Get Your Master’s Thesis Written! Grant – Report from Kilpisjärvi

If you already are a master’s student starting your thesis, you have the chance to apply for the Get Your Master’s Thesis Written! Grant. The aim of the grant is to promote the finalizing of the master’s thesis by providing for an intensive thesis writing period at one of the field stations of the University. The field stations are located in Hyytiälä, Kilpisjärvi, Lammi, Tvärminne and Värriö.

Read our students report from the Kilpisjärvi research station!

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Kilpisjärvi research station and the Saana fell

Today I am spending my last day at the Kilpisjärvi biological station. I have been here for two weeks and decided now to send report about this period of time.

The grant has been very useful for me. Finishing of my thesis has been delayed as I am doing nearly full-time work. Now I got leave of absence for March in my work. At the beginning of March I was writing my thesis in Helsinki, but working here in Kilpisjärvi has been more efficient. It has been easier to read and write, which is certainly because of peace of the place. Here I do not have to worry about cooking and washing dishes as meals are included to the grant. I can easily clear my thoughts by skiing amidst beautiful scenery as ski tracks are situated next to the station. Here I have managed to make bigger step in my writing process. I wish to return my thesis and graduate at the end of the year. All in all I have really enjoyed my stay here.

The lake Kilpisjärvi
The lake Kilpisjärvi

One reason, why I wanted to come to Kilpisjärvi, is the theme of my thesis. I am majoring in social and cultural anthropology. I am writing my thesis about the holy places of Udmurts. They are a Finno-Ugric people living on Central Russia, where I have conducted my fieldwork. Some subgroups of Udmurts have maintained their ethnic religion in, which rituals conducted in holy places are essential. I was interested to come to Kilpisjärvi because of the old holy places of Sami people. They are also a Finno-Ugric people inhabiting the Northern parts of Finland, Sweden, Norway and Russia. Their holy places were called seita, which were unusual rocks or big stones. They were prayed for hunting and fishing luck. For Sami holy places are not anymore living part of their religion, but seita can still be seen in the landscape. Actually the most prominent holy place in Kilpisjärvi is Saana fell, by which the biological station is situated.

While being here I have read a lot about the holy places of Sami. It has brought useful comparative perspective for my thesis. During my summer holiday I will return here for hiking and searching for more seita, which I have already marked on the map.

Thanks for this useful grant!”

Kirsi Hafeez

 

More information about the grants for enrolled students can be found in the University of Helsinki intranet Alma.