A Home in Myself. My Study Trip to Finland

During my undergraduate studies at the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences (FCPyS), I completed the seventh-semester equivalent of the International Relations degree at Åbo Akademi University (ÅAU) located in Turku, Finland. It was during the second half of 2022 and in a problematic international context due to the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

ÅAU is an institution committed to educating students worldwide, guiding them through the Finnish way of life, culture, politics, economy, and worldview. There, I had the opportunity to appreciate different points of view around phenomena such as development, colonialism, and the importance of international relations today. I consider it something fundamental for a Social Sciences student. It was interesting to compare the knowledge and skills obtained at FCPyS with my classmates from very different countries, careers, and ideologies. Moreover, it was gratifying to observe how the contexts we grew up in shape our worldview in many ways. Different origins do not mean we cannot empathize with other standpoints.

I enrolled in four courses that improved my understanding of European politics and law and deepened my comprehension of the functioning of the European Union as an essential body for today’s international dynamics. I want to emphasize how significant the courses on “International Protection of Human Rights” and “The Law of War and Armed Conflict” were for my academic and personal growth regarding my interest in safeguarding displaced populations and their involvement in armed conflicts. I found the topics covered in both subjects essential to understanding the current global context.

Finland is a country interested in avoiding armed conflict and promotes international dialogue to resolve disputes. Given its geographical proximity to Russia and, to a lesser extent, to Ukraine, Finland could even become involved in the conflict, and its border population could be affected, a situation that made me live the problem in a way I did not expect.

The courses allowed me to learn about the human rights violations that have taken place since the beginning of the aggressions, as well as how essential it is to denounce injustices and to appeal for respect for the rights of those affected. The input from my classmates on how they have experienced the conflict allowed me to broaden and strengthen my perspective, something that wouldn’t have happened without studying the situation closely.

Despite the proximity to the conflict territories, I never felt unsafe. I did not feel exposed at any time, but the circumstances did allow me to meet people who had experienced these events up close or whose families are still in danger. Such was the situation with my roommate Yana during my stay in Finland. She is Ukrainian, and her family and friends are still there, threatened by the constant Russian aggression. I could clearly observe with her the uncertainty in which the Ukrainian population lives in the face of the continuous attacks that have occurred since February 2022.

Yana and other Ukrainians lived in fear and uncertainty daily, worrying about their families’ safety. This made my interest in the protection of populations during armed conflicts grow. It is evident that global mechanisms designed to protect the lives of innocent civilians during war attacks have proven insufficient. Having witnessed this conflict so closely, I have been inspired to do my part in improving these conditions to the best of my abilities.

Thus, mobility allowed me to leave my comfort zone and face challenges I never imagined. Being away from my family, my close friends, my country, its people, and my culture made me appreciate the teachings and support they have given me, adding to the warmth with which I commonly live.

Facing specific challenges alone for the first time was difficult, but the experience gave me a sense of independence and capability. These are the things I am most grateful for. I learned to coexist in languages other than my own, to celebrate small personal victories (such as learning to cook and to keep my apartment clean and tidy), to respect my space, and to take care of my friends.

Living with my friends the way I did, so close and forming a home abroad, helped me always to value the people around me, to listen to them, to care for them, to hug them, and to enjoy our time together. Finland has a rough climate and conditions that can be challenging, so forming friendships to help you cope is vital. I am glad to say that I could find them.

I also experienced what it is like to share with my roommate. From her, I learned to value the fact that I could daily communicate with my family, even though there was a vast distance between us. She also taught me that we should not take the people around us and our lives for granted. My Ukrainian mate was looking to enjoy her mobility and find a sense of normalcy despite the daily uncertainty and the pain of knowing what is still happening in her country.

Yana taught me to find joy and tranquility in the small things. She cooked typical dishes to remember her relatives and listened to music in her language so as not to miss speaking it. From her, I learned not to be afraid to seek support from others. Thanks to her and her way of living the moments to the fullest, despite adversity, I realized how important it is to show love to the people around us and appreciate their presence.

Adapting to the coldest weather I had ever experienced and to the darkness with which winter days are experienced in this Nordic country allowed me to realize that I can live in different conditions than I am used to and find a home in myself no matter where I am. My experience in Turku undoubtedly translates into personal growth, and I am thrilled to know that I could overcome many fears alone and, at the same time, I met people who complimented my path.

One of the experiences that most marked my mobility was to travel to Lapland, a region where people face entirely different conditions than most of us are used to. It borders the Arctic Ocean in northern Finland, Norway, Russia, and Sweden. I made the trip with my friends at the end of November 2022 as part of an experience designed for exchange students. In addition to transforming how we lived together, it allowed us to live and experience days when the sunlight shone for only three hours a day.

After witnessing the various lifestyles of people who must endure subzero temperatures and darkness before 11 in the morning, we have come to appreciate the significance of finding a supportive community. In Lapland, I could swim in the Arctic Ocean at zero degrees after visiting a small Norwegian village and entering a typical sauna. It was an exciting experience.

I also had the opportunity to make one of my biggest childhood dreams come true: to see the northern lights. The experience made me realize that, without planning it, life can give us incredible gifts. It was a feeling that I will always keep with me because I witnessed one of the most amazing natural phenomena. All of this made me feel grateful after the effort to gain access to this mobility.

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