Interview 2- Finland

Maddy Thoele

Eng 191 f09 s21
Niklas
Finland
Interview date: October 30, 2009














Niklas is a Foreign exchange student from Finland who is a senior at West Tonka High School.
Age: 17

What made you want to come to America to study?
I knew the language, I wanted to meet new people, and it was not for school. When I go back home the schooling I am getting here will not count toward school at home.

Why won’t it count?
I will get a certificate saying I took American High School classes, but this will not help me graduate.

How is school different then school at home?
It is mostly the same, our tests are more of an essay where here its easy multiple choice. During our high school years students already need to know what they will study, because they start taking classes that will help them in college. Our colleges are made for each job.. Law colleges, Medical School… so students need to know what they will be doing. The classes they take in High School act as points to help them get into the college they want to study in. I am going to be a doctor.

Do most people go to college in Finland?
Yes, if they want a job. It is just like here for four years, sometimes more.

When did you start learning English?
In Finland we speak Finish and Swedish, but we start learning English in fourth grade.

How is the weather different here?
Finland look like Iowa, I have been there once.. My host sister goes to college there. We have four seasons. In the winters we get snow and it will be twenty below, summers it is not as hot. Because I am on the Baltic Sea we stay warmer.

What is one of the biggest changes for you?
Here I am alone until night time, I will come home from school and no one will be home until after work, just me and bailey, the dog. My mom will be home for many days then some not at all, because she works on an airplane. The money is different, things cost more here. I get 1.50 for my Euro.

What are the most common jobs in Finland?
Same as here, Doctor, Lawyer, pilot. We do not pay for schooling like you do, big tax based on how much you makes allows us to go to school for free, same with health care. I like this because even if you come from a poor family you can become a big time lawyer.

On average how much does a house cost in Finland?
Well, I would say 500,000- 400,000 Euros. A person makes around 3,000- 4,000 Euros a month. I think, but I don’t really know.

What are you most celebrated holidays?
Christmas, and Summer Festival- You do not have it here, the sun is up most of the night, we stay up all night drinking, eating food, and family.

What is your drinking age?
18, so a lot of people do to Denmark because it is only 16 there.

When can you drive?
18 as well.

What is the average family size?
Three children I would say.

Is divorce as common there as it is here?
Yes, I think statistically 50% of all marriages end in divorce.

Do families go to church?
Most people are Lutheran, but it is not as important there. Religion is not a big deal, we all do not go to church every week like you do here.

What are the biggest differences in clothing?
OH BOY! Jeans and jogging shoes, boys would never wear that back home.. no way, never. Boys wear tighter jeans I would say. It is about the same for girls.

What made you want to study abroad?
My mom came to Arizona one time, and after that I knew I wanted to come to America. Then I could play hockey.

Is that the biggest sport?
Yes, most players play in the highest league in Europe then they will come to America and play in the NHL. Soccer is a big sport as well. We do not really play football, like you do here.

Was it easy to make friends?
Yes, everyone was very nice. They all say hello to me right away. I was happy I could come to MN, so now I get to play hockey, I am a goalie, so I did not get to pack much with all my hockey stuff.

When do most people get their first job?
It’s the same as here, summer jobs around 14, but they cannot get a real job yet.

Will you get a job or go right into college, what do most people do?
No we go to high school, then we have to go to the military for a year, we train, and get ready for a war. You can stay after the year if you want. Only the boys have to go. My brother is there now. During our senior year of high school it’s only seven months; because we start taking tests for college and getting ready for the Army.

Is your government the same?
Yes, we have a president too, she is actually a girl. We vote when we are eighteen every four years.