April in Finland: Between Sunlight, Studies, and Reflection

Vol 28, Issue 23, 17th of April 2026

We are now in April, and I can clearly feel that the end of my semester is getting closer.

This period feels different from everything I have experienced since my arrival. After weeks of discovering new places, meeting people, and living so many new experiences, I am now entering a more serious phase: the exam period. There is more work, more assignments, and more pressure. The rhythm has changed. Days feel more structured, more focused, and sometimes a bit more intense.

But at the same time, something beautiful is happening.

The sun is coming back.

After months of cold, snow, and long nights, the light is finally returning. The days are longer, the sky is brighter, and the atmosphere feels completely different. It’s like discovering a new version of Finland.

Now, I go to university by bike. Riding under the sun, surrounded by nature, feels peaceful and almost unreal. The air is still fresh, but the light changes everything. It gives energy, motivation, and a sense of calm at the same time.

What I really appreciate here is the vibe. Even during exams, everything feels more relaxed than in France. Of course, students are working and taking their studies seriously, but there is less visible stress. People seem more balanced, more in control of their time and emotions. It creates a calm environment that helps you focus without feeling overwhelmed.

Regarding my classes, I also notice a big difference compared to the beginning of the semester. I feel more comfortable now. It is easier to follow the lectures, to understand the teachers, and to participate. Step by step, I have adapted, not only to the language, but also to the teaching style.

The professors play a big role in this. They are very supportive, approachable, and always ready to help when needed. If you have a question or a problem, they take the time to explain and guide you. This relationship makes learning more human and less stressful.

I also realize how much I have evolved during these months. At the beginning, everything was new: the country, the people, the system. Now, everything feels more natural. I have my habits, my routines, my favorite places. I feel comfortable here.

And maybe that’s why this moment feels a bit strange.

Because at the same time that I feel settled, I also know that the end is coming.

Time has gone so fast. Too fast. I still feel like there are so many things I want to do, so many moments I want to live. But I am also trying to appreciate what I have now, the small things: going to class by bike, enjoying the sun, sharing simple moments with friends.

Because in the end, these quiet moments are often the most meaningful.

This last month is not just about exams. It is about enjoying the end of an experience that has changed me, slowly, deeply, and in ways I am only starting to understand.