Welcome to My International Year Abroad blog

As expected as it may sound, time flew by faster than an eagle… and the amount of events cramped up in such a small period of time is terrific!

However scary and significant a change like that may sound to students, I suggest everyone gets to experience something like that at least once. Perspectives are definitely altered, lessons are learned and regrets non-existent, as long as you put yourself out there, forget the little comfort zone and just interact, ask questions, debate points of view and experiment with everything you find out of the ordinary. A new environment could change you in ways you have never considered before.

In my experience, I could say that one semester in Rovaniemi taught me freedom and how to take advantage of it, it was a very light preview into adulthood, and this freedom is good, I had the chance to make mistakes but somehow still have the protection and guidance of my friends, teachers and parents. It taught me that uncomfortable emotions are a good sign, and if it feels awkward, it’s your chance to develop the skill of making the situation feel right. Know that everyone is in the same position as you, hence there are rarely any acts of patronizing.

Everyone is different, coming from various backgrounds and bringing something unique to the table is ideal. The quirkier you are, the more interesting you become, so just be yourself, trying to blend in and act like everyone is not going to save you in any way!

There are certainly moments of loneliness if you’ve never left your parents’ house before, it happens to everyone, and homesickness is very common to feel at certain points, but it’s still part of the beauty of it all. For me personally, missing home would have never even crossed my mind, but then, the painful wave crashed on me and it was inescapable… however I’m glad it came, it made me appreciate home better. Also, it made me realise that I can always go home, but being here is temporary, so I should make the most of it, and that’s what I would encourage anyone to do.

Artistically speaking, I am grateful for all the different courses I took that I would probably never have the chance to take again. Weaving, photography, visual journaling, even little wood workshops, such unique subjects for me. Observing and reading about Finnish/Nordic design felt special. I loved noticing the functionality and simplicity in most products around me but also the weirdness of others.

The university library definitely had its hook on me. The way the armchairs were designed for ultimate privacy and placed in front of large windows across snowy landscapes is what kept me from going back to the apartment. A very pleasant sense of peace and cosiness is cultivated in the North which I absolutely love.

Similar to what I learned in Coventry in my first year about experimenting, having fun and going with the natural flow regarding materials and ways of expression, I got the chance to do that again at Fest Solekko, in the Weaving workshop and Adaptation Charting. Likewise, similar to what I was taught in my second year at Coventry about simplicity, grid systems and the function in design, I got to apply that in Photography studies, Exhibition Design and Wayfinding and Signage. Past knowledge was applied while new lessons were learned, and intertwined I got to develop a new way of seeing design.

Bottom line, I got very lucky to have this opportunity. People I met and things I learned here will stick with me forever!