Probably The year That changed The path of my Life
2011: Erasmus year in Finland
Growing up in the South of France (Montpelier) was sweet, “convivial”, warm and comfy. At some point it got way too comfortable and stable, there and then I knew I wasn’t learning that much out of life nor being challenged enough. So when in 2010 during my second year of university we were offered to go abroad through the Erasmus program, I perceived it as a sign of destiny. I took the chance and in June 2011 I had my suitcases ready for a study year abroad, leaving my family and friends behind. That was emotionally hard and scary.
Among the choices of countries we were offered, there were countries from Columbia, USA to Italy, Poland, Spain… And in the list somewhere there was this country I could barely locate on the map: Finland. At that time I had to search on google to see how it looked like and where it was. At the glance of my findings about Finland, I decided to go for that mysterious country. The choice also went for that one because not so many of my classmates were choosing it. It seemed not to be so attractive to most. So I got even more curious.. I remember some classmates telling me, chocked by my choice: “why would a Black person want to go in a country such as Finland”? “Ain’t you afraid of racism and all the other stuff that goes with that”?, “You know it is insanely cold up there”!. All of that sounded like small voices in the background, could not stop me if not encourage me even more to take on the challenge.
So here I go. It had mixed feelings then: extremely excited but also scared. I had no idea into what I was putting myself into. It was the first bold move I took in my “adult” life. I was going on my 21 years old then.
That year was subliminal and unbelievable. It got extremely cold (-30 being the lowest I experienced). Some days while walking to the university (about 5 min walk), I would have my nose turning pinkish (even though I am Black Black) and my eyebrows would be frozen. I was in awe.
The cold wasn’t that bad, the hardest was the darkness in the months from October/November to February.
Apart from that obvious one, I met and interacted with people from all over the world: my mind was totally blown. I got familiar with several cultures with each one having their own way of thinking and approaching everyday life. Yet, almost the same dreams, hopes and life aspirations.
I lived in a shared house with a South Korean, a Dutch, and later on a German and an Italian girl. It was interesting to discover how each of us behaved and approached each day: from the food we were making to the time of the day we would eat our dinners.
During that year at some point we had to go to the university as well: Turku University Of Applied Sciences. There too I got surprised by the educational system. From a structured and rigid french system to a very liberal and autonomous way of studying filled up with mostly group work and group exams. At the beginning I could not believe how that way could be effective, yet it was/is. I got to learn some Finnish during 6 months and all that is left is the ability to say hi, merry Christmas and count to 3. I found the language quite disctinct compared to all the other languages I was familiar with.
As university hours were flexible, it opened up possibilities for travelling around the country and neighbors countries: from Helsinki, Stockholm, Turku, Levi to Laponia. In Laponia I got the chance to experience the first magical experience in my whole life (after trying cross country skiing): observing the Northern lights, aurores boréales. That event is still lively in my mind. It was beautiful and impressing. There and then you realize that you are so little and “meaningless” compared to the immensity of the universe: I found it to be humbling.
Finland is well know of its unique nature scenario, the forests there seem to be so dense and wild. I believe you even breathe a purer air there as well as in the rest of the Nordics. Not so long from the capital you can already enjoy immense greenness. I remember when my tutor came to pick me up from the airport, I could not believe I had landed in a capital since the forests weren’t that far away. The nature astonished me from the first day.
From that year, which is among the best years of my life, I developed an interest for Scandinavian countries and even though in 2012 I went back to France to finish my studies, my heart was still in the Nordics. The years that followed, I was open and out to find an opportunity to go back there and discover more of the Nordic countries I had not had the chance to explore.
One more time God listened to my prayers/work, and in 2014 I found a 6 months internship in Oslo, Norway. I remember when I got to know that I had been selected to work at the export department of the French embassy in Oslo, I just could not believe my ears and what I was hearing. It was above a dream come true. I literally jumped and danced in the middle of the street while on the phone. And once home that dark day of December 2013 I was filled with light, sun and joy. I had one month to plan my trip and pack my suitcase again for a new adventure in Norway starting in January 2014.
It is during that internship that I met my now husband. I often say that I came to Norway for work and stayed for love. I had not thought so much of staying longer than the planned 6 months unless I really get across an amazing job opportunity or find love. So I found love and the amazing job came later on.
6 years later, still in the North Pole, freezing 6 months a year and wondering for how long this adventure will keep going… hopefully in time before my heart get fully frozen :)
So in summary, how did that year of 2011 impact the course of my life?
It is during that year in Finland that my interest and love for the Nordics countries started.
From that came the fact that I later on applied for an internship in Oslo in 2014 and ended up meeting the one who is now my husband and father of my son. Had I not traveled to Finland that sunny day of June 2011 maybe I wouldn’t be where I am today… To be continued
Until next time, remember “we are spiritual beings having a human experience”, take good care of your soul and be well.
One love
For all inquiries, you can reach out to me via email [email protected]
Source of inspiration: Personal experience
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