I arrived in Finland at the end of June 2024, prepared to greet all the fabulous new people I was about to meet with a "hei" and say "kiitos" for thank you, but that was the extent of my Finnish abilities. Which made for an interesting combination when I arrived in Helsinki at midnight following some travel mishaps and flight delays. Regardless of my lack of preparation and sleep, I was about to begin living in Finland.

I was selected for the Fulbright-LUT University Graduate Award and would be starting my master’s degree in sociotechnical systems and sustainability transitions at the end of August. I arrived in Finland earlier in order to take the language and culture course through the Summer University of Jyväskylä. Not only did I improve my Finnish vocabulary to include words other than sauna and jäätelö during the 3-week course, but I also enjoyed the incredible summer weather and long July days in Finland.

Finnish Language and Culture Course

This course places you in a group according to your experience with the language, so you are able to learn in an environment that is suitable to your needs. It consists of 3 weeks of intensive classes each weekday from 9 am to 4 pm with a break for lunch. After class and on weekends there are optional cultural events to practice the language and learn more about Finland. While it is a packed schedule, I found it to be enjoyable and an incredibly effective method of learning Finnish.

During the classes each day we learned important phrases for greetings, introductions, and goodbyes. We learned how to order coffee, very essential for living in Finland, and, in general, built a base knowledge of the Finnish language. What I learned during these courses enabled me to start at the Finnish 3 course level at LUT University in August, rather than beginning with Finnish 1.

Cultural Course Events

The cultural events were also some of the best opportunities to learn what my next two years in Finland may look like. We got to visit museums, go to sauna, hike, visit nearby historical locations, and we even attended a traditional Finnish dance. There were so many incredible experiences, all of which are optional, but I would highly recommend doing as many as possible. I’ll share a bit more about my favorites.

Saunakylä - Sauna Village 

While this was not the only time we went to sauna during the course, one Saturday we spent all day at a sauna village in Jämsä, (yes, Finns love to sauna this much). The village had 29 traditional Finnish saunas that were transported from different areas of Finland, with the oldest sauna being from 1740. During this trip we learned about the historical and cultural significance of saunas, while also appreciating the practice ourselves. It was very fun to see the different styles of saunas from all over Finland, such as multi-story saunas or in-ground saunas.

Image of sauna village
Image of some of the saunas I tried out. Photo by Katelyn Moje.

Visit to Petäjävesi 

One weekend, we went on a day trip to the nearby village of Petäjävesi. One of the main sights in this village is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of an 18th century Lutheran Church. This church was built in the 1760s and is still standing today with much of the original ornately carved details. After this, our group went to a 400-year-old farm for lunch. We got to see the grounds that used to be for growing crops and raising animals but are now used as an event space and bed and breakfast.  We had a delicious lunch of trout soup and salad, with locally sourced ingredients. We could even see the lake where the trout were caught! For dessert, we had mämmi, which is a dessert typically eaten around Easter. It is made from rye porridge with berries and served with milk, resulting in a moderately sweet, but delicious, dessert. This was my first more traditional Finnish meal, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Image of old church of Petäjävesi
Exterior of the 18th century church. Photo by Katelyn Moje.

Lavatanssit - Traditional Finnish Dance Night

My final favorite cultural event was our trip to the lavantanssit, or a traditional Finnish dance. If you know me, you know that dancing is far outside of my comfort zone and skill set. But despite this, it was an incredible experience. It took place at a small location that included a bar, a cafe, sauna, and, of course, the dance floor and band. The dance took place in a large gazebo-like building with a live band playing traditional Finnish music. There were many, many people dancing salsas, tangoes, and a variety of Finnish folk dances. I’m very grateful for the patience and good nature of the Finns that tried to teach an uncoordinated me these dances. Definitely an example of embracing discomfort and being willing to try new things when in Finland!

View of a lake during sunset
One of the many incredible views from the summer. Photo by Katelyn Moje.

The Finnish Language and Culture course was a fantastic experience. I am so grateful I took the extra time to dedicate to learning the Finnish language and some cultural aspects of Finland. I think this experience has been instrumental in supporting my transition to life here in Finland!

Kiitos ja näkemiin!

Headshot of Katelyn Moje
Katelyn Moje
2024-25 Fulbright-LUT University Graduate Award; LUT University, Lappeenranta

Katelyn Moje is pursuing her Master's degree in Technology, Environment, and Societal Change at LUT University. She is interested in developing sustainable food systems and pursuing a PhD in sociology following her Master's degree. In her free time, she enjoys knitting, reading, and spending time looking for mushrooms in the forests of Finland.