I arrived in Finland about one week ago, so this first post is about my first explorations of Helsinki. After a 12 hour flight with a stop in Amsterdam, pretty much binge watching movies to pass the time, I touched down in Helsinki in the mid afternoon, grabbed a taxi to get to my apartment, and got settled in a bit. I was met by a fellow Fulbright teacher, Nat Woodruff, a high school science and engineering teacher from Amherst Massachusetts, and we headed down to the city center to see the last night of the "Lux Helsinki" light festival. The festival included displays of lights projected on buildings, art installations, music, and assorted artistic creations with light and color. Beautiful!
Most of this first week has been exploring the city by foot, getting to know the train/bus/tram system (super efficient), and meeting a few Finnish colleagues and friends. Helsinki is a beautiful city. Our apartment is close to the city center, so it is easy to walk to shopping, museums, parks, and city sights. We are a block away from a park that loops around a lake where people can ice skate during cold snaps, run when it is a bit warmer, and ski when there is fresh snow.
Finns have been very friendly and welcoming. Everyone speaks English here, so communicating has not been a problem at all, though I am practicing a number of Finnish phrases myself. Finnish street names are very very long, so by the time I get halfway through a word I've forgotten where I started and have to begin all over again! I live near the corner of Espetelainen Hesperiankatu and Mannerheimintie, for example. Finns also drink a lot of coffee, its a big culture thing here, and I think their blood is about 50% caffeine. The sun rises about 9am and sets about 4pm. Its cold but not uncomfortably so, hovering just around freezing. Light snow today. I love seeing the dusting of snow on the ground. The streets are icy so I am channeling my inner ninja as I walk and try not to slip. Its just so fun being in a new place!
Here are some views of the city, all within walking distance of where I live:
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| The shopping district |
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| Lots of ice rinks all around the city |
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| Nat and I wandering the city |
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| Park near my apartment |
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| Typical Helsinki neighborhood street scene |
Leave a comment if you have any questions or want to know anything. I'd love to hear from you (family, friends, Meadowdale staff, students...)!
Moi Moi, and toivon kuulevani sinusta!
Steve, Thank you for sharing your first impressions in such detail! I was in Helsinki about 35 years ago - doesn't seem to have changed much :). Did you bring your ice skates? To be able to skate in the open in the middle of the city is a treat!
ReplyDeleteAll the best for the coming learning curve!
Hi, Birgit. I'm definitely going to buy ice skates, though I am not very good!
ReplyDeleteLooks cool Steve! keep us posted on ideas for a sustainable English curriculum. It sounds like a blast!
ReplyDeleteYou bet. I'm visiting my first school today, on my way there now by train.
DeleteSounds like great fun exploring Helsinki, thanks for sharing the experience. That light festival looks amazing. You sold Patricia on Finland with your description of their love for coffee and outdoor skating! Sounds like the Finns know how to make the best of the long winter!
ReplyDeleteJoe
Great to hear from you Joe. I'm on a train now to visit a school north of the city. Hello to the soccer team for me. Janet and Emma leave to join me this Tuesday. Hope that she will be able to make soccer this weekend. Moi moi!
DeleteHi Mr. Howard,
ReplyDeleteHow is the food like in Finland?
Glad you're having a good time!
-Sierra M., Larisa P., and Camden S.
Well, generally they eat like we do... spaghetti, burgers, fish, rice, pizza, etc. There are some traditional Finnish foods, mostly things I have not tried (yet) and can't pronounce, but various cheeses, fish dishes and so on. They eat lots of dark rye bread and drink loads of coffee. Thanks for asking! I'll get back on Finnish foods as I learn (eat) more. :-)
DeleteHow long was the festival?
ReplyDeleteI think it went on for about 2 weeks. We were lucky to arrive on the last night before they closed it. Thanks for asking!
DeleteHi Mr. Howard!
ReplyDeleteWe want to know what your favorite part of the trip was so far and what you're most excited for during the rest of your trip. Also, how's the food like?
Hope you're having tons of fun :) -Jihan, Josh, and Hadi
So far, my favorite part of the trip has just been exploring the city. It's only been a week so there is so much more ahead I'm not sure what I'm most excited for. I think seeing schools throughout the country and how they differ. I'll be in touch weekly with new posts of what I'm doing and learning. Thanks for asking!
DeleteWhat is the schedule in the schools at Finland?
ReplyDeleteBy Andy Do and Kalin N
Meadowdale Middle School
Period: 4
Interesting question. It is definitely different that at MMS. The school I saw yesterday, a high school, feels more like a college. Kids come and go at different times, there are no bells or attendance taken; students are completely responsible for managing their learning. If they don't come, they don't learn, and they don't pass tests, which are required to move ahead. It is much more independent learning.
DeleteWhat movies did you watch on the plane? -Sima, Seddie, Juliana, and Taylor
ReplyDeleteI binge watched! Old episodes of 24, Deep Horizons, Ms. Perrigrines...ohh and Pete's Dragon.
DeleteWasssup Mr.Howard! This is Daniel (Your favorite), Christine (Your second favorite), Remie, and Brandon (Period 4). We want to know if the food is good/different. If so, what's your favorite dish at the moment?
ReplyDeleteOthers have asked about foods. I've not tried much in the way of Finnish cuisine, eating pretty much what I cook which are things like chicken, rice, tacos, etc... I did try a traditional Finnish carrot/rice casserole the other day. The pastries are good!
DeleteHI Mr.Howard, i was just wondering... How cold is it there in Finland?
ReplyDeleteMarius Hill
So far, not that different than in Seattle. Right around freezing. The week before I came it was very cold, like 15 degrees below zero Celsius, but since I've been here the temp has hovered right around 0 deg C (32 deg F). Thanks for asking!
DeleteHi Mr. Howard! We were wondering if you have seen the Northern Lights? If not, do you think you will see them? Also, are there any new or obvious differences between America and Finland? Hope you're having fun!
ReplyDelete-Mckenna, Aubrey, Yasin
Hey guys. I have not seen the N lights but hope to later in March when I visit two schools up in Northern Finland (an area called "Lapland"). If I am lucky enough to see them I will definitely post about it. Thanks for asking!
DeleteHi! Mr. Howard, I would like to ask, how cold is it? How is school there compared to here? Hope you are having fun Mr.Howard we hope you come back soon! :D -Ben H 6 Period
ReplyDelete-Alex Hernandez and Michaela, Ian AND BEN H
DeleteHey Ben and Alex. Others have asked about that so read earlier replies. Thanks for asking!
Deletehey its Gavin so yeah hope ur having good time their
DeleteHey Mr. Howard!! Is Finland much bigger or smaller compared to Lynnwood?? Hope you're having fun!
ReplyDelete-Tatiana,Emalyn,miles
The country of Finland is about the length of the west coast and maybe as wide out as Oregon and Idaho combined. The city of Helsinki is fairly small by US standards, certainly smaller than Seattle but larger than Lynnwood. Thanks for asking!
DeleteHow was your visit to the first school?
ReplyDeleteLance,Lisette,Iulia and Connor
Great. Very interesting to see how different it is from US schools. Students work much more independently, there is less teacher instruction and more students working quietly and independently on computers and textbooks. A very casual and calm environment. I've got many more schools to see so I'll see if he other schools are similar. Stay tuned!
DeleteHey Mr.Howard, We all miss you.
ReplyDeleteWe were wondering if you've slipped on any ice yet and what kind of food have you eaten/tried there?
Thanks! :) keep having a blast!
-Gracee, Kaisha, Laci, & Dung
Period 6
Others have asked about food so you can look at earlier replies. As for slipping, I've had a few close calls but so far have not landed on my butt yet. The locals don't seem to slip at all; I can see they have had a lifetime of practice.
Deletewhat are they known for ?
ReplyDeleteFinns are reputed to be a private people, withdrawn, but I've found them to be very friendly and generous. Finland is the reputed home of Santa Claus, they eat reindeer sausage (sorry Rudolph), and the inventor of Angry Birds is from Helsinki. One important custom in Finland is swimming in icy lakes and then jumping in sauna. I plan to try that for sure. I'll tell you more about Finnish things I try them. Stay tuned!
Deletehey Mr. Howard hope Finland is going great!!! unfortunately when u come back i will not be living in Seattle anymore i am moving to Eastern WA but it was very nice getting to know you and i usually do not like science but you made it fun for me!!! but anyways my question is .... "Is Finland bigger than Edmonds???"
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you'll be leaving but nice getting to know you too Emalyn. Another student asked the same thing so read earlier replies. The whole country is definitely bigger than Lynnwood, but the capitol city of Helsinki is not that much bigger than Lynnwood. Thanks for asking!
DeleteWhat kind of food do they have in Finland? Marcus Coyle, Ben Passey, Mason Boone, Taylor Bound.
ReplyDeleteOthers have asked about food...see earlier replies and thanks for asking!
DeleteHi Mr. Howard, its me Taylor, How much snow it there over there.
ReplyDeleteRight now not much snow in Helsinki, its warmed up and things are melting. Helsinki is on the ocean so it more mild, more like Seattle than say Alaska. But if you go farther north, into the interior of the country it changes quickly, and there is deep snow a couple hours by train north. I plan to see this part of the country later in my time here. I'll post about that when I do so stay tuned! And thanks for asking!
DeleteHi Howard!! It's me Nina! I hope your having a great time in Finland! What's the time difference in Finland?
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I miss you.
I'm 10 hours ahead of you, so basically I am living in your future. So, if it is say 2 pm for you on Saturday that is 4 in the morning for me the next day (Sunday). I miss you too, Nina!
DeleteUnfortunately Mr. Howard I am moving to Indiana in February so I will not be in classes here when you come back.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear it but good luck in Indiana, Sean!
DeleteHey its Gavin Crichton hope ur haveing a wonderful we miss u so yeah bye Howard.
ReplyDeleteand how cold is it their its look like its freezing in the video that u sent us and in the video the wind was so loud like we could barley hear u lol but still how cold is it is it like below 10 or even more below.
ReplyDeleteRight now it is hovering right around freezing (0 deg C) but it can drop down to 10 or even 20 below at times. Brrrrrrr....
Deletewhat kind of scientific questions are you hoping to answer in Finland?
ReplyDeleteWell, my project is to learn about their sustainability curriculum not in just science but also math, history, literature, etc... So less about science than sustainability. I'll have more to say on this in future postings so stay tuned.
DeleteHey Howard!
ReplyDeleteWould you consider moving to Finland?
We miss you tons! Best of luck from Emma Stone, Hannah Seabron, Jordan Brown, and Valerie Lopez.
It s a beautiful country, I wouldn't mind living here (especially given the turn in American politics with Trump). But, my life is in Seattle so I'll be home this spring. :-)
DeleteHi Mr.Howard! We were wondering what is the biggest adjustment that you've had to make since going to Finland?
ReplyDelete-Isa, Shiloh, Jeevan and Sean (Period 3)
to tell the truth its the change in time zones. I'm still waking up in the middle of the night and getting sleepy in the middle of the day.
DeleteWhat are some major differences between Finland and the US?
ReplyDeleteWell, obviously its colder and darker here. People in Finland are more quiet and polite, private by nature compared to noisy Americans. But lots is the same, really.
DeleteHey Mr.Howard is there any restaurants that you recognize from Washington? Zac S, Helen M and Michael B period 3
ReplyDeletefunny
DeleteFast food... Mc Donalds, Pizza Hut, Starbucks, etc.
DeleteHey Mr. Howard,
ReplyDeleteI had a question since you mentioned ice rinks. About how many people are usually at an ice rink at a time?
- Pearl & Nina (Period 3)
Not packed, but there are always a few out there. When it gets really cold people skate on the ocean! Can you imagine that?!!
DeleteWhere was the most interesting place you've been so far.
ReplyDeleteJames, Jordan L., Matthew
P:3
So far I haven't been really anywhere but Helsinki. Stay tuned as I see more of the country.
DeleteWhat is your favorite thing about the schools in Finland (so far) that is different from here? Period 3 -Maren, Ava, Rory
ReplyDeleteWell, I've only seen one school. But what struck me was how independent the students were. They just kind of sat down and did their own thing. Very little teacher instruction. Lots of computer-based assignments. Not sure if I love it, but it is a difference.
DeleteThe food in schools is great. Home cooked, fresh, and healthy. And free!
Hey Howard! Hope Finland is going well! We were wondering about the differences in the culture there compared to America. For example, what do people do there for fun, whats their religion like, what it the main architectural and art style, etc?
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your stay!
-Cameron & Alex
Big questions. I don't know much about their religion. There are quite a few churches scattered around, look like mostly Catholic (?). The city of Helsinki is a pretty modern city. The buildings are not that different than downtown Seattle. Tall and glass covered.
DeleteI'll try to take more pics of architectural elements and make a post. Good idea!
Hey Mr. Howard it's me Christian I was wondering what was the art style they use in finland? Also what culture do they have?
ReplyDeleteHey, Christian. Others have asked the same question so see my earlier replies and thanks for asking!
DeleteHey, Mr.Howard! We were wondering what the food is like in Finland? How common the food would be in the U.S. and how common it is in Finland? Hope your having a nice time, and have a nice time.
ReplyDelete-Simeon and Tyler Suter
(Period 5)
Hey Simeon. Others have asked about food so go ahead and read my earlier replies. Thanks for asking. I'm eating well, though!
DeleteWhat is the natural scenery and geography like there?
ReplyDeleteFrom: Alan, Alexia, Emily and Ella from Period 5
I've only seen Helsinki, so it's coastal. City parks, views out across the Baltic sea, and so on. I'll post some more pictures of the scenery.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Mr.Howard this is Logan Thomas and Cora from period 5 and we are wondering, when you talk to people do they have an accent when they speak english.
ReplyDeleteThey do. I'm not sure how to describe it in words. But is is definitely a Scandinavian accent. The Finnish language is very soothing, lots of long drawn out vowels and soft consonants.
Deletehay Mr.Howard we have a question. the question is what have you notice thats defrent from the us then finland so far from cj,mia,alasandra
ReplyDeleteWell, lots of things. Read my earlier replies to others and you will find out.
DeleteHey Mr.Howard Hows Things doing over there?I was wondering if You have visited the Temppeliaukio Church over there in Finland? We all miss you here and hope that your trip is going well
ReplyDeleteSincerely: Alesandra Bamaca ( period 5)
Well, I don's know about this church but now that you have put it on my radar I am going to go take a look at it. Have you been to Finland and seen this church?
DeleteHey Mr.Howard,
ReplyDeleteWe miss you,hope you're having fun. We were wondering if any holidays going to be going on while you are there?
This year marks Finland's 100 year Celebration of Independence (they were under Swedish rule). So that is a big deal here. They have a one week break in February from school. Beyond that I'm not sure but I'll let you know as I found out.
DeleteHey Howard, it's Hailey from period 5. Just wanted to say hello and hope everything is well for you.
ReplyDeleteHello back to you, Hailey and hope you are doing well back in Washington State :-)
DeleteHey Steve!
ReplyDeleteCool pics. Finland looks like an amazing place. Are teachers as highly revered as I heard they are in Finland? Enjoy the skiing.
Mark
They are, it's quite a different thing being a teacher in Finland than in the US. I made a blog post on this topic if you want to know more.
DeleteSee you, Mark.
Test
ReplyDeleteHello mr Howard,
ReplyDeletethis is Cesar you outdoor student and long time friend. I learned a lot about Finland. I got so cold looking at the pictures that I put my winter coat on for the 1st time in 3 years. 70 F here is Florida.
Glad to have you along on the blog, Cesar. 70 degrees sounds just lovely right about now!
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