Our World and Culture

This week in International Studies we examined the role of culture in globalisation. More specifically, we looked at “cultural globalisation” – the sharing of languages, thoughts, customs, traditions and beliefs around the world.

We began by asking: what exactly is culture?

“It’s a way of life,” answered one of the students.

From there, we decided to explore some cultures from around the world...

Afterwards, we discussed how one culture in particular is sweeping across the globe: western consumer culture.

But why is this happening? Why is this consumer culture so popular?

In order to answer these questions, the class split into four groups in order to research four huge representatives of western consumer culture: McDonalds, Starbucks, Nike and Apple.

They all analysed some of their company’s adverts before deciding their favourite and showing it to the rest of the class. The groups then explained how their chosen company made their products so appealing.

One group explained that Nike convinces customers that if they buy their products, they will achieve great success (or even the impossible).

Western consumer culture in general, we realised, celebrates the concept that buying a particular product will ensure happiness, power, and many more brilliant things (apparently)!

The class proceeded to consider the extent to which they are part of this consumer culture. Does Finland have its own culture separate from this?

“It's mixed,” was the reply.

Finally, we finished the lesson with an activity to show just how many influences from around the world make us who we are today...

Globalisation, Capitalism and Clothes

This week in International Studies, we examined the nature of capitalism – the good, the bad and the ugly.

Our lesson commenced with a game involving candy (that definitely caught the students’ attention)!

The rules were simple:

1)    Each student was given an unequal amount of candy (their currency).

2)    The students had to compete with each other in games of noughts and crosses.

3)    For each game of noughts and crosses won, the winner would take one piece of candy from their opponent.

Both fun and frustrating, it reminded the students of some of the core elements of capitalism: competition and the pursuit of financial gain. We also discussed how it was unfair that some students started off with more candy than others, introducing the concept of capitalism and ... inequality.

Afterwards, we decided to analyse capitalism and the (global) fashion industry. We began with one question: where do our clothes come from? The results were varied...

We wondered about the extent to which multiple companies’ outsourcing of work in these countries benefited the latter...

“It gives people jobs...”

“But these jobs are often poorly paid...”

“Would they be better off without them though?”

“Only a few people benefit from this...”

The students soon discovered that they were examining highly complex issues. One thing is for sure though, it definitely made us all think twice about the way that our own actions (that of purchasing particular clothes) can affect individuals across the globe.

The Week I Tried Nahkiainen...

I’ve officially completed my first full week in Kalajoki – DUN, DUN...DUN! It pretty much went in the blink of an eye but make no mistake, a lot has happened.

One of my favourite aspects of the week was trying some traditional Finnish food. Let’s start with my newfound enemy: salmiakki. As I was handed the bag of salted liquorice, the students smiled sweetly. This was, however, their revenge for last week’s marmite escapades. Squirming at the bitter taste, I vowed never to eat these sweets again.

During another lesson, it was announced that I would be trying a different Finnish delicacy: nahkiainen. This is a type of lamprey (jawless fish) which caused several people to recoil in horror. I must admit that it wasn’t the prettiest food I’d ever seen - or the best-smelling. Nonetheless, I bit into the fish and...I LOVED IT! It melted in the mouth and I easily accepted seconds (much to the general disappointment of the class).

Another exciting moment of my week was receiving a bike! I hadn’t ridden a bike since I was fourteen but I assumed that I would be able to ride this one no problem. Wrong! After lurching into the curb, I realised that some practice would be necessary. So guess what I’ll be up to this week...

Besides mourning the loss of my cycling skills, I had the pleasure of attending a nearby farmers’ market on Saturday. There was a vast array of foods and goods on offer. Check out the awesome socks that I purchased (I’ve never felt so excited about a pair of socks...seriously...)

I also bought some of the most delicious biscuits from Kalajoen Lukio’s very own stall! The taste reminded me of shortbread (with a drizzle of white chocolate on top). I would show you a photo but I *may* have eaten them all – oops.

And there you have it, week one in Kalajoki: complete. Let’s see what my second week in this wonderful little town has to offer...

Kindergarten Rules!

Happy Monday, everyone! I hope you’ve all had a smashing day.

Today, I got my first taste of the Kindergarten I’ll be working at and all I can say is: WOW! I was once again greeted by the friendliest staff you could imagine as well as the sweetest children. They were all keen to introduce themselves and their most interesting Lego creations...

I’ll be teaching there, helping the children with their English. This will surely involve a lot of jumping up and down, running around, and silly songs. I. Cannot. Wait.

I also introduced myself to my first-year International Studies class. This involved getting them all outside of the classroom in order to form a large circle. The name of the game was, well, Name Aerobics. Each person had to give their name then performed a funny little dance move before trying to remember their fellow classmates’ names and moves. Cue the most giggling I’ve heard in quite some time.

Despite their excellent dancing, the first-years didn’t escape from the Marmite challenge. As you can imagine, there were plenty cries of disgust this week as well.

My favourite part of the lesson though? That was easily the presentations that the students had prepared regarding my beloved home city of Leicester. Did you know that it’s the tenth largest city in the UK? Nope, neither did I until today!

After school, I attended a little social mixer for the newest residents of Kalajoki which provided a great opportunity to talk to people I may not have otherwise met.

After an action-packed day, I’m ready to relax and prepare myself for tomorrow’s adventures. Until then...Hei hei!

Here We Go! (02/09/16)

Hi, there. I’m Chloe and I’m from Leicester! Leicester is possibly the coolest city in England, didn’t you know? (I guess that I may be a bit biased...) Anyway, yesterday I hopped on a plane and arrived in Kalajoki and now I’m ready to contemplate my awesome first day here.

For the past year, I’ve been a bit of a city girl. Everything was non-stop busy, busy, busy. So imagine my utter delight to be living in such a beautiful, tranquil town in northern Finland.

Today I was driven around the area (Brit on tour!) to find that Kalajoki is home to countless lush green trees, fields upon fields, and one gorgeous beach. Back home, I’m nowhere near the sea so this is an absolute treat!

Now... my job in Kalajoki is that of Assistant Teacher. This encompasses giving and assisting in lessons and various projects with schools in the area. I experienced giving my first International Studies lesson at Kalajoen Lukio today and, oh, what a lesson it was!

After a couple of games, I introduced the students to the one and only...MARMITE. If you’ve never heard of Marmite, I can tell you that it’s a British food spread (the best you can buy if you ask me). However, you should also probably know that people either love it...or hate it. Perhaps it’s due to the overly strong odour or the powerful hard-to-place flavour. Who knows?

Every student was handed a spoon and encouraged to have a little taste. The reactions: PRICELESS. Some simply nodded and (in a rather stoic manner) admitted, “That is very horrible.” Others were a little more vocal with their distaste and many scrunched up their faces in outright disgust. Don’t worry – they were rewarded for their Marmite bravery with truly delicious Cadburys chocolate fingers.

The class was so incredibly welcoming (akin to the rest of the school). Below, I've taken a photo of the wonderful poster they created as well as a couple of very thoughtful gifts they kindly presented to me. (Finnish chocolate is, by the way, truly SCRUMPTIOUS.)

Later on after class, I decided to have a little wander around the town and took a couple more photos. The river is now my new favourite place to hang out by, especially when the weather is as sunny as it is now (I am assured that the cold will soon come along though).

Overall, I can’t help but feel excited after my first full day in Kalajoki. Here’s to what is sure to be one fantastic adventure which you are of course welcome to join and read about...