Epilogue: Going forward to Finland

When I first started writing this blog, I started with a statement that my life has taken a big swing and for the better. Well, it turned out to be much more than just a swing; it was a rocket launch straight to Jupiter! I'm still on the way to unknown though, but this is no exaggeration. My world turned completely upside down and I didn't even have to make an exchange operation to China for it!

My eyes have opened. I see the world in a different way now, with full of possibilities, adventures and mysteries, only waiting for themselves to be unraveled and realized. Germany has taught me how to embrace the world with open arms and how important it is to make every second count. I have probably traveled at least 100 times more than ever before in my life! I have seen more Germany now than Finland. Heck, I've even seen more Germany now than many Germans have!

First of all, thanks for this belongs to Germany, the state of Lower-Saxony and the Georg-August-University of Göttingen for providing this kind of opportunity and mobility around all the exciting locations. Thanks also to the Erasmus Göttingen student organization, who always took care that the life of the exchange students would never get dull. Also thanks to all those people who I was able to meet around Germany and to those who took these loony travels with me. This wouldn't have been the same without you people! A special thanks to my family for supporting me and backing me up from the get-go mentally and monetarily. And finally, supreme thanks to my heavenly Father who always keeps surprising me with His insurmountable grace and providence!

Before this exchange I said that I would leave as a boy, but return as a man. And that's exactly what happened. I have become more confident as a person. Before this, I used to have cold feet as a traveler, but not anymore. I'm able to nurture myself in the big world and I'm not afraid to confront even the most difficult of challenges in life. I have also learned more how to cope under pressure, how do deal with stress, anxiety and loneliness. I feel like I'm strong enough to carry the weight of my own life now and also help others to do so. But only because I can rely on a number of factors in my own course as well.

As you can probably tell already, this exchange period has exceeded all my expectations. I met so many new people from different origins and backgrounds, had the privilege to become friends with many and call Göttingen my second home now. I'm extremely thankful for it all! This has been the most fun, wild, fierce and unexpected journey I have ever had in my life or could have ever even imagined of having! I feel like I've achieved more than I've deserved and I think I left no stone unturned in the end (nice Karlsteine reference, eh?).

I'm positively anxious about going back to Finland now. Or actually, I don't like saying going back but going forward! I'm not returning to old habits and routines anymore. I will continue exploring the world the way Germany and Erasmus has taught me to. This Chapter of my life will always stick to my heart and memory as the beginning of all new. The Chapter closes now, but the Story my friends, has only begun...

Good goodbye Göttingen. You will always stick to my heart as my second home. Looking forward to seeing you again soon! Take care! Tschüss!