In case you missed the title, it's 31 days until I leave for Finland :O It doesn't seem real and probably won't seem real until I am officially on that airplane.
As a first post I decided to answer my FAQs. These are the questions I get asked constantly.
Why would you want to leave home for a year?
Exchange is something I REALLY wanted for myself. I want to experience a new culture and way of doing things. Leaving everything I know behind for a year is worth such an experience, to me at least.
How did you get this opportunity?
I did a lot of research on exchange programs. I chose Rotary based off the great reviews and suggestions from previous exchangers. I met with Mr. Bill Wood (who has done so much for us district 6650 exchange students) who explained to me how to fill out an application. After I had sent in my application, I went to an interview in November. Then in January I found out I was accepted ^‿^
Why did you choose to go to Finland?
Good question.. Well you get to make a list of 5 countries you'd like to travel to and out of those five Rotary chooses where you go. Finland was second on my list. I wrote it down, because I knew hardly anything about the country and I thought it would be a true adventure to live in a place I had no expectations or prior knowledge of. I'm very happy I made this decision (✿◠‿◠)
What language is spoken in Finland?
Finnish, which is rated the 6th hardest language to learn by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization. My finnish skills are erm...not great! I thought at first "I'm gonna practice so hard at this language then by the time I get to Finland i'll be suuuper good at it!". The optimism quickly faded as I realized it was actually quite difficult to teach myself an entirely new language. Of course I continue to practice anyway (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧ Se on hauska puhua suomea vaikka..
Is it cold in Finland?
Yes o(╥﹏╥)o But luckily I live in Eurajoki which is along the southwest coast of Finland. That means it will get warm in the summer :)
When do you leave? When do you return?
I leave to go to Finland on August 2nd
I will return sometime next July..so I'll be gone about 11 months ＼(´▽｀*)(*´▽｀)/
That's all the questions I will answer for now..
Nähdään myöhemmin!ヽ(;^o^ヽ)
Lauren, Great first post. Luv the FAQs - answered many of my ?s. Looking forward to reading your blog and learning about Finland, your travels, new friends and, of course, what the shopping is like!
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