Finally the campus!

It is beautifull weather, there is a nice sun and a fresh wind blows through my room. After a day of resting and reading I wanted to get moving. Although my tutor planned to pick-up my public transportation card, internet account and student member card by tomorrow, I wanted to have these things as soon as possible. A ride with the bus costs at least 2.50 (withouth traffic card). Besides I wanted to get a bycicle.
Today I've handed in the forms for the student union membership card and the bycicle rental. I also picked up the student computer account and traffic card. Only waiting for the bike pick-up time and place and the student membership card is left over. At the end of the afternoon I was a bit dazzled by the bureaucracy. However, I'm happy that I've done my part today, because most of the international students will be applying tomorrow or the day after and standing in a line will really test my patience and mood.

Anyway, I've taken some pictures. Some are from my departure, but most of today. The campus has some special atmosphere. It is designed by Alvar Aalto. You should really check out his designed wooden chairs. He's one of (or the) first who used bended and laminated wood in furniture design. The campus was designed to be in balance with nature. It worked out since you feel like your in the woods, at the same time you get easily lost at the first time becasue of the organic design. Not knowing what's behind the corner...... perhaps another tree....

The Address:
Timpurinkuja 1A 023
02650 ESPOO

Finland day 1!

Finally I’m in Espoo (near Helsinky), but at the moment pretty tired. Some things kept me awake during the past few nights. It wasn’t beer this time…. Last night it was my backpack, but I managed to pack it in time with no things missing so far.

After my arrival I took the bus to the main train station. There I met with Matti, who brought me to my flat. It is a nice place. Very clean, which isn’t a surprise when it was inhabited by three girls during the last term. I don’t want to raise a certain general impression, but I do think they deserve a compliment. What also comes in handy is that the apartment is at about 5 walking minutes distance from the biggest shopping mall in the area. If I might believe Matti the best library is behind this mall, where renting a dvd costs only 50 eurocents!

Anyway, I’ve unpacked my bag, bought a phone-number and bought some food to survive the Sunday. Tonight I need to read a bit about the university and the area around Espoo and Helsinky. Sports, friends and exams were keeping me busy the past weeks, so I didn’t take the time to prepare myself……….well not enough.

Yes I’ve met my roommates and some other people including a Dutch person, but I’m not going to tell you anything about my preconceived opinions. First I need to figure out myself what kind a “at 16:00 eating pasta with egg and beer for breakfast – from ‘central Europe’ coming – can’t shake your hand – I have Amsterdam flag on my wall” for person is.

"goodbye I'm getting old BBQ"

Yesterday I organized a ‘goodbye I’m getting old’ BBQ. The ‘I’ would be me. Two weeks ago I have reached the age of 22. Shaving my beard has become useless and I’m trying to avoid the hairdresser before boldness catches me. Yes, the world is cruel, but luckily we have the knowledge to slaughter animals and brew beer! Well… ‘we’ doesn’t include me this time. Nevertheless, just eating and drinking isn’t a burden.
So I had invited people of whom I saw some too few or some too often, who are best friends or vaguely known. What counts is that most of them have a story to tell, a story I was interested in. A story which after all hasn’t reached my ears. I’ll have to see the ones I saw too few more often and the ones I see too often even more, to hear the stories………….and drink ;-).
Anyway the food was good, yes I’m ready for Finland…..are you?