IN THE MIDDLE OF EUROPE
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A Finn is typically suspicious of other
Europeans.The student exchange project of Liminka upper secondary school with
Liechtenstein broadens one´s view of the world of at least the younger generation. It is
all about a mutual two-week student exchange with family accommodation. The purpose of the
project is to get to know different cultures. Funds for the project are received from the
EU.
The visit of our Liechtensteiner friends was not formed
into a pure holiday, for after having arrived at the airport they were taken all around
Finland. They even got an unreal picture of little Liminka as they entered straight into
the "garlic night" in Liminka.
"Is this always regular outlife here?", many of
the guests wondered.
| Contrary to their
expectations the Liechtensteiners found Finns quite friendly, after getting used to us and
after early feeling of shyness. The family accommo- dation succeeded extremely well. Due
to correspondence in advance, everybody got into the family they had desired. The guests
were mainly concerned about communicating with the parents, as their skills in English
were limited. However, our guests quickly learned to say "kiitos". There
certainly were some barbaric characteristics in northern eating customs. At breakfast
table, for example, astonishment was aroused by the fact that there was only one butter
knife in the butter plate, which every family member would fight for. |
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|
The writer himself |
The guests insisted on meeting Santa Claus, for he was
second on their wish list besides seeing the sea. The bus travel to Rovaniemi made the
atmosphere close and intimate. Having returned from Rovaniemi the guests had the
opportunity to try seafaring on the Gulf of Bothnia. The long distances in Finland were
also different compared to Liechtenstein.
Liechtenstein is a miniature state in the middle of
mountains, so the Finnish nature is relatively different. There are trees ,though, in
Liechtenstein. Felling them is forbidden, because they form a protection to landslides and
erosion. The guests had already expected to see flat country and even surroundings.The sea
was a completely new exerience to many of them, and a little sailing trip was quite a
pleasant experience.
The project was not much favoured by the weather, since it
rained during many days. The mosquitos were not too choosy but gladly enjoyed the European
blood. It even turned out that Finns have a close relationship to nature and enjoy being
in the forests.
From time to time the guests, being used to Central
European accuracy and punctuality, made jokes about the Finnish way of organizing things,
the lack of which, however, was not considered too negative a point. After the two weeks
many of them would have liked to stay in Finland for a longer time and they were planning
for a potential visit in Finland in the future.
© TUOMAS INKALA