Erasmus Exchange in Finland
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November 6, 2022
in Teaching, Travel

Erasmus Exchange in Finland

Written by Erik Sturkell

End October I went eastbound to Åbo in Finland for two weeks. The mission was to give an intensive course in geophysics for students at Åbo Akademi University and University of Turko (Turun yliopisto). Prof. Olav Eklund (Joffi) introduced me to this year’s students. This was probably the 7th time I gave the course in Åbo. Fewer students attended this year, most likely a result of the student pool being slightly drained last year. Normally, the course is given every second year, but it got out of phase due to the pandemic. It turned out traveling from Stockholm to Åbo is much more complicated than ever before. No direct flights existed from Arlanda to Åbo until November. The route therefore went through Helsinki and form there a two-hours’ bus drive to Åbo.

During my stay I managed to hook up with old acquaintances. In the first week I meet with Hanna Kaasalainen, who had very recently moved from Luleå, Sweden to Åbo, and with Kenneth Fjäder, whom I have known since 1991 (at NordVulk in Iceland). Both are friends I know from my time in Iceland. My two weeks in Åbo was spent from the 23rd of October to the 4th of November, i.e., from a Sunday to a Friday and providing me with only one Saturday in Åbo. This Saturday was used to attend the show “This is ME!” preformed by the entertainment group “ÅK ensemble”. My host, Joffi is a member of this group, and he performed in the show – a must to see. Other good friends whom I got to know in Iceland, are Marrit Hannele Kalliokoski and Carl Ehlers, whom I met with in the 2nd week of my stay in Åbo. 

Some good news from Åbo! The restaurant Trattoria Romana at Tavaststreet had re-opened after a renovation. It is as good as before only they do not have checkered tablecloths. 

On the return trip to Arlanda, a direct flight existed. The reason for this is that SAS was resuming the flights Åbo –Arlanda from the first of November. On the way back to Gothenburg I stayed over night in Stockholm and met with Joakim Mansfeld and Dan Holstam at the restaurant Hemma Vasastan.

Photo: Erik Sturkell. The “new” and merged Geology building in Åbo. The two geological departments, Åbo academia and Turun yliopisto moved into the same building at the corner Akademistreet and Tavaststreet in 2017.
Photo: Erik Sturkell. The Cathedral in Åbo.
Photo: Erik Sturkell. The restaurant Trattoria Romana at Tavaststreet.
Photo: Erik Sturkell. At the bar, Gamla Apoteket in Åbo.
Photo: Erik Sturkell. Åbo by night, the Aura River.