District Camp

        On the weekend of September 26-27th my district had our district camp. We had to be at the Helsinki train station by 10:30, where we were met by the district Rotarians. At about 10:50 we went to the parking garage where we all piled our bags into one of the Rotarians car’s and left the train station. We went to a place where they produce the national Finnish newspaper I believe? We walked through there for a short time one of the Rotarians gave us history on the place and then we left for the Church.  We walked to this Church (which I don’t remember the name of) and the Rotarians told us the history and the importance of this church. I don’t remember much of what she said but I believe she said something that many people did not want the church to be built. I honestly don’t quite remember. After, we had about 20 minutes to walk around and take pictures of the church. When we decided to take a group picture, all of these old Asian people came and sat on the bleachers with us and started taking pictures with us. It was quite funny, it lasted for about 10 minutes until they were done taking pictures with us.

The wonderful Cora

Then we headed to the Natural History Museum. We were given a tour of “Finland” as we explored parts of Finland and animals which live there. This lasted for an hour, and we were all tired of walking and hungry so we really didn’t listen that much. After the museum it was time to eat! Though we had to walk for about 15 minutes to the restaurant that we were schedule to eat at. (The restaurant was called “Mama Rosa’s” but I don’t think it is like the “Mama Rosa’s “ back home.) There we ate and got re-fuled for the rest of the afternoon. 

Cora, Jose, and Emily

Bambi!

After eating we headed to the olympic stadium, where the 1952 summer olympics were held, we   didn’t get to go into the stadium but we went to the museum. In the museum it held many uniforms and medals of Fins who have been in the olympics. It was quite interesting. 

The Olympic Stadium

Next stop was a cafe, we walked to this cafe which was stationed in a very old victorian styled house. We all sat outside and got a view of a lake and Helsinki. We then had to basically power walk to the ferry for Suomenlinna, as we were running behind. Unfortunately we did not make it and had to wait 40 minutes for the next ferry to arrive. Once we caught the ferry, it was a ferry ride of 20 minutes which during this time Charline (Belgian) and I listened to music and watched us float away from Helsinki. When we got to Suomenlinna it was less then minute walk to where our hostile was, when we got there we set down our bags and went to eat dinner.  

          After dinner, we were told what room we were in and had to put our stuff in our rooms and make our beds. I was in a room with, Emily (German), Inge (German), Kirzy (South African),  Karen (Chile), Jade (Brazil), and Kellar (USA). After we made our beds we still had time till the Rotarians wanted to meet with us so we took pictures with our flags and peeps from our country.  The Rotarians talked with us and then we had free time, which our Rotarians had us play a strange game and then after we hung out. We had a bed time of 11pm, which is quite lame but we obeyed. 

The next day I woke up at 7:30, got ready, ate breakfast, and packed up my stuff. I then went on a little walk with Emily, Kellar, and Jade. Kellar found a scooter of a little boy who hid it in the bushes so Arthur who lives in Suomenlinna of C52 if you’re reading this, we found your scooter put it in a better hiding place next time. At 10 we went back to hostel and got ready for our tour of Suomenlinna, we took lots of pictures many times people were getting left behind because they were taking a picture. After the tour we went back to the hostel and ate lunch and then it was time to go home! I had a wonderful district camp weekend!

This week is fall break, so I’m going to Olivia’s until Wednesday and then we are coming to my house and she will stay until Sunday! On Saturday we are making an American dinner for my host family since it will be my last weekend with them. 

-Hailey

Two Months In

I can't believe that it has been two months already that I have been here. It still feels as if last week I was flying to come here. I often think back to those days, me on my plane from Alanta to Amsterdam, eating airplane food and never deciding on a movie to watch and constantly checking where in the world we were. I think back to language camp, the first day how tiring it was but also eating my first taste of Finnish food right when we go to Karkku. Back in the states I never realised how fast time actually went. Here I blink and it is already the next week, which is why I like to reminiscence about my time here so far. Everyday when I'm walking home from school, I picture the country of Finland and where in Finland I am right now. I'm amazed that I am here, I still can't believe it, I don't think I will ever be able to believe it until I have to leave.

My yes's and no's are turning into joo and ei. My sorry and thank you's are turning into anteeks(i) and kiitos. My language is changing, I try often to translate what I will say into Finnish in my head even though I will say it in English. I can understand a lot better then a month ago, I can speak a lot better then a month ago.

I have friends! They are really sweet and nice and I'm glad that I have them! One of my fears about coming here to Finland was that I would not be able to make any friends, as Finns are not as open to strangers as other people are. Just the other day we made cupcakes for our English teacher as she is moving to California for a year in a few days, and it was fun making cupcakes and spending time with them outside of school. Here is a picture of when we were making cupcakes haha.

School is going well, I just finished my first Jakso and the next Jakso starts on the 5th. This Jakso I will be taking Music, Spoken English, Chemistry, History, and Math. It is quite boring just sitting in class not knowing what is going on but I find someway to burn time, haha. My school here is quite different then Bethel, and in a lot of ways I'm thankful it is. I'll be making a post about Finnish schools soon.

This past weekend 1420 had our District camp in Suomenlinna. All the inbounds in my district we all met up Saturday morning in Helsinki, where we for the major part of Saturday were in Helsinki being toured and shown around. At about 5 we caught a ferry to Suomenlinna and rode for 20 minutes then a minute walk to the hostel we were staying at! We took pictures and such, I also plan to write another post on the District Camp about everything in detail.

My 2nd month here in Finland has been great! I should have my District camp post up in a week or so!

-Hailey

The Little Things

     I've been here in Finland for a month in a half and I've realised it's the little things so far that make me happy. When I was getting dressed one morning, I was putting on my cardigan and there was something in my pocket and I pull it out and released it was a ticket number. In Tampere when Olivia and I had to run to the Forex Bank to exchange our money, Olivia went to the teller and I had to wait till one of the two tellers were available. While I was waiting a man came in and pressed the button for the ticket to get a number to be in line. Me being me relised that I didn't do that and didn't have a ticket and started flipping out on the inside (we only had less then 30 minutes to be back). The man saw this and gave me his ticket so I could be next and I put it in my cardigan I was wearing and have forgotten about it until I pulled it out the other day.  There are just many little things that make me think and smile and just appreciate where I am. I'm living for now because I won't be here forever.
     Time really goes so much faster on exchange then I thought. All ex-exchange students will tell you your exchange goes by fast and before you know it you're leaving on a plane to go back home. I always brushed it off, but I now know what they meant. My days are going by so fast, one minute it's 4:00 and next it's 8:00. I still can't believe that in 13 days it will be 2 months since I've arrived in Finland. Honestly I don't know where the time has gone, it just seems to be escaping me. It wasn't until last week I really saw how fast my exchange is going by and I've started to enjoy it.
     Yesterday I went to Helsinki to meet up with a friend Marce, from Mexico, and walked around Helsinki and shopped a bit. We got a bite to eat at Barbarossa, where they have these large pizza for 5 euros (perfect for an exchange student budget) and it's pretty good pizza. We later met up in the park with the South Americans, Spanish girls, Cora (Alaskan), and Marie(French) and they are great <3 I had such a blast.
I've started my language classes, they are once a week on Mondays, I got a library card, I've made friends, and I'm getting used to eating fish. Exchange is amazing!

-Hailey
***************************************************************************************************************************
For those of you who are interested in exchange, it's applying season! Do it it's amazing and you won't regret it! Also if you're interested in applying to YES Abroad app's are out!!! Apply! Please! I love to see other's having this wonderful opportunity! Even if you're a senior this year chances are you're still eligible go do a gap year! Why not?! 

1 Month!

Today marks one month since my arrival in Finland. Though I've only been here for a short time, I've gained and learned so much!

I am living my dream! I am finally living my dream! It makes me so happy to say that I am an exchange student. After 2 years of trying to become one, I am one! I'm happy with my life right now, I am happy that I am outside my comfort zone, I'm happy that when I go to sleep at night I'm exhausted, I'm happy that Finland is becoming less foreign to me, all because it means I'm doing my exchange right, to me.

Though I've only been here for a month I still can't believe that I am here. I feel so lucky to experience a year here in Finland. I am very very grateful. I try and write every night because I don't want to forget anything. This post should be grander but it's hard for me to put into words the wonderful things I have experienced this month and what I have felt. This is life to me, it's home.

I am home. 

-Hailey

I posted a new video on Youtube, just sort of summarizing my month of August. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiu4EqtkXXQ