Stephanie Beaver loved seeing the snow in Finland, on her first week in the town of Nokia. By Danielle Galvin
TOORADIN 16-year-old Stephanie Beaver just got back from a year overseas in Finland.
It might seem like an unusual choice for an Australian exchange student, but Stephanie was determined to live in a country she knew nothing about.
“I was really interested in going on exchange. I contacted the Rotary club and they let me choose my top three countries I would live in, and Finland was my choice,” she said.
The Rotary Club of Kooweerup and Lang Lang runs an exchange program every year.
A student from Finland has been staying with some host families as part of the program.
Armed with a can-do attitude and excited to spend a year away from home, Stephanie said she was thrilled to be out of her comfort zone. After all, she is a bit of a risk-taker.
Without even a word of Finnish under her belt, Stephanie jet-setted to Europe for the time of her life.
“I think that’s what the program is all about, learning the language and about the country. I wasn’t really worried, I’m a little bit of a risk-taker in that way,” she said.
Stephanie landed in Melbourne two weeks ago.
During her year overseas, she went on a Euro-Tour and visited countries including France, Belgium and Denmark.
She says France didn’t appeal to her much but she loved Denmark.
“In June I did a tour of nine different countries. I didn’t like France… the ground is dirty, it’s not very nice,” she said.
Still, all-in-all the trip was an experience the Beaconhills College student won’t forget in a hurry.
“Finnish people are very shy, their manner is very different. Considering how shy they are, some people told me it was surprising that they came up to me on my first day and said hello,” she said.
“I made a good group of friends in my first few weeks.”
Stephanie stayed in Nokia and Tempere, towns in the south of Finland.
Nokia in particular stole her heart.
“The crime rate in Finland is really low. You could walk the streets at like 3am and you’d feel safe. It’s different here I have to be home at 10pm,” she said.
“It’s very safe, that’s why I loved it.”
The plan for the ambitious youngster is to fund another trip to Europe and live in Finland to study nursing.
“I definitely plan on going back, but unfortunately money is a big thing. I still have three years of high school to get through. I’m hoping to travel there again when I’m older,” she said.
Despite a mishap with the plane ticket and a hectic few days getting home, Stephanie is settling back into life in Melbourne.
“I’m pretty busy because I’ve got my L plates test tomorrow. I better make sure I don’t drive on the wrong side of the road. Every time I go to get into the car I go to the driver’s side, it’s annoying,” she said.
