Greta: an echange student at Askolan lukio

Greta: an echange student at Askolan lukio 

Greta Innocenzi is an 17 years old Italian exchange student in our school Askolan lukio. We interviewed Greta, because we thought that it would be interesting to you to get to know something about Greta and her stories, which are by the way fascinating. 

Maybe after reading this text you would get the courage to go talk to Greta. Who knows? 

When did you decided to go on an exchange to another country? and why did you wanted to go to an exchange? 

• Last year literally in August, at the last minute. Because I thought that it’s an experience you only can have once. It makes you more happier and makes you experience things before you turn eighteen. 

What was the most important factor when you chose  

to leave your country to another country to study in foreign environment? 

• I had this thought that I really liked Finland since I was a kid for some reason. It stopped snowing in Italy, because of global warming. I never saw snow again. I really liked Finland in general, because of the differences we have. So when choosing the countries I just jumped when I saw Finland, because my childhood thoughts just went “omg Finland, let’s go”. 

Are people easy to approach? 

• Yeah, sometimes yes, sometimes no. It depends on the character of every single person. 

Why did you choose to go to Finland for an exchange? Or did you have the chance to decide which country you would go for an exchange? 

• At first I didn’t, there was a little incident where they sent me to Russia, so I had to change. Childhood thing and then I just jumped right in. Because of the childhood excitement of snow, it was easy to go to Finland. I searched for some pictures of Finland before I came here on Google.  

What are your thoughts about Finnish people? 

• From the outside people think that finnish people are quiet and intimidating in a way, but you’re actually very very nice. You’re quiet in a good way, like quiet and polite.  

Did you have any assumptions about Finland and Finnish people before you came here? 

• I don’t like to do that, I don’t have to do these things, because when you’re an exchange student you should go and just do not think about anything you shouldn’t have thought about the country or the people. When you go there everything is going to be different, so it’s better not to have any concepts or preconceptions. 

Do you like Finnish songs? Have you listened to any Finnish songs? If you do, what's your favorite song? 

• Yeah a lot, Mikä boogie - Fintelligens, Maailma on sun - Tehosekoitin that we listened and sang in music class. I really liked it a lot.  

Cultural shock? Yes or no ? 

• The meals, the food. In Italy we have a schedule like you can’t have breakfast later than eleven, then from twelve to two, two is lunch and then it’s dinner. Here in Finland you just eat when you’re hungry. 

What are your thoughts about studying in Askolan lukio?

• This school is really cozy, I really like it, and well organized. I have never felt this little stress in my life, I haven’t stressed at all. 

Is it easy or hard to study in Askolan lukio?

• It isn’t easy, because like it’s school, but it’s easy to leave it in a happy way. 

What about teachers,how do they activate you in class with Finnish-speaking students? 

•  A lot of the times I like when teachers do this group thing where they divide you in the groups. You can talk to everyone in a class, not just your specific friends. 

Are the teachers interested in you and your studies? 

• Hmm, of course, they’re extremely nice to me. I think they are too nice to me.  

Can you understand anything in Finnish or do you know some finnish words? 

• So, I can understand a little bit to survive. I’m learning it and taking some classes. Weird specific words, because of my family’s host sister, example “kakki”

 Do you have any tips or advice to people who are going somewhere to exchange? 

• Yeah I do, a lot of people leave and the only thing that they think about is school like,  I’m going to an exchange year and I have to think about school. Exchange year isn’t about being a student, it’s about the people, family and the culture. When you choose the country, think about the experience, not just the school, because that isn’t the priority. 

What is important to remember when you are an exchange student? 

• When you leave your country to go somewhere else there are going to be differences in how people act and habits. You need to know that everybody is different and respect their habits. Example: taking shoes off when going inside. 

Thank you Greta! 

Interviewers Katariina Ojanen and Dylan Nissinen