Hello to all the pupils and teachers of Mutalan school - long time no see! I’m Nick, and I was as a Japanese cultural exchange teacher from January to March 2020.

I really enjoyed teaching and observing in your classes when I was there. The time I spent with you all, became my treasure. Whenever I taught Japanese culture, you listened very carefully and always did you best to learn a lot. I felt happy. I want to come back to Mutalan someday, and meet you all again.

 

At first, I didn’t know if the Finnish pupils would be interested in Japanese culture, so I was a bit nervous before my first lesson. However, I found that Finnish pupils were very polite, attentive, and always full of curiosity so that really helped me to relax.

 

I have some pictures of you and your work. I will put the pictures below this short letter. Please take a look, and remember the times spent with me.

 

I didn’t get to experience the real Finnish winter when I was there. All the teachers told me, “this is not winter, it’s too warm”. Maybe I got lucky, or maybe it means I should go back to experience the real Finnish winter someday.

 

Currently, I am back in Japan and teaching Japanese pupils. Sometimes I talk to them about you guys and my experiences in Mutalan. They are really interested in Finland. In the future I think some of the pupils will go to Finland to learn about Finnish culture.

 

During my free time in Finland, I tried ice swimming and sauna, went to Koli National Park and ate Finnish food such as Karjalanpirakka, Laskiaispulla and Runebergintorttu. I loved all of them. Finland became my second home even though I stayed there for only three months. I promise I’ll come back soon after this Coronavirus situation is over.

 

Thank you to all the teachers at Mutalan school, for making such a comfortable environment to learn and teach in. I also want to say a special thank you to my mentor, Jyrki, for taking me ice fishing and for taking me to a Finnish sauna for the first time. I had a lot of fun with everyone, and Finland will always have a special place in my heart.