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!

All About YOU...and Finland!

Are you living in Finland and you're not originally from here?  Maybe you're a student or a worker here...
Or perhaps you are a Finn and want to give your opinion on things in Finland?  Maybe you've moved away from Finland or have moved around Finland...

I'd love to hear from you!

I want to put a fresh spin on this blog and interview all kinds of people.
I'll be writing up a list of questions to suit you - the foreigner or the Finn....and will post your answers and responses on this blog once a month (or more if there are enough responses!).

I've decided that since I've been here for over two years and my readers have read pretty much everything that's happened to me and my family -  it's time to see what other Foreigners and Finns have to say!!!
I get asked a lot of questions about Canada - so I thought, maybe I could use those same questions and ask them of you but about Finland!

Some topics that may be covered (but not necessarily have to be answered if you feel it's too personal):

• Education 
• Work life
• Family life
• Struggles and triumphs of all things Finnish (food, language barrier etc.)
• Comparison of Finland to your home country
• Comparison of Jyv�skyl� to your hometown
• Opinions: health care, Magistrate, Kela, Finnish culture and food, anything that's on your mind about Finland!
• Funny experiences (I know I've had a few...)

Please send an email to: learningaboutfinland       @       hotmail.com
(Removed spaces and that is the proper email address.  This is to help eliminate spam. :) )
Your personal information (true name, exact work location, address, email etc.) will be kept confidential.
If you wish to go by an alternative name that is perfectly fine!!  (Or I can use just your first name if it's common enough and if you give me permission).
I would be fine with using (for example): "George, 31, is a worker at the University" as a basic introduction and will note if an alternative name has been used to protect your true identity.

I look forward to hearing from you and seeing what you have to say!

Thanks so much! 

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.

Bonjour From Paris!

(I'm back from Paris and couldn't blog while on the go because the internet was weird in our hotel....a review of our hotel to come later.  More like a butchering I suppose...)

So we travelled via 3 different countries in 1 single day.  We took the boat from Estonia to Helsinki and then we flew from Helsinki to Paris (a little over 2.5 hours).
By the time we arrived in the airport, it was after 9pm (1 hour behind Finland) and we were exhausted.  There was the option of taking a shuttle bus at the wonderful cost of 17� per person.  Tim had the instructions for how to take the RER (subway) - so we opted for that and it turned out to be significantly cheaper (17,40� for the two of us - kids are free under age of 3 I think) and it took about 35 minutes.
We checked into our hotel, The Royal Cardinnal, and accepted a continental breakfast to be delivered to our room the next morning.  Once we squished ourselves into the elevator - we then noticed it was 6� for breakfast (but not specified if it was per person or per room)....
We quickly prepped for bed and crashed.

The next morning, we awoke early to cloudy skies and it was chilly.
The continental breakfast was our choice of hot beverage or juices (we opted for tea and coffee) and it came with hot milk (I'm used to cold milk to cool off the tea or coffee....so this was different!) and 1 baguette cut in half and 2 croissants.
The baguettes were good but not fresh.  I only say this because there was this off-taste about it and it wasn't hard as a rock or anything - but it wasn't as fresh as the ones you get from the bakeries.  My son devoured the croissants however!
After looking at the shower and figuring out that the bigger knob was the one that controlled the overhead shower head - we managed to get dressed and go explore.  We didn't have to meet our friends for a few hours so we grabbed a map and headed towards the Notre Dame.

A word of advice: go early in the morning - say around 9am or so...because by the time 10:30 rolls around - the line ups are massive for getting in.  Lots of school groups and tourist groups going in too.  There is free admission and you CAN take photos!

*You also have to remove your hat, be dressed respectfully (not necessarily your Sunday best but don't go there dressed like you're going to a club) and be quiet, especially if there is a service going on.*

Inside is breath taking....despite the dim lighting, the stained glass detailing is beautiful and all of it is amazing.

One thing I noticed while inside was the "modern style confessionals".  I've never confessed with a priest before, but typically it's inside a wooden box with a metal grate between you and the priest and your identity is a mystery.  (My husband said he saw those in there but I didn't).

What I did see were clear glass offices with a desk and 2 chairs sitting opposite of each other....and a sign outside saying it was a Confessions area!  How Modern!

While travelling on the bus - you can use a NaviGo (a purple colored electronic pad is located at all entrances for subways and air transportation - not planes but subways that go above ground and on the bus) Pass or you can purchase little tickets (10 for 12�) and insert it into a box to validate them.

One validated ticket is good for 1.5 hours and can usually be used to transfer between transportation systems but there's a trick.  (I forget if it's not used between RER and bus or what...it was complicated!)

It's easy enough to get on the bus with a stroller (you get on at the front and the aisles are wide enough for a standard single stroller) but getting to the RER has it's difficulties!  First of all, because it's a subway system underground - you have a lot of stairs to go down or around....super pain in the neck for a stroller!  Sometimes there are escalators (most times they are broken or stopped the direction that you need to go of course!)....and there's an occasional elevator...but not often!  So if you can  - back pack!

Sure lots of people have strollers with older children and the kid hops out and goes up/down the stairs by themselves while you maneuver the stroller along the stair well....but if your kid is asleep - then it can be difficult waking up a sleepy little one....

(The buses have an empty space in the middle for strollers or wheel chairs)

Oh and don't sneak onto the bus through the back door!  I saw 2 girls sneak on through the back door and the driver caught them, yelled loudly (how embarrassing!) and they exited the bus to get on through the front and pay.

Eating out in Paris

• Taxes and tips are included in the price
• There was a great little grilli place beside the hotel we stayed at - it was cheap, tasty and very friendly people working there (don't go at lunch time - you'll be yelling a lot to get your order!)
• There's a "Great Canadian Pub" with very expensive prices
• Pop can be expensive (at least 3� for a glass)
• Crepes are wonderful, cheap and can be hearty if you order the savoury ones!
• We went to a crepperie with our friend and it did not accept card payments...only cash
• Their savoury crepes were made with buckwheat
• We ate at the Mosque for lunch on our last day there and if you are a woman - be warned!  Not all waiters enjoy serving women and many don't.  So if you are a mixed group - then often the men will be served nicely and the women will have their plates tossed onto the table.
• The inside is beautiful and the food is tasty!!!!
• They also serve a mint tea and pour it from great heights (our waiter didn't...) and they have a platter of sweets and charge you based on how many you eat...it was so tasty!

Some lamb with prunes and almonds...no couscous or rice though.

Pouring the mint tea (the other waiters were pouring it from a much taller height...he probably doesn't like women).

We had some extra guests join us...

The delicious platter of pastries!

My choice...dates with walnuts

School System in Paris

• Kids start at the age of 3....as in they're sitting in a desk and learning - not running around and playing like most pre-schools at that age.  They start to prepare for regular school from the ages of 3-6.
• Kids go to school (regular school) from 8:30am-4:30pm
• They go to school 4x a week and have Wednesdays and weekends off, then they have 2 WEEKS OFF.  This cycle repeats itself throughout the year.
• Summer break is for nearly a full 2 months (July and August) and they resume school the first week of September.
• Christmas break is typically 2-2.5 weeks depending on when the holidays fall (similar to Canada)
• For lunch - they get a 3-course meal everyday
• They don't have school books...the teachers photocopy the school books and put them in a duotang of sorts.  (Why I don't know).
• Parents pick up their kids from school (or a friend does and there's a mutual meeting place) and then they get a baguette...EVERYDAY.  I found this interesting because I personally would think a baguette everyday would be very boring - but  I guess it's not for the kids.

Random Bits and Pieces

• You don't buy stamps at the Post Office...I know what an odd idea!  You buy them at the tobacco shops.
• The French are very proud of their postal system - to the point if you're trying to drop off a form - they ask that you put it in the mail box. (A friend experienced this).
• Don't drive here - it's not worth all the gas (and money) you'll burn.  It's cheaper and much easier to go by foot, bus or RER.  
• It took our friends about 4 hours to drive back from the airport after dropping a friend off (it takes 35 minutes by subway/RER)
• Most public bathrooms are free and they automatically disinfect themselves (how I don't know - I never needed the bathroom when we went by one).
• There's a lot of terrible parking here...and terrible driving - you can tell by the cars parking along the curve of the corner between 2 cross walks...Oh and by the scratches, scrapes and dents in the vehicles.
• If your kid throws a tantrum - don't be surprised if a random stranger will lecture them VERY LOUDLY (and in French)....this simply doesn't happen in Finland and often not in Canada either.  You typically mind your own business and let the parent do their thing.
• PICK POCKETING DOES HAPPEN!  If you are approached by people (typically of Roma culture or something similar) who are using sign language to you and shoving a clip board in your face with some pages on it (like a petition for you to sign) - DON'T SIGN IT.  Why? Because while you're reading what it's about - someone is pick pocketing you at the same time from behind.
• Just don't sign anything....it's far too risky.
• Cell phones are dirt cheap here  - but majority of the companies require you sign up for a contract of a minimum of 2 years.
• Disney Paris has a train that can go there frequently...oh and the entrance fee is 51� per child, 57� per adult (although...there IS a sale right now that adults can get in for a child fee...).  Needless to say - we didn't go.
• We did go to the Eiffel Tower (tour de Eiffel) via RER and it was huge.  There's a lengthy line up to go up the ET...get there by 9am if you don't want to wait too long.
• Same with the Louvre - we saw the outside of it but didn't have time to go inside...maybe next time!
• We were warned about an excessive amount of dog poop on the ground and that approximately 600 people get hospitalized from sliding in it and hurting themselves. (Hence why we didn't bring a stroller).
• However, if you stick to tourist locations - you rarely see any...there was more in Finland than in Paris.