The Final Days of Karkku Language Camp

The week in Karkku for our language/orientation was so much fun. There were 120 exchange students from 16 different countries, coming together with a common desire; to have the year of their life here in Finland. And I think by the end of camp, we are all easily on our way to acomplishing this goal.

 This was my group of exchange students for the week while we were in class. My roomate Antonia (across from me in the green), Chrystal, and Joseph. And our student counselor Marianne (pictured below in the center).

 These were the other counselors in my classroom and our wonderful teacher, Mimmu on the top left. She was definately the best teacher and made class a lot of fun!

 The last full day at camp had more freetime after lessons. Some of my friends (who were also in my house) and I went exploring even more. We even came across this little cabin-like shelter near the lake in the woods.
The final night, can easily be called one of the highlights of the week. At 7:00pm we all came together once more this time for our final night together. So called; cosy time, would mark the end of a fantastic week of getting to know one another. With the lights off and people in chairs or on blankets on the floor, everything went down so magically. Some of the counselors did skits on life in Finland, including one on camping and encountering a bear. Then people sang more songs. There were even some Japonese exercises that got everyone moving, another amazing ukulele song, some solos on the piano, and many national anthems including Canada's in both English and French, Mexico's, Brazil's, France's, Germany's, etc. I didn't sign up to do any sort of act, but I did join the rest of the Americans to sing our national anthem. It was so great to be a part of that and to be proud to where you are from. Everyone was all smiles that night, and it was a bit sad to have to go back up to our cabins when the night was over. Now the excitement begins for tomorrow; meeting our host families and then dispersing all across Finland.

During the summertime the sun is up almost all night, so you really lose track of time.  Hyvää yötä!