Awesome International Exchange in Finland

This was my first time visiting European countries, and I was incredibly excited about Scandinavia, especially the Nordic lights, stunning landscapes, gothic church architecture, and music, which is my major subject! Joining the Student Exchange Programme (SEP) enriched my worldview and developed my various talents. I am grateful for the valuable personal growth experiences, academic achievements, unique and immersive cultural experiences, international friendships, and interpersonal and problem-solving skills I gained in SEP.

Finland ranks among the highest in the world in education, safety, life satisfaction, health, and travel. The course structure, teaching, and learning approaches at the University of Jyväskylä are quite different from those of EdUHK, offering me a relaxed, free, and beautiful learning environment. I especially want to highlight the stunning snowy scenes in Lapland, Finland, and the teachers who are tireless, passionate about teaching, and always respect their students. This is quite different from EdUHK’s excellent faculty, all-round teaching, and inclusive yet high academic standards, reflecting distinctions in the education systems and environments, teaching requirements, and goals between the two institutions. However, I appreciate both institutions very much, as adapting to diverse environments and academic requirements is also a reflection of being a well-rounded student.

Outside the academics, I was fortunate enough to embark on a wonderful European cultural experience. First, from my accommodation in Jyväskylä, I travelled to Helsinki port, then took a two-hour boat ride to Tallinn, Estonia (the setting for the manga ‘Attack on Titan’), then flew by small plane to Stockholm, Sweden, and finally took an overnight cruise back to Finland. 

During this triangular trip across three European countries, I visited numerous famous attractions, museums, and historical sites, including the Nordic Museum, Rosenbad (government building), VASA Museum (shipwreck museum), and Riddarhuset (House of Nobility) in Sweden; Tallinn Old Town in Estonia; and the Helsinki Art Museum and the Fortress of Suomenlinna in Helsinki, Finland. In winter, I visited Lapland in northern Finland, a region renowned for its unparalleled snowscapes, the Nordic lights, resorts, skiing facilities, and as the home of Santa Claus. It boasts stunning scenery, while also being a place where history and modernity intertwine.

These experiences allowed me to understand the formation and characteristics of European culture, its historical evolution, the long-standing relationships between European countries, and how different cultures influence one another. This greatly inspired my cultural/music studies and my reflections on education in Hong Kong, in addition to allowing me to enjoy the spectacular architecture and amazing natural environment.

Tam Mung Na

BA (Hons) in Creative Arts and Culture, Year 4 student