Michèle Schierman
Study: BSc Tourism.
Destination: Rovaniemi, Finland (Lapland).
Exchange student.
Hi Everyone,
My name is Michèle and the coming autumn semester I am going to spend at the polar circle in Lapland, North Finland.On this page you can read bout my adventures. Furthermore, during the coming months I will regularly keep you up to date on my Instagram account (name: lamischi). You can also follow me (@lamischi) and other WURldexplorers on Instagram: search for #WURldexplorers ! See you there :)
Introduction
My name is Michèle and I am a 3rd-year student of the Bachelor programme Tourism Science. My curiosity for foreign countries and their cultures especially grew after my highschool degree, as I had the chance to discover Australia, and later during my study, on a research trip South East Asia.
First day in Lapland
After more than half a year arranging and planning my exchange, the day has come. My trip started in Hamburg with a 10 minute stopover in Helsinki (too short to deliver my luggage to the continuing plane...).
The Northern Lights
The Northern Lights – essential part of living so far up North! This year the season has started already in August. After arrival, a couple of nights in a row me and my friends were motivated to spot some. There is actually a forecast giving you an idea of how intense they are going to appear. However, if the sky is clear they most likely come between midnight and 4am. As we saw them above our heads it was just spectacular! The lights are moving quite fast and suddenly disappearing again. It’s really breathtaking!
The North Cape
With a group of 10 people (Dutch, Belgium, Spanish and German roots) we were keen to travel to the North Cape in Norway. Officially the most northern point of the European mainland. Quite quickly we found a weekend, rented 2 cars and 2 amazingly cute and typical Scandinavian cabins, located on an idyllic lake.
Northern lights II
No matter how many weeks have passed – northern lights aka aurora borealis are still special! This photo was also taken at the North Cape in Norway, until now the most extreme aurora I have seen so far! The lights got reflected in the fjord on which our cabin was located which made the whole experience even more extreme and complete. We were so lucky to see them on our 3 day trip! Everybody went outside and you could repeatedly hear “wow, how beautiful!”. Green and red lights were dancing above our heads. Actually, there is not so much to tell – it is more a moment of enjoyment and silence!
Scarf!
Very rapidly the temperature dropped – however, my room temperature did not adapt to the changes happening outside!
Reindeers
Reindeers are obviously one of the first associations you make when thinking of Lapland. While it is very unlikely to see them close where people live, it is more likely to encounter them while driving a bit outside.
Family visit
By the end of October my family visited me. Especially my father, who is very passionate about those landscapes, was already eager to visit as I received my study confirmation.
Forest
Actually, I have never been that much into forest. However, my apartment was directly located at the Ounasvaara area which is a natural area facilitating sport and relaxation activities.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey – Finland’s national sport number 1! After watching a semi-professional match in the stadium around the corner me and my girls decided to become active as well.
Helsinki
Being on exchange always brings the opportunity to travel around and to discover places beyond your study destination.
Ice swimming
Certainly one of the most special and greatest experiences I have made in my whole life – ice swimming. Also an activity many Finnish people follow to strengthen their immune system and to prevent diseases.
Good bye!
Almost four months have passed and it is time to say good-bye Rovaniemi! If I look back I am just overwhelmed by the landscape, lifestyle and experiences I collected.