Page 22

Suomi-USA | No1 2017

A place of Sisu When visitors from Finland come to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula they are often shocked by the feeling that takes over them – this place is so much like home. It’s true both physically and mentally. TEXT: MICHAEL H. BABCOCK, PHOTOS: FINLANDIA UNIVERSITY The region, especially the Keweenaw Peninsula, is home to picturesque rolling hills, a true winter season that drives locals to the sauna, and of course beautiful water or distinctly colored foliage surrounding it in all directions. The region is home to the highest percentage of Finnish Americans in the country, and has its fair share of hard working, selfless and rooted people who are filled with sisu. And why wouldn’t it? For more than a century people have been coming to the region from Finland. At first for jobs in the mines, and now to visit a place that’s as much foreign as it is like home. Some of those people that came to Michigan loved it so much that they’ve never left. Some of them so passionate about their homeland and their upbringing that they wanted to pass that along to the new world they were in. That’s why, in 1896, Finlandia University was formed. The Finnish immigrants wanted a place to learn and grow. A place of “sisu” to prepare future generations. For more than 100 years now that place has been a vibrant part of the community in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Today the 500-student university continues its tradition of celebrating its Finnish heritage with cultural events, hosting the Finnish American Heritage Center, and by creating unique partnerships and opportunities for student growth with our peers in Finland. Although a small university, Finlandia University sees itself as an important portal between the United States and Finland in areas such as education, business and culture. Key partnerships advancing age-old relationship The celebration of history has led to incredible opportunities in the now. Every year dozens of students travel between Finland and Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. It’s a study abroad super highway that has allowed for student growth in both countries. Finlandia University currently has exchange programs with several Finnish institutions including JAMK University of Applied Sciences (Jyväskylä), Haaga-Helia UAS (Helsinki), Kajaani UAS and Helmi Business College (Helsinki). Each year Finlandia is host to between five to eight Finnish exchange students from these institutes. Associate Professor of Marketing Rekha Ambardar emphasized that “the exchange students bring a certain richness and depth into their interpretation of the subjects under discussion, and this in turn lights a spark in our own students.” The Finnish students also participate in university-wide activities such as the Finnish Independence Day and Heikinpäivä celebrations, as well as the community-wide Parade of Nations celebration in the autumn. Max Poikonen, who was raised in Kajaani in the Kainuu region, even played for the university’s American football team this past fall. “It is kind of funny and even a little weird I must say to see all the names of place in Finnish around here,” Poikonen told the Finnish American Reporter, referring to the street signs in Hancock that are in both Finnish and American. Finnish students are also regularly interning in the Finnish American Heritage Center, helping to design, write and edit the Finnish American Reporter and playing vital roles in enriching the Finnish American Archives. Education majors from Finland play a unique role at FinnU, coming to the U.S. for a program called “Hei Suomi” where 22 SUOMI – USA


Suomi-USA | No1 2017
To see the actual publication please follow the link above