL University of Applied Sciences and Arts
It is not a surprise that when it comes to tourism education in the universities, teaching about how to create and develop experiences becomes one of the most common topics of the classes. Obviously, since we tourism students we have been taught that unique experiences have become a trending market during the last years!
So let’s take a look at how hard was it to create a new product almost from scratch.
Creating something from nothing
In the course Tourism Product and Experience Design, we formed groups of four students each to create a touristic experience for Echoes Ecomuseum. The idea was to develop a whole experience around a place that already exists, which in our case was Mynämäen kotiseutumuseo.
During the course we had some classes about the creation of experiences, some advice on how a good tourist experience looks like, and we also had our deadlines for returning some files showing our progress, but nobody told us exactly how to develop our experience, which from my point of view, was a great tool to use our creativity and see how original we would be for this assignment.
The first part of the creation process is to know the place we were going to mold, so everyone must visit their places and take some notes to start the development process, and this was the first challenging step.
It might sound easier when you are watching the power points that say how to actually create a new idea, but have you ever stopped to think about an original idea for something like this? Not easy at all and I’m pretty sure my whole class can relate to that fact!
Going through our location, the museum, taking pictures and notes about what the owner said to us was challenging – we learned more about the place, but our assignment was to “remake” the product, and we realised how difficult it was going to be after all.
And if that was not enough, the places we worked with were all far from the city centers and let’s say they were not too international, I bet I was not the only one who needed the Finnish team mates to translate everything in the museums.
Now that we knew what we had, it was time to get down to work and start thinking about the experience we wanted to develop, and yes as you can imagine, the very first days we were blank, with no ideas about what to do.
It started to go well when we did our brainstorming, some ideas came to us in that great inspiration moment, and we were starting to build something. We might have disagreed sometimes, but there’s no good team with no feedback and different ideas.
Team work and cultural differences
Cultural differences was something interesting for me, and not only because of how Finnish people usually are with things like punctuality (I know, I am late for most of the meetings, but I swear not every Spanish person is like this, I’m sorry team!) But the communication I felt doing this assignment was very satisfactory: I love to work with people who don’t say yes to everything! Feedback is very important in these kind of projects, and that’s something that I loved about working with Finnish people.
Once we had a main idea and the feedback of the teacher, it was time to show our classmates what we had been doing those weeks and to get some feedback. There were many presentations in one day, and all of them with good ideas from challenging places to develop – that is a sign of what this generation could be for the future tourism industry. We all also gave useful feedback to our classmates.
To finish this blog post, I would like to encourage all people with an entrepreneurial soul interested on the tourism industry to think about new, authentic experiences for tourism!
Text: Dorian Espinosa Negrín, exchange student from Universidad de la Laguna Pictures: Pixabay
Have you ever wondered why it feels relaxing to go and have a walk on the beach or what is so spiritual about being alone in or on the sea?
From walking next to the famous canals of Amsterdam, to swimming in the sea and being on a cruise, blue spaces work really calming for me. As a person that has always lived near beautiful beaches and the sea, I have huge interest for blue spaces. I have always been attracted to coastal destinations and the mental impacts that sea has us to offer.
When I had the opportunity of studying the course Well-being from Blue spaces, I could not let this opportunity pass. To learn more about Blue Spaces would help me develop a lot and would give me possibilities for a future profession.
The presence of a person to water, especially the sea, is related with many positive impacts of physical and mental wellbeing, from higher levels of vitamin D to better social connections. Therefore, living near blue spaces, visiting them, or even enjoying the view has a positive effect on a human.
I think there should be more focus on ways to relieve mental stress in the future. With our world becoming busier with the day, mobile phones being an absolute must, people should be encouraged to let go of everything, and enjoy the beautiful nature. It will have a positive impact both physically and mentally.
Text: Sander Keulemans, exchange student from HZ University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands
As soon as I first saw the name of the course Roadmap to Tourism and Hospitality Industry, my curiosity was aroused because I was a freshman in International Tourism Management in SAMK from China. In China, hospitality management was often translated into hotel management, so the translation made me confused.
During the first months of tourism studies, I kept exploring this professional course and following the “road signs” in the lectures and after class, and now I can say I understand the definition of the tourism and hospitality industry.
Firstly, my many original definitions have been refreshed. Tourism is a social, cultural and economic phenomenon related to the movement of people to places outside their usual place of residence, pleasure being the usual motivation (source: UNWTO).
Tourist is a visitor taking a trip to a main destination outside his/her usual environment, for less than a year, for any main purpose (business, leisure or other personal purpose) other than to be employed (source: European Commission). Tourist’s purposes become the basis of classification of tourism products and the tourism push factors.
Furthermore, I understand that “hospitality is the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers” (source: Wikipedia). Hospitality management includes hotel management and plays an important role in tourism.
Several important concepts are used to further explain the definitions, for example the tourism system, and types of tourism product such as food tourism, ecotourism, health tourism, etc. As industries tourism and hospitality produce economic, socio-cultural and environmental impacts and have been affected by the Covid-19 epidemic.
Picture from our course book The Business of Tourism by J. C. Holloway
Secondly, in the framework of tourism and hospitality, restaurant industry, accommodation industry and passenger transportation are common pillars. In the hotel industry, demand is seasonal and safety issues are difficult to deal with. Air, water, and land transports directly affect the volume of tourists. Cruise is both travel and transportation. It is worth emphasizing that travel agencies and tour operators in the chain of distribution promote the development of tourism.
Picture from our course book The Business of Tourism by J. C. Holloway
We used a lot of case analysis in class with Finnish tourism and hospitality analyzed as core cases. Finland’s unique pull factors such as visiting the home of Santa Claus, sleigh ride pulled by huskies or reindeer, sleeping in igloos, saunas and Moomins, stand out from competitors. Pori is renowned for natural attractions and cultural event such as Yyteri and International Jazz Festival.
Tourism carrying capacity is used for measuring the maximum number of tourists at the same time. Tourism accounts such as tourism expenditure and tourism receipts enable the generation of tourism economic data.
During the course I have also done a video presenting tourism in my home country China (you can see it here).
Of course, the first year course Roadmap to Tourism and Hospitality Industry only plays a guiding part for us students. I have interest in continuing to research and read relevant books so as to be even more professional in the future.
Text: Yao Jun, second year International Tourism Management student
We are three students from three different universities with three different backgrounds… So how did we end up meeting in the middle of nowhere in Finland?
So the thing is that we all applied for a course called Digitalisation Opportunities among Coastal Tourism Entrepreneurs and Networks 2022, not knowing what exactly to expect. We started the course by doing three marketing-related individual assignments.
On the ninth of May 2022 we arrived at a nostalgic farm, called Koivuniemen Herran Farmi at Merikarvia, and met each other for the first time. On the first working day we were divided into groups.
So, who are we?
Hallo! I’m Tabea. I am an Erasmus student from Dalarna University in Falun, Sweden. Originally I am from Germany. I study social science at a technical university in Kaiserslautern. Since August 2021 I am living in Falun. I ended up in this course because I love traveling and I am really interested in social media.
Hej! My name is Wilperi, I’m 24 and live in Turku, Finland. I am a third year Bachelor’s student of Business Administration at Novia University of Applied Sciences. I specialize in marketing but later on I have developed a huge interest to tourism and that is why I immediately knew I wanted to participate in this course once I heard about it.
Moi! I am Siiri, a twenty-year-old student from Pori, Finland. I am studying for Bachelor’s degree in International Tourism Management for the first year at Satakunta University of Applied Sciences. Working with commissioners sounded fun, so I decided to apply for this course.
So, now that you know who we are, you should also get to know what we have done. We spent one week at Merikarvia working hard for our assignments. But, what was our assignment?
Each group got a commissioner to work for, and ours was the Municipality of Merikarvia. One part of our task was to analyze Merikarvia’s online platforms which included their webpage, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Based on our analysis, we came up with how to optimize the use of these platforms and created a few Instagram posts, ready to be published. During the making of these posts we got to visit some really nice locations with beautiful scenery and also learned more about Merikarvia’s history and culture.
Fireplace kräsoora
Relaxing on the dock
The first thought about our commissioner was that we have a bit of a difficult one, because we had such a wide topic. It was challenging to decide what we should do and where we should concentrate. But overall, the assignment turned out very well, and we had so much fun during our week.
Another thing that challenged us was the Finnish language. This was problematic, because only two of us understand Finnish. All social media pages of our commissioner were only available in Finnish. Also, our commissioner was mostly talking in Finnish.
Merikarvia gang
During our stay we got to know our whole group, and we played a lot of social games together, learned how to take care of the animals at the farm and ate a lot of good food. And because this course was held in Finland, we of course had a sauna-night with grilling sausages and making pancakes. We also got to visit the Yyteri beach and hotel, and some of us were brave enough to take a bath in the ocean.
Icebathing
Would we do that again? Absolutely! If you ever have a chance to join a course like this we suggest you grab the opportunity!
We wish you the best! #snyggt
Text: Siiri Romoi, Tabea Busch and Wilperi Jalonen Pictures: Helena Larilahti, Tabea Busch and Siiri Romoi
For our Tourism Product and Experience Design course, we got a task to develop services for various rural places related to the Echoes Ecomuseum project. Our group got to work with Kauppilan umpipiha in Laitila. This place was completely unknown to us before the course – both for the Finnish and the Erasmus students in our group.
When we got to Kauppilan umpipiha, we discovered a mill, sheep, red barns, an interior court as well as a museum (which we unfortunately could not visit because it was already closed after summer).
Once there, we remembered our teacher’s advice and took the time to feel the sense of place. We sat down in the grass and let our senses guide us. We could hear the sheep and the wind in the foliage and the birds singing. We could also smell the old wood and grass. It was at this point that we began to realize the potential of this place!
Back at SAMK, and during the meetings with our group, ideas on how to develop the place quickly came to mind. We brainstormed for a long time to put all our ideas together and came up with three main ideas:
make an educational farm for children
renovate the museum part of the farm, and
create a traditional festival on the farm grounds.
Eventually, we decided to concentrate more on a detailed planning of a festival that could be organized in Kauppilan umpipiha. The theme of the festival would be Return to the past. This theme would allow visitors to immerse themselves in the life of the 17th century. As soon as you would enter the festival, you would disconnect from the modern world and enter a very unique experience. In this festival, visitors could walk between the stalls of local craftsmen, dance and sing to traditional songs and have fun with typical Finnish games. Children could play with animals, get a face painting, or milk a cow. All these activities are small examples, but there would be many more to come. We also planned a drive-in cinema, which could attract many types of visitors.
Creating this experience as our course assignment was very exciting for us, and we were able to let our imagination run wild without too many constraints. We felt really free in our ideas!
Text: Marie-Amandine Moulin & Camille De Borman, exchange students from Haute École Galilée University of Applied Sciences in Belgium Pics: Marie-Amandine Moulin
