Orientation Week

So, this week has been quite busy. My roommates arrived Monday, there are 2 of them. Mikael is from Stockholm, Sweden and Miguel is from Zurich, Switzerland. Wed-Fri we went through an Orientation program which told us most of the things we need to know about living in Helsinki and studying at Hanken. I will be taking 5 courses: GIS for Business, European Integration, International Economics, 20th Century American Culture through Litrature, and Swedish as a Foreign Language I. I am happy to finally take a Geography class at University level, even though it still has business applications.

One of the best things I have experienced yet is the University cafeteria. The food is delicious, hot, and fresh and lunch is only 2.60 Euros (approx. $3.50). The food service is subsidised by the Finnish government. It includes one entree and unlimited salad bar, side items, and fresh-baked bread and butter. And I won't forget Thursdays, pea doup with a pancake (more like a crepe) and lingonberry preserves.

I do intend to send postcards and gifts, but I have not yet figured out the postal system here and all the information is in Finnish and Swedish (Swedish being significantly easier to decipher in writing).

I have met all the other exchange students and they are all very interesting and conversational. I am AMAZED at their English skills, although I belive Peter (my Chinese roommate from last semester in Tulsa) is still the best English speaker I know. Here is where the exchange students come from: France (8), Germany (6), Poland (2), Sweden (3), Norway (2), USA (3), Canada (2), Greece (1), Mexico (1), Switzerland (1), Austria (1), Italy (2), Russia (2), Singapore (2), China (1), India (4).

I start classes next week and will be very busy, but I will try to put some more pics on my photobucket soon!

TTFN,
Cary