Student stories
Melina just loves sauna and silence
Tell us something about yourself.
- My name is Melina and I am 25 years old. I come from Buenos Aires, Argentina. My hobbies are travelling, learning languages and getting to know new people.
What do you study here in Lahti?
- I am studying at the Faculty of Music at Lahti University of Applied Sciences. I am making a specialization in Cello Performance (erikoistumisopinnot). And also learning Finnish and Finnish culture.
How did you find your way to Lahti University of Applied Sciences?
- I found my way here because of my cello teacher, Raimo Sariola. My brother is also a cellist and he has been living in Helsinki about 3 years ago, studying with Raimo. I had the opportunity to visit my brother while he was in Finland and to work together with Raimo. Since then I planned to come back to Finland to study with him. I had to wait a few years to be able to come back because of a big economical-social crisis in my country.
When did you come to Lahti? How long time are you going to stay here?
- I came to Lahti in August 2007, and I am going to stay until June 2008. If economical situation allows me to stay longer, I would like to continue my studies here for another year.
What has been the most interesting part of your studies? Why?
- The way my teacher teaches and the way he shares his knowledge. He’s an excellent pedagogue, and that's why it’s so interesting to work with him. I find also interesting the relationship with my cello colleges, and I think this has to do again with the cello education we get here in this Faculty.
What would you like to tell about the student life in Lahti?
- Many things are well organized and we have good access to libraries, educational material and accommodation. The fact that everybody speaks English makes it’s easier to communicate.
- I come from a Latin country where people are very open from the beginning. When I first met my colleagues, many of them were shy. They were very polite and helped me in everything I needed, but they opened themselves very slowly. Today my relationship with them is so different from that when we first met.
- My friends here are also musicians, artists. This allows us to communicate and get to know each other through the music,
What are the best things in Lahti and in Finland?
- The best things are my cello teacher, his pedagogy and excellence as professional and as a human being. It’s also the incredible facilities we have to get to education.
- In Finland one thing I like lot is the equality between people (including women role). I like the way we can talk to teachers, and the way they treat us.
- I love nature and the amazing landscapes in Finland, the SILENCE and the peace you can find here! And last but not least, SAUNA! I really consider to build a sauna when I go back home to Buenos Aires.
What do you think about your future?
- I am going back to Argentina, and I would like to share all the knowledge and experience I have acquired from Finland. We have a lot to learn from Finnish culture, society and educational system. These can help us in our country to have an overall better musical quality and a better educational system, for us and for the generations to come.
Text and photo: Helena Salakka