Caroline on an exchange visit to Finland: “I discovered a new way of life”
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Faire défiler la pageCaroline Clément, a 2nd year student in the Bachelor’s programme in International Hospitality Management and a scholarship recipient of the G&G Pélisson Foundation for Institut Paul Bocuse, had the opportunity to choose a country in which to study. Her destination? Finland.
At Haaga-Helia, a partner university in Helsinki, she discovered the Nordic way of life. She accepted to share her experience with us.
Caroline Clément on a university visit to Finland
Tell us a little more about yourself
My name is Caroline Clément and I’m currently a second-year student at Institut Paul Bocuse in the International Hospitality Management programme on the English track.
I’ve been in the sector for 4 years now, with a bachelor’s degree in hotel and catering science and technology, and a wide range of experience, from working in a Michelin-starred restaurant to a hotel brasserie.
What made you want to participate in an exchange programme?
I am an international student in an international class, and I’ve always been very open to the world, with parents who encouraged me to travel. Three years ago, during an open day at Institut Paul Bocuse, I immediately saw this semester abroad as a great opportunity to continue discovering the world.
Why did you choose Helsinki?
My first choice was Helsinki from the beginning, as I dreamed of discovering the Nordic countries. A very important factor was the programme offered by Haaga Helia, which is a school of applied sciences with a specialisation in hospitality experience management. I was very interested in the possibility of choosing from a list of modules I really wanted to explore, the freedom to experiment and to go beyond the modules I am used to studying.
How did you feel about leaving?
The thing I was most worried about was the temperature and not having enough room in my suitcase to carry all my layers of clothing! When I asked about the temperature in Finland in January, I was a bit scared, with lows of -20°. In the end, it turns out that the temperature is not that bad, you just have to remember to take 2 pairs of gloves!
Another anxiety was the cost of living: the standard of living is very high in these countries, and as a student, I was afraid that this would prevent me from going there. I was lucky enough to be able to use the ERASMUS grant which covers some of my costs here, especially for accommodation.
Of course, I was a bit worried about meeting new people, but it turned out to be quite easy in the end, living in a student residence with 250 other people!
What are you learning there, in terms of skills but also from a human perspective?
Here I really appreciate the importance of taking my time, as it leads to better results and less impact on my health. I’m exploring new ways of working to be more efficient, and I try to take the opportunity to enjoy my surroundings without feeling rushed for time.
Being surrounded by international students all the time, I’m learning to adapt to different ways of working, and I’m learning how diversity in a company or group has benefits and is a strength to build on. Of course, this allows me to improve my English at the same time, while learning some new languages.
What is life like in Helsinki and Finland?
What I like most about this country is the connection between the city and nature: I live close to a busy urban area and transport system, but 5 minutes away there is a large forest cut off from all the noise of the city. There is also a great respect for the environment, which is very noticeable in the quality of the air and the absence of noise pollution. Each neighbourhood in Helsinki is unique, with a strong focus on art and freedom of expression. Public spaces are created in a way that is accessible to everyone, and leave room for the development of creativity and access to culture. My favourite place is the Oodi library, where you can find sewing machines, 3D printers or music recording rooms. The sauna is a big part of Finnish culture, and is a place where friends and family gather and discuss life or politics in a room heated to 50°C!
How is your life as an Erasmus student in Finland organised?
When I arrived in January, the country was still experiencing a lot of restrictions due to the health crisis, which resulted in the introduction of distance learning courses for the first 3 months of my semester. Restaurants and bars were closed, and due to the coronavirus outbreak in my building, student life was impacted. However, these restrictions did not prevent me from meeting a very international group of friends! We often get together during the week to have dinner at each other’s houses and to explore the city’s surroundings. Classes have started to resume on campus, and it’s great to finally see the other students in person.
Do you think today that this experience will be a stepping stone for your future career?
I’m convinced this is a life experience that will make a difference on a CV, and will launch me into international hotel management career at an early stage. It has given me a different perspective on ways of working and an appreciation of the power of diversity in a company. Also, most hotel groups are international, and working in a Marriott hotel, for example, abroad can allow me to network with other hotels in the group in other countries.
Do you have any other international plans after this experience?
Next year, I’d like to join an international consulting company in their Washington office for a 6-month internship that will allow me to continue to progress as a young international student, and will also allow me to acquire permanent American citizenship.
International mobility is key to the career development and personal growth of our students, enabling them to discover the world and its various cultures. With a network of more than 40 partner schools and universities around the world, Institut Paul Bocuse offers many Bachelor students the opportunity to explore the world.