When you are experiencing culture shock there are four basic identifiable stages of adaptation. Not everyone goes through these exact stages, but it is quite common to have these feelings when dealing with the positive as well as the negative aspects of a new culture.
1. Euphoria
The new environment is exciting and you are enthusiastic and curious about the new country and its culture. Your own home culture with its habits is still fresh and active in your mind.
2. Conflict
Feelings of isolation and loneliness are common as you become more aware of the cultural differences. They seem more obvious and maybe frustrating.
Familiar things, such as food from home and being with other students from your own country offer comfort. You might reject everything around you and feel hostility towards the new culture. Comparing this new culture to your own is common, and many things seem to be much better at home.
3. Gradual Recovery
You accept the differences and similarities as you become more familiar with the new culture and new situations. You may feel relaxed and more confident in dealing with different aspects of the new culture.
4. Acceptance
As you become more involved in different social activities and get to know the people and places around you, you will adapt to the new culture and create some sense of belonging. You may not even realise how well you have adjusted to the new culture until you return to your home country. Then you may experience a reverse cultureshock.
Coping
When you are experiencing culture shock, it is important that you deal with it in a constructive way. When you find yourself in the middle of strange surroundings and people you do not know, it is advisable to pursue “a normal life”. Explore your new surroundings and locate useful places such as the post office, shop, bank, the Finnish Student Health Service Centre and the hospital.
Get settled in your apartment and make it cozy.
Introduce yourself to your neighbors and fellow students or researchers.
Other newcomers are in the same situation and you can support each other.
Make the best of your time abroad by getting to know Finnish students as well.
Take part in different social activities organized by the student associations, e.g. ESN (Erasmus Student Network), ISTU (International Students of Turku
Universities) and ISAV (International Students’ Association of Vaasa.
If you are having a hard time coping in the new environment, do not hesitate to talk about it with friends, colleagues, your tutor, teachers or study advisors.
Talk to your family and keep in touch with your friends back home. If you feel that you need professional help, please contact the Finnish Student Health Service (see chapter 6).
Keep an open and curious mind. If the Finnish social customs puzzle you, do not be afraid to ask questions and get to know the culture, customs and values better. Also keep in touch with your own culture (for instance a list of churches, temples and mosques can be found in chapter 12.2).
Throughout this period of cultural adaptation, remember to take good care of yourself. Adapting to a new country, culture and social customs can sometimes be a complex and difficult process but in the end, experiencing new cultures is rewarding and enriching. Relax and fully enjoy your exchange period!
14.3 Festivities and Public Holidays
N.B. 2021- 2022
On public holidays some shops are closed or have shorter opening-hours. On the eve of the holiday they usually close at the same time as on Sundays. During public holidays the universities are closed, and public transportation follows the timetables for Sundays.
Almost all days on the following list are public holidays. In case they are not, but still are celebrated in some way, it is noted in the text.
November 6: All Saints’ Day (Alla helgons dag/ Pyhäinpäivä)
On All Saints’ Day, people light candles on the graves of their loved ones.
Halloween-like events also occur but are not traditional.
November 14: Father’s Day (Farsdag/Isänpäivä)
December 6: Independence Day (Självständighetsdagen/Itsenäisyyspäivä) The Independence Day is a solemn celebration of Finnish independence.
Some people light two candles in the windows between 18.00 and 20.00.
A Presidential Independence Day Reception is organized in the Helsinki Presidential Palace on December 6, where the president acts as host for some 2000 guests. It is quite common for people to say that they are attending the ball when in reality they are watching it live on TV.
December 13: Lucia Day (Luciadagen/Lucian päivä)
Lucia Day is not a public holiday, but one of the most traditional Scandinavian festivities, celebrated in the Swedish-speaking parts of Finland, as well as in Sweden and Norway, in memory of the Italian Saint Lucia. In Åbo, you can witness the Saint Lucia procession in the Cathedral.
In Vasa, you can witness the crowning of Saint Lucia in the Trefaldighetskyrkan (eng. Vaasa church) before the actual day. On the 13th of December you can follow the procession through the centre of the town and join in the traditional Christmas dances in the town hall of Vasa afterwards.
December 24-25: Christmas Eve and Day (Julafton/Jouluaatto, Juldagen/
Joulupäivä)
Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve, although it is not a public holiday,
and is traditionally spent with family and close friends at home, whereas Christmas Day (public holiday) celebration traditions vary somewhat throughout the country.
December 26: Boxing Day (Annandag jul/Tapanin päivä) Boxing Day is a public holiday.
December 31-January 1: New Year’s Eve & Day (Nyårsdagen/ Uudenvuodenpäivä)
Note that only the New Year’s Day is a public holiday but the celebrations take place already in the evening of New Year’s Eve, which is not a public holiday.
January 6: Epiphany (Trettondagen/Loppiainen)
A Christian holiday that marks the end of the religious Christmas time.
March 3: Shrove Tuesday (Fastlagstisdag/Laskiainen)
Shrove Tuesday is not a public holiday but is quite widely celebrated among students. The main event in Åbo is the sledging competition on Vårdberget/
Vartiovuori.
April 15 - 18: Easter (Påsk/Pääsiäinen)
Easter is celebrated in a fairly calm manner, and shops are closed throughout Easter except on Easter Saturday.
May 1: May Day (Vappen/Vappu)
A big day of celebration among students and workers. The night before, April 30th, is also celebrated. Current and former students of all ages are wearing student overalls and their traditional white student caps and thousands of people gather on Vårdberget/Vartiovuori and Puolalabacke/Puolalanmäki in Åbo to celebrate. In many bigger university towns picnics are organized on May 1. April 30th is not a public holiday, whereas May 1 is.
May 8: Mother’s Day (MorsdagÄitienpäivä)
May 26: Ascension Day (Kristi himmelsfärdsdag/ Helatorstai)
A Christian holiday that celebrates. Christ’s ascension to heaven. There are no special celebrations.
June 5: Whitsunday/Pentecost (Pingst/ Helluntai)
A Christian holiday where the event of the holy spirit descending to the apostles is remembered. There are no special celebrations.
June 24–25: Midsummer’s Eve and Day (Midsommar/Juhannus)
Midsummer is celebrated on Midsummer’s Eve which is not a public holiday, although shops may close earlier than usual. Midsummer’s Day is a public holiday. The cities may feel emptier than usual as many Finns spend Midsummer at their summer cottages.