By Tiina Holm
Special to U-WIRE
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND — "Mom, I don't want to go to England, I don't want to hear the word 'splendid'."
These are the opening lyrics of a song by a popular Finnish band, called "The Absolute Zero." The song is clearly meant to be cynical, but I still think it tells a lot about the Finnish mentality: don't try anything new, be safe at all times, avoid everything unfamiliar. And I can clearly see why the modest, reserved and introvert Finn might find the word 'splendid' a bit too expressive and overwhelming.
But I don't agree. I didn't agree. That's why I'm now living and studying in Manchester, England. Things are never as simple as they seem in our own idyllic dreams, however. I spent the last few weeks at home finishing some final assignments for my home University, working,
going through the bureaucratic baloney for a term abroad, and getting used to the idea that I was actually leaving the country.
The first tasks were far easier than the second. It certainly didn't help that on my last evening before the flight, a friend called and told me that the Finnish airport workers were about to go on strike for 24 hours. Starting immediately. What are the chances of a 24-hour-strike eight hours before your flight takes off? Fortunately, the flight left on time and there were no problems – but the pre-flight tension certainly succeeded in making this 22-year-old first time flyer nervous.
The flight took three hours. It included two stopovers, three entertaining safety demonstrations, four cups of coffee, a meal-wannabe, a few completely unnecessary bumps and a Finnish girl terrified of heights.
I wonder if the flight attendants can tell how experienced a traveler, you are from your facial expressions just before take off and just before landing. I must have been a sure bet.
The welcome at the airport was very warm. Representatives from the school’s International Society greeted newcomers and took them to their halls of residence, which must have been a great service had I been a part of it.
Special to U-WIRE
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND — "Mom, I don't want to go to England, I don't want to hear the word 'splendid'."
These are the opening lyrics of a song by a popular Finnish band, called "The Absolute Zero." The song is clearly meant to be cynical, but I still think it tells a lot about the Finnish mentality: don't try anything new, be safe at all times, avoid everything unfamiliar. And I can clearly see why the modest, reserved and introvert Finn might find the word 'splendid' a bit too expressive and overwhelming.
But I don't agree. I didn't agree. That's why I'm now living and studying in Manchester, England. Things are never as simple as they seem in our own idyllic dreams, however. I spent the last few weeks at home finishing some final assignments for my home University, working,
going through the bureaucratic baloney for a term abroad, and getting used to the idea that I was actually leaving the country.
The first tasks were far easier than the second. It certainly didn't help that on my last evening before the flight, a friend called and told me that the Finnish airport workers were about to go on strike for 24 hours. Starting immediately. What are the chances of a 24-hour-strike eight hours before your flight takes off? Fortunately, the flight left on time and there were no problems – but the pre-flight tension certainly succeeded in making this 22-year-old first time flyer nervous.
The flight took three hours. It included two stopovers, three entertaining safety demonstrations, four cups of coffee, a meal-wannabe, a few completely unnecessary bumps and a Finnish girl terrified of heights.
I wonder if the flight attendants can tell how experienced a traveler, you are from your facial expressions just before take off and just before landing. I must have been a sure bet.
The welcome at the airport was very warm. Representatives from the school’s International Society greeted newcomers and took them to their halls of residence, which must have been a great service had I been a part of it.
