I wanted to learn more about Finland from people who actually live there.
Yes, I could Google it, but how do you know what people actually do day-to-day? I didn’t want Finnish stereotypes, so I decided to DM three complete strangers on Instagram. I did a people search with “Finland,” looked for photos I loved and sent out a few messages. I heard back from two people.
Here’s what I learned…
I was so excited and surprised that someone actually responded. I was also messaging back and forth with him during Toronto’s Santa Clause Parade. Reading the transcript over afterwards, I wish I didn’t sound so curt.
Simo and I have kept in touch since that first conversation. As I learn more about my family and new questions arise, he has been great about answering them for me. I realize that I can Google things but I like that I can have a conversation with someone who lives there.
I also learned a lot from Katya (from Helsinki). She told me about the new library being built with a sauna inside of it. Amazing. She ended up sending me a postcard in the mail and I sent her daughter some stickers. It really is a small world.
