Three Chinese girls learning the language of a country they had never seen before

I go to see my interviewees at Mariankatu 11, where the Helsinki Summer University has some of its teaching facilities. All the Finnish courses are organized here, and I really like the athmosphere. It's a beautiful old building with high ceiling, wooden details, light colours and soft light. I see old wooden school desks in the hall, how nostalgic!
One of the girls is already there, she comes to me and introduces herself: ”Hei, olen Roosa” (Hi, I'm Roosa). Before I recover from my surprise of meeting a Chinese girl with a Finnish name, I meet the two others, Eeva and Laura. I can't help myself from asking how they have such common Finnish names. They smile and tell mr they got their named when they started to learn Finnish in Beijing two years ago, and it's natural for them to use it when they are in Finland. Later I learn that in the Chinese culture it's quite normal to adapt your name to the right country and context. So I'm talking with Roosa, Eeva and Laura now, and in perfect Finnish!
First the girls tell me something about their studies in China. They started at the Beijing Foreign Studies University two years ago, majoring in Finnish and learning English as a minor. There are 24 students in their Finnish course, learning the language very comprehensively through grammar, translations, reading texts and newspapers in Finnish, writing, listening, and discussing different topics. They also have courses on culture and society, as well as on Finnish economics.
When I ask how they started learning a strange language of a small country on the other side of the world, they smile and say: ”Why not?” Their future seems bright; they could work as translators or interpreters, for example, in those Finnish companies that are now rushing to China; they could work for the Chinese government, at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs or cultural centers; they could teach Finnish at university in China or they could just move to Finland and continue their own studies at the university.
The first (but hopefully not the last) time in Finland
Roosa, Eeva and Laura are in Helsinki for three weeks in August, in order to attend an advanced Finnish course and a conversation course. To cover the costs they received a scholarship from UPM Kymmene, a Finnish forest products company. It's their first time in Finland, and they really enjoy the experience. Helsinki is a beautiful city, they say, even though you easily get lost on the streets that continuously ascend or descend. But then they can always ask someone, and Finnish people seem very friendly, patient and eager to help. Normally they are just so surprised when they hear three Chinese girls speaking Finnish that they always answer automatically in English!
The girls are very happy with their teacher, and tell me that he even invited the students to his summer cottage. In the class they enjoy the international athmosphere with participants from Germany, Hungary, Russia, Japan and some African countries for instance. Even though Roosa, Eeva and Laura haven't gotten to know many Finnish people during their stay, they feel it's been a wonderful opportunity to know more about the country and the culture. This experience will help them to understand so much better the things they study about Finland when they go back to China. And maybe one day they'll have an opportunity to come back to Finland for a longer time.
Great in Finland
people playing music in the street
the sea in front of Helsinki is something amazing!
dogs are nice, even though they are so big!
forests, lakes, and blueberries
Surprising in Finland
it's so quiet! So few people and cars on the street, people talking in low voices
shops close early – in China you always find a place to buy what you need
food is very different and expensive, it's a real challenge to find anything for Chinese cuisine
some drunk people lying on the street seems to be just normal!
Study abroad in Finland
'Green' Finland is becoming an ever-more popular study abroad destination, with six of its universities ranked in the top 200 of the THES-QS World University Rankings.

Country overview
Finland, which is part of the EU, neighbors Sweden, Norway, and Russia. With Finnish and Swedish the official languages of Finland, it is essential for young people to learn foreign languages like English, as a very small proportion of the world’s population speaks these two languages. This is great news for international students wishing to take courses in English.
The country is best known for its extraordinarily green environment and peaceful surroundings. Accordingly, forestry has historically been the nation’s top industry. But the word ‘Nokia’ probably comes to mind when you think of this high-tech country. Finland is a technology superpower and remains one of the most technologically innovative and advanced countries in the world. Nokia, Finland’s largest company, is the number one maker of mobile phones worldwide. Furthermore, Finland boasts the most Internet connections in the world. So if technology and communications interest you there’s no better place than Finland.
Education overview
If you choose to study abroad in Finland, you will find yourself in one of the best education systems in the world, which sets the standards for many other countries worldwide. With literacy rates also amongst the highest in the world, it is evident that this Nordic country makes it a priority to equip people with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in our dynamic world economy. Finland has six universities in the THES – QS World University Rankings 2006.
The Finnish higher education system consists of universities and polytechnics. While the universities provide the typical Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degrees, the polytechnics concentrate on providing education in specialized professional fields pertaining to technology and transport, business and administration, health and social services, culture, tourism, catering and institutional management, natural resources, the humanities, and education. Polytechnics differ from universities in that they are not government-owned.
International students make up 5% of the total population at higher education institutions. Many courses are taught in English, especially those pertaining to subjects that stand out in Finland’s book of strengths – Architecture. Art & Design, and Environmental Science.
Click here for more information, tips and advice on international student accommodation and university housing.
Pros and cons
Excellent education system
Well resourced schools
Good quality of life
High cost of living
Cold, dark winters
Lack of internationally-recognized schools
International student accommodation
Finnish Student Housing Ltd – www.soa.fi is an excellent resource for housing information. Student apartments are probably the most popular choice for students seeking accommodation. Rent prices are fair and the facilities are usually close to campuses. Students can live either on their own or with other students – both Finnish and international. The Finnish Student Housing organization can assist students in finding accommodation before they enter Finland, making for an easy transition. Students wishing to rent apartments privately should note that occupancy in Helsinki is high, so house searching could be time-consuming. Agents’ fees can be high so if you get a chance, rent directly from the landlord. The Internet, of course, is a great starting point for your search.
Weather/Climate
Summer in Finland is warm but winters can be very cold. Helsinki will generally not be as cold as some of the more Northern cities, like Sodankyla or Jyvaskyla. Autumn and Spring are temperate. The Finnish climate is relatively dry (winter is of course, snowy). The ‘midnight sun’, characterized by the lack of sunset, and ‘twilight’ season, when the sun doesn’t rise and set, that embrace the other Nordic countries also take over Northern Finland. Not many countries in the world will you find such an intriguing atmosphere.
Transport
Public transportation in Finland is efficient, with buses, trams, metros, and trains amongst modes that can be used. Driving is also very common and roads are well constructed. Trains also run daily from Helsinki to Moscow and St Petersburg, Russia, and boats travel to Stockholm, making it easy to venture into the other Nordic countries.
Cost*
Item
Price
litre of petrol
€1.30
movie ticket
€8.50
sending postcard overseas
€0.65
litre of milk
€0.75
six eggs
€1.00
litre of soft drink
€3.00
litre of bottled water
€3.00
fast food hamburger
€4.00
pint of beer in restaraunt
€5.00
club entrance price
€5.00
36 exposure film cost
€7.00
four person cabin per week
€200.00
*WorldGuide Index from Lonely Planet