Kotkan Kauppatiellä on harjoittelussa kv-opiskelija Erandi Xamkilta. Kesän aikana hän on tutustunut Kotkaan, kotkalaisiin yrityksiin, tapahtumiin sekä nähtävyyksiin. Seuraavassa artikkelissa Erandi käy läpi 10 asiaa, jotka yllättivät hänet Suomessa ja suomalaisessa kulttuurissa.

10 Things That Shocked Me About Living in Finland – Finland Through Foreign Eyes

I am a Sri Lankan student who now lives in Helsinki, Finland. I came to Finland to continue my higher studies, and after moving to Finland, I have experienced several cultural shocks compared to my home country. Moving from Sri Lanka to Finland to study was one of the biggest adventures of my life. I knew Finland would be different, but some things surprised me far more than I expected. From endless summer days to silent buses and snowy winters, Finland has changed the way I see everyday life.

Here are ten things that shocked me most about living in Finland.

1. The Silence
Back home in Sri Lanka, life is full of sounds. Streets are busy, people chat everywhere, and buses are lively. In Finland, I was surprised by how quiet everything was. People respect personal space and often enjoy silence. At first, it felt strange, but over time, I learned to appreciate the calm atmosphere.

2. How Close Nature Is
In Finland, nature is never far away. Parks, forests, lakes, and walking trails are part of everyday life. In cities like Kotka and Helsinki, you can leave work or school and reach nature within minutes. In Sri Lanka, nature is beautiful too, but it often feels more separate from urban life.

3. Summer Nights That Never Seem to End
One of my biggest surprises was the Finnish summer. Coming from a tropical country where days are similar throughout the year, I couldn’t believe how bright it remained at 10 or even 11 p.m. The first time I saw the midnight sky, I thought people were joking!

4. People Value Personal Space
In Sri Lanka, conversations with strangers happen naturally. Neighbors know each other, and people often help without hesitation. In Finland, people are friendly, but they respect privacy. I quickly learned that silence doesn’t mean people are unfriendly. It simply means they value personal space, and that is what they like. What I like most about Finland is how much people value their own and others’ personal space and always try to preserve and protect it.

5. Winter Was Like Entering Another Planet
Before arriving in Finland, I had never experienced snow. Seeing everything covered in white was magical. But I quickly learned that surviving winter requires more than excitement; it requires proper clothing. Despite the cold, I discovered that winter has its own beauty.

6. Trust Is Everywhere
One thing that impressed me most was the level of trust in Finnish society. Lost items are often returned. People follow rules, and public services work efficiently. Coming from another culture, this level of trust was remarkable and inspiring.

7. Saunas Are More Important Than I Imagined
I knew Finland was famous for saunas, but I didn’t realize how important they are in everyday life. For many Finns, the sauna is not only a place to relax. It is part of their culture and traditions. Experiencing the sauna for the first time was unforgettable.

8. Four Seasons Change Everything
Sri Lanka is warm throughout the year, and we don’t have seasonal changes, but Finland constantly changes. Spring brings new life, Summer brings endless daylight, Autumn paints forests with beautiful colors, and Winter transforms everything into white landscapes. Each season has its own personality. For the first time in my life, I experienced seasonal changes, and it was a completely new experience.

9. Work-Life Balance Is Taken Seriously
People in Finland value free time. Family, hobbies, exercise, and rest are important parts of life. Coming from a culture where people often work long hours, this balanced lifestyle was refreshing.

10. Finland Started Feeling Like Home
Perhaps the biggest surprise of all is that Finland slowly became more than a country where I study. It became a place where I discovered new friendships, new traditions, and a different way of living. I still miss the warmth, food, sounds, and energy of Sri Lanka, but Finland has taught me to appreciate silence, nature, personal space, and balance. Living between two cultures has shown me that home can exist in more than one place.

People often ask me which country I prefer. My answer is simple: both have something special. Sri Lanka gave me warmth, color, sounds, energy, and community. Finland taught me peace, silence, trust, and personal space. Experiencing life between these two worlds has been one of the greatest journeys of my life, and I am still learning something new every day.