{"id":37536,"date":"2025-10-30T15:33:36","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T13:33:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maailmanvaihto.fi\/?p=37536"},"modified":"2025-10-31T17:22:39","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T15:22:39","slug":"greetings-from-abroad-from-taiwan-to-finland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maailmanvaihto.fi\/en\/greetings-from-abroad-from-taiwan-to-finland\/","title":{"rendered":"Greetings from abroad! From Taiwan to Finland"},"content":{"rendered":"

I went because… <\/strong><\/h3>\n

I wanted to experience a different lifestyle and learn more about cultural issues. I also wanted to see more practical global education and environment protection in another country. Thus, I decided to go and volunteer and stay abroad for one year. It seemed like a perfect option for me.<\/p>\n

To Finland!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I am an art educator in Taiwan. Before coming to Finland, I had my private art studio for pupils. I really love my work and want to encourage more parents in Taiwan to let their children enjoy art. I believe that art definitely works as therapy and as a source of comfort. It also allows children to show their confidence and talent and is a good tool for communication. For some reason, not many parents in my country have the same opinion as I do, so I wanted to see how the situation is in Finland and learn more.<\/p>\n

Working in an art workshop with disabled people <\/strong><\/h3>\n

In my project I work with disabled people. I work in Kirsikoti, which is a home for people with special needs. They live and create art there. The staff provides daily living care and activities for the residents. Activities can include for example a food party, an ice hockey game or doing other sports, concerts and exhibitions or traveling.<\/p>\n

I usually help in the art workshop. If the participants need any help, I can cut the fabrics for them, install different parts of a wooden board together, help with setting up the exhibition or even join a special training class with them. I really love the people here and I am so glad that I can be part of the Kirsikoti community<\/p>\n

My greetings to those thinking of volunteering abroad <\/strong><\/h3>\n

It wasn\u2019t my original plan to apply to this voluntary workplace but when I arrived in Kirsikoti, I realised that it was the best thing that could happen to me. If I never convinced myself to break out of my comfort zone, I would never learn new things about the world and myself.<\/p>\n

The learning process might not always be that easy and happy, especially when it comes to learning to be alone with yourself. A long stay abroad can change a person a lot. I recommend just to enjoy the experience and be brave to expand your vision.<\/p>\n

The interview has been published in the magazine MaailmanVaihtoa \u2013 Volunteers’ Voices 2\/2020, as a part of an article in which also Iida Lehisalo shares thoughs. Iida traveled for ICYE volunteering from Finland to Taiwan. Read the interview of Iida (in Finnish).<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I went because… I wanted to experience a different lifestyle and learn more about cultural issues. I also wanted to see more practical global education and environment protection in another country. Thus, I decided to go and volunteer and stay abroad for one year. It seemed like a perfect option for me. To Finland! I […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":15997,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[65],"class_list":["post-37536","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-story","tag-icye"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nGreetings from abroad! 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