Helsinki-Week 3

I would like to take this time to thank the BVO, especially Emily Stern, Patrik Gayer, Nicole Rybeck and all others involved in making this semester possible.  Your time and effort doesn't go unnoticed.  It means the world to me to be able to have this amazing opportunity and experience a whole new world (anyone love Aladdin?).  I thank my lucky stars everyday and I hope to make you guys proud.  Thanks again! I am so very grateful!

Also Nicole, Sydney and I managed to make it Bakers for lunch...  I am ready for my next mission! :D

As for week three... I think the coolest thing was at school we had something called "Winterday".  Well thats the english word for it at least.  It is were all the guilds, or I guess you'd call them clubs for your specific major, compete against each other in small teams.  We however, strived to be a tad different and formed a group of inter-guild and inter-national students :)  And we had a BALL!  We played dice soccer, we hammered a nail into a rock, we danced, we sang, and after all the exhausting winter fun?  We sauna-ed.  Yes it is a verb.  And after that?  We danced more!

The rest of the week has been filled with catching up on classes, emails, updates, and more.  Busy busy busy work.

This weekend Sydney and I met with Mats and Jasper for a little pool competition.  There will be a rematch soon...  And then went to a University of Helsinki student bar and met with Patrik for the first time since we have been in Helsinki!  To say the least it was a fantastic weekend :)

Here are a few pictures from the week... enjoy!

a little more site seeing with my new friend Mats :)

Rock church

and yes...they do play soccer in this weather...and outside!

I would like to introduce you to my school!

And my new home for the time being :)

And this is where I'll we spending some of the weekend :(

Officially got my card!  YAY!

My room before...

and after!  Not much better, but you can say hi to my mom on skype (the little face on the computer)!

By the way the "jumper" as they call it on the right it my official uniform for my guild.  Badass hu?

Hope all is well in everyones life.  Till next time!

Jacqui

Helsinki-Week 2

This week I accomplished...

Seeing Sydney's place!

Meeting up with Vikings and going to a law "get together"

Made a friend :)

And met more exchange students!

I also almost figured out all my classes... its so tricky determining exactly what I have accomplished as prerequisites coming from a different University as well as the school is more geared towards master programs or higher... so we will see how the semester goes.  Wish me luck!

as always,

Jacqui

Helsinki-Week 1

I made it!  I survived my first week in Finland!  And no surprise... its snowing today :)  The weather still matches close to Madison, Wisconsin.  But I love it here.  The people are nice, there is always an adventure, and best of all, saunas.  

My first week mainly consisted of moving into my dorm room.  Which is the biggest and most awesome place I have lived!  (I still miss you, Jenni and Val!)  But I have a huge room to myself and a bathroom with a shower and windows and fridge and AHHHHH just so cool!

Then came school... Orientation wasn't that bad.  The school staff sang to us, which was unexpectedly very warming.  And I got to meet people all around the world going through the same kind of experiences.  I then joined a guild (kind of like a club) for civil engineers.  We wear what they call "jumpers" but are more like janitors outfits with cool colors.  I am excited to participate in their wonderful events.  Mainly involving salmiakki I believe it is spell?

What better way to be welcomed to the country then an amazing get away in a cabin in Finland?  Thank you Matias!

Saunas about 5 times a day

Learning how to ice skate

ATVing

Meeting little friends

Searching for forest rabbits

And just having the time of our lives with good company :)

I can't wait to go back!

The rest of week involved getting acquainted with the city Espoo and Helsinki with my dear friend :)  I am so lucky to be traveling with such an amazing lady!

Next came my first real day of school.  And yes Mom I took a picture just for you :)

getting ready...

and off we go!

I will write more later!  I am trying to now update it every week :)  So keep posted on my new posts ;)

Miss you guys,

Jacqui

Helsinki-7/1/2013

Ready or not Finland here I CAME!

I made it to Finland at approximately 11:20 pm or should I say 23:20.  Peter Hänninen was gracious enough to not only pick me up, but let me crash at his apartment.  It was sad saying goodbye to London, but I believe it was successful and now I have a small panda bear to remind of it everytime I sleep ;)

This is UniSport... our gym :) (Four floors just one on them)

 The civil guild room! And all my new internationals friends and my fantastic tutors ;)

I had lunch at what seemed to be a school cafeteria.  It was delicious food and tofu too!

Today I will hopefully be moving into my new place.  The Address is Teekkari village, Jämeräntaival 1 B 410, 02150 Espoo.  I am excited to finally fully move in somewhere!  I have officially stayed in a hostel, a flat, an apartment and now finally a dorm all within a week!

Best,
Jacqui

London-6/1/2013

Ryans favorite word is "outstanding."  If you ever meet him, he generally says it within minutes either commenting on how you look (in my case) or the weather or just that for the hell of it.  And I truly believe if I had to sum up my time in London I would only need that one word, outstanding.  Its been such a pleasure reconnecting with my old friend Robert and then meeting up with Ryan.  Truly has been outstanding.

Today was a recovery day.  Ryan and I took the morning easy.  I packed again and organized my life.  And then we headed out to Shortditch.  We missed the main flower sale, but still were able to walk through the city with the linger smell of flowers as the venders put away their goods.  It was a pleasant way of spending a Sunday.

The food of choice today was Doner.  If you have not tried it yet, let me tell you, don't.  It is so amazing I constantly crave it.  Ever since my travels to Germany in High School I have a soft spot for the meal, literally.

Preparing for my farewell dinner, there are a few things I'd like to say.  Thank you to Robert and his family for taking me in when mine is miles and miles away.  Also for showing me London in just a couple of days.  Thank you to Ryan for giving me a place to rest my head, show me around, and introduce me to your chaos :)  Thank you to Alistair for spending a little time with me, and enlightening me on engineering terms and just random facts in general.  Also thank you for your beautiful song, I will never forget it.

I am sad to say goodbye to London tomorrow, but excited to say hello to Finland!

Yours,
Jacqui

London-4/1/2013 and 5/1/2013

I am alive!  But barely...

I have switched locations again.  The hostel was a lot a fun.  Meeting people and making friends from all over and not even noticing that one might come from a whole different part of this beautiful world.  It was a blast and I am sure I will definitely venture back into a hostel at some point... But for now my place of residence is Ryan Holtan-Murphys wonderful flat with the most spectacular view I have ever seen!

When I first switched over on Friday I showed up to Ryans work dazed and confused as to what was going to be in store.  I stumbled into his office and he came sauntering down the hallway with keys in hand an a smile plastered on his face.  And at that point I knew I was in good hands. He directed me to his flat and Robert Camp (the hero that he is) helped me with my bags and I moved in.  Then Robert and I were off to discover a whole new part of the magical city.

We saw the London Bridge and made our way around that side of the city and happened upon Saint Paul's Cathedral.  It was luxurious.  I love just wandering around and seeing whats around the corner.  My sister once told me that she has "never felt more found when she is lost," or something around those lines.  And I must agree.

After a full day of walking and wandering I had the pleasure of meeting the rest of Roberts family.  It was the first time since I've been away that I got homesick.  Being in the presence of his family made me miss mine.  But the feeling vanished quickly as they took me in as one of their own.  I had an absolutely wonderful time conversing, joking, drinking tea, and listening to them.  I was able to relive one of the most life changing moments of my life, flying off against Roberts team in the rocket international competition.  My team might have lost, but it was amazing and I commend the English team that Robert was a part of for out flying mine, and at such a young age.

Later that evening I had a splendid dinner with the entire family.  It was so nice and I am going to miss the Camp family.  I am so lucky to have met them and hope all the best for each one of them.  I will definitely keep in touch!

And then Ryan's estate... Its been a journey and one that can only be summed up by saying, "Welcome to the vikings.  Forever a family."

yours,
Jacqui