Editorial: I am a Finn – With a Piece of Peru inside Me
The theme of this magazine in front of you, is cultural identity. While I was in Peru, I discovered some new dimensions of the love I feel for my country, Finland. Every time I watched a certain documentary about Finnish men going to sauna, I cried like a baby because I was so proud of them. On the other hand I was so excited when I saw a Finnish ensemble singing on television at the airport of one Peruvian city in the mountains. The same happened, when I found a chocolate figure wearing a typical Lappish hat in a local supermarket, and didn’t forget to tell everybody about Finland’s Independence Day on the sixth of December. Things that reminded me of my background and my roots gave me both the feeling of safety but also the feeling of irritation. Once when I was eating with Peruvian people, they told me I was very quiet. I got confused – I just had nothing to say!
When I was back in Finland, no one gave me cheek kisses and I honestly felt like I lacked something. Even though it’s been two years since my return, there’s still certain things that remind me of Peru, but that other people around me wouldn’t understand.
Already during half a year, a piece of the country one is volunteering in, can find a place in the volunteer’s heart. When I was back in Finland, no one gave me cheek kisses and I honestly felt like I lacked something. Even though it’s been two years since my return, there’s still certain things that remind me of Peru, but that other people around me wouldn’t understand. The chance to get to know one culture a little bit deeper has enriched my life in many, many ways, but at the same time taught me to know my own roots better.
International activities in one’s own country can also give a chance to get to know new cultures better. Next time when you have the chance to get to know people from abroad in your own country, go ahead and take the chance! By doing that you can really open new doors to the world.
I wish you beautiful spring days!
Kaisa Rahko
The writer volunteered in a Peruvian kindergarten in 2014–15 and has just started working as the other editor-in-chief of the magazine.
In the issue
5 Kutsu kevätkokoukseen
6 Ajankohtaista
9 Against Discrimination
10 Lagos – Moderni afrikkalainen metropoli
12 koulutuskuulumisia Itävallasta
Teema: Kulttuuri-identiteetti | Theme: Cultural Identity
— 14 Juurista se kulttuuri-identiteettikin kasvaa
— 20 Muukalaislegioonassa
22 Friends of Various Ages
24 Cultural Learning and Spicy Cookery
26 Vaikuttavaa yhteistyötä
28 Welcoming Volunteers to a School in Kumasi
30 Vapaaehtoistyötä Kaukomailla
32 Tule mukaan toimintaan!
33 Lehden parissa
34 Toiminnan lähtökohtia
35 Tapahtumakalenteri
ISSN 2342-2629 (Printed)
ISSN 2342-2637 (Online version)