My journey commenced with 13 other Finish exchange students spending 4 days together in Singapore. I realised that I was speaking Finish for the last time and would be soon speaking English which was quite a challenge for an introverted quiet girl.

 

Language, especially small talk and local sayings were a challenge, also being at a new school and not knowing anyone.

 

My subjects at school were: english, maths, psychology, physical education, then drama which is a subject we can't do in Finland.

 

Surfing lesson, swimming with whale sharks in the north west, and Sydney, along with amazing friends, and seeing the south west of the state were my favourite experiences and memories.

What really stands out for me in Western Australia is nature, especially the trees, the beaches with the sunset into the ocean, and the amazing animals.

 

I still don’t know cricket and I do not like vegemite.

 

I look at the world differently now, this experience has changed me.

 

I would like to thank Rotary International, Jill in charge of Exchange Students here in Perth, Heirisson Rotary Club, and the three host families, as well as my family for letting me go.

I leave on Saturday 6 July at 11.30am at the international airport, Terminal 1, on Singapore airlines.

 

In Finland I will have 1 month summer holidays then 2 years high school where we do 18 subjects, 75 courses with Finish along with either English or Swedish among 50 compulsory courses. 5 times a year the timetable changes. We must do two languages, there are no school uniforms, lunch is provided at school, and teaches are called by their first names.

 

I will remember Australians as being very polite where the Finish aren't.  Australian slang tells you a lot about the people and the culture, I will always remember that they are people without shoes. That the Australian winter is like the Finish summer. My experience of summer here was that it was really hot.