Introduction & Preparations

This July I will be studying Finnish language and culture in Savonlinna, Finland. I am one of the lucky 36 applicants chosen to take the summer course in Savonlinna, through the Center for International Mobility (CIMO).

During my second term of Finnish as a second language at Portland State University, professor Marjo Northup suggested that I apply to this program. I'd never heard of it before, and I sent in my application at the last minute. I basically applied on a whim, and didn't think it was likely that I'd be accepted to the program. 

I'm not totally sure what the selection process entails, and whether or not actual skill levels are important. Marjo always said that my grasp of Finnish was impressive for a person without any Finnish heritage. I think my vocabulary is lacking in a major way, but so far I don't find the language to be particularly difficult. I just have a knack for languages. I read in a forum somewhere in the dark, deep regions of cyberspace that CIMO tends to select people for this program if they have some kind of invested interest in learning Finnish. Meaning, they don't accept people who are coming for tourism. In my application, I explained that I haven't been to Finland yet, but I've been planning and applying (and applying) to master's programs in Finland and would have an easier time integrating if I had more familiarity with Finnish. So I'm guessing that my acceptance had more to do with my goal to live in Finland than my language skill level.

Even if skill level isn't particularly important, I'm still having some anxiety. I have little experience speaking Finnish, and as indicated earlier, meager vocabulary, and the entire course will be taught in Finnish. Six hours a day, five days a week, for sixteen days I will be receiving instruction solely in Finnish! On the weekends I'll probably resort to using English on occasion, but I'd rather not. The point of this course (for me) is to NOT be an American douchebag, all puffed-up on my English-speaking privilege.

There are only a few days left until I leave, so I'm studying. I just bought some index cards so I can study vocabulary. I must confess that I've rarely studied in all my years of school. I never properly learned how to study, because I was just too lazy to put the effort into studying seriously. But now I feel desperate to learn so I can communicate without embarrassment!! Humiliation is a great motivator.

I am also packing here and there.

I decided that I want to pack light for this trip, so I'm going to attempt to fit everything I need into a backpack. I have a large backpack from Brooklyn Industries which should work nicely. 

I also bought "the ultimate packing solution set" by Eagle Creek. Comes with a packing folder (holds up to 7 garmets), a cube (holds a whole bunch of underpants and stuff), and a small pouch for cosmetics. The building I am staying in has free laundry facilities! YAY!! This means I can get away with light packing.

I figure this blog needs photos, so I took a photo of my cosmetics bag (in progress).

Toothpaste, contact lens solution, shampoo and conditioner, hello kitty facial tissues, Dr. Bronner's bar soap, 2 bottles of Dr. Bronner's liquid soap (2 oz), and a micro fiber travel towel.

The towel will not fit over my entire body, and so I'm sure I'd be laughed out of the sauna if I brought it out in public. I'm sure that any sauna I'd pay to visit would provide towels, though. 

I have the two bottles of Bronner's for laundry. I typically use this soap for my laundry and even though 1/4 cup is recommended for laundry, I find that the soap goes far and can wash a typical load with about an ounce. Part of the reason I bought the soap now (instead of waiting until I get to Finland) is because it has tea tree essential oil in it, which supposedly helps ward off mosquitos and other insects. Suomi = swamp land, people. I need all the protection I can get.

Blah blah blah... Anyway, I'm all about convenience when traveling. Basically, I'm trying to pack in such a way that I can just do carry-on luggage. Maybe when I'm in Finland I can buy an extra bag to put whatever souvenirs (OK, probably mostly booze) into for the flight back.