First impressions of a Finnish summer

The beautiful sunrise seen from the plane, a sort of small town atmosphere at the airport, the tall trees on the way to Töölö Towers, the nice view from the hotel corridor… And silence.

The silence was probably the most distinctive feature that caught my attention in Helsinki during my first 36 hours in the city. At first, it didn’t seem that extraordinary for it to be so quiet. I had ...  (continue reading)

Discovered… A Home Away from Home

1. A preference of harmony in people’s relation to their surroundings, both natural and social.
2. Getting along with others is important.
3. A consensus-building decision-making process is strongly preferred.
4. Work is a value in itself, not just what can be gained by working.
5. Be punctual, persevering, frugal and prudent.
6. Pay attention to details!

Which country do you imagine when you hear ...  (continue reading)

This is how I would summarise our Finnish August

I was lucky to be chosen to represent Saudi Arabia in this year’s thisisFINLAND Foreign Correspondents’ Programme.

Me and my 20 colleagues from all around the world had a chance to explore Finland’s culture, society and lifestyle for three weeks.

I made this video to show a glimpse of what our Finnish August looked like.

iframe {border: none;}

Finland found its way to my heart through its culture

I already know what to expect from my visit to Finland. My friend Daniel who participated in thisisFINLAND Foreign Correspondents’ Programme a couple of years ago summed it up in one sentence: “The best month of my life”.

But my expectations are high both for the trip and for myself! I want to work hard on getting to know all there is to know. I want to find perspectives on Finland that ...  (continue reading)

You wouldn’t believe how excited I am

No, seriously.

I have a love of other cultures. I’ve always enjoyed travelling abroad and this is a unique opportunity for me to explore another country which I’ve never had a connection with. The programme for me starts with making new friends from across the globe and then across a country I have yet to explore.

I would also love to say how much I can’t wait to practice my Finnish, ...  (continue reading)