Host: You’ve been studying in Helsinki—what kind of city is it? And what makes its culture unique?
Aaron: Helsinki's urban identity is defined by its Nordic architecture and a focus on minimalist design, not interesting at all but it do look nice and clean if you compare with other European countries.
The culture here really emphasizes work-life balance, and people are incredibly active outdoors, no matter the season. You'll often find them doing a variety of things like bouldering, ultimate frisbee, skiing, or hockey.
Another key part of Finnish life is the sauna culture. It’s pretty common to end a cozy home party with a sauna session, and in the summer, people go to their cottages and jump into a lake after a hot sauna.
Now, for the downside: as an Asian, I have to say the food isn't as diverse. They prefer not to use a lot of seasoning, so for me, the food can be quite bland. But, despite that, the overall lifestyle is truly unique and appealing.
Host: Over your year in Finland, where have you traveled? And what’s still on your list—maybe the Northern Lights or Santa Claus Village?
Aaron: I've had the chance to travel to some of the beautiful Lakeland areas and national parks for hiking. I also visited another city, Tampere, which has a really cool game design museum.
Many people come to Finland for two reason, aurora snd the Santa Claus. So, this winter, I already planned a trip to Rovaniemi, which is the official hometown of Santa Claus. I'm really hoping to try a dog sled ride and, if I'm lucky, see the aurora borealis for myself.
Host: For someone thinking about studying abroad, what kind of preparations would you recommend—both practical and mental?
Aaron: On the practical side, you need to prepare everything from visas and banking to housing arrangements, and get familiar with local regulations.
For Nordic countries, it's also essential to prepare for the long, dark winters, which can affect your mood. Getting vitamin D supplements is a good idea to help prevent seasonal depression. You'll see smile dissappear from everyone's face, it's definitely something you need to get use to if you plan to stay in Nordic Europe for a full winter.
However, the mental preparation is the most important part. If you study abroad, you'll have to handle everything on your own, so you will definitely become more independent. While you might face challenges or meet people who aren't always friendly, once you built strong connections with friends, they will help you get through it. I'm really glad that I have some good buddies there.
【Learn some words】
Aurora (北極光)：Seeing the aurora dance across the northern sky was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Glacial (冰冷的)：The winter air in Finland can be glacial, but the warmth of a sauna makes it all worthwhile.
Solitude (孤獨、獨處的寧靜)：Many Finns enjoy the solitude of their lakeside cottages, finding peace away from city life.