“Suomi on metsien ja jervien maa.”

Naoko Kumai

This is the first sentence which is written in my finnish grammer book. At first, this is just for understanding“taivutus”.But now, I can say with real feeling that Suomi on metsien ja jarvien maa, and Mina rakastan Suomea.

When I talked to my friends and colleague about my determination to go to Finland, There were three kinds of responses.

1. “Finland is Moomin’s country, isn’t it!?

2. “I want go to Finland, too! If I will trip to there, can you put me up?

3.”Why did you choose Finland?”

The first one is the most common response. Because Moomin is very famous in Japan. I have read comics of Moomin, when I was a child. And there is “Moomin café” in Tokyo where is crowded every day. Expect for Moomin, Japanese people know Santa Claus, aurora, and marimekko. Some Japanese teacher remember the result of PISA in which Finland was top of the list in 2003. This news hit the headlines.

Then, I think the second one express human’s honest feelings. If you go to abroad by yourself, you will be a little bit nervous, won’t you? There will be some fear like “Can I know the way to my hotel?” or “Can I communicate with people?” or “If the airplane will crash…” However, if there will be your friend, it will be easy to trip. Finland is attractive country to Japanese people, but it is too far from Japan to trip easily. Therefore some people said like the second one.

Finally, I’m afraid that I might not explain well about the last one by my English ability. Please understand it as one of the point of view.

“Why did you choose Finland?”

This question means “Why didn’t you choose England?”, “Why didn’t you choose America?” or “Why didn’t you choose more “popular” country?” For example, when I learned world history in high school, I have never heard the name of Finland. When Japanese people study abroad, most of them go to Canada, America, and England. When I chose second foreign in University, there were Chinese, French, Garman, Korean, and Spanish. There were not Finnish. Sorry, but Finland is just the country of Moomin,

Then, why did I chose Finland? This is the reason that Finland have not only mother language expect for English, but also high skill of English. It is great! To develop English skill enable to communicate with people from many countries. Actually, when I stayed at dormitory in Helsinki, I talked with Chinese, German and Russian girls in English. It was very interesting experience. Because I could know many points of view. However, at the same time, it is also important to be proud of mother language. Because it is only native speaker who can understand a subtle nuance and tell the beauty to other countries. Finnish education strikes a balance between Finnish and English. In Japanese school, we learn English from ten years old, but we can’t speak English fluently like Finnish people. I think Japan should follow Finnish good example. I would like to know about Finnish education more, and I will make use of this experience at my Japanese school.

Now, about two months have passed since I came here. I learned some Finnish language, literature, history, and politics through lessons in this school. Especially, learning history of Finland make my thought wide. This is my first time to think about why Finland doesn’t join the NATO. And I also noticed it may be great thing that there are many literary works since 700 in Japan. We have different history and culture. Conversely, what do you know about Japan? I think there must be other countries which you should learn at first. However Japan is far and small country, you will be able to have different point of view by learning about Japan. I hope that my Japanese class will be one of chances to make your perspective wide.

Non SolumKevät 201625.4.2016