UNAIR NEWS – For many students, studying in Europe feels like a distant dream, and for Fiona Lim, a student from the Faculty of Economics and Business at Universitas Airlangga, Finland was once one of those faraway places she never imagined herself in. Known globally as “the happiest country in the world,” Finland had always seemed quiet, remote, and almost unreachable. Yet deep down, Lim had always carried the hope of studying abroad. So when the Erasmus+ opportunity through Global UNAIR opened, she applied with cautious optimism, and the rest became a life-changing chapter.
Lim’s Erasmus+ exchange took her to Oulu, a city in northern Finland known for its natural beauty and strong emphasis on sustainability. She studied at Oulu Business School, University of Oulu, and made a promise to herself from day one: no moment would be wasted.
Driven by curiosity and Finland’s reputation for environmental consciousness, she chose courses she would never find at her home university, including Sustainable Development and Sustainable Tourism Development. She also enrolled in several subjects that piqued her interest, such as AI in Business and Organization, Real Estate Economics, and Finance.
In total, Lim took 36 credits, including several master-level classes. Studying alongside older classmates from various countries gave her an early glimpse into master’s student life. What initially felt like an age gap soon became an opportunity for growth and new perspectives.
One of the biggest adjustments was Finland’s academic rhythm. Each semester is divided into two intense periods, with some courses meeting multiple times per week. The fast pace demanded consistency and discipline. Yet what stood out most to Lim was the lecturers’ teaching approach. “They really care,” she said. “They constantly ask for feedback, listen, and make sure everyone understands. It’s clear why Finland is known for having one of the world’s best education systems.”
Then came winter, a true test for anyone living in the north for the first time. Lim had heard about “winter depression,” but experiencing it firsthand was different. Days with only a few hours of daylight made it harder to stay motivated. But the Finns had a simple philosophy: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.”
To cope, Lim adjusted her routine: taking vitamin D, exercising regularly, and joining UniMove, the university’s popular fitness program. She attended workout classes after long days of lectures, which kept her energized both physically and mentally.
Despite the cold and darkness, Finland revealed its own kind of beauty, calm, peaceful, and deeply connected to nature. Oulu became a place where Lim found comfort in simple routines: walks in the forest, sunsets by the lake, and late-night aurora hunting.
Her time in Finland was filled with unforgettable “firsts”: her first snow, first aurora, and her first experience of European seasons. Surrounded by international friends, she created memories she will always treasure, dinner gatherings, baking sessions, snowball fights, and shared moments under the northern lights. “Those little moments made Finland feel like a temporary home,” she said.
Living in northern Europe taught Lim how different life can be in another part of the world, from culture and lifestyle to climate and mindset. Adapting to freezing temperatures, managing academic demands, and facing the darkness strengthened her resilience.
Lim hopes that more Indonesian students will seize the opportunity to participate in Erasmus+ through Global UNAIR. Experiencing life in another country, especially one as unique as Finland, expands perspectives and builds confidence. “Seeing how a developed country works changes you,” she reflected. “This journey has shaped me in ways I never expected.”
Author: Lintang Yuninda
Editor: Duriati Asmawati, Andi Pramono
