Land of Ice & Berries
Some reflections on Finland: People put the lid down on the toilet in public restrooms. (Not just the seat; the lid!) There are a lot of statues of women (fully clothed). When the Finns win the World Ice Hockey Championship, it’s not a small deal. And finally, the schools are not perfect—which makes them more interesting than I’d thought.
I interviewed principals, teachers, students and researchers in five cities. I had some beers with American teachers who have spent the past four months obsessing over what the Finns are doing that we are not. I ate frozen cranberries covered in hot caramel sauce. I flashed across the fir-lined countryside in a train full of quiet Finns.
My favorite part of the trip was visiting with Kim, the American girl who chose to spend this school year in Pietarsaari, Finland, leaving Sallisaw, Oklahoma, far behind. Now I have a notebook full of treasures ready to be sorted and shined for the book. Many, many thanks to Kim, her host families, AFS and her school for so graciously putting up with me.
Stephen Kahn said on May 28, 2011 at 8:04 pm
This is interesting. My daughter has a good friend in Finland (they went to college together in Canada for a while and my daughter has visited her friend in Finland on a couple of occasions. I look forward to reading what else you have to say about Finland.
Android Developer said on July 13, 2011 at 10:52 am
I remember Finland as one of the most civilized and low criminality countries ever. I forgot my laptop bag in a public bus station and found it after about 10 minutes in the same place where I left it.
sehitak said on October 04, 2011 at 8:03 am
i think Finland from the most beautiful countries.
nice post , thank you.