An exchange semester can be a defining moment of time in a student’s life, and mine was no different.
By Miriam Jauhiainen, Master’s Student, Tampere University
I went on an exchange semester to Glasgow, Scotland for autumn 2024 through UArctic’s north2north program, an experience which has shaped my life quite significantly in the year since my return. Besides meeting new friends and learning from new people, it shaped my perceptions of the region and led me to new adventures in the North.
As a person who loves travelling, grass has often seemed to be greener elsewhere, especially in warmer locations. However, the more experiences I have gained in the North, the more I appreciate it and realize that my preconceived notions of it are simply assumptions based on lack of knowledge. Spending more time in the North has made me appreciate untouched nature, clean air, and simply just being in the moment without a constant rush somewhere. Moreover, I consider such things to be a rare privilege. In the current society marred with never-ending commitments, schedules, and deadlines, the importance of having moments of peace in clean nature should not be underestimated.
Within the last year, the word “direction” has been on my mind frequently. As a young person, I am often thinking about my direction in life and whether my daily choices are taking me to the right direction in terms of my life plans and goals. At the same time, direction can also be understood as a compass point. Coming from Finland, it seems like young people are only looking south when thinking about their professional opportunities. To be sure, there are jobs in Helsinki and other cities beyond the Baltic Sea, but few even consider going north instead. There are many amazing opportunities in the northern Nordics and across other Arctic states; one just has to look for them and be ready to try something new.
After being in Scotland and experiencing life in the Highlands, I have been more curious about life in the North and the Arctic in general. This interest has also shaped my decisions in practice. Only a few months after I returned from Scotland, I moved to Northern Norway for an internship that was connected to the High North and the Arctic. This decision was one that I would not have done without my exchange semester and the fresh curiosity it brought for more northern latitudes. Throughout the internship, I gained invaluable knowledge and experience on Arctic matters, which again will undoubtedly shape the decisions I am going to make next about my direction in life.
Giving the North a chance was a turning point in my life, and I genuinely cannot wait to see what other adventures it will lead to later on!
Photo: Miriam Jauhiainen
UArctic’s mobility program north2north enables students from participating member institutions to study in another northern location. The program helps strengthen connections between regions, builds competence on Arctic issues, and creates opportunities to experience different northern places and communities firsthand.
