Welcome to Finland Linnéa Kangas Planning Officer /Admissions Finland in a nutshell – where to start? “Finland’s national language are Finnish and Swedish” (the Finnish Constitution, § 17) • Each and everyone has the right to use and get service in their mother tongue in court and dealing with state authorities • Social services, Public employment services, Kela - social security institution • Elections • Municipalities are either monolingual or bilingual ( 8 % OR 3000 inhabitants has the second language) • In bilingual municipalities the services are offered both in Swedish and Finnish • Daycare, school, high school and higher education in both languages • Hanken is one example (working languages Swedish and English, not Finnish)! ”The municipality with the highest percentage of Swedish speakers is located in Finland, not in Sweden” Ex Crash course in Finnish and Swedish Moi/Hei! Hej/Hejsan! Kiitos! Tack! Moikka! Hej då! Finnish history in a nutshell 4 main periods: 1. Before Finns became Finns – pre-1200 • 7 tribes with own dialects lived in Finland, much of Finland covered in water (the land is still rising!), pre-Christian time 2. The Swedish era 1200-1809 • Still small population, simple life (fishing, agriculture), Finns were converted into Christianity, castles, churches and cities emerge, Swedish become the majority and administrative language, in the 1500s the written form of Finnish language was created and in 1644 the first University was established in the primary city of that time – Turku. ― Made the foundation for the Finnish culture and society of today (many cultural aspects common with Sweden) 3. The Russian era 1809-1917 • War between Sweden and Russia -> Finland was incorporated into the Russian empire as the autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland. • First railroad was built, industry began to develop, and the first primary schools were built. Swedes we are no-longer, Russians we do not want • Helsinki was a fishing village - > Russia made Helsinki capital to become, let us & moved the university from Turku to Helsinki therefore be Finns” – the Helsinki of today is built. (Adolf Ivar Arwidsson, journalist) • Political autonomy of Finland was first encouraged by Russia to win over the Finnish people -> National awakening – the idea of “Finland” starts to emerge. 4. The independent Finland • 1906 - second nation in the world to give the right to vote to women nd the first in the world to give women the right to run for election • After the Russian October revolution, Finland’s declaration of independence was December 6, 1917, breaking its ties with Russia. Independent Finland Civil war (Whites and Reds) 1918 • Dividing the people, prison camps, starvation World War II -> three wars in Finland (1939- 1944) 1) Winter war (against an invading Soviet Union) 2) Continuation war (striking against the Soviets alongside the Germans) 3) Lapland war (against the Germans for control of Children evacuating to Denmark during the war. Lapland) What happened after the wars? From a country in poverty to a an highly developed nation • Half of the population was farmers - how would we pay the 500 million dollar war penalty to Russia within 6 years? • Development of new industry and effectiveness (metal, forest, shipbuilding etc.), e.g. 141 490 railway-carriages were sent to Russia! • New knowledge, new jobs, new industriers –> helped Finland recover AND excel as a modern country after the war • Finland was the only country in the world who paid their war penalities Education & social welfare for everyone • Finland introduced a 9-year learning obligation for all children and one common learning plan for the whole nation. ”Everyone can, and have the right to learn” • Common education supported the economy and helped Finland develop • Social welfare: maternity box, paid maternity leave, free health care, unemployment insurance, day care centres - social equality became a norm Who are the Finnish people? Finland has long been seen as culturally homogenous country (e.g. language, ethnicity, culture) • Not really true - Finland has always had national minorities (e.g. Sami, Roma, Russians, Swedes) as people have immigrated and emigrated. Punctual, hardworking, honest and modest • Be on time! • You might get your wallet back if your forget it somewhere – Finland is really safe, even at night. • Finns downplay their own accomplishments since modesty is one of the biggest virtue. Even though you might be talking to a Olympic champion, it might not come up. • Becoming friends take time, but when you made it, you have a real friend. Good language skills – the average Finn knows three languages • This will it make harder for you to learn Swedish or Finnish. Personal space • 1 meter distance between strangers no talking to strangers without a reason (what is a reason?) Talking • Don’t interupt, wait for your turn to talk. • There is no words for ”please” in Finnish or Swedish • Direct communication style which sometimes can feel a bit harsh • Finns do not engage in small talk for the sake of just talking. Every word is intended to deliver a message. • Silence is acceptable and sometimes encouraged e.g. in the sauna. • Informal culture ->adress people, also most of the professors, by first name only. • A Finn does not say anything that he/she does not mean – if a person invite them to their home, they really want you to come. Practical tips for life in Finland Transport • It is really easy to travel around Helsinki and Finland (timetables and reservation online). Pages available in English. • Hsl.fi (Helsinki region public transport) • Vr.fi (National railroad company) • Matkahuolto.fi (Bus timetables) Ikea bus • Free Ikea buses from the Helsinki city centre to Ikea Helsinki region city bikes • Available from spring-end of October, stations to pick up a bike all over the city 30 euros/season -> 30 minutes of biking/time, great deal! • Tipping • No one tips in Finland, e.g. at restaurants, the service charge is included in the price. • Bank card/credit cards • You can use them almost everywhere and there is no minimum cost so most people only use bank cards, also for small purchases. • Exceptions might be at the Market square, buses etc. • Sauna • There is sauna available in most apartment blocks • Public saunas in swimming halls, but also around the city: • E.g Löyly, Allas Sea Pool, Kotiharju Sauna, Kultuuurisauna • Dress like a Onion • Helsinki is often windy, you keep warm with several layers of clothes • Alcohol • Not sold between 9pm-9am, except for bars/restaurants • In Supermarkets: beer, cider, lonkero with less than 5,5 % • ALKO shops • the national state-owned alcoholic berage monopoly company • Wine, spirits etc. with more than 5,5 % alcohol • Not allowed to enjoy alcohol in public spaces, etc. park, public transport Recycling ABC • Deposit included in the prices for most bottles (machines in supermarkets) • Recycling of trash at home (plastic packages, paper, carton, glass, metal, biodegradable, mixed waste) • Other waste: batteries, electronics (bins available at big supermarkets, eletronics shops etc.) • Recycling centres, Second-hand shops, Facebook groups (clothes, furniture, household items) • Siivouspäivä – Cleaning Day, popular recyling event • https://www.kierratys.info/ • https://www.infopankki.fi/en/living-in-finland/housing/waste- management-and-recycling Nature • Finns respect and appreciate their nature (sommer cottage culture) • Every man’s right: • Right to roam freely in natural areas like forests, fells, lakes and rivers, without permission from landowners. • Right to pick wild berries and mushrooms (only if you know which are eatable for sure!) • You can go canoeing and camping (no campfires though!), but not too close to someone’s house. In many areas, fishing requires a permit. • Don’t leave litter, and leave the place the way you found it. What do Finns eat? Finland food culture has it’s roots in the fact that Finland was a poor country for a long time, but new fusion cuisine is emerging especially in larger cities. Typicial Finnish food: .Many types of milk and ryebread .Sour milk products: Piimä (sour milk), quark, sour cream/smetana .Fish (e.g. cured & smoked salmon, pickled herring) .Peasoup and oven pancake on Thursdays .Seasonal food: mushrooms, fruit, vegetables, berries (Finland has the best strawberries in the summer!) .The Finnish candy selection is extraordinary .Salmiakki, Fazer Chocolate, Runeberg Chocolate .https://www.visitfinland.com/article/iconic-finnish-foods-of-all-time/ National Parks • There is many beautiful national parks in Finland • Close by is Nuuksio National Park in Espoo, accessable by public transport from Helsinki. Helsinki For the last decade Helsinki has ranked in high among the most liveable cities in the world. In 2021 the city was ranked 3rd worldwide. Welcome to Hanken, Helsinki and Finland! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYTAKFnaszg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46pM5V00mv4&t=44s Thank you! Hanken .