Moving to Lappeenranta

The day after the language-culture course ended, my dad and I moved to Lappeenranta, where I’ll be for my 2-year master’s degree.

4.5 hours and two train transfers later, we finally arrived. Lappeenranta, at 73,000 people, is about half the size of Jyväskylä. During the 10-minute taxi ride to my apartment, the weight of the move began to dawn on me. As we passed through the small, spread out town, reality set in. I thought, what have I gotten myself into? On our walk to the grocery store right after moving my bags in, I began to cry. For what? For the loss of the life and friends I had come to know in Jyväskylä . For the daunting 30-minute walk to campus and 1-hour walk to the city center. For moving to a new town where I knew no one. But luckily my dad was there to put everything into perspective. Wasn’t this exactly how I was feeling during the first day of my trip to Helsinki? And didn’t I feel more comfortable after time, making friends, and starting the program? Yes. And that’s exactly what happened here in Lappeenranta as well.

I spent my first week in Lappeenranta leisurely preparing my (first-ever) apartment, exploring the city, meeting people, and reconnecting with family and friends back home. Despite my initial reaction, the location of the apartment is actually pretty nice. The grocery store is a 7-minute walk or 2-minute bike ride away. The public library is essentially next door. And the bike ride to campus takes less than 10 minutes. My apartment, which I’ll share with two roommates, has a surprising amount of storage space.

Complaint 1: lack of shower shelves
Complaint 2: tiny fridge
All of my decorations from Champaign!
Shout out to Sara for making me this beautiful blanket!

Once I bought a used bike, my world opened up even more. Since my roommates likely won’t arrive for another month, I needed to buy the essentials for the apartment. My investment in two bike baskets allowed me to carry various purchases from the flea market, grocery store, and elsewhere. Riding to the city center takes about 20 minutes.

Yes, I absolutely biked an hour round trip to pick up these free items from someone!

Knowing I’d be busy with classes for the next couple weeks, I made a point of calling and video chatting with family and friends. It was fun to catch up and tell everyone about my experiences in Finland so far!

But I also met people in real life. Through a previous Fulbright scholar, I learned that the campus lakeside sauna is open during the summer on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Both days I went with the intention of socializing. Against my nature, I talked to everyone who walked into the sauna. And this paid off. On Tuesday I met someone who happened to live in my building, and the next day we had tea. On Thursday I met more people and was invited on a hike to the city center, out to eat, and another sauna night. Of all places, I start to be outgoing in Finland! It’s working.