Fulbright Finland Foundation Grant Award Ceremony

The celebration, which honored this year’s Fulbright Teachers in Finland and the new Fulbright Grantees from Finland to US, took place at the Helsinki City Hall, followed by a reception at the residence of Daniel Cobb, Fulbright Bicentennial Chair in American Studies. 

Celebration With my Fellow Fulbright Teachers

The Keynote speaker was Mikko Koivumaa, Director of Communications from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. His topic was “Fulbright Grantees as Ambassadors of Finland and Promoters of Our Country Brand”. Other speakers were Anni Sinnemäki, Deputy Mayor of Helsinki, Anita Lehikoinen, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education and Culture and Donna Welton from the Embassy of the United States.

With my Advisor Professor Kalle Juuti from
the University of Helsinki

This was such a lovely event with food, drinks and of course wonderful people.  I met my many Fulbright friends which I had not seen in months and I made new friends. At the same time, it was a sad moment because some of the grantees were about to depart Finland.  Most of them felt sadness because they had fallen in love with Finland.   One researcher was able to extend her stay here because of her studies, but also because she had fallen in love with a Finn.  Wedding was already in plans! 

Fulbright Grantees s at a Party

Food at the advising event

Before this event, I was invited to meet the new grantees and give them advice on living in US. The grantees had questions on

Banking

Taxes

Social Security

Renting a place

Family and Schools for Children

Visits to Schools

Studies at a University

Differences between Schools in Finland and US

Driver’s license

Car insurance

Public transportation

Fun things to do!