奥卢是一座芬兰北部的小城，很少中国人在那边生活，所以当地居民对中国文化以及亚洲文化并不是特别了解。我为我的寄宿家庭制作中国饭菜，与他们交流了中国的饮食文化，与当地饮食形成了鲜明的对比。当然也有共同之处，比如当地的面包与中国北方的饼子类似。对于我们的志愿者项目，我们不仅教授学生可持续环保目标，提高他们的世界公民意识。于此同时，芬兰学生的英语水平也有了较大的提高。从开始不喜欢说话，到后来积极参与的各个活动中，在短短两个月，我看到了他们的成长。我对世界有了新的认知，对我印象最深刻的是当地人的独立。独立体现在生活的各个方面，在机场，需要自己打印登机牌和托运行李。在超市，需要自己称水果和蔬菜。好多地方都要依靠自己来完成。当然这与当地劳动力价格高有关。另一点，当地人的环保意识特别强，他们对垃圾进行分类处理，我的寄宿家庭有自己的垃圾回收发酵箱，把垃圾变为肥料，用于来年春天的种植。对于我的英文水平也有了较大的提高，与欧洲同学为一组，他们英文水平高，我需要付出更多的努力才能更上他们的脚步，但于此同时，我也在进步与成长。
I was stunned by independent lifestyles in Finland. Two months ago, it was my first time to use the machine todrop my personal luggage in Helsinki’s airport. I was realized that I cancomplete check-in totally by myself including printing tickets and droppingluggage. Since that, there was a series of things related to independence, fromweighting fruits and vegetables in the super market to adding petrol in thestation. A striking difference could be seen between finish and Chinesesociety. Chinese people prefers to build up a relation of contacts and rely onothers. Another reason is that the price of labors in Asian countries issignificantly lower than Nordic countries. When you either tour in Hanoi orcities in china, you will discover that almost every shop hires a security guyin front of doors. In my view, it is not necessary to give one’s a single dutysuch as security jobs for normal shops, in contrast to banks. I was noticedthat, in Finland, security guys in weekend, will play other roles including cashier.Honestly, I spent two wonderful months here. Students here may be potential beneficiaries. They can not only improve their languages, but gain sustainable development knowledge.
What’s else, there was a goodaccess for them to receive information about Eps’ countries’ culture. Global meat the same time is essential to Eps. My example is that I worked with othertwo teammates who are from Europe. By preparing our normal courses, I learnedthat how European teachers impart knowledge to students, covering teachingmethods, indoor activities and interaction parts. In contrast, Chinese highschool put emphasis on hardworking. Teachers play a leading role in class,while student receive knowledge passively. It means that courses tend to beboring and tedious. Through this experience, I learned high school studentsshould be creative and active. They should be given opportunities to exploredifferent areas and develop various interest, which could provide a firmgrounding for their further studies and careers.
My biggest learning could bereferred to one of sustainable development goals, climate change. Most Finishfamilies live in an eco-friendly way. For example, my host family recyclesdaily trash. They have their own bow which can make organic trash usefulresources for plants. They never buy plastic bags from super market. Inaddition to personal habits, Finland is good at protecting forests and trees.In contrast, china aims at developing domestic economies, so high-risebuildings are replacing thousands of millions trees now. smog weather innorthern china has become a heated topic and people’s awareness are gradually improved.I definitely will encourage my friends to come to here and participate in one of programs here. By living with local residents, they will understand real Finish cultures and taste local foods. By working with others, they will learn different cultures and knowledge in a short time. Sometimes, by some festivals or events, they have opportunities to eat foods around the world! Most importantly, they can meet and talk with Santa Clause and see northern lights here!