After several months in Rauma, the city that once felt completely new has now become familiar.
What first surprised us has slowly become part of our everyday life.
One of the biggest challenges at the beginning was adapting to the rhythm of winter. When we first arrived, the days were extremely short, and daylight lasted only a few hours. However, as the weeks passed, we noticed something interesting: every day the light returned a little more.
Now, with spring approaching, the atmosphere of the city is changing. The snow is slowly melting, the days are getting longer and Rauma feels more lively. The city that once seemed quiet and frozen during winter is gradually waking up again.
Looking back, we realized how much we have discovered during these months. We have walked through Old Rauma many times, explored the forests around the city, walked on the frozen sea and tried numerous cafés across town.
Sauna has also become part of our normal routine. What first felt surprising is now something completely natural. It is not only about relaxing but also about sharing moments together and experiencing a tradition that is deeply rooted in Finnish culture.
Living here has allowed us to discover a different rhythm of life. Nature, calm and balance seem to play an important role in daily life in Rauma.
For us, this experience has been much more than a study semester abroad. It has been a chance to discover a new culture, adapt to a new environment and create memories that will stay with us long after leaving Finland.
Fact box – Antoine
Age: 19
Home town: Saint-Just-Saint-Rambert, France
Field of study: Bachelor Marketing & Business – IDRAC Business School
Future plans: Create his own company in the future
Fun fact: Enjoys meeting new people, discovering cultures and living new experiences
In this blog article series, international exchange students share their experiences of SAMK and studying in Rauma. This is the third text in the series. All texts will also be published in Finnish in the newspaper Raumalainen.
Text and photos: Victor Mourier, Baptiste Lours and Antoine Gounon, exchange students