Nah, just kidding. I wish it was, though. In actuality, it’s raining cats and dogs outside. I walked home after my class, and within those 5 minutes, I was soaked! Not fun at all. I wonder if we’ll have snow for Shrove Tuesday. Otherwise I won’t be able to reminish and maybe even replicate all of the things that go on in Ullanlinnanmäki during that awesome day…
Yep, it’s free January 30, 2008
The thing that I’ve had most trouble explaining here, is that in Finland, school and education are free. I’ve seen both Canadian students and other exchange students drop their jaws and roll their eyes at me while I tell them that “yes, school is free for us in Finland”.
I always knew that we were privileged in that sense, and I sure feel thankful for our great education system back home. I just never realized that it sounds so bizarre and surreal to people that are not from Finland. It’s hard for these people, who pay 500 dollars for a half year course and a 1000 for a full year course, to understand how we don’t have to pay anything. And on top of that, we also get a decent meal in schools (whereas they have to bring in their own lunch or buy something), and at university, you only pay a couple of euros for a pretty great lunch.
I almost felt guilty telling them that, added to this, Finnish students get more than 400 euros a month from the government for free, and that even though it’s free money, Finnish students aren’t satisfied with what they’re getting. That, in fact, we’ll be getting some more in the future, because that’s only “fair”.
Well, I guess it all comes down to taxation. We pay a lot of taxes, and basically that free education is funded by the tax money. And even though the students’ piece of cake is pretty decent in Finland , we aren’t rich, we don’t live like kings and queens, nor do we have our own apartments, houses, or cars until we’re 40 or so… But even so, I do appreciate and value the Finnish system. It is only fair that everyone, no matter where they come from, has a chance to educate themselves. It comes down to your own wit and intelligence and willingness to learn, and not to whether you have money or not.
And on a wider scale, I think that’s exactly how academia should work: hard work and intelligence makes money, not the other way around.
I made it on TV! January 29, 2008
The international student organization at York organized us exchange students a unique possibility to go check out a live taping of a rather popular Canadian TV show here in Toronto. The Royal Canadian Air Farce is a kind of humorous show that satirizes current political issues and politicians in Canada and elsewhere once a week live on CBC. I had never heard of the show before, but apparently people watch it, because it has aired for years and years, and they show it all around Canada, too.
It was my first time watching a live taping of a show, or sitting in the audience, and it wasn’t as fancy or cool as I thought. The studio was rather small and unorganized, the set was just little separate rooms all around the “stage”, and sitting in the audience wasn’t that fun either . The cameras were in front of you, so even though the actors were just a few steps away from you, you couldn’t really see them, but had to watch them on the TV screens above. And you were told when to applaude. One thing that also surprised me was how much goes on in between the commercials (people running around and yelling “folks, 1 minute to go!”), how artificial the actors look like up-close (so much make-up!!!), and how everything the actors are supposed to say, is up on the screens and they just need to read away as naturally as they can.
So, what did I learn from being on National TV here in Canada? Well, that Canadians like to make fun of themselves. And that the Air Farce show isn’t that funny. That the favourite past-time in Alberta is either the Flames’ fans beating the crap out of the Oilers’ fans, or the other way around, and that you should watch both your language and what you put in your mouth at Tim Horton’s.
Viva Quebec! January 23, 2008
Myself and 8 other exchange students got this great idea to spend the weekend in the capital of French-speaking Canada, in Montreal. We took the comfortable 7-hour bus drive to get there and camped at a Finnish church house downtown Montreal. Sometimes it seems surreal to think that I travelled somewhere with people I have only known for a couple of weeks, but in these circumstances it was more than natural to travel together. We have become so close and after this trip it really feels like we’ve known each other forever.
Hitting the road and driving on Highway 401 reminded me of the many trips we did with my family back in -98-00. Some sort of nostalgia, yet again. It was great looking at the surroundings and the beautiful nature from the window. It was also nice to get out of the city for a change: I had almost forgotten that there can be peace and quiet and towns that no one really inhabits. Toronto is, after all, such a huge city that here one easily forgets that it’s just a small, small part of the big country, that most of the country is actually empty and desolate.
Crossing over to Quebec was interesting, too. Whereas Ontario signs always say things both in English and French (the two official languages), Quebec proudly stated everything only in French, ignoring the English-language whenever possible. I was also surprised to notice most of the French-Canadians don’t actually speak English. Therefore it was a blessing to have the two French girls with us -because of them, we got great and friendly service everywhere. I guess if you want to live in Quebec, you better learn French.
Montreal was incredible. I remembered it was bigger than it was, but otherwise it was everything that I thought: beautiful, European, modern, hip, and, without a doubt, very French. People dressed more nicely than here in Toronto and the men were…so handsome!!! Food was amazing and the city was a nice combination of North America and Europe. We managed to do a lot of things: get our feet wet, shop in the Underground City, visit Notre Dame, see Chinatown, dance our night away in a downtown club, listen to live music in a local pub, take the subway here and there, climb to Mont Royal and look over the city, walk in the snow and get frost-bitten by the freezing weather, try French creps, eat in the best Indian restaurant in North America, see some art, and sleep on the floor. A lot of memorable things, for sure, crammed into just 3 days.
Nevertheless, it felt good to come back “home”. And for the first time, my little apartment felt like home, a place where I feel safe. Dispite its flaws, I feel good here and for the first time my bed felt comfortable, too…(I guess sleeping on the floor for 3 nights makes one appreciate a bed). When I saw the Toronto lights and caught the familiar smell of the Toronto subway, I felt at ease. This is my city, after all, and I’m glad I’m here and nowhere else.
Strange behaviour January 16, 2008
With my limited knowledge of two weeks, I have been observing the behaviour of my fellow students in class. I have found the code of conduct both amusing and baffling. Here, there are no visible rules on how to behave. Of course there are certain unwritten rules like elsewhere, but it seems that these people just take the rules and bend them to their own liking.
What I find most interesting (or annoying) is eating in class. I don’t mind people taking a sip from their water bottle every now and then or eating an apple quietly, and I admit I do that myself. A friend of mine who didn’t think eating an apple during a lecture back home was appropriate, would be appalled to see how people act here! They come into class with sandwiches, veggies and dip, cereal and milk (!), muffins and what have you and start eating away. Today, a girl in my class took the 10 minute break to go down to a restaurant, and when she finally came back 20 minutes later, she started her own little picnic of soup, crackers and something else in front of everyone. I found it somehow weird or even uncomfortable being forced to look at her while she ate.
Another thing that puzzles me is that people come and go as they like. They might pop in for half an hour, and then just miraculously vanish. Some people leave during the lecture and come back when they feel like it. The instructors never say a word and keep on going with their lecture as if nothing happened. I guess it all comes down to handing in the work rather than attendance: when one of my fellow students didn’t hand in his reading report today, the instructor replied that in that case he would later be considered as being absent. Go figure.
What I like about the classes is that both the instructors and the students are so easy-going and nice. All of the students express their ideas and thoughts, be it something important or not. And the atmosphere seems accepting and understanding, you won’t get any laughs or strange looks if you utter something stupid or less meaningful. The instructors seem approachable (maybe that’s why a fellow student of mine brought a muffin to one particular teacher during class…?) and willing to help you out with basically anything.
Sitting in class today for 9 hours made me think of classes back home. There are things that I miss (like whispering to your friends during the lecture, or scribbling down funny pictures or messages to amuse them and yourself), but there is one thing I definitely don’t miss. And that’s silence. The awkward one, that is. I’ve experienced that so many times in Finland, but here it just doesn’t happen: there is always someone who’s willing to say something, and that makes life a lot easier!
My new project for next year: make people speak in class, or start being the “annoying” one, who always speaks if no one else does.
Alone among my own tribe January 15, 2008
I thought that I would be flushed with a warm feeling of familiarity and comfort when I went to check out the Finnish church here in Toronto. I had some old acquaintances there, and I kinda went there to see how they were, and to introduce myself in hopes of getting some gigs at their events (=i.e. singing/playing the piano –> money). I was sitting there, alone, contemplating my own thoughts, listening to the unfamiliar Finnish songs, and I felt totally out of place. I thought that I would feel great surrounded by my fellow tribe members, but no. I hadn’t felt that lonely here before. And that is strange.
When my dad worked for a Finnish congregation here in Canada, I remember enjoying hanging around all these Finns and feeling proud of my Finnishness. I was kind of dissapointed to notice that I didn’t get the same feeling this time around. Maybe it’s because I’ve grown up, maybe it’s because the people were so old, maybe because I have changed. I don’t know. Nevertheless, I was relieved to get on the bus back home to my people here on campus.
Although the meeting was a dissapointment as such, it definitely gave me perspective: the tribe you belong to has nothing to do with cultural heritage or nationality – all that matters, really, is the people who are your fellow tribemates. My tribe here in Toronto consists of people from all around the world, and I’m happy it’s like that. I appreciate my heritage and I know I can cherish that Finnishness if I feel like it, but for now, I’m happy in this tribe of mine, where everyone is open-minded, kind, and genuine. Culture doesn’t matter, because we’re all a big family.
What a day! January 14, 2008
I had the best day ever. I just felt really good about everything yesterday. Besides studying, I was able to visit Yorkdale mall and do this and that. The girls and I accidentally came upon this incredible Thai restaurant when walking aimlessly on Bloor Street. It was called Real Thailand, and real it was. The place itself was cozy and nice and the food was incredibly tasty and cheap! So far the best food I’ve had in Toronto.
And it was not just good food and great company that made me feel so good about everything. The girls and I just had a long talk about our stay here and it just suddenly dawned on us that we’re so happy to live here right now! It’s hard to explain, but I just have this good feeling about everything and that feels great.
The night itself was spectacular! We started off at our friend’s place and ended up spending the rest of the night at a pretty posh night club, called Inside. Somehow our friend’s roommates got us on the list and so there we were, three scandinavian girls walking past the long line like movie stars! We didn’t have to pay anything and it was so nice getting out for a change. The night-scene was interesting, too:
1. You’re supposed to tip the bartenders, too. And that became clear to us when the bartender yelled “you’re supposed to tip me!” to my friend when she was putting the change into her wallet.
2. There was a man outside the washrooms ready to wash and dry your hands. And you were supposed to tip him, too. I washed my hands by myself and ran away real fast.
3. The girls like to wear skimpy clothes all year round. The skirts were really short and most girls liked showing their boobs off. I was able to see the buns of one girl, because her skirt was SO short…
The best thing, however, was the patio of the bar. They didn’t let all in, but we made it there. And it was so worth it! The patio had a dance floor and a bar and right opposite of it you could see the CN -tower with its bright lights. I was so mesmerized by the scene that I could hardly dance!
If this is “real”, everyday Toronto, I LOVE it.
Back on track January 12, 2008
I wondered how long it would take for me to get back to that “going out” or “party” -mood. Not too long, it seems. Although I didn’t feel like doing anything last night, I dragged myself to another student’s apartment to start off the evening and then ended up going downtown and coming home around 2 a.m. It was a blast! It is so strange how comfortable I felt, and how if feels like I’ve known these people I just met for years. The itsy-bitsy apartment was filled with some German, Dutch, Swedish, British and American people, and I wasn’t the only Finn either! When we had downed a few and played a couple of interesting games…we took the bus and the subway downtown.
The law school organized a pub night at a very posh neighbourhood, in Yorkville. Although the drinks were quite expensive, it was so awesome checking out that part of the city, and walking past Vera Wang and Valentino stores.When some of the people wanted to take the cab home, my Finnish comrade and myself trusted the TTC (or the public transport -like Finns usually do), and were back home in no time. Got to know new people and had fun, and waking up at 7 a.m. didn’t feel that bad either.
Today we decided to take it easy and rented a movie and had a girls’ night out. The thing that really made my day was talking to both my parents and my dear friend! It’s incredible how you can just talk to someone who’s way over there, far away somewhere. And it feels like they’re closer than they are. It was surreal seeing my room and my parents, it was like I was there, but yet I’m not. Nevertheless, both calls made me happy.
Well, tomorrow is yet another party night, so I better get some sleep….it’s pretty rough being on exchange, and this is only my second week here…
A reality check January 9, 2008
I guess I’m not used to sweating over school work back home. I sleep late, attend classes, manage to cram 8 hour work days into my weekly schedule, and I still have time to do the stuff I need to do for school. Here it’s different. I only have 3 courses and 9 hours of classes in one week, but the workload is much bigger than in Finland. They say that for every hour spent in class, one is supposed to spend at least 3 hours on independent work. And the courses are pretty demanding in that sense: class participation, in-class response papers, essays, midterm tests, group projects, research papers, exams, you name it. They have it all within just one course here…
My courses are really interesting and definitely worth my time. The instructors are very nice and humorous, so no boring lectures for me this semester! In one class we have to prepare an art installation that breaks the stereotypical, sometimes racist representations of indigenous people. In another one we read Elliot, Yeats, Woolf and Stein among other modernists, and try to trace the roots of Anglo-American modernism. The class on modernism was kind of soothing, actually -it was great noticing I’ve read a lot of the stuff back at the English Department and that I actually know a lot already. I guess 3,5 years in Uni hasn’t been a total waste of time after all 
I was planning to sleep late tomorrow, too, but since I’m hanging out with a bunch of law students who go to the library at 8 in the morning to study, I feel bad just sleeping. We’ll see if their cramming has a good influence on me, too…I will try studying tomorrow, fingers crossed!
Anyone hungry? January 8, 2008
You cannot get hungry here. The campus is filled with restaurants and cafes. There’s pretty much anything you can imagine: Subway, Wendy’s, Tim Horton’s, Second Cup, Great Canadian Bagel, sushi, chinese, greek food, falafels, you name it. My favourite place is called Berries & Bloom -they have both, a salad and a fruit bar. You pick out anything you want from their delicious buffet (watermelon, pineapple, grapes, strawberries or tens of different kinds of salads), and you pay 75 cents per 100 grams (50 cents in Euro). They also sell delicious, freshly squeezed smoothies there… you know where I’ll be visiting a lot!
Grocery stores are a thing themselves. Although there aren’t any at the campus, there are a couple of big ones right outside it. Anything you imagine, you can get from these stores. The veggie and the fruit sections are amazing, everything is cheaper than in Finland and the variety and the quality is incredible. You can buy fresh lettuce or ready-made salad in a plastic bag, buy some other fresh veggies, and voila, you have a cheap but delicious salad! The salad dressings are delicious, too… (and you do get everything in low fat or even fat free!)
The interesting thing is the size of everything. All containers and both, juice and milk cartons are huge -they hardly come in one litre cartons! I guess that explains the size of my fridge as well! It’s bigger than the one at my parents’!
I still feel excited about all the delicious stuff that you either cannot or would not buy in Finland. I have my cupboards filled with mac and cheese, bagels and cream cheese, peanut butter, muesli bars, cheddar cheese and all kinds of fruit and veggies. The thing that I missed the most was a margarine brand you cannot get elsewhere. The reason I missed it? It’s called ‘I can’t believe it’s not butter’!
