International Summer School Introduces to Finnish Culture
The International Summer School of the University of Turku, Finland, attracts participants from all over the world.
The Summer School is an introduction to Finnish culture, history, society and language. It is organised by the International office of the University of Turku, and lasts for the month of August.
- Each student is able to choose their own study plan to suit their personal needs, says International Officer Liisa Aho, the Summer School coordinator. In 2010, participants may earn up to 12 ECTS credits.
In addition to attending lectures, the participants enjoy a Social Programme, which gives them additional insight to Finnish culture. For example, they visit Helsinki and the Turku archipelago, go to a sauna and even try baking traditional Finnish pastries.
This year, the Summer School has set a new record with 25 participants representing 12 nationalities from all over the world.
- Some of them have Finnish roots. Some are simply interested in the exotic Finnish language and culture, Aho says.
Application period in March and April
Applying to the Summer School happens either through the Summer School website or via the email address summerschool(a)utu.fi. The next Summer School takes place in August 2011. The application period is in March and April of the same year. Its participants may also enroll to a 10-day "Mare Balticum, Mare Nostrum" Joint Course (latin for "the Baltic Sea, our sea"), organised in collaboration with the Summer School of the Tallinn University.
The University of Turku reimburses the Summer School fee for new Degree Students, excluding the registration fee.
- For foreign Degree Students, the Summer School is a great way to get oriented to Finnish language and culture. The student has time to accommodate to life in Finland before the semester starts, Aho says. Indeed, nearly half of the Summer School participants remain in Turku as Exchange or Degree Students.
Summer School 2010 participants Cheryl Johnson (on the left) and
Carolina Alves Magaldi are both interested in Finnish culture and language
Many reasons to participate
The Summer School serves many purposes. Carolina Alves Magaldi and Cheryl Johnson come from different backgrounds but share an interest towards Finland.
Magaldi studies literature in her native Brazil and is preparing a dissertation on two national epics: the Finnish Kalevala and the Mayan Popol Vuh.
- I need to systematise my knowledge of the Finnish history and culture. The Summer School is a big step forward for my doctoral thesis, she explains.
Johnson is a priest from Canada. The members of one of the congregations in which she works are descendants of Finnish settlers.
- They self-describe themselves as Finns. I want to understand their cultural background better, she says. Johnson is also interested in the Finnish language, especially pronunciation.
- The parishers wish to have readings in Finnish. I hope to learn pronunciation to be able to read the Finnish texts correctly.
Both Magaldi and Johnson already knew something about Finland before the Summer School. There have been some surprises, though.
- People don’t dress as sternly as I expected. And they don’t listen to heavy metal everywhere, Magaldi laughs.
Text and photo: Jenni Perälä