Where are you from? (Hometown)
Saint Louis, Missouri
Major/Minor
I am a major in Religious Studies and I have a minor in Digital Media & Journalism
What has been the most meaningful idea you’ve discovered or learned so far in preparation for your study abroad to Finland?
I would say that the most meaningful idea that I’ve discovered so far in preparation for my study abroad to Finland is learning about the cultural values of the Finnish society and how they shape the everyday lives of the Finns, as well as their education system and sustainability practices. The Finns emphasize the importance of peace, equality, inclusion, innovation, creativity, happiness, trust, and well-being. The values are essential, yet they influence how decisions are made and how people interact with each other on a regular basis. I think these values are also influential in a way that allows me to think about how I can actively implement these in my life currently and how I also interact with my loved ones, mentors, peers, and those in my abroad group.
For me, the Finland Study Abroad is an opportunity to…
For me, the Finland Study Abroad is an opportunity to grow spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally and to get out of my comfort zone. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity to travel to another culture that is different from my own and to experience the beauty, nature, simplicity, and humanity that is a huge part of the Finnish culture. I think this experience also allows me to be more open-minded as an individual and more intentional with how I perceive the world around me.
What do you want to be better at?
I think I want to be better at expressing gratitude for the little things in life. This is something that I am always actively working on, but sometimes it can become challenging to fully feel grateful for what I have when challenges arise or when there are a lot of things going on in our busy lives. Something that I also appreciate about the Finns is how they value the concept of gratitude and having a simple life. I feel like traveling to Finland and adjusting to everything, including enduring the challenges that I will face, will help me to be more mindful overall about how I approach gratitude for the little things in life and stay consistent with a positive mindset throughout the experience.
How does learning about Finnish education, sustainability, and culture shape the way you view, and want to engage with, the world?
I think for me, it’s all about building connections with those who are different from me. I really value interpersonal relationships and finding common ground with those who may have different mindsets or values than me. It can be life-changing when we take a step back and recognize that it isn’t always about us or the little bubble that we grew up in. There is so much more out there in the world and so many opportunities to continue growing and learning as people. Being able to empathize, understand, and express love is super important when immersing yourself in any culture, regardless of where you travel. I also think it is essential to be able to appreciate our natural world and resources just as the Finns do. We have so much natural beauty to preserve and cherish no matter where we are in the world too.