Helsinki: Orientation

So we've now had our Orientation, which was over two days. This was just getting to know our tutor group and then sitting through an orientation talk...it was slightly painful and there were definitely some heads beginning to loll. The one highlight was TJ, the IT guy who reminded me of almost any and all of the characters from 'Allo 'Allo! We now also have a variety of different cards and reams of paper which are actually relatively important and so they are just taking up space as I'm not entirely sure where to keep them. It's a 'too important to throw to the back but not vital enough to have on my desk' kinda sitch.

We've also signed up for modules now, I'm a little anxious as to the work load I will have as I am taking 8 of them. Eight. EIGHT. At Nottingham I've managed to avoid the literature courses, I thought that the options would be more interesting here in Helsinki. It turns out I was correct but from avoiding them in Notts I am now having them fly at me as I do 5 different literature courses this semester. So I'm set up to study: Mesoamerican writing systems (looking at Aztec symbols), Global and Regional Variation, Structural Analysis, Introduction to Finnish Literature, American Lit, Post Colonial Lit, Australian Lit and British & Irish Lit. I kind of get the idea that I'll be doing a lot of reading. 

Out of academia, which is obviously the place to be right now, we have all been doing quite a bit...although mainly in the evening. LUX was an exhibition across the city based on light which we were taken around by a couple of tutors. There were some really interesting installments and some odd but what else would you expect from art? After the tour we went for a drink and it cost 7€ for a bottle of IPA. I don't think I've ever been upset about my spending with regards to alcohol but I feel like it may well begin here. With 5€ probably being an average amount for a half litre (which is annoying in itself because we get a pint glass which doesn't have a pint in it. God bless imperial!) From this nice but expensive bar we headed to Amarillo. I think it's likely to be the home of the exchange student because on a Wednesday and Thursday past 9 a half litre is only 1.80€. The music however sounds very similar to Forum's playlist, just outdated enough to question whether it's acceptable to be played but hey I danced! It was good. 

Last night was a different story though. First a few of us went to Alhalla (downstairs) which is the name of one of our common rooms. Walking in I was greeted by new faces and then they just kept coming. There are so many names and nationalities to remember! Nations represented, as far as I can remember, are: Canada, America, Peru, Brazil, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Holland, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, Czech Republic, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia. I'm pretty sure there are more though and it is incredible hearing all the different accents. I feel like that stereotypical Brit though who is speaking English and hoping that everyone else can speak it too, I think it's pretty clear that myself and the language system in the UK is a failure because almost everyone else has at least one other language in their repertoire. Finnish seems particularly tricky to pronounce and so picking up even the most basic of words I think is going to be a struggle. We shall have to wait and see.

After Alhalla we went to Adam's (recommended by two Greek girls who leave soon) and had an incredible night. I am a dancer, I don't think I'm any good I just love to do it. Once I start it seems it is quite hard to stop too but last night it didn't matter. I think we stayed until about 4 and despite the club not being that full I did not care. It was one of my favourite nights out because I danced in a ballroom/club style (which I didn't know was possible but I loved it!) with beautiful people and I didn't feel ridiculous in the slightest. 

Put simply the adjectives are endless. They are all positive. And I presume they'll keep on coming.