The day of the outdoor Museums

"Little Darling, here comes the sun.."

During one of the first weekends, a bunch of the erasmus students took the oppertunity to inverstigate and visit the museums of Rovaniemi! It was the open week meaning we did not have to pay (woop woop! happy students!) and it was also the last chance to visit the outdoor museums before winter arrived.

We set of in the early afternoon not having a clue where these places were but with map in hand and good company the banter was braw!

~ The girls ~

The weather was excellent the whole day and we had enough time to have a good look around a traditional Finnish farm house and also to visit the Forestry Museum.

The old houses I have seen so far are mostly painted in traditional red colour. We were told that the houses were painted red back in the day as this was one of the cheaper colours to make and buy. However, many of the houses have a yellow door. Although a household may not have been rich, they would paint only a small section of their house to show their wealth.

~ The outhouse ~

~ Finnish National Costume ~

_______

~Animal skins were used for many things..For example,

squirrl skins were used as currency..~

~coffe break~


We even got the chance to not only see but also to taste and enjoy some traditional pastries baked here by the locals.

Lapland University..

It comes in layers!!!

The half way point of the 3km journey to uni..

Today as I sat in the Library minding my own business, and as I looked up I found myself being watched from various angles! I also only had to look around to see many people doing various different things!

The University is very modern! The main walls on the inside of the art building are made of glass. From the library I can see the cafeteria (and the long ques that comes and go everyday!), music rooms below containing various pianos, and all 4 floors that contain many different types of machinery from sewing machines and looms to computers and darkrooms!

Every day I can see people of all ages, teachers, students, children, and even infants! Truely a place for anyone and everyone!!

The script...

Oh Heeeey!

So, what am I actually doing here?

Well! I study Illustration back in Scotland but over here my course is entitled "Art Education".

The Finnish system is some what different to the one I'm used to. I have days off here!!! *ultimate shock*

I have no desk nor a chair but instead a timetable filled with different courses. They are scheduled "randomly" throughout the days and weeks. However when we are feeling extra arty and have free time, there is a big room where any art student can go to let their creativity loose!!

Here in Rovaniemi I even get the chance to try my hand at some other subjects! It amused me that my 1st lesson in Finland was a beginners French Class! ( Bonjour ^__^)

Anyway! More about the classes after I've actually been to a few!

That's not to say that no work has been done yet! Before university officially began I was lucky enough to go on a 5 day "hike" with some fellow class mates and 3 very nice teachers!

Picking Berries!

I have never been much of a photographer but after these few days spent in the wilderness (and a very luxurious ski resort ;D! ), the beauty of Lapland opened my eyes to the world of digital photography (and not just pictures for facebook!).

The glory of the internet!

We traveled even further north to a place called Phyätunturi. On our way we stopped off at an old village. Here we saw the works of an old Finnish "artist", although he claims he is more of a storyteller. He feels that his works were produced to show the youth of today what life in Lapland was like back in the day!

When we finally arrived the next few days were full of just walking and taking in the glorious landscapes. We sat and ate sausages, fed the "well trained" wild birds some bread and of course took lots of photos and made some water colour paintings (not one of my strong points sadly!!)

~♥~

On the last day, instead of going into the depths of the forest again we were taken to another traditional Northern village. Here we had some lovely pastrys and coffee! A good end to a fantastic few days!!!

Scnoof!

Beware! - Finnish hunting dogs - Cute but deadly!

So it begins..

Name: Kim

Current Location: Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland

"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths."-Walt Disney

♥

If you had asked me a year ago if I would ever have wanted to go on an erasmus exchange my answer would have been yes! I have always wanted to study abroad and be part of an international exchange. After a few months of waiting, happily hearing good news back from the university and a bit of paper work later, I finally arrived at my destination.

After two days of travelling from Glasgow the journey was well worth it! I have now been in Rovaniemi for just under 18 days and so far the past weeks have been truely amazing!

The other erasmus exchange students are lovely, the place is gorgeous and the rest is still to be discovered!

Although Lapland is known for its cold temperatures, the weather the past few days has been HOT HOT HOT!!! Here is just a quick view of the lake that can be seen on the way to the University buildings!

~♥~