Meet our students: Champagne, Coconuts and Explorers – How did a Scandinavian Language student from Belgium end up in Finland?

Posted on by Ninni
Hi! I’m Pieter and this is my story.

Once upon a time in a land far, far away… Well, truth is, far away is Belgium and long ago is also pretty relative. But anyways, many years have passed since I moved to Finland. My name is Pieter and this is my story.

If I could travel back in time I’d like to be an explorer, maybe like Columbus or Vasco da Gama. Minus the scurvy though and preferably with a better fortune than most explorers. Then again, in a way, I have discovered new land when moving abroad, here in Helsinki. And coincidentally the first time I came to Helsinki was by boat!

Autumn 2008 I was studying at the Helsinki University as part of my exchange. Quite frankly, that autumn was filled with a myriad of impressions and new faces. It’s a challenge to reconstruct the whole experience. What truly matters is that after a few months back in Belgium I packed two suitcases, a couple of boxes and bottled up the much needed courage. On 2. September 2009 in my calendar: Finland <3. I moved.

Finland <3

Okay, hold on. Now it seems like a melancholic act on my behalf. Admitted, the heart is quite unnecessary, but it captures my wanting to come here and surely there were underlying motives to my moving. Let me take you back to Belgium, the land of chocolate and beer. In Belgium I studied Linguistics and Literature, both German and Scandinavian Languages, with Swedish as my major. My exchange was thus a calculated part of my studies.

But why Finland? That was perhaps the part I didn’t quite see coming in my crystal ball. Originally I planned to go Stockholm, but basically every other student did as well. Therefore I chose something different: Finland. A few months later much too early on the deck of a boat docking in Helsinki: Tervetuloa Suomeen! Välkommen till Finland!

What I liked back then studying at the Helsinki University  – and I still do today – is the approach and method of teaching. Here I’ve felt that professors and teachers have been coaches, trying to get the best out of me and challenging me on a personal level. That was refreshing considering I often have felt like a parrot reciting ideas blindly and anonymously in Belgium. And this Polly did not want that cracker anymore. That is probably my main motive for returning to the University of Helsinki after obtaining my bachelor degree in Belgium.

I started studying via the Open University, when I took some courses in Journalism at Svenska social- och kommunalhögskolan. In Swedish of course, ‘cause that was a way to move forward and truly grasp the Swedish language. It challenged me and my knowledge, and I acquired new skills along the way. I highly recommend! Then afterwards I got in to my current program, which is the master’s degree program Culture and Communication, the only international program taught in Swedish.

Culture and Communication

My time at the master’s degree program Culture and Communication has without a doubt been the most giving and interesting experience in my relatively young life. At the moment I am writing my thesis and thus tying those lose ends together. That whole process of writing a thesis could deserve a whole entry itself. Let me just tell you that at times it feels like a roller coaster ride, quite enjoyable rushes mixed with a paralyzing fear and the occasional screams. Anyways, I wasn’t unprepared thanks to Culture and Communication.

At the program I’ve learned the necessary skills, but most importantly a new approach to and refreshing thoughts on both Culture and Communication. My fellow students have very different background, both educationally and geographically. That has led to an interesting internal dynamic and an environment where we all learn from each other. Also the interdisciplinary approach of the program, and the multiple challenges and essays we had to write made me grow as a student and led to this point. All in all: I am ready for graduation!

Distractions

But of course there are distractions, some constructive some … well, just distractive, I suppose. First of all I’ve been a tutor for the master degree program for two years in a row. Recently some fellow students and I started our own student union called Skald. Skald is mainly for students and graduates from Culture & Communication and it’s focused heavily on culture, events and working life within culture. In the union I am responsible for marketing and events, something I would like to turn into a career afterwards. Have a look at our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/skaldrf.

As corny as it sounds, I really like sining and making my own music.

Then as for the “just distractive” distraction: I like writing my own music on guitar or piano and I really like to sing. Being around me can be like living in a musical. Also I’ve taken on the very Finnish habit of karaoke. Seriously you’d be surprised at the density of karaoke bars here in Helsinki! Right now I have entered a music competition here in Helsinki, which I am very excited about. Here is a preview of what I do: https://soundcloud.com/pieter_music/chemical-star-demo.

 

Also regarding distractions I have learned to forgive myself when I want to read a novel instead of an academic publication, or when I want to go to the movies or the theater. As much as I would like to focus on just my thesis and graduation, surely these distractions are what keep me motivated, perhaps also what keeps me sane. Moreover, culture is an important part of our studies at Culture and Communication, quite intrinsic its name as well. In a way I consider a book or the theater to be our laboratory, not quite as hazardous, but definitely more entertaining.

Living abroad

Living abroad is all rainbows and unicorns, said no one ever! Frankly, it is hard and at times lonely. In my surroundings I am blessed with a wonderful circle of caring friends, but mentally at times it weighs. Living abroad makes you appreciate your own background more, whereas at the same time aggravation and frustration take the upper hand in regards to Finland. Here I also have to admit that my very critical nature towards Finland is partly responsible for that. Nonetheless I cheer for an initiative like Tahdon2013 and I very much hope Finland finds answers to other ethical and political questions.

I always tell myself that after a dark winter comes a bright summer, even in Finland. That optimistic spirit has definitely helped me throughout these years. Despite it not always being easy to be foreign, I enjoy living in Helsinki. At times I am the local running around, rushing to a meeting or walking into familiar faces. Then again I am the lost tourist, discovering and exploring. Now that I am close to graduation people ask me if I will return home. Every single time I gaze with confusion written all over my face, open my mouth hesitantly and reply: But I am home?!

Champagne after graduation!

Moreover, here is my (shortened) bucket list for my Finland after graduation:

  • Drink my cherished bottle of champagne.
  • Priority: Get a job! (of course, only after the champagne)
  • Learn Finnish properly (more than food and drinks)
  • See the midnight sun in Lapland
  • Go kayaking at sea.
  • Become famous, or infamous, whichever.
  • Etc.

Dear international student,

To you, dear international student: I strongly encourage you to consider the University of Helsinki. My most beautiful and heartfelt memories are strongly related to both the university and my surroundings here. It is not just an education you are in for, but also the start of a new life at a Stunde Null. And where better to start than the warm and welcoming environment of a university?

On many occasions I’ve noticed there are quite a lot of misconceptions on Finland. For one, it’s not always cold and dark. After a cold winter with scarce sunlight comes a bright summer with almost no darkness. Also even thought numerically Finland is colder, it does not compare to a country like Belgium where the humidity makes the cold feel that much worse. The dry, continental climate has blessed Finland and as much as Finns like to complain about the weather, in the end it’s not that bad.

Keep calm! And just fall in love with Finland.

Then there is of course the stereotype that Finns are cold-hearted introvert metal heads. I beg to differ. Contrary to the common believe (even amongst Finns) I find that people are very warm and mellow underneath that tough exterior. Like a coconut! And sometimes perhaps equally hard to crack. Admitted, excitement is a feature rarely seen on a Finnish face. Just trust in them feeling it on the inside … very deep down on the inside in some cases. But! It’s there. And a warm exotic smile from a foreigner can bring that out. Or a bad joke in my case.

And again, I can’t emphasize enough how well the university functions and what an absolute delight it has been to study here. I was very study-tired in Belgium, to be frank. Changing environment and university has given me joy in studying again and motivated me to pursue a master’s degree. It might be a similar experience for you, dear international student, at least I wish it could be.

Some good advice when meeting a Finn:

  • Keep calm. It’s only relatively awkward to you compared to the Finn.
  • Don’t make any sudden movements. Avoid intense eye contact.
  • Mention something you like about Finland. Tell a joke.
  • Laugh, share, become friends.

It’s that easy!!

Before I get kicked out of this country because I blasphemed the Finnish Sisu: I am just being silly, of course! Oh Finland, thou art so easy to make fun of, yet so much joy you bring me.

Now however, dear international student, I have to say so long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, adieu! The last part of this blog will be in Swedish namely and is specifically written for students who want to study Culture and Communication in Swedish. If you do understand Swedish: Keep on reading!

Nonetheless, I have enjoyed my time with you! I feel like we’ve bonded. Now, what I would like very much is that in the future I may read your story. Perhaps you will remember mine, perhaps you will even mention me (either because you liked my story, or because I got famous, or infamous, whichever). Anyways, I’ve started this journey a while ago and discovered this new land like an explorer. And with a better fortune! May your ship sail this way as well.

Let this link be your map: http://www.helsinki.fi/internationalprogrammes/subjects.html. It’s a list on all the international master’s degree programs at the University of Helsinki.

All the best of luck with your application!

Magisterprogrammet Kultur och Kommunikation

Till dig, du som vill fortsätta studier med ett magisterprogram: Sök till Kultur och Kommunikation! Den tvärvetenskapliga uppläggningen av programmet är väldigt givande. Förutom sitt eget huvudämne (historia, nordisk litteratur, nordiska språk) bekantar man sig med ett spektrum av närliggande studieområden.

Blandningen av specialisering med ett huvudämne och den tvärvetenskapliga räckvidden ledar till en mycket djupare förståelse av och ett bredare perspektiv på både kultur och kommunikation. Jag har nordisk litteratur som huvudämne exempelvis, men forskar vid sidan om också i historia, sociologi, språkanvändning, postkoloniala teorier, osv. Därtill är gruppen av studenter mycket dynamisk med olika studiebakgrunder och internationella studenter. Vi lär av varandra, vilket är bäst.

Som jag skrev tidigare i den engelska delen av blogginlägget var magisterprogrammet en ny början i min studiekarriär efter att ha blivit skoltrött (eller unitrött i detta fall). På programmet kunde jag mycket friare utveckla mina kunskaper enligt mitt intresse, förstås i ramen av kurserna. Så har jag forskat i bland annat framställningen av invandrare i tidningar, historiebruk i ett amerikanskt TV-program och mest intressant – tycker jag – var undersökningen i online dating i ljuset av medialisering (ett nyckelord på Kul&Kom). Som du märker är ämnena inte riktigt konventionella, vilket jag tycker är programmets styrka. Kreativitet uppskattas!

Nu håller jag på ett skriva pro gradu avhandlingen som handlar om invandrarlitteratur och hur genren har definierats. Under skrivandet märkte jag hur mycket jag har lärt mig på programmet, samt hur alla kunskaper kulminerar just i denna avhandling. Eftersom Kultur och Kommunikation är tvärvetenskapligt har jag möjligheten att se på ämnet utifrån ett mycket bredare perspektiv. Det att jag ännu lär mig något nytt varje dag är absolut bäst med gradu-skrivandet.

Har du blivit nyfiken? Vill du veta mer om magisterprogrammet Kultur och Kommunikation? Gå in på webbsidorna: http://www.helsinki.fi/kulkom/. Klicka absolut också på Studentliv om du vill få höra några till röster om hur det är att studera Kultur och Kommunikation: http://www.helsinki.fi/kulkom/Studentliv.html.

Med Skald har vi just varit på studiebesök till Teater Viirus, efter att vi såg teaterpjäsen Oskuld. På bilden är några Skalder och jag i mitten.

Som tutor, men också som student, besvarar jag gärna frågor eller hjälper till med praktiska råd och dåd. Med Skald har vi planerat några väldigt roliga och intressanta aktiviter för de nya studenterna på hösten. Jag ser fram emot att få träffa er antingen som tutor, som skald eller bara som ödeskamrat.

Lycka till med ansökan!