Hello, everyone!
As my experience as a Reach the World traveler comes to a close, I would like to thank each and every one of you for following me as I traversed through my first year as a college student in Finland. I hope I inspired at least someone to believe that their goals are attainable through determination and hard work.
This year has been such a wild ride, changing from feeling nervous to talk to Finnish people to fully immersing in the Finnish culture. I have enjoyed experiences of which most people only dream. Some of my main highlights included jumping into the Arctic Ocean, exploring Northern Lapland, spending an evening with a Finnish family, getting my first chance to play in a professional level jazz band, playing in the Finnish University League American football championship game, presenting research in multiple forums, going to multiple sitsits, participating in the Finnish tradition of men’s choirs, and, most importantly, making new Finnish and international friends with whom I plan on keeping contact throughout the course of my life.
On May 1 at Vappu, I will take a big step in my academic career and put on my Kylteri cap for the first time, symbolizing my transition from fresher student to upperclassman.
