University of Helsinki
First days of June have already passed and even the summer heat has found its way to Helsinki. I think it might finally be the time to face reality: the spring semester is over.
For all the CISSI people, board and members alike, that reality is bittersweet. Many are going home, everybody has to say goodbyes to some great friends and only some will be back in Helsinki for the next semester.
Friendships formed with exchange students, no matter if you’re one yourself or not, are something very special in many ways. These friendships seem to be full of positive energy, always surprising and fun. How great is it to get to know people coming from all over the world, share experiences, ideas and stories? To get to hang out with positive, sociable people who are having the times of their lives? And then, after a semester or two, those people are gone. Just like that, scattered around the globe. And things will never be the same again. That’s exactly what makes the goodbyes so sad and emotional. But that’s by no means the end of the friendships: staying in touch even over the oceans is easier than ever, and there’s only a few things in life sweeter than a long-awaited reunion. A true optimist might even go as far as to say, that those reunions will happen sooner than you ever expected.
After this first half a year as CISSI chair, I want to thank everybody for making all the work and even the rare moments of slight stress absolutely worth it. It has been a pleasure to get to know so many awesome people throughout the semester. Thank you CISSI Board 2019, thank you all Valtsika organizations we already got to work with and finally, thank you all who participated the CISSI events. You are what made this so special.
Juho