My speech

Here is my short graduation speech.

English:

Hi I`m  Salma and I'm from Canada. Unlike the other exchange students here I have only been here for 3 months. So far they have been the best 3 months of my life. I met some amazing people, made new friends, got to be a member of an amazing host family, and learned the Finnish language and culture. In these 3 months I think I've learned more than I would've in a year. I learned patience, to be open and try new things even the ones that scare the living heck out of you, and the most important thing I learned is that you will meet people and they will change your life. Every single person I've met during this experience has taught me something. Speaking of teaching I would like to give a big thanks to all of my teachers, Paivi, Leena, Maksa, Satu and Irmeli for being the most considerate and helpful teachers I've ever had. Thank you all of the student body for accepting me with open arms halfway through the year. Thank you to my friends for always being there for me and for just simply being awesome. Thanks to my wonderful host family for really making me feel like a member of the family.

And in the end I have fallen deeply in love. Not with a person. But with this country that I now consider a home.

Finnish:

Hei minun nimeni on Salma ja olen kotoisin kanadasta.Olen ollut täällä vain 3 kuukautta toisin kuin muut vaihtarit(vaihto-oppilaat).Tähän asti ne ovat olleet parhaat 3 kuukautta elämässäni.Tutustuin uusiin ihaniin ihmisiin, sain uusia ystäviä sekä sain olla osana mahtavaa hostperhettä ja opin suomen kieltä ja kulttuuria.Luulen että näissä kolmessa kuukaudessa olen oppinut enemmän kuin olisin vuodessa.Opin olemaan kärsivällinen, avoin ja kokeilla uusia asioita vaikka ne pelottivat minua hirveästi ja kaikista tärkein asia jonka opin on se että tapaa ihmisiä ja he muuttavat elämäsi.Jokainen ihminen kenet olen tavannut tämän kokemuksen aikana on opettanut minulle jotain.Opettamisesta puheen ollen haluaisin kiittää suuresti kaikkia opettajiani, Päivi, Leena, Maksa, Satu ja Irmeli siitä, että olette olleet huomaavaisimpia ja auttavaisimpia opettajia joita minulla on koskaan ollut.Kiitos koko koululle kun otitte minut niin avoimesti vastaan kouluvuoden puolessa välissä.Kiitos ystävilleni että olette aina olleet tukenani ja ihan vaan siitä että olette niin ihania.Kiitos host perheelleni siitä että tunnen olevani osa perhettä Ja aikani lopussa tajusin rakastuneeni.En ihmiseen, vaan tähän maahan, jota nyt kutsun kodiksi.

-SALMA 

Salma is making Monay!!

Being an exchange student can be very very costly. And recently I had to spend lots of money on tons of different stuff. SO today I did some family work to earn some money. I`m so sore, have scars all over my body and  have paint all over too. Here are some pics of me working :).

 But if by any chance  you are ever an exchange student be extremely careful with your money because it can go in the blink of an eye if you aren`t . (just some salma advice)

-Salma

A place in my heart

I love where I am right now. Mainly because I have lived in the city all of my life and this is a place extremely different gives me some change.  Being here, in the country side and in a small city, has really made me appreciate nature and life in general.

There are forests and  tall trees everywhere I turn.( It kind of looks a bit like the forests from twilight at times just to give a picture).

There is a little river by my house where swans hang out during the winter. The river is extremely beautiful when the sun is out and the rays reflect on the water and create the effect of stars on the surface.

Spring has sprung and summer is almost here and  the grass is starting to grow a beautiful light green.

The air is sooo clean  and it makes you feel rejuvenated whenever you`re outdoors. Unlike the city here there is absolutely no littering on the ground (well you might see a couple of cigarettes on the ground but that`s it). I especially like being outside when someone is making a fire because I love the smell of burning wood. I just love being outside in general because I feel stress free and relaxed  because it`s not loud and all we hear are animals and cars or bicycles passing by every now and then.


The sky is  the most beautiful thing to observe. When I first got here, The sun would go down early around 7pm and most nights if you go outside and look up at the sky you will see a big bright moon and tons of stars just like a dream. Now the sun goes down at around 11pm  and between 9-11 the sky transforms into different colors varying from pinks, purples, blues, yellows, and oranges. I have seen the most beautiful sunsets.  I always like to keep my blinds open.

Being here has made me more observant of everything and made me appreciate what I have and my surroundings.

I have fallen in love with Finland. And i don`t want to leave her because she has a very special part of my heart and my memories. But of course I have to because I also love Canada. It`s hard because at this time I have 2 weeks and a half and I`m realizing that I have to leave soon and go back home.  But all I can do is SEIZE THE LAST DAYS  and enjoy every single second of this once in a lifetime experience.

-Salma

My homeroom family

Heippa!

Before coming to Finland  everyone warned me about how reserved and shy Finns are. And i'm not going to lie I was a bit scared that there would be awkward moments and people would think i'm weird etc. In fact, I used to practice in the mirror pretending the mirror was someone super shy.

On my first day of school I became really nervous and excited and scared, cause i didn't know what to expect. The first person I met was my English teacher and she was the sweetest woman very nice and very eager to get to know me. She told me my homeroom class was small but very talkative. Which they are. But I like it I like hearing other people's voices than my own. My homeroom classmates are the coolest, funniest people. I love coming to English and Finnish class it's the class I look forward to everyday.Just to see them all together in one space puts a smile on my face. They just bring a positive energy to my day. I wish I was able to speak fluent Finnish like them so I can take part in their conversations cause they seem very interesting. And I really appreciate the effort they put into talking to me in English and trying to make me feel included.

 In all I think they broke the stereotype of Finns being reserved shy people because many of them aren't especially once you get to know them.

They put me in the perfect homeroom class. Which I consider a second Finnish  family.

kunnioittavasti, 

Salma

My family

Heippa!

For this blog entry I thought of writing about my family here in Finland. I honestly think that my organization put me in the perfect family. From the moment I saw them at the airport I found this feeling of being home and comfort.

 Instantly I connected with my sister of course. We had lots in common, like the music we liked, the things we did, the clothes we wore etc. We even have the same habits. I love spending time with her and watching Friends is something we love to do every afternoon at 6-7pm. My sister is the kindest and coolest younger sibling one could have. She's very patient with me when I ask her for help and whenever I'm late to go home on her scooter or by bus.  I LOVE being around her because she's always so happy and it constantly makes me happy to be around her and spending time with her.

It's been a month with my family but I feel as if I've been with them for waaaay more. My mom is the most generous and kind-hearted person. She takes me everywhere and always checks if I want or need anything at the supermarket. She takes me and my sister everywhere, like restaurants, shops, events, shes extremely patient with us and has a great sense of humor when I do weird and embarrassing things in public or at home(which I do alot). My dad on the other hand is almost the same as my dad back at home. He is ALWAYS joking around. ALWAYS. He's just a goofy guy. He's very chill and laidback and always has a smile on his face which always makes me smile.

My older sister is the best! whenever I'm alone or have nothing to do she always keeps me busy. I love to talk to her because she always has something interesting to say. She's just like a second host mom she drives us places, takes care of us etc. And I think it's super cool that she lives right next door. AND last but not least the Mummas. Mumma is the Finnish way to say grandma. There are 2 of them. Both of them are the cutest people in the world. Everyone knows I love old people and I think they are the cutest things tied with babies. But these women and out of this world adorable. They are both soooo kind and loving. Every time I visit mumma who lives next door she always has a huuuuge smile, and tells me she loves having me around and having me  visit her.She gives me chocolate too. Other mumma who lives all the way in koskenkorva is almost the same. She makes the best PANCAKES! Everything she makes is from scratch even the juice is all natural. Even though both of them don't speak any English and I can't understand everything they say I still know they have the biggest  and warmest hearts.

 My whole family is amazing and I'm extremely thankful all the time for everything they do and for accepting me in their family so easily.

I guess you could start calling me Salma Maki-Lohiluoma Tihani from now on.

Love, Salma

Getting shocking news from home

HEIPPA!

Sometimes things can be hard. sometimes bad news can hit. And it can really be hard when you are abroad in another country or continent and not be able to be there for your friends or family every second of everyday taking care of them and loving them.

The other day  when I was sleeping, some of my friends messaged me to answer them ASAP! Of course when I woke up I did . But it was 4 am for them. Which sucked because I was left in suspense.

 Luckily one of my best friends answered me very quickly. That same friend told me the worst news I wanted to hear. She told me she had cancer (leukemia). I did not expect that AT ALL! I was in total shock and anger. Shocked because I didn't think this situation would happen again to another one of my bestest friends. Angry because it is happening again to someone whom i love very very much. With all the anger pent up in me I realized that being angry wouldn't help anyone.When times get tough like this all I want to do is help in any way possible.Usually all you need to do is provide a sympathetic ear, a shoulder to cry on and a smile . Unfortunately I can't be the shoulder to cry on or the hug to make her day. But I will skype her every time possible.Hopefully I can help her get her spirits up, by telling her jokes or showing her cool videos and remembering all the good times we've had and all the good times we will have. 

Knowing my best friend she will get through this. She's an incredibly positive and strong girl. I have no doubt in my mind she will beat the F*** out of cancer!

Picture above : Erica (left) Hodgkin's lymphoma cancer survivor, Mariam (middle) Leukemia cancer fighter, Me (right) Proud friend

Love you Mariam,

-Salma

Quick video

Heippa!