Living in Finland for the past four weeks with my classmate Edin has been an eye-opening experience. It’s the first time I’ve lived alone, and the challenges have taught me a lot about independence. One of the more unexpected hurdles was doing laundry. While we already knew how to wash clothes, the issue was understanding the Finnish language on the washing machine programs. The buttons and instructions were all in Finnish, which made it tricky to figure out what each setting meant. Thankfully, after a bit of trial and error and a few online searches, we managed to navigate the programs without mistakenly washing anything incorrectly. Another challenge was cooking. We had experience in the kitchen, but finding the right ingredients was hard. Some Finnish foods were unfamiliar to us, and it took time to figure out where to find certain items or their local equivalents. But after experimenting with different recipes, we learned how to make a few dishes that are now our go-to meals. Another thing we had to adjust to was managing time. Without anyone telling us what to do, it was easy to get caught up in distractions. Staying on top of assignments and managing our free time effectively was a learning curve, but we’ve gotten better at it.We also had to navigate Finnish public transportation, which was confusing at first. The bus schedules and routes were completely new to us, and we got lost a couple of times. But after using the app and asking for help, we figured out the system and now feel more confident traveling around the city. Communication was another challenge. While most people here speak English, there were times when we struggled to understand certain phrases or accents. We also realized that Finnish is a very different language, and picking up even a few words felt like an accomplishment.Shopping for everyday items was another task. Learning where to find things in grocery stores and understanding how to buy tickets or goods without a language barrier took some time. We also had to get used to the weather, which was colder than what we’re used to, and figuring out how to dress warmly without overdoing it was tricky. Overall, living alone for the first time in Finland has been a combination of challenges and lessons. From learning how to handle laundry programs to figuring out the public transportation system, each obstacle has taught me something valuable about independence and adapting to new environments. It’s been a memorable experience, and I’m looking forward to the lessons the next few weeks will bring. However, with only three days left before we head back to Slovenia, I’m feeling a mix of excitement and nostalgia. These past weeks have flown by, and I’ve learned a lot, but I’m also eager to return home.