What else impressed Jessica about Finland besides the cuisine
Jessica Dinkel has been studying for a Bachelor's and then a Master's degree since 2018 International Business Studies at the University of Paderborn. During her Master's degree, she spent two semesters abroad. In eastern Finland, she was inspired by cinnamon buns, the Northern Lights and incredible amounts of snow.
In August 2022, Jessica travelled to Kuopio, a city in the Savo region of Finland. With over 120,000 inhabitants, it is the ninth largest city in the country and therefore almost as big as Paderborn. It was immediately clear to the Master's student that she wanted to go north. She was thinking primarily of the impressive landscape that the northern countries have to offer and the climatic diversity compared to Germany. That's why she started ‘integrating Finland into her German life’ two years earlier. How does that work? Through language courses and films to get a general feel for the Finnish mentality. Jessica has to admit, however, that Finnish is not that easy. Looking back, however, it wasn't a problem as the locals speak English very well.
Developing an international mindset
Jumping over her own shadow and embarking on an adventure that can't be planned - that's what Jessica hoped for from her semester abroad before leaving for the city over 2,000 kilometres away. ‘If you only ever stay at home, you won't manage to develop an international mindset,’ she says. And that's exactly what she managed to do in nine months in Finland: The IBS student learnt new approaches and changed her way of thinking. She now favours openness, diversity and global perspectives. ‘In my familiar German environment, I usually knew how things worked. But the semester abroad helped me to think and act beyond cultural boundaries.’ Whenever Jessica was stuck, she engaged in dialogue with locals or other exchange students, removed her blinkers and thought outside the box.
Overcoming challenges
Jessica's living situation is a good example of this: for nine months, she lived in a three-person shared flat in a large hall of residence with over 180 other international students.Initially, she shared her flat with an Austrian and a Polish woman, then with two Portuguese women.‘Living together wasn't always easy and often presented me with challenges.’Jessica didn't always find a connection with her flatmates, but instead of moping, the 24-year-old simply made the best of the situation: she spent a lot of time with friends in the afternoons or went for walks.
From hiking boots to head torches - tips for the north
Jessica's student residence was located on a small peninsula with numerous hiking trails and paths through natural forests. As her hiking boots and hiking trousers were packed in her suitcase before departure, the student was well prepared. Unlike in Germany, Jessica also had to wear sturdy shoes for short walks after a day at university: ‘Sneakers were no good on the paths around my hall of residence’. She also got herself a headlamp because the sun was already gone by midday in the winter months. ‘A headlamp was the perfect way for me to get more out of the days,’ says Jessica and would also recommend other students to consider such gadgets for a winter semester in the north.
Hiking, cross-country skiing and a special ice rink
Another highlight for Jessica was a 15-kilometre-long ice skating rink on a lake in the city. Here she and her friends could hire skates for free. There was also a cross-country skiing trail leading right through the forest from her hall of residence. Cross-country skiing is a popular winter sport in Finland, as the country offers ideal conditions for cross-country skiing due to its geographical location and climate. In addition, Finnish culture encourages an active lifestyle and contact with nature. Cross-country skiing is therefore a perfect way to keep fit during the winter months. Ideal for Jessica, as she ate a cinnamon bun or two in Finland. ‘There must have been over 100 cinnamon buns. They simply taste much better than in Germany,’ enthuses the 24-year-old. Jessica explains that cinnamon buns in Finland are made with cardamom, as is customary in northern countries.
Fancy Finland too? Jessica has these tips for you!
1. ‘Make sure you bring slippers for the sauna, otherwise you'll freeze to the floor.’
2. ‘You should definitely take photos of family and friends with you to brighten up your room. Otherwise, the rooms are very reminiscent of a hospital.’
3. ‘Travel and explore the area as much as you can. I can especially recommend the Northern Lights tours - they're expensive, but unique.’
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Insights into Jessica's semester abroad in Finlan
