University of Helsinki
Daniel Placeres Miranda
Hello, everyone! I’m Daniel Placeres Miranda and I’m honored to be CISSI’s deputy for the semester. Contrary to what most of you might think seeing my last name, I represent the international-minded part of CISSI, not actually international. Growing up in a Russian-Cuban family in Finland I never really restricted myself to my nationality. I feel at home mostly surrounded by people from all over the world that share the same passion for companionship regardless of borders. Having said that, I feel like CISSI’s agenda in bridging the gap between Finnish and international students and enriching both sides at the University of Helsinki is something I can totally vouch for. I’m glad to have my first organization experience at CISSI. But enough about me, let’s delve into the activities of mine from the past month, shall we?
My introduction to CISSI is a hazy one. We were just finishing another day of orientation with the freshman class and the last stop for it was the students’ very own pub, Thirsty Scholar. Pink flyers passing around everywhere and English speech is all I could hear in the backyard. It didn’t help that my friend Vera, who is also in CISSI now (Hi Vera!), dragged me towards the source of all of this. That is where I met Cal and Regina, the Chair and Treasurer of CISSI, and the rest is history.
Since then I’ve got to meet a lot of great people . Valtsika’s very own basement, Kuppala, has become like a second home for me, participating in events there ranging from all kinds of parties to movie nights. Highly recommend going out to these sorts of nights for exchange students since that’s where Finns are at their most approachable. I also helped with organizing a “No Cup Party” with the lovely people at Konstruktio. Really wish more exchange students had gone there but that’s the price you have to pay for throwing a party on monday, I guess! Academic table party or in Finnish “sitsit” has also been quite an experience and I believe a highlight of Finnish exchange for many.
All in all, it has been fun. Stay tuned for more good things in the weeks to come!