Typical Finn

In spring 2009 I spent six months studying abroad in South Africa. First two weeks in a totally different culture was shocking - people were just too slow and social for a jogging Finn. For example we had 10 minutes between lectures and in that time some of us had to walk or run over one kilometer to another lecture hall. Of course I ran sweat dropping down my face and for me it looked like everyone else was just having a sunday walk. No hurry, just smiling and enjoying time with friends.

"Are you crazyyy, hurry up or you'll be late!", I screamed to my friends.
"Relax Jenni, no worries. We'll get there".

Uhm, what did you say? Finns are described as introvert and quiet people who work and party hard but don't spend too much time talking. Normally we do not speak with strangers and for some we may seem rude. And even when we talk, our speech sounds slow and perhaps also monotonous. Underneath this hard front Finns are perhaps best possible friends: caring and loyal. So take small hammers with you and hit every rude Finn you meet and you'll get a friend - or not.

But what about the looks? What does a typical Finn look like? One way to find out is to check two quite similar but at the same time totally different blogs. First one, Hel Looks is a lifestyle blog which introduces Finnish fashion (?) via trendy people found from the streets of Helsinki and other cities. Here's two examples:

"I like to wear clothes from the 20s and the 30s. At that time clothes were made to fit the body naturally. I found my style a couple of years ago, when I was looking for a new pair of trousers.” -Lassi, 20 (Source: Hel-Looks.com)

"Colours and fairytales inspire my style. I can't wear black, but any other colours I can mix freely. Yellow is my favourite colour, as you can see. Pippi Longstocking is my style icon.” -Heidi, 25(Source: Hel.Looks.com)

However few months ago Hel Looks got a competitor from Landelooks - a blog that shows pictures of people from countryside and as I'd like to see it - of more normal people. In a way Landelooks (=country looks) is a parody of street fashion focused Hel Looks but also a blog that shows the life and look of ordinary people in Finland.

"My outfit is inspired by work. My empoyler has chosen these clothes for me and strengthnesses of this outfit are durability and casualness". -Ismo, road. (Source: Landelooks.wordpress.com)

"I bought this jacket 15 years ago from sale because of hard wind. Mittens are from Tallinn, Estonia..I only dress for myself!" -Granny Marra, road. (Source: Landelooks.wordpress.com)

Pretty good looking people, aren't we? For the end I have to link also one video for you. It's a part of one Finnish movie Miesten vuoro (Men's turn) where Finnish men sit in sauna and simply talk about life. In this clip a man has just got out from sauna and his friend - a bear named Juuso - comes for a visit.

(Source: http://thumbnails.truveo.com/0018/50/1E/501E67A79A2C33917B1530_Large.jpg)

What do you think about us? What is your perception of Finns?

Greetings from OC member who stays in Indonesia

Hello at the first time from the 3rd Mikko of the OC,

Once upon a time there was a meeting called IFSS in Bulgaria (I need to mention that the year was 2008). Two guys from Finland sitting in the “sauna” bus and looked outside window for the nice view of Bulgarian fields and forests. The other guy started a long, “Finnish way” discussion:

1^st guy: Mikko?

15 seconds silence

2^nd guy: Yes Tero?

Again 15 seconds silence

1^st guy: We should have IFSS in Finland

Again 15 seconds silence

2^nd Guy: ....(He does not say anything but nod his head as a mark of agree)

..

..

...

(Discussion is over...

.....did you expect to have a longer discussion?? Not in Finland :P)

After this long and really fruitful discussion they both know exactly what it will be.

That was the beginning of idea of having IFSS 2011 in Finland. After that disucussion several similar, long and nice discussions (in Finnish way) have been made. The team of OC has become bigger and bigger. At the same time when the old generation falls to the work life, there has been always a new generation who took the responsibility. There have been many sweaty moments after Bulgarian “sauna” bus. The first one was in Indonesia 2009 where our team manage to beat Germany in tight competition to get IFSS in Finland. Second sweaty moment was in Korea 2010 where we presented our first plan and answered for the questions regarding organizing of IFSS 2011 here in Finland.

There is only one left. It might be not so sweaty because we are in Finland, land of lakes and cool climate, but still the biggest challenge for us. During this 3 years project we are finally getting at the end and the OC will be happy to see you in our lovely home country. I can’t wait for that moment. Can you?

Why IFSS is so wonderful. Not only the nice road trip around the hosting country but exciting Gas. Do you feel you have potential to be the next leader of GA in Turkey and be a part of IFSA Official team? I would be happy to talk with you in IFSS and encourage you to be IFSA Official. I can say it will be a lot of work but it gives more back. It is not only one mark in your CV, you also learn new ways to communicate, manage things and lead different people. We IFSA 7, Officials and all the consulting members are happy to answer all of your questions about being IFSA Official. Don’t be shy but remember to take this challenge serious. I have spent three really hectic years but this time has been the best of my life. So please, REMEMBER TO READ all the information that can be found from IFSS 2011 website, IFSA website and if you don’t find what you are seeking for, don’t hesitate to contact ifsa7@googlegroups.com

At the end a short and really useful sentence of Finnish:

(Warning: Use this sentence only in case of emergency, such as if someone hit you in the bar and you have full glass of beer on your hand)

ÄÄLIÖ ÄLÄ LYÖ ÖÖLIÄ LÄIKKYY = Jerk don’t hit me, my beer spilling

Warm regards,

Mikko Nivala, IFSA Veteran, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

IFSA Treasurer 2010-2011, former EFI Liaison Officer and Council

IFSA Consulting member and IFSS 2011 Organising team member

PS. Sorry for spelling and grammatical mistakes if there are any :)

So hot - sauna

The ones who have already checked symposium outline might also have noticed that during two weeks in Finland IFSS participants will get introduced to Finnish sauna culture. Although word sauna appears only once in the outline I promise that you will see and feel sauna more than ever before in your life (Swedish and Danish participants excluded).

See that brown little building between the trees? Yep, that's sauna. (c) J-P Rantonen

Wikipedia article on sauna says that there are over 2 million saunas in Finland - an average of one per household. Wise and nerdy Wikipedia continues by telling that “taking a sauna begins by washing oneself up and then going to sit in the hot room, typically warmed to 80-110 degrees Celsius (170-230 degrees Fahrenheit), for some time. Water is thrown on the hot stones topping the kiuas, a special stove used to warm up the sauna. This produces steam, known as löyly, which increases the moisture and heat within the sauna”.

"I can feel it steaming in the air toniiight" (c) J-P Rantonen.

“Occasionally one uses leafy, fragrant boughs of silver birch called vihta in West Finland and vasta in East Finland to gently beat oneself. This has a relaxing effect on the muscles and also helps in calming the effects of mosquito bites. When the heat begins to feel uncomfortable it is customary to jump into a lake, sea, or a swimming pool, or to have a shower".

Even pineapples like to relax in sauna! You can also see vasta/vihta on the right. (c) Juho-Matti Rossi

"In the winter rolling in the snow or even swimming in a hole cut in the ice, an avanto, is sometimes used as a substitute. Then one usually sits down in the dressing room or the porch of the sauna to enjoy a sausage, along with beer or soft drinks. After cooling one goes back to the hot room and begins the cycle again. The number and duration of cycles varies from person to person according to personal preference... Thorough washing will end the session of sauna”.

Now some of you must be wondering what the he** and might not be surprised if I continue that it’s more than common to bath naked – mmmm comfy!

Sauna - rolling in the snow - sauna - rolling in the snow - fresh! But what's with the hat? (c) J-P Rantonen

-Jenni

Bingo!

The ones who have taken part in previous symposiums already know what International evening, Tombola and Auction a) mean and b) how you are expected to prepare for these events. The ones who are not familiar with these fun fun fun things, here's some in in info yo!

International Evening

- During symposium the OC will organize an international evening where participants from different continents and countries can be proud of their home country by introducing national food dishes, etc.
- Preparation:
1) bring something to eat/drink/look at for the event - the more and the more weird, the better!
2) be ready to perform a song/dance/game/whatever to others (see picture below)

Here's a few pictures from International evening at IFSS2010Korea!

1. Team Finland with brochures, dried rye bread, chocolate, some weird reindeer meat thing and of course...spirits. Mikko Nivala is also wearing green overalls - typical party outfit of trendy forestry students in the University of Eastern Finland... (c) J-P Rantonen

2. Apparently there a some kind of game going on...Oh yes, Finland's performance/introduction to Finnish games! (c) J-P Rantonen

3. Three beautiful ladies in national(ish) costumes. (c) J-P Rantonen

4. National flags telling others whos who! (c) J-P Rantonen

Tombola

- Also known as "bingo" or "lotto"
- An IFSA fundraising event where by buying lottery tickets you support IFSA!
- Preparation: bring something to be raffled (eg. books, souvenirs, sweets...)

Auction

- IFSA fundraising part II!
- Preparation: bring a) something to be auctioned, b) money to buy stuff!

What would LC presentations be without...

...abstracts!

Here's quite straight copy/paste-text from Veera concerning lc presentation abstracts:

1.After you have done your presentation according to the instructions it's time to make an abstract of the presentation.

2. Length of an abstract should be max. 150 words written in Times New Roman font.

3. The deadline for the abstract is 30^th of June, send it to the following address:

tiina.syvala@ifss2011finland.com

***************************************************

Abstract is a short summary of your completed research/topic. If done well, it makes the reader want to learn more about the issue.

·Basic components of an abstract:

1. Motivation/problem statement: Why do we care about the problem? Importance of the issue.

2. Methods/procedure/approach: what was done, how was the issue studied/approached?

3. Results/findings/product: ??

4. Conclusion/implications: What are the larger implications of your findings?

It's time for....LC PRESENTATIOOOONS!

Hello there!

First of all, sorry for being such a wimp and avoiding my duties such as updating you with more than necessary info about IFSS2011. I'm trying to make this up for you one text at a time and is there a better way to start than giving you a brief info about LC presentations!

As every year, also this time each LC is expected to prepare a presentation on a chosen subject. This years subjects and instructions can be seen here. You all have already chosen one of these subjects during registration process. Unless you haven’t, please do so immediately and read this writing before coming to Finland.

I’m sure none of you have even thought about this thing yet so I and Veera (beautiful model in the pictures below) made you an example on HOW TO MAKE A PRESENTATION. Please follow these instructions and you’ll be safe from evil Finns that will stare you with an evil eye unless you haven’t done this on time. Grrrr.

Ok ok, just kidding. But here are some instructions:

Step 1. Decide a subject. That was easy. Here's what Veera chose:

Step 2. Prepare a short (2-4 pages) presentation concerning the matter. You can do it with a computer in your home country and just bring the file to Finland or send it via email to us well beforehand. Actually there is a deadline for sending the presentations and it’s already the end of June!

Step 3. Finish your presentation - in Finland! After your arrival in Finland, we’ll give you ALL necessary materials to build up your presentation. For example, here Veera is attaching printed text and pictures to her presentation - make sure that also you have both text and pictures!

Step 4. Finally the presentation is ready and you can start mentally prepare yourself for possible questions from other students!

OC will prepare exhibitions based on the material you've produced. During the exhibition participants have 1,5-2 hours time to see/look at the presentations. Minimum of one person from each LC is expected to present their work and answer to possible questions made by other students.

There are three exhibitions in total; one in the Southern, one in the Eastern and one in the Northern part of Finland. For example if your LC made a presentation on wood harvesting operations, prepare to present your work in Eastern Finland.

...and that was it, easy! In case of presentation emergency, please do not hesitate to contact us: info(at)ifss2011finland.com !

This country is crazy about ice hockey...

Do you know what's the most popular topic of discussion among Finnish people every year in May?

- Of course world championship tournament of ice hockey!

Tonight will be either big success or big disappointment for approximately 3 million Finns, who will be watching the final match between loving neighbors: Finland and Sweden. (Population of Finland is 5,4 million.) We love and hate Sweden at the same time. By the way we have common history with Swedes, because Finland was a part of Sweden until 1809.

I start to follow the big match! I start to be nervous! I hope that Finland will tonight win the second world championship of ice hockey! Anyway I have to deal this video for you:

PS. Martin, Sweden will lose!!!

------

One day after the big final:

Finland totally bet Sweden! 6-1! Unbelievable! I'm following the parties from TV. There are approximately 80,000 people celebrating in Helsinki. Oh, president of Finland (also patron of IFSS 2011) is there too! :-)