A Glimpse of Finnish Culture and Living by HAMK Valkeakoski Tutors
Welcome to a delightful journey through the heart of Finnish culture and lifestyle!
Our enthusiastic HAMK Valkeakoski Tutors invite you to explore the unique and charming aspects of life in Finland. From the nation’s unparalleled love for coffee to the soothing embrace of saunas, and from the serene beauty of its nature to the invigorating thrill of winter sports, you’ll discover what makes your future study destination truly special.
Grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and enjoy this captivating glimpse into the Finnish culture and everyday life!
☕Coffee Lovers
Finland is the world’s highest coffee-drinking country, with an average of 7.8 kg of coffee consumed per person each year. Some locals consume as many as 30 cups of coffee a day, but the norm is eight to nine cups. They drink coffee almost all the time: for breakfast, during meetings, and even after every meal. So, if you’re coming from a culture where tea or other beverages dominate, Finland might take you by surprise.
💦 The Sauna Capital of the World
Just as Finns top the global list of coffee drinkers, they also lead in sauna usage. Finland has the highest number of saunas in the world, with three million in total across the entire country. Finns have saunas in their homes, offices, and even at the Finnish Parliament. To a foreigner, this ubiquity might seem excessive, but to Finns, it’s simply a part of life. Traditionally, the Finnish sauna is used without clothes, but this depends entirely on the place and your company. For example, a towel or swimsuit is usually worn among relatives in a summer cottage sauna. When friends visit the sauna, men and women often take turns — it’s not very common to have a mixed sauna with a large group.
⛺Finns and Nature
It’s no joke when they say Finland is “The Land of Forests and Lakes.” Finland is home to 187,888 lakes, and 73.9% of the country is covered by forests. Finns see themselves as people who live very close to nature, as evidenced by their love for walks in forests, fruit-picking adventures, and swims in the lakes. So, wherever you live in Finland, water is never far away, and dense forests are always nearby.
😌Finnish Silence: Deep as a Lake
For foreigners used to constant chatter, Finnish silence can be unnerving. It’s as if you’ve entered a silent movie. Whether in a pub or a family gathering, Finns often relish silence, which is a stark contrast to more talkative cultures. So, if you find yourself in a quiet Finnish setting, don’t fret—it’s not you; it’s just Finns being Finns.
⌚Time is Gold for Finns
Punctuality is a critical aspect of Finnish etiquette, and Finns take it very seriously. Being late usually requires a short explanation. Fifteen minutes is generally considered the threshold between being “acceptably” late and very late. Finnish people can find it disrespectful not to show up on time, especially without notifying others. Punctuality is deeply embedded in Finnish culture. From an early age, children are taught the value of being on time and the importance of fulfilling commitments.
However, it’s essential to note that while Finns make a genuine effort to be punctual, occasional delays or unforeseen circumstances are always understood and accepted. No one’s going to hold it against you for being late once or twice—but don’t make it a habit.
💪 May the Sisu Be with You!
“Sisu” is probably the most Finnish concept ever. If directly translated, it means stoic determination, tenacity of purpose, grit, bravery, resilience, and hardiness. It expresses a significant aspect of Finnish national character. The term refers to going beyond one’s mental and physical capacity and is central to the country’s culture and collective discourse. If your culture is more relaxed, this intensity might feel a little overwhelming at first.
🗣️ Kieli on suomi – Language is Finnish
Finnish (suomi) is the official language of Finland, and it is surprisingly one of the most difficult languages in the world. Finnish has some of the world’s longest words, with the longest word consisting of a whopping 61 letters. Another fascinating aspect of Finnish is that a single word can mean an entire sentence in English. Finnish also holds a Guinness record for having the longest palindrome in the world.
Interestingly, Finnish doesn’t have grammatical gender, and all pronouns are gender-neutral as well. Despite its tricky grammar rules, pronunciations, and a multitude of compound words that can make your head spin, Finnish is an interesting language if you’re looking for a new challenge.
➡️Sports in the Winter Wonderland
If you think the long winters of Finland are dull, you’re mistaken. Another defining aspect of Finnish culture and living is its winter sports. The long snowy season signals time for skiing, ice skating, ice hockey, ice fishing, snowmobile safaris, and especially ice swimming. If you hail from a land where winter sports are a novelty or, worse, virtually non-existent, brace yourself. The thought of slaloming down a slope or gliding on ice might be outside your comfort zone, but it’s part of Finnish charm.
☀️Land of the Midnight Sun and Polar Nights
Finland experiences some of the most extreme light conditions during different times of the year. This includes everlasting daylight during summers, known as the “midnight sun,” from mid-May until mid-August. During this time, night-time is but a memory, and in place of the stars and moon, there is gentle, golden light. Conversely, the winters come with long dark periods of “kaamos.” January and February offer stunning polar night and polar twilight vistas, as the blank white landscape reflects the deep warm colors of midday. For someone accustomed to more moderate lighting conditions, this could be a surprising shift.
We are glad that you have gone on this unique cultural journey with our tutors. If you want to know more about our students´ experience or would like to share yours, contact reception@hamk.fi.