OSTROBOTHNIAIN ENGLISH

PHOTO: JOHAN NGUYEN

EDITORIAL WRITTEN BY: TEIJA TYNKKINEN

Welcome to read the first English magazine in Ostrobothnia Area! The area includes Southern Ostrobothnia, Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia and Northern Ostrobothnia.

This magazine is all about the people, the places and the themes in Ostrobothnia. We are working voluntary based, and welcome everyone to join our team. The next magazine will be published on the 8th of April. Later on You will get this magazine for 6 times in a year.

To get more information, come to join our group on facebook!

https:/ /www.facebook.com/groups/341135182755769/?fref=ts

If you wish to see your own text and / or photos or drawings, or your company?s advertisement in the next magazine, please contact us on Facebook or by e-mail: teija.tynkkinen@gmail.com.

All the discount coupons will be published for FREE on the next magazine, so let also your friend know about it! Have a nice time with Ostrobothnia in English!

PHOTO: JENNY KÅLA

CONTACT INFORMATION:EDITOR IN CHIEF: TEIJA.TYNKKINEN@GMAIL.COM ART DIRECTOR: HENNA.IKOLA@GMAIL.COM PRESS OFFICER: ROOSA-LIINA.RISIKKO@COU.FI

THE WHO, WHAT,WHAT&WHYOF THE EXPLORE FINLAND RADIO SHOWI?ve been visiting Finland since 1999 and living in Seinäjoki since 2011, so I?ve had an opportunity to learn about the culture and understand what the country has to offer, but it bothers me that people outside of Finland don?t ?get it '; ?Finland? What kind of place is that to live in??, ?Is it cold all year round??, ?I only know that Finland is a small country.?

Finland just does not sell itself overseas, and I?ve never understood why? Pretty much the only time I saw Finland on TV in the UK, was for the final ?funny? story; footage of the wife-carrying / mobile phone throwing / swamp football / (the now defunct) sauna competition. It?s no real surprise no-one really understands Finland. Of course, many of my compatriots have visited Rovaniemi to track down Santa Claus and they all love the experience but, of course, we don?t all live like that 365 days a year!

I believe that if you were to think of Ostrobothnia as a tourist destination like, for example, a Greek holiday-island, and consider everything that Ostrobothnia could offer a holidaymaker, there would be plenty to fill a 7- or 14-day holiday. All you need to do is ensure the supporting infrastructure is in place as flights to a nearby, international airport, bus transport to the accommodation, a variety of accommodation, car hire, public transport to nearby towns, organised trips to experience Finnish culture.

I have also learned that there are many places overseas with a strong affinity to Finland. For example, the ?American Finns? in the northern states of the USA, descendants of emigrants from Finland several generations ago. I know two people who have made the reverse journey and are now settled in South-Ostrobothnia. There are many others who have never visited but still feel a strong attachment to Finland, some have made contact through my website. Also Namibia, a country which feels a sense of gratitude towards Martti Ahtisaari, and therefore to Finland as a whole. There may also be others that I have not encountered yet. I think there is an opportunity to reach out, beyond Finland?s borders, in English (as an international language) to an audience of ?fans? and potential visitors.

I hope you will join me as I explore Finland. Tervetuloa, enjoy the show!

Mark Wiltshear

WHO AM I? Hello I am Mark Wiltshear. I?m originally from London but I followed that well-worn path of ?meet Finnish girl, marry Finnish girl, move to Finland with Finnish girl & young family?. The family has now been settled in Seinäjoki for several years and consists of my wife Leena, our kids Olli & Evie and Boris the Dog, a friendly but daft Havanese.

I was made redundant from my previous job in summer 2013, and life has been something of an adventure since then. I co-founded my first business (www.xport.fi) and as I have changed my listening habits as I tried to absorb new ideas and develop new skills. I found podcasts about ?new business? and social media marketing, which has opened my mind new possibilities, including the idea of recording my own podcast.

WHAT IS EXPLORE FINLAND RADIO SHOW?I want this show to offer a view of everything else that Finland has to offer. I don?t believe that every potential visitor wants the traditional tourist attractions (as my friend Paul said ?Every other country has zoos and theme parks.?)

There are many people that would appreciate what makes Finland different; nature, outdoor activity, a different culture, seasons that actually change. Not everyone wants sun, sea, sand & sangria every time they go on holiday, some might appreciate 24 hour daylight, lakes, summer cabins and Koskenkorva!

So far I have recorded 10 episodes of the Explore Finland podcast, and over the forthcoming weeks, months and years, I plan to visit different places, events, attractions and activities. Initially focusing on the Ostrobothnia region. I will talk to people who have a connection to these places, learning about each one. It is these conversations that make up my Radio Show , supported by Show Notes on my website, which will include reminders from the episode plus links, photos and some Finnish words.

Stitcher Radio http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=58029&refid=stpr Follow Explore Finland Radio Show

On my website, there is a ?Follow? pop-up allowing you to receive notifications when I publish something new.

You will find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google+ just search for Explore Finland

I still remember it like yesterday. Some might have said my decision was a bit hasty or impulsive to say the least - quite radical it was never the less. Big moves are snazzy and I always had had a slight flare for the dramatic. But most of all my mind was set. I had rolled the dices and now had to let the chips fall where they might. My belongings packed I bid farewell to my long companion. She had shown caring and diversity, yet grown quite predictable over the years. Still there was much love lost between us when I left her. Was I making a spectacular mistake?

The new apple of my eye welcomed me with open arms. Her proud presence in summer 's fierce colours was a graceful act to witness. The play of the sea and the wind constatntly changed its tune and drew salty fragrant veil around her with sparkling diamonds reflecting the sun. All shades of green, gold and jewels were around her. My eyes were lit with admiration, she knew her way to a man's heart. And so it began - the culture shock, and the new chapter in my life. Like in a romance, first came the proloque of wooing, followed by adjustment and readiness to conquer one's heart for good. The summer days of wonderment ran through my fingers fast like beach sand.

But the days didn't start running yesterday. This fatal attraction began roughly ten years ago. It was the summer of 2004 and I had moved to Vaasa. I had made the decision to leave Helsinki, the city I had been born and lived all my life for a town I had never even been to before. Vaasa's allure was strong and set me off on a rollercoaster ride with string of inversive loops and G- forces making my dead spin with engineer planned precision. I was sincerely fascinated about the many faces and aspect of Vaasa. I had had very little knowledge beforehand. Let 's face it. I was barely 30 and I had only had my eyes for Helsinki so far. I had pretty much thought all vital signs would hit flatline if Helsinki-Vantaa's motorway Ring III would be crossed. Yes, some born and bred individuals from our belowed country's capital are truly that limited in their line of sight. At least that was the case with yours truly.

Luckily I was an apt learner and interested in enhancing the distance of my poor vision. I started to investigate and breathe Vaasa. It was no small task. Historical, bi-lingual, active and out reaching, constructive, experienced in entrepreneurship, cradle for higher learning, rich and voluptuous nature and pure friendliness of the inhabitants and their deep love for boats and summer cottages (I had lived in a concrete box almost all my life).

A MANY-SPLENDORED THING

PHOTO: HUY PHAN, VAASA

Over the next few years my knowledge grew and the espect for Vaasa fit me like an Italian cut suit. Her healthy economy, the mighty industry in all of its diversity, the technology and professionalism and the internationality in all. She's beautiful and serene, yet rough around the edges. Should there be any attributes she'd lack, she shines her light even brighter with those in her favor. Well okay, in case you wonder, there has been some turbulence also - not all smooth sailings. We haven't always seen eye to eye, me and Vaasa. Once I even thought of leaving her for Helsinki. But it was just a fling, it didn't mean anything. I woke up and smelled the roses. My place is by her side. I love and admire Vaasa, for better or worse. It is my home, a many-splendored place.

WRITTEN BY: TOMI PAALOSMAA

ELBA WINTER DAYWRITTEN BY: TEIJA TYNKKINEN

Traditional winter day event in Villa Elba, Kokkola is on Sunday, 15th of March. The event is free and open for everyone. There are plenty of different clubs presenting their activities, such as MLL, Unicef, Lions Club, SPR and Kokkolan Latu. The program includes Roope Magician and his magic tricks, teddy bear doctor who is giving recipes and medicine for your own teddy bear, the RC pilots, the cats of Kotipesä, ponies, sledding hill, Work Horse Society, Relax-lacrosse and a snowmobile patrol of the coast guard. You may also see, and even try ice surfing! Or would you like to try ice fishing with Specimen Finland ry or snowshoeing? Elba Cafe is open in the afternoon. There will be sausage and waffles for sale. Come and join us to have a great winter day in Elba! Welcome! The event is also in Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/events/675747179203194/?fref=ts

PHOTO: MARKKU HUKARI

I am studying International Business in Vamk, Vaasa. Our classes are very multicultural, roughly 50 % is Finnish and the rest are from all over the world. We are studying in English and as we use it all the time, we have been getting better and better to utilize it in different forms. This prepares us for the better future. English is a global language which is used widely. It is also official language in global companies such ex. ABB, Wärtsilä and Vacon. This common language increase mutual understanding and helps to understand different cultures and their business manners.

Globalization is fashionable word but in our school it affects strongly in our everyday studies. We can also see its impact to our own micro world here in Vaasa. Because the internet is nowadays such a big distribution channel, a lot of retail shops have been forced to close their doors. Locally it means basically that we need to take these new methods in to action, where social networks are vital to businesses and is necessary to acknowledge potential of this new world. Endless possibilities of Internet must be number one priority.

FOREIGNERS IN OSTROBOTHNIA

WRITTEN BY: MARKO LAUKASPHOTO: JOHAN NGUYEN

Foreigners bring new ideas. They have that high educational level to help us see those ideas in a new level. Many times you have to be an outsider to see what is really happening. I believe our businesses needs these new ideas and human power of foreigners. Vaasa is very multicultural and foreign students have been thanking this environment (the school and the city of Vaasa with its services).

We just have to keep getting better and better which is already a top priority of University of Vaasa and University of Applied Sciences as well. At least our students feel that way. Students could have more to give to local businesses. I am sure that it is going to happen. We people of Ostrobothnia are that silent type. We have our code of conduct to perform well with the tools which we have. I would like to welcome foreigners to bring that talkative business culture and the way of living. It will riches us all.

On Sunday Februar y 15th, one ver y popular wor ldw ide event took place: Restaurant Day. Like other par ts of the wor ld, there were about 6 par ticipants in the area of Vaasa.

One event was held by Vaasa?s Young Economists (Vaasan Nuoret Ekonomit) on the Mar tat location near the ci ty?s central l ibrar y. A group of young people were r esponsible for a r eal ly tasteful meal and exper ience. Al l the money gathered from that happening would be given to char i ty.

The menu consisted of a beauti ful & complex peanut-butter and sweet potato soup w ith some herbs and nuts to accompany w ith i t, fr esh focaccia bread, chocolate cake, car rot cake, tea and coffee. There was plenty of soup and cakes for al l the guests to take.

The organizer s of the event, didn?t set a f ixed pr ice for the meal and therefore the cl ients could decide what they could pay, hopeful ly a r easonable pr ice for the things offered bear ing in mind that the prof i t w i l l go towards char i ties. Ever ything was good and there was no regrets in choosing this speci f ic event.

RESTAURANT DAY IN VAASAWRITTEN BY: GEORGIOS VENOS

HUA YE