My First Host Family and School!

Yesterday morning I got an email when I woke up that told me I was going to Oulu; Finland! With that email I got my got a picture of my guarantee forms! (Guarantee Forms are forms that allow you to get your visa for exchange. They state your school name; your host rotary club and district as well as your first host family!)

I decided to use the email on my forms to try and email my first host mom. I tried to use Finnish in my email; however I dont think that my Finnish was good enough to understand, so I switched to English. And the next day my host mom emailed me back!!!!

My host mom's name is Elise and my host dad's name is Hannu. They have three kids: my host brother, Aleksi; my host sister, Fanni and my other host sister; Milla.

Aleksi and Fanni are both older and are graduated from high school and are attending university; and Milla is my age and is going to be an exchange student in Colorado. My host dad is a police officer; and my host mom says that he loves sports (especially hockey.); and my host mom is a kindergarden.  teacher. I also have a host dog named, Roope! :D

My host mom said that my host siblings will be returning back to university in the Fall; and that Milla will be leaving for her exchange around the same time as I arrive. But; they said that I am always welcome to invite friends over after I meet some at school; and that the dog would be happy to hang out with me. :)

I am VERY happy with my host family! My host parents sound wonderful; and I am very excited to meet them and get to be a part of their family.

I am also attending school at Oulun Lyseon Lukio; and I start school August 12th!




Here is a picture of the inner court of my school


I am BEYOND excited for this exchange! I wish I could leave today! Now that I know my host family; and my school I am so ready for this experience. :)