Pre-departure:
Once I got the confirmation that I had been selected, all the excitement ended. Why, u might be asking, because visa application processes are always a patience needing experience! So kick starting everything was the news that I couldn’t get my visa here in Cape Town but had to go to Pretoria as the Finnish consulate here in Cape Town had suddenly decided that all who needed the Schengen visa to their country must go there.
Thanks to the efficiency of the organising office for bailing me and my fellow students out by taking care of our booking to and from Pretoria. The Finnish website talks about 5 working days for South African citizens and since am not one I would urge anyone who isn’t to get prepared for a minimum or 2-3 weeks at the soonest. The plus side about the visa process is that it is free! Yes as long as your papers (ALL DOCUMENTS) are in order. As I learnt at the Embassy do not overlook any document or piece of information they require, as it will most likely delay your visa application process
The trip to Pretoria was fun, as we spent the day together as a group for the first time, with the exception of Liam and Susan. Our combination of Helen, Kristin, Lefras and me was just awesome. (We enjoyed each other’s company and wished we had done it often in Helsinki but the different schedules made it impossible).
Tip* In order to ensure that all your documents are in place, have someone triple check!! (For am sure our own double checking sometimes isn’t enough… ;)))
Tip* A booking in time saves a lot of bucks!! The sooner you book the most likely you will save a good chunk of your money.
Tip* if your booking is made for more than 2 connections, please, remember to inform the airline of any cancellations on any of the connections as this might lead to your entire trip being cancelled.
Suggestion* Not that I have any proof or anything, a group booking apparently also saves some bucks, so this might indeed be worth considering.
Summer School:
So finally I got to Helsinki University. A very long trip and considering I got there a day before 
my classes, I had to act and move quick. My first barrier was language, trying to locate the hostel where we were lodging. Most Finns don’t use English and those that do can be few and far apart sometimes! (Knowing your geography, is a must have skill, saves you from getting lost a lot of times)
The course was intense, started with a field trip! For 3 days we were in the forests of Finland which they love to call semi natural. One word for those forests; beautiful. We went to Station for Measuring Ecosystem and Atmosphere Relations (SMEAR) II which is a cutting edge research centre, one of 4 in the world. We also visited a National Park, a worthwhile experience.
The second week of the course was presentations from renowned speakers from various climate change related fields, e.g. World Bank, Cifor and Stora Enzo just to mention a few organisations. Reducing Emissions from deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD). REDD is being implemented in developing countries and we looked at case studies of several countries and how they are implementing the programme. We discussed its future and possible threats to its funding.
Discussions revolved around the course title, “Designing Sustainable Forestry Landscapes” shifting the view from a plantation point but looking at a plantation as a part of a wide mosaic of land uses, and the decisions affecting the changes to be made to the land. This view is what we are currently also working on and advancing here at my Department under the Green Landscapes project.
Tip* Make it a point to spare one weekend for a trip to Estonia (Tallin) and or Sweden (Stockholm), lovely old cities, worth the visit!
Tip* don’t miss out on the wildlife and Sauna package trip!
Suggestion* The course is one of the most intense, reflections are every 3 days, summaries will make your reflection better, so take as much notes as u can!
Return:
Getting back after a month away was not easy I must admit. Lots of catching up to do! But I suppose that adds up to the fun, the feeling of having left and now I am back with a different perspective and drive! What I learnt over the summer school adds on to my writing and literature review build up, which leads to a couple of changes but better material.
What I have taken from the experience academically is that as scientists we are all working towards addressing some of the world problems even though at different paces and in different dimensions, but our ultimate goal is the same, we want to find better solutions to the problems/challenges that we are facing currently.
I would definitely want to do a longer exchange programme after my Helsinki experience. There is surely a lot I would have loved to do in the period which I didn’t. A semester or two would be sufficient time to travel around to all the interesting sites, museums and all other historical places of importance.
As I finish my Masters I would definitely want or wish for an exchange programme elsewhere before diving into the PhD programme. I believe this will make me better prepared, as I will be exposed to a different environment which might ignite better thinking process and maybe the birth of brilliant ideas.
Two words come to my mind as I finish writing about my experience, Amazing and Awesome! They are the only words best suited to describe my experience!
Baie Dankie Stellenbosch and Kiitos Helsinki University!!
Tip* make sure you bring one of the many Maties/US wear