Under the Midnight Sun: Transformative Lessons from the Finnish Wilderness of Lapland

Although the four weeks I spent as a Fulbright-Hays Seminar Abroad Scholar, criss-crossing the Finnish landscape under that incomprehensibly metallic-hued Midnight sun, will always be a source of fond memories and infinite growth, some lessons felt so tremendously profound, they instantly changed me both personally, and professionally as an 8th grade special education teacher.

One of these moments came to me as I stood, quite-literally, at the top of the world on the summit of Särkitunturi fell, looking out at the rugged beauty of Lapland from nearly 500 meters (or 1650 feet) above. 

Särkitunturi is located just outside of the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, and is filled with winding hiking trails, lush pine and spruce forests, and a summit view so panoramic and magnificent, it was chosen as one of over two dozen official representations of the Finnish national landscape.

We had spent the morning guided by Kirsi Peräjärvi, a Fulbright alumni, principal, and biology teacher at the Waldorf School in Lahti, Finland; her clear voice and succinct prompts had encouraged us to participate in personal reflection, natural observations, and silent spaces of deep introspection as we made our way up the 3.2 kilometer rocky, green trail. Under her guidance, a typical walk in the woods had become a cathartic, joyful experience uniquely shared by our small group.

Every step forward we take is a moment of certainty towards our future; on this day, my footfalls landed securely, with newly found confidence and a grounding sense of fulfillment. Looking out over the landscape, I felt a heartfelt pull from nearly 4,000 miles away: if anyone deserved to share in this experience, to have a transformative moment of certainty and community like this, it was my students. 

With the start of the new school year, and this experience still in my mind, I adjusted my class schedule to now include routine time outdoors. Following Kirsi’s outdoor lessons, we walked our neighborhood woods in total silence (not an easy feat for students or teacher!) to focus on how our individual thoughts and feelings shifted on the trail: a welcome break from constant social pressure and technological input. 

Another outdoor lesson prompted us to each select natural items that represented ourselves in that moment. This vulnerability was initially awkward and overwhelming, but we pushed through with trust in the process and each other; our resulting circle of bright crimson leaves, acorns, and jagged pine branches told a story about our collective community that words could never do justice. 

Our favorite activity so far however, “A Balance of Stones,” brought us teetering to the edge of disaster… saved only by our newfound teamwork and growing social skills. Prompted by the challenge to create the tallest tower of rocks, a flurry of activity collecting everything from pebbles to small boulders quickly turned into crashing granite skyscrapers, crushing our hopes… and a few toes! 

We quickly realized we would need to step out of our comfort zone to collaborate with teammates and make decisions together. Along with a winning, impressive tower 15 inches tall, this transformative single class period in the brisk air and sunshine built a foundation for new friendships, taught perseverance and collaboration, and gave us shared moments of collective joy and laughter.

Ultimately, my time in Finland not only enriched my own life but also empowered me to create a nurturing and adventurous classroom environment, where my students can discover their strengths and build meaningful connections with each other and the world around them. With each outdoor lesson, I hope to inspire my students to embrace vulnerability, foster resilience, and recognize the power of community, with every step they take forward, together shaping the future.