"Top experts and world-class academic researches brought me to Tampere" – student ambassador story
How long have you been in Tampere and what brought you here originally?
I have been in Tampere 2 and half months. The most important things that brought me here are that they have top experts and world-class academic researches in the university here.
What subject do you study and how did you choose it?
My major is information studies. I am a visiting doctoral student, so this is my major when I was at my home university.
What do you most like about Tampere and Finland?
After the cartoon of Finnish Nightmare has been spread widely on social media in China, the protagonist Mati has instantly stuck a chord with Chinese people. Evenmore, a new interesting Chinese word, as a short for "Spiritually Finnish", was created to describe people who want more personal space and privacy. I was tagged with this lable by my friend too. Maybe, the Finnish culture is in line with my temperament, and I really enjoy everything in my everyday life here. People here look indifferent, but they have a kind and warm heart inside. They respect others' privacy, even the people who get drunk are harmless to you.
I remember one time when I went home almost 10 o'clock at night alone after sauna, I had to walk about 20 minutes and across the forest. What I am afraid is not the Finnish people, but the large animals in the forest. Living in Tampere can give me a sense of safety and peace as well. You won't feel bored because thousands of lakes and trees are waiting for you to explore and enjoy. As described in the poems by Finnish female poet Edith Södergran, a little drop of ripe summer's sweetness in pearls from every tree, will drip into your opened heart.
What about your hobbies in Tampere or in Finland?
I spend most of my time on studying and researching. I like to work out in the gym or take a walk in the forest or by the lake when it is warm and sunny in my spare time. I like reading and travelling too. And lots of various events and parties are held occasionally by associations or communities, which are wonderful as well.
What would you say to someone deciding whether Tampere is the right place to come to study and live?
Tampere is not a big city, but it is a young and inclusive city with energy and an unlimited possibilities. It can teach you how to get along with yourself, with people around you, and also with the nature. These are the most important three things in our lives. If you still haven't learnt them, Tampere is the exactly right place you should come to live. Moreover, they have one world-class comprehansive university which is merged by three excellent universities, and high developed technologies which attracted many technology companies. Choosing Tampere to study would be a great decision and make a different in your life.
Anything else you want to say?
The time that I am writing my story in and impressions on Tampere, is just the day when I came back from Berlin, Krakow and Prague. As the saying goes: ”There can be no differentiation without contrast”. Not like those cities, I found that high popularity of English language in Finland makes my life much easier. On the other hand, there is no need to worry about the safety of life and property here. When I travel out to other cities in other countries, I kind of miss the life in Tampere.