South African Finn

While all my friends are preparing to move out of home and start the adult life at their various universities, here I am thousands of kilometers away in the warm weather of -5°C making my way to Kannak sen Lukio along with my host father ,Juri, or as we affectionately call him Jurppa ( and no that name was not of my choosing I was told of it my first day here). We arrived at school and had a meeting with the principal after choosing my courses that are to start after 2 weeks because of the pending test week. For those that know me know that art isn't my strong point I however chose it as one of my courses. One would think school would be similar it however gave me the biggest culture shock since my arrival. Including the amount of stares received but hardly any greeting, I took the power into my hands to greet people but the number of scared looks I received scared even me. The amount of trust that is between teacher and student is amazing even to an extent of calling the teachers ...

17th January a day after arrival in this wonderful country. I head off yet the airport to meet other exchange students and head off to Karrku for a week long orientation camp. It was amazing to meet other crazy people who took such a life changing decision. We were greeted by our 'Oldies' who wished us luck for the week and the year that's ahead of us. All of us came from relatively warm countries and had the same sentiments about the cold Nordic weather but we couldn't be happier. As the week starts the temperature goes to a chilling minus 22 degrees. The week of learning began. We did various activities through out the week such as sauna along with avanto(which I didn't do cause when I got to the lake my body was freezing). I learnt how to ski and on Tuesday we went on hike to the forest and spent some time on the frozen lake. We had tour to the beautiful town of Tampere on Wednesday, and had a candle service at the Karkku church on Thursday. The highlight was ...

After 2 long flights on 16 January I had made my advent to Finland. Meeting my family at the airport and ready to go hike after a quick lunch. With them bearing treasures of course ( warm clothes I mean. These brave and ready for the minuses 20 degrees normal Nordic weather. One night spent at home then of too Karrku with other exchange students for a orientation camp week. An eventful week that we surely will remember.