A Bit About Finnish School.......

Last Thursday (Feb. 16th), I happened to be downtown and about to cross the street to get to the pedestrian walk-way, when I realized that I couldn't quite cross because there were line ups on both sides.
At first, I was thinking : "Oh!  A protest!  But nobody's yelling and there's no signs or sandwich boards hanging off of these people..."
Then I thought something horrific had happened and there was a car/pedestrian accident and someone was seriously hurt or dead...and with snow on the ground and fresh blood...I know - my imagine ran wild.
Then I saw that there was absolutely nothing, traffic was going as usual, just not many people were crossing the street.
I looked both ways and went across...then I got brave and asked the first relatively young person I saw (and hoped spoke English) what was going on.
He thankfully spoke English and advised me that the 2nd Year students are about to have a Reading Holiday break, today was the last day of classes and then they are to study for their final exams in mid-Spring.
The students will be paraded up and down the downtown area via trucks and they will toss candy out to waiting passerbys and it's typical tradition.

So here's what I saw:

Waiting for the trucks to drive by again and some are bravely picking up candy and watching to make sure they don't get hit by a truck or other vehicle!

Some people wore masks...or dressed as a Nun.

They did it!

Some dressed as Pippi Longstocking (she's from Sweden by the way), a cheetah, a Viking...the list goes on!

Pretty sure Finns know what "ASS" is in English.

Why not bring a light saber?

The costumes were fun!

Even Sponge Bob came along!

The Mario Brothers and Wario...

So these soon-to-be graduates do not get a prom.  They write that final exam and graduate in May/June and then move on in life or into higher education.
The day after, (this parade of students is always held on a Thursday) the 1st year kids who will graduate next year (hence they're in their 1st year program) get dressed up in super fancy tuxedos and dresses and have their ball.
I happened to be downtown again today but without my camera, and saw many beautiful dresses and many handsome tuxedos and suits!
Traditionally the ladies wore old-fashioned dresses, but now it's been changed up a bit and it's more of a "prom"...and the 2nd year kids are the 1st year kids "slaves".
They get teased a lot and that's pretty much the extent of it from what I understand.

Why do the 1st year kids get a prom?
Because they are celebrating entering their final year of school.
Seriously.

In North America, prom is held for those that are graduating high school (completion is grade 12 - all grades are compulsory and average graduating age is 18 years old) and is held normally before the actual graduation ceremony.  (Or at least that's how mine worked).

Congratulations to all those kids in the trucks!

Dissertation Etiquette

Tonight marks the 3rd dissertation party we have gone to, since moving to Finland and I figured it's probably a good idea to inform you folks what happens and how to dress and act.
Tonight also marks the first dissertation party I had to leave early - because our son's 2-year old molars decided to tackle him tonight and if that wasn't good enough - he also developed 3 large canker sores in his mouth (at least on one side).  Not a pleasant boy - let me tell you.
(Dissertations in Canada seem to be more low-key and I do not think the university hosts a fancy dinner with alcohol as well.  So this is purely based on the 3 we have attended while living in Finland).

So - a dissertation is when someone has finished their thesis and has to speak about it and is challenged by an opponent (usually a visitor from another university or even country!).  It's not a fight - just a healthy debate and a test - to see if you are truly well informed of what you were studying and to see what you know.
This can take a few hours - and yes, (as far as I know) there is a break somewhere in there.  That's usually held after lunch.  (There is typically a panel that review this and one particular opponent).
In the evening, there is the celebratory dinner and if you are invited - consider it an honor!  Your invitation or colleague whom the dissertation is for, will inform you of the dress code - but if that is not noted to you directly - take it from me: dress up.
Dress as if you are going to a wedding - without the hat or huge fascinator....and without the poofy dress that is more suitable for a prom.
Men - typically wear a suit, most wear a tie and nice shoes.  Be clean and well-groomed.
Women - this is your time to shine!  (Because we all know that we inspect and remember who wore what and how at these kinds of events...from near or far.)

My first dissertation we attended was a "black tie" affair and I didn't have the proper attire, was about 30 weeks pregnant (or more) and opted for an all-black ensemble and a bit of jewelry.
The second dissertation we went to - I was advised it was not black-tie, and opted for a dressy shirt (that allowed me to nurse our 6 month old) and dressy capri pants and heels.  No jewelry then because the then 6-month old had a fascination for tearing things off my neck.
This round, I opted for a dressy blouse (in which I wouldn't cry if my now almost 2-year old dropped food or spilled juice on it), slightly dressy capri pants and sandals.  Oh and a necklace - the first one I wore in over a year...and V�in� didn't rip it off my neck but gently touched it!
I've seen several high heels, several formal dresses or cock-tail dresses and shawls....unfortunately those are not safe for me if I'm chasing a 2-year old!

Now onto the other bits.  When you enter the hall for the dinner, greet and congratulate the defendant.  They'll be at the entrance way greeting everybody.
You should also bring a gift for the defendant.  He or she has worked incredibly hard to come this far and has kindly thought of inviting you - whether you understand their thesis or not.  (Two of them were done in Finnish if I remember correctly).
It doesn't have to be an elaborate gift - that's up to you.  If you work with the defendant - there's probably a group gift you can donate to from the whole department.
Typically a bottle of wine or some flowers is considered very appropriate.  (Yes, that's what we gave the defendant tonight, a bottle of wine - and I made a card).

Sometimes there is a seating plan - so this is prime oppourtunity to meet other people and socialize!  If not - you still can mix and mingle.

Once the defendant formally welcomes everybody all at once - dinner usually starts from there.
The head table goes first and it's then clock-wise from there...or in organized order based on the table lay-out.
After dinner and before dessert - there are speeches.  If you're in Finland attending a dissertation dinner - it's probably going to be in Finnish.
Be polite, don't talk, don't use your phone (unless it's an emergency and do that out in the hall way) and try to figure out what words you do know in Finnish! :)
Speeches are usually given by the defendant, their spouse, their parents, their special guests - the opponent,  their supervisor throughout the thesis and some other colleagues.
After speeches there's usually dessert with tea and coffee - once again, head tables goes first.
After all that, sometimes there is some form of entertainment - sometimes a band or a DJ - but if you have kids - you're probably gone pretty early!

The most important thing about attending one of these dissertation dinners - is don't get plastered.  It's rude, embarrassing and you'll probably get a killer hang over the next day.  The primary reason for the dissertation is celebrate the defendant's work, research and time over the last 3-5 years...not to bring the attention to yourself as the loud-obnoxious drunk.
(Should you take the party elsewhere outside of the dissertation hall - then use caution and use the defendant as a guide. :P )
And of course, never drink and drive.