Not much has happened since I went into self-isolation (no surprise there!). But my attitude towards it has changed. I began with a dump truck worth of emotional baggage: regret for the experience abroad I never got to finish, fear…
Homecoming: On Realizing My Social Role in the Era of Social Distancing
I write this post from self-isolation in my basement. One week ago, if you predicted this, I would have laughed. Just last Thursday, I traveled to another city in Finland for a concert attended by several hundred people. I visited…
What’s it Like to Study in Finland? Three Interviews
From courses in clowning and tango, to the use of a pass/fail credit system as opposed to grades, my experience at Sibelius has definitely been different than at U of T! In case you are looking for a more in-depth…
To the Arctic Circle and Beyond: How to Travel as a Student
It’s reading week, or, as it’s called in Finland: ski holiday! I opted for the Finnish interpretation this year, swapping the library for a trip to Lapland. Twelve hours of travelling later, I’m blogging on a cow farm 6,224 km from Toronto,…
My Finnish Pastry Adventures
One of the things I enjoy most about travelling is trying new foods, and Finland is no exception. This month, I've especially been enjoying Finnish pastries, from savoury to sweet, seasonal to year-round. Here are a few of my favourites…
Making Spirits Bright: Surviving the Dark Winter in Finland
"Kaamos" is the Finnish word for "polar nights:" some places don't see sun for three months. Helsinki, where I am, is southerly enough to get some light--almost seven hours per day now! Still, it's not as luxurious as the nine…