Goodbyes won't last forever. Family will.

Hello everyone!

I know I haven't covered the last weeks yet, but don't worry it's all coming in due time. I've been truly busy and exhausted, but now I am up and going again!

                                      Pilot Mountain, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

It felt like a dream.
It flew by so quickly,
but it was the sweetest dream I've ever seen.

The people, like angels.
The smiles and even tears,
flourished the ground I walked on 
and demolished all my fears.
Even when I fell, I fell softly on the clouds.
That is the power of friendship.
The love we scream for so loud.

But how can I leave, how to leave all that behind,
 can someone tell me how?

These people, that beautiful green place,
that is my heaven now.

That's my way of starting this post, because in what possible way can I explain how I feel like right now? I guess the answer that comes the closest is poetry, since that's my way of dealing with these emotions, well besides crying.

The last two weeks of my time in Winston Salem flew by. I had the honor of being in a lovely host family ( which I will cover more in later on this week) and spending the last week with my dear BFTF family. We had our final presentations, in a cool location at the Wake Forest Business School, which we had been working on since the beginning. It was livestreamed all around the world to many embassies and families who were watching. One of which was mine.. They messeged me saying how proud they were, which made my day even more memorable than it already was. I felt so proud for all of my 43 fellows, such brilliant, strong minded people, who will most certainly change this world for the better. Actually they already do that just by excisting. 

                              Answering questions after presenting our individual projects.

On our last days we were supposed to try S-moores which are apparently divine, but due to the unfortunate storm (and a tornado warning..yeah, a TORNADO warning.) we had to stay indoors. Instead we watched a movie in Carswell (which is the big hall be had each morning assembly, many fascinating lectures but most importantly awesome birthdays in). I had already seen the movie, Hitch, but to watch it with my dear new friends was even better. It was like an international movie gathering, the world comes together in the name of romantic comedies and popcorn. Also food was involved (snacks of many kinds), so I couldn't refuse. Walking back to our dorms that night was magical. The streets were wet and glittering from the rain and the sound of the nature accompanied us, but I felt like the shadow of the departure was already hanging on top of us. Still the joy I felt that night will never vanish from my memories. It was a night spent with family.

The last evening we had a barn dance, which was awesome. We walked to this beautiful barn where we were greeted by all sorts of food (which made me really happy, I love food) and a DJ who eventually got the hang of how things were supposed to go. He didn't quite realize that Europeans like to dance, really dance, not gradually move our way into dancing. Anyways, we ended up dancing the entire night away, there were some crazy moves and loads of laughter. One of the most moving moments during my entire summer was when we danced a slowdance all together in a circle.. That feeling of being united and loved, it's something very powerful and comforting.

                                        At the barn. Can you feel the love?

After the dance we had the option of staying up the entire night, with no curfiew at all. So, in the midst of packing and writing cards and letters to everyone, we spent our last night together in the yard. Talking, dreaming, being sleepdeprived and groggy but most of all realizing, that the time we've spent together is coming to an end. Under the cloudy sky, I remember thinking to myself, that everything happens for a reason. Although we do create our own destiny by the choises and actions we make, there is always a reason and a consequense for everything. Coming to this program, becoming a family then having to say goodbyes. We came, we grew and learned. We loved, laughed, cried and then we said goodbye. But what comes after that goodbye is something far more greater than the pain of separation or losing pieces of yourself. What comes after is a whole new kind of world, a future filled with potential, filled with journies arond the world, filled with rescpect for each moment, because now you know how much those moments mean to you once they've gone away. The biggest thing I learned was to truly live every moment of life and not wait for tomorrow, but create tomorrow.

                            At the airport. Letting go, the hardest thing I've ever had to do so far.

And I will create my tomorrow, with the 43 new sisters and brothers I have, and all the people who have been and will be a part of my life. I will create tomorrow with myself, because now I realize how powerful I am, how much potential I have. I have changed. But I also change everyday with each new person I meet and new place I see. So the me today is not the me tomorrow, but I can influence who I want to be, and that person is someone like all the 43 in my new family.

                                                                          Family.

All my life I've been dreaming,
and this summer made me finally wake up and realize,
that dreams are reality.

Thank you everyone who were a part of this amazing experience. 

With love, 
A

Lessons of life

Hey there dear readers!

The last week has been full of excitement, emotions and new experiences. I will share the highlights and the most crucial parts of it with you here.

After celebrating 4th of July with the BFTF family, we stayed up way too late and woke up much too early to set on our new adventure in Philadelphia and Washington DC. Although everyone was tired, the bus ride was full of laughter and energy. You could feel the excitement building up as we got closer to our destination.

                                                                           Views.

                                                      Hiding from the camera.. 

Once we arrived to Philadelphia we checked in to our fantastic hotel (with a swimming pool and a jacuzzi which we had plenty of fun with) and settled in, having a calm first evening. The next days consisted of visiting the Independence hall, Franklin Court, the Constitution Center and the Chemical Heritage Foundation. 

                                                            Exploring near the hotel.

                                                        The view from our room.
                                                 
The most interesting thing to me in Philadelphia was probably the Constitution Center. It was full of stories, knowledge of all sorts and history of the nation and the people leading up to this very day. We saw an impressive video in the beginning of the tour which combined the sense of greatness America possesses as well as respect and acknowledgement of the losses and struggles the people had gone trough to achieve their  freedom, peace and happiness. Of course there is always more to do and things to repair, but the feeling which filled me wasn't judgement or doubt, instead it was admiration. I admired the way a nation built from a dream, with all it's problems and mistakes, has still managed to support the idea of pursuit of happiness which is guaranteed to it's people and continues to evolve. The history is a proof of the future as well. You have to know where you came from in order to know where you are going, or where you most definitely do not want to go.

The other places were no less impressive than the Constitution Center. We got to see The Franklin Court, which was unbelievably interesting and full of historic items and places. The guide showed us the old pressing process which was a very unique thing to see. I even bought a few papers printed there.. Couldn't resist.

                                                   Benjamin Franklin's houses "frame".     

     
       

The last day we went to The Chemical Heritage Foundation, which I had a a certain stereotype of. I was glad to be proven wrong. Chemistry is cool. The history of it, the wide range of it's experimenting. The way it is in our everyday life and how we've managed to evolve as a human race by studying it. There was a spacesuit exhibit as well, which was by far my favorite part there. I love space and seeing some suits, even though they were only copies of the originals, was exciting for me. I was all giddy and spent most of the time there. Whenever I start thinking about space and the universe I get sidetracked and feel very strange, it's like I realize how small I am in the midst of everything that's going on, and that will keep going on long after I'm gone. It's a feeling which cannot be correctly described, ever.

                                                                       So cool.

                                                        Exploring in Philadelphia.

                                                                              <3

The next stop, Washington DC.
On our very first day there we had the most official meeting in the entire program. We visited the Department of State, which is the main organizer of the BFTF- institute. We were all dolled up and I dare say very nervous about the meeting. We had a chance to hear more about diplomacy, foreign relations and social medias part in today's politics. The security was really tight, in case of needing to go to the restroom, you needed to be escorted. Yup, to the restroom. And yup, surprisingly no one needed to go, I wonder why that is?

                                                                 Dressed to impress.


After that our experience in DC was more relaxed and unofficial. The most life changing experience we had during our time there was at the Holocaust museum. We had a chance to hear a holocaust survivor talk about his experience and his family. It was beyond touching. I felt actual pain hearing him talk and seeing a living proof of the cruel things the human race is capable of.  I can't ever comprehend it, that kind of bloodshed feels unrealistic in every sense of the word.  After that we toured around the museum and I found myself wandering off on my own, I felt that other people seeing me in that emotional state would have been too much to handle. Seeing my fellows and hearing them speak about how they felt, I knew that in some way they had changed for good. No one could see, touch and smell the death and sorrow in the museum without being profoundly affected. It's an experience I will never forget.

Getting back on brighter subjects, we heard three terrific speakers at the Washington Center. Their words were inspiring. We also met some BFTF alumni from different countries and years. It was great to get to talk to them and hear about how their life's had been shaped by one amazing summer in the program and how still, after several years they were in touch and good friends with their Fellows. There was even some long lasting romance blossoming.. Admirable.

                                            Ladies and gentlemen, Albert R. Hunt .

                                                      Some sightseeing in Washington

                                                      

                                                         

On Friday we left Washington DC and headed back to Winston-Salem where our host families were waiting for us. It was hard to say goodbye to everyone, even if it was just for a few days. These are the people I wake up with, spend the entire day with and eventually fall asleep with. It's frightening how much love I have for them.. I guess some time apart could do us good? No. But the families are great! That make's the hard separation worth the while.

Today we went to a Farmers Market with our host mom. It was great! There was a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, of course there were some delicious samples as well. We also visited a used books store which was amazing. I couldn't resist it, I committed a joyful sin and bought three more books to stuff in my suitcase. What can I say, that's just the way it's always going to be, any resistance is futile. Bookworms bite. After that we went to an Irish pub and ate some decent, absolutely delicious food. As I'm writing this I still feel full. I don't think I'll be eating anything for a year from now. (Just wait, in the morning I'll be recovered and stuffing food in my mouth yet again)


                                                            At the market.

                                             Finnegans Wake, the great local Irish Pub

In the evening there was the live music and people dancing salsa on the street, my dear fellows arrived one by one and I felt like the sun had come up from hiding once again. I was dragged and forced to dance but eventually I found myself enjoying it and getting more relaxed by the minute. And also, the positive side, I burned plenty of calories. We ended up playing African drums as well, it was so much fun! No matter where we are, with the Buftuf people, we always end up having the greatest time of our lives. A few Fellows were missing from our evening, but they were with us in the spirit of messed up salsa and uncontrollable laughter.

                                                            Taking over the streets.

The experiences we've had so far have shaped us, in many ways we've matured (while keeping in touch with our goofy childishness) and evolved. Learned of our own potential and the importance of having a social network, a group of support and love which will provide us not only with important contacts for the future, but even more so lifelong strong friendships that will never fade away.

Kindly yours, A

The first week

Hello everyone.

It's been a long time! I've been truly occupied this last week. I arrived to Winston-Salem last Saturday. The travelling was exhausting but absolutely worth it. The feeling when I met my fellows for the first time can only be beaten by the feeling I have now that I know them so well. We have become a family. Every second I spend with them is a precious moment I want to cherish.

                                                                  Playing soccer.

We've had interesting classes about three different subjects. Comparative constitutionalism, social entrepreneurship and last but not the least citizenship and conflict. We've had the chance to share our countries histories, laws and among other things the fears and dreams we have regarding them. I've found the classes unbelievably rich and fruitful. I had a faculty lunch yesterday with Dedee Jonshton discussing sustainability and it was great. It's a gift to get to talk to someone truly experienced in the field. We've also had a few debates, which is completely new for me. I was very nervous at the beginning but we ended up winning the debate so I guess it went quite well after all.. The support and understanding these guys offer is just amazing.

The campus is... simply beautiful. There's a Starbucks here, a huge library and also many stores, which I will most certainly dig through once I have a bit of extratime. The jetlag was really bad at first, I felt so tired but now I've gotten used to it, the only thing lacking is sleep. There is too much to do and people to meet and talk with and things to do, I just feel like later on I won't remember the fact how tired and sleep deprived I was but instead I will remember all the fun things we did in the late evenings. Oh and it's so hot in here, I feel like I'm melting all the time. The weather is just crazy, so humid and torching. You should see my hair, day by day it gets closer to becoming a genuine afro.

Yesterday we had the International Dinner, which was attended by many hostfamilies and faculty to whom we cooked traditional dishes from our countries. The food was delicious,  I made a blueberryryepie which is also known as "Mustikkakukko" and everyone loved it. I was so pleased to succeed in representing my country and it's unique food culture.

                                                                   International dinner.

Today we had a humans versus zombies game in the library with kids from another program at Wake Forest university. It was really exciting! We had nerf guns and the entire library as a battlefield. It was crazy, crazy but funny.

This Saturday we'll be heading for Philadelphia and Washington DC, which will be unforgettable! I can't wait to get on the bus and have an agonizingly long and tiring trip which I will absolutely enjoy with a grateful heart.

There is so much love in my heart for the people here and the thought of leaving seems so distant and sad, but I know for a fact that we'll stay a family even after we depart.

Right now is the time to focus on the present and not worry about the future, because the time really does fly.
Live in the moment.

I will try my best to keep you posted!

Kindly yours, A

Departure

Hey y'all!

Finally, the day has come. This is what I've been waiting for, this is what it all comes down to.
It's only a matter of hours until my flight to Frankfurt. I will meet many of my dear Fellows there and we will continue our journey together. I already feel like I know them so well but nothing beats the real deal of meeting and talking to them face to face. From Frankfurt we will fly to Washington and finally arrive to Greensboro at night, where we'll be warmly welcomed by our new friends and families.

Flying to Helsinki today.

I've said my goodbyes, had my share of tears and kisses, and even experienced a surprise party deviously planned by my closest friends. The gift of friendship is so very precious. It feels great to love so greatly and be loved back. They completely caught me off guard and made my last few days before this exciting experience absolutely memorable.

At the airport I was greeted by my the other Fellow leaving from Finland, the amazing Joona. You can find his blog here. We ate, talked and laughed, having such a great time until finally deciding to get some rest before the early wake-up. Our hotel rooms are luxurious. I just have to gloat a little! This bed of mine, I'm writing this very post in is unbelievably soft, if only it would fit in my suitcase.. Kidding aside, I am actually too excited and nervous to sleep. I find there is only one possible solution. I will read until I drop.

                                                Enjoying some Starbucks drinks.. Yum

Like I mentioned I have an alarm very early, at 4:45 am, so this would be a good time to say goodbyes for now. Tomorrow will be crazy busy and nerve-wracking, but with the thought of all those great moments ahead I will manage just fine.

      Yesterday I went for a long walk and took a few goodbye pictures of my lovely hometown.

I will keep these posts coming and everyone updated on this once in a lifetime experience I'm lucky to be a part of. Feel free to follow and comment bravely! I won't bite.

Kindly yours, A

Introduction

Dear readers, I am about to start a whole new adventure which I want to share with you.

I was selected to participate in The Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Summer Institute 2014. There will be many young people from around the world, 35 from Europe and 10 from America. I will be travelling to North Carolina, a beautiful town called Winston-Salem. From there I will actively share new pictures and stories, which will be plenty. The idea of the program is to explore the American culture and politics, gain new insights from variety of people from different cultures and backgrounds and most of all prepare us for leadership and activist roles in the future.

                                                                     Preparing myself..

The departure is getting nearer by the minute, it's only a week away. I can't wait to travel to new places and experience an entirely different world with new people. At the same time I still find it hard to believe I was chosen from all the other applicants. Instead of dwelling on the fact that there could be many who deserve this as much as me, I plan on embracing this opportunity. I will grow, not only as a person but as a professional of the fields I love. I will learn from everyone I meet and I will strive to teach them what I know as well. I hope to shed many tears of joy and a few of longing once I have to return.

Now here is a little bit about me.

                                                                      That's me.

I guess the one word that would most describe myself is a dreamer. I believe that the world is built on our dreams. There is a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt which I'm really fond of, " The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. " We are the pioneers of the future, and each and everyone of us decides what the future will hold. Deep down, I'm very ambitious. I want to experience as much as I can and be as much as I can be. I also consider myself to be brave, although that is a relatively new revelation for myself. The definition of brave to me is to not let fear control your life, but hope and curiosity. I aim on doing the things that frighten me the most, a bit funny yeah, but absolutely worth the while and anxiety. The more you conquer the more you expand your abilities and gain new ground to walk on. Oh and there's one more thing you should know about me, I love books.

 One of the things I love to do as well, is taking pictures. This one sums up quite well the calming atmosphere of the nature in my hometown.

Almost everything is in order for the trip to start, all that's left is packing my things and saying goodbyes to my loved ones. Both of which I will probably start a tad too late, but at least I have all the mandatory things in order. If I caught your interest, please do follow my posts and feel free to comment as well!

Kindly yours, A