More Than the Degree

The Summer I… decided to move to Finland 🌿✨

The summer I decided to move to Finland didn’t start with a dramatic moment. There was no instant epiphany, no single turning point. Instead, it was a slow accumulation of thoughts, feelings, and what-ifs that finally tipped me over. In the summer when I turned 16, I visited Finland for the first time. It was a short 2-week trip to a sports center near Helsinki, where we went hiking, camping, kayaking, and even played disc golf. In general, a very Finnish summer experience.

Ever since I felt enchanted by this country, I couldn't resist the idea of coming to study in Finland once I learned that Aalto University has English-taught bachelor's programs

At first, Finland was just one of many options. Honestly, it felt far away and a bit mysterious. I pictured:

🌲 endless forests and quiet lakes
☀️ a sun that never really sets in summer
❄️ winters so long and dark they almost sounded mythical

But then, the more I looked into it, the more Finland started to feel like a place I wanted to experience.

Why Finland? 🇫🇮

What pulled me in wasn’t just one thing—it was a mix:

🎓 Aalto University’s vibe — creativity, design thinking, and real-world problem solving.
🌍 Values I admired — equality, trust, and balance between work and life.
🍵 Lifestyle curiosity — what does it really feel like to live in a country where people recharge in nature and slow down for coffee breaks (kahvitauko)?

That summer, while my friends were making safe, familiar choices, I felt like I wanted something different. Something a little uncomfortable, in the best way.

What I didn’t know then…

That biking through a forest trail could feel like meditation 🚴‍♀️🌲
That silence in conversations isn’t awkward here—it’s normal (and actually kind of peaceful) 🤐💭
That coffee breaks would become sacred ☕
That winter darkness, while tough, also makes spring light feel magical 🌞

Now, as I walk around the Aalto campus and see my decision playing out in real life, I think back to that summer. The one where I traded comfort for curiosity. Routine for adventure.

The summer I decided to move to Finland. 💙