New Home, New Culture: My Upcoming Year in Finland

March 29, 2025

New Home, New Culture: My Upcoming Year in Finland

Hi everyone!

I have a really exciting update regarding my AFS exchange program to Finland. Last week, I found out that I officially have a host family that I’ll be staying with in Finland! Just a few short months ago, I started my application, and now I’ve been accepted—and in August this year, I’ll be leaving. Spending an entire year in another country is unbelievable, and honestly, I still have no idea how to react.

My host family seems amazing. I won't share to many details about them directly for the sake of privacy, but I will say that they live in the town of Lapua, Finland. Lapua is a small town in western Finland, located in the South Ostrobothnia region. It has a population of around 14,000 people and is known for its rich history, particularly in Finnish independence and civil war events. The town played a central role in the 1930s with the Lapua Movement, a nationalist political movement.

Today, Lapua is known for its peaceful countryside, strong Lutheran traditions, and local industry, including Nammo Lapua, a company that produces high-quality ammunition. The town offers a blend of cultural heritage and natural beauty, with the Lapua Cathedral, scenic riverside views, and outdoor activities like hiking and skiing. It’s a quiet but historically significant place in Finland.

Photographer: Sameli Kujala

Lapua is a charming rural town, and I’m filled with excitement about living there. I couldn’t be happier with the family I will be staying with—so many of our interests are the same! From what I’ve learned about them, they love skiing, playing soccer, and spending time outdoors.

I’m also so excited to dive deeper into Finnish culture and, in return, share a bit of my own. AFS has given me an incredible opportunity, and this exchange means a lot to me on a very personal level.

As a kid, I always knew I would travel. At the time, I didn’t know how or when, but I felt a deep sense of significance about leaving home. To me, leaving home felt like the moment I would cast aside the safety and protection of my parents and venture out to leave my own mark on the world. This experience feels very much like the leap of faith a bird takes when it jumps from the safety of the nest for the very first time—a dangerous yet crucial pilgrimage in order to fly. If I want to grow up and have my own adventure, it can’t happen in the shadow of my hometown.

For that reason, this exchange program holds great significance to me—because it is my rite of passage, my leap of faith.

Thank you so much to everyone who’s been following my journey so far. I’ll be sharing more updates soon, so stay tuned—and if you enjoy reading, please help spread the word by sharing this blog with your friends and family.

Next week, I want to dive deeper into an idea I’ve been thinking a lot about lately. I’m really excited to talk about it!

I’ve also included some photos below that I think truly capture the beauty of Lapua and the surrounding area. Lastly, your support means the world to me and if you are interested in supporting my journey directly than consider donating to help cover the cost of my program! Thank you all so much!