Insider Volume 22 Issue 14

INSIDER 24.1.2020 | VOL. 22 | ISSUE 14

STUDENT MAGAZINE OF XAMK

Featuring Lunar New Year Recipe Paja Event Digital Museum Student Story Movie Review

STAFF

EDITORIAL

LIDIIA BENKOVSKAIA

ARIAN UKAJ

MUHAMMET CAKIROGLU

CLAUDIA RIVA

PRAKHAR SHARMA

ANNA RYNDINA

JOONATAN BERG

QUYNH ANH VU

INSIDER STUDENT MAGAZINE South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences Paraatikenttä 7 45100 Kouvola INSIDER ISSN 1457-1587 Editor in Chief: HUGH CLACK

PHONE +358 44 702 8758 WEBSITE insider.xamk.fi EMAIL insider@xamk.fi 2

EDITORIAL New semester We are starting the second semester, and it started quite fast. People seem to be in the holiday mood still and the weather is warm in Kouvola. This week, everyone has been smiling and warm to each other which we hope to become a usual behaviour.

We have new students which we have not met yet but we are quite sure they are all awesome people. We will let you all know about them as much as we get to know about them. Our first tip to them about our school: read The Insider.

This week, Liidia is going to tell you about a big museum in Russia which is named Russia – My history. I like museums, especially historical ones. We got lot of them back home and it is always an experience to visit them.

We had a very important guest last week.

Minister Pekka Haavisto was in Paja and Anna was there for us to tell us about it. He obviously talked about students as well but we will see how much this will help students in future.

Lasagna is a beloved. Claudia is bringing us how to make it properly. I am not going to make it myself because I will stalk on her and whenever she makes lasagna, I will ring her bell at home and say hi. I am sure she will give me some of it.

Prakhar visited the movie theater four us and chose the new Star Wars movie. Let’s hope it is a good one. I don’t bring my hopes up.

I hope everyone passed all their classes and all the teachers are happy with their students. Good luck in the new semester to everyone.

Since we have an Asian author, you are going to have a different look on Lunar New Year. Daisy is bringing her knowledge and experience about it. If you are able to, make sure to visit east on a lunar new year time. I will surely.

Muhammet Cakiroglu 3

LUNAR NEW YEAR A timeless Lunar New Year “As the pink blooming peach flower brightens days in the North, and golden apricot further heats up the sunlight of the South, Vietnamese people are already in the best mood to welcome Tet.”

A new start Based on the Lunar calendar, Chinese, Korean, Singaporean, Vietnamese and some other Asian nations celebrate Lunar New Year with their own traditions. For those who might not know yet, Lunar New Year 2020 is the year of the Rat and the official days start from January 25th to January 27th, 2020. The Eastern people believe the Rat represents shrewdness, inquisitiveness, wealth, love, and prosperity. The Rat is also the first in the rotation of the 12 zodiac signs, which means that it is a year of renewal. Thus, when a Rat year comes, new experiences and promising outcomes are expected – “A fresh year, a fresh life.”

Let’s cheers to Lunar New Year in different languages: Chinese: 新年快乐 (Xīn nián kuài lè) Vietnamese: Chúc Mừng Năm Mới (chookmoong-numb-moi) Korean: 새해복많이받으세요 (Sae hae bok manhi bah doo seh yo) 4

Someone might have said that as the more mature we are, the fewer chances we have to return home. This is my second Lunar New Year which I celebrate far from home on pure nostalgia.

Thus, in this article, I am going to focus on sharing of about the Lunar New Year"Fragments"called Tet inseries my home paintings country – Vietnam.

Tet Viet in soul “Tet” is the most significant celebration in Vietnamese culture, which emphasizes the importance of a new start, surrounded by family and loved ones. Lunar New Year brings changes in everyday pace, much hope for a fresh start after all ups and downs, a bit calm to the bursting flow of life and joy to the warm-hearted Vietnamese people.

I do remember the old days. Every year I felt like I could be a child again, who was eagerly waiting for Tet and then overwhelmed by the atmosphere of spring and New Year in every little corner.

Throughout the country, preparations for Tet begin weeks in advance. My dad would decorate some lanterns in front of the door, some red signs of “Chuc mung nam moi” or other wishes then set a big kumquat tree and a peach blossom in a place of honor. Mom takes me and my siblings along with her to shop for new clothes, new stuff,

make a list of special foods to cook, buy lots of spring seasonal flowers, candies, and even wash our motorbikes and car. Oh, my younger brother definitely does not forget to turn on some traditional Lunar New Year music while we are having fun cleaning up the house together.

It’s more than a Christmas dinner, we usually spend the first 3 days of the New Year to have traditional meals with families and relatives, have reunions with old friends, visit pagodas, temples and worship the ancients. Children are also excited to receive the lucky money called “lì xì”.

Traditionally, the envelopes for this lucky money are in red or yellow color and it is believed as a wish of luck and prosperity.

Perhaps in the heart of every child who lives far away from home like me, the memories of Lunar New Year would always be the sweetest lullaby that brings me back to my own peaceful homeland.

Even when I am half of the earth far from home, I do imagine as if I could smell the aroma of incense, sticky rice cake called “Banh Chung” in the old familiar kitchen, the calligraphic ink and spring florals around. These aromas spread out every corner and inscribe in our memories - reminding us of our peaceful homeland and beautiful customs.

And… So, as the pink blooming peach brightens days in the North, and golden apricot further heats up the sunlight of the South, Vietnamese souls are already in the best mood to welcome Tet. Happy Lunar New Year to all!

With much love, Quynh Anh Vu (Daisy) Many thanks for the Lunar New Year photos

by Trang Nguyen, Nhi Vo and Thao Nguyen.

5

Lasagne

RECIPE

Lasagne is that dish that everybody loves, but that no one wants to cook because too long to prepare.

My Italian grandma revealed me the secret of the best lasagne. But since I’m just a student in Finland, I had to adjust her secret recipe to this “lifestyle”. So, in case you are bored during the weekend, here is a faster version of delicious lasagne on a student budget! Feel free to make a bigger portion and freeze it. You will not regret it when you’ll go home, after a long Monday in university!

Ingredients: • 1 pack of dried lasagne sheets • 1 litre of milk • Salt and pepper • 100g of flour • 1 big carrot • 1 stick of celery • Half onion • 700g of minced meat • 1 can of tomato sauce • Oil • Grated cheese Start by cutting your carrot, onion and celery in small cubes. Put a pan on the stove, add some oil and the vegetables that you just have cut. Let it cook for a couple of minutes. When the vegetables are ready, add the minced meat and a pinch of salt. Wait that the meat looks done, add the tomato sauce, salt and pepper.

Now that your ragù is ready, you can start preparing the bechamel (white sauce). Put the flour in a pot.

Turn the stove on and add the milk little by little while mixing the ingredients with a whisk. When the sauce is starting to boil, add salt and pepper. Both of the sauces are ready now. Time to start building our tasty lasagne!

First of all, preheat the oven at 180°. Take an oven pan and add a little bit of the two sauces. This will help to not get your lasagne stuck in the pan. Cover it with a layer of lasagne sheets. Now add other layers with the two sauces, cheese, lasagne sheets and keep going with this order. Finish the final layer with white sauce and cheese. Put it in the oven for around 30-40 minutes until they are golden-brown and bubbly.

Enjoy!

Claudia Riva 6

PAJA EVENT

Minister of Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto On 15th of January, Paja was incredibly crowded.

Students, teachers and staff members of XAMK University were very much excited about upcoming speech of The Finnish Foreign Minister - Pekka Haavisto.

Exactly at 12:00 the performance has started.

Even though, event was held fully in Finnish, many International students were engaged in the process.

In his speech, Pekka Haavisto covered many international political and economic topics.

For instance, Minister Haavisto mentioned about investing in African countries, helping to change most of the automobile industry to electric vehicles (example of Indian government initiative) and improving relationship with China, which will lead to positive results in the future.

In addition, Pekka Haavisto highlighted the main topics connected to the University education in Finland. For example, it was mentioned that foreign students, especially from countries that are not part of Schengen area should have as much opportunities and possibilities to study in Finland as other foreigners.

However, many other topics were covered: relationships with Russia, Brexit and immigration issues in Finland.

After the speech everyone had a chance to ask questions about any related topics.

Anna Ryndina Photos by Hugh Clack 7

DIGITAL

«Russia - My History»

Christmas and New Year holidays have ended. War, the Soviet Union, and even the most recent During the holidays, I finally managed to visit a events until 2016). very unusual museum, whose name is "Russia is my story." The total area of ​​the exhibition and exhibition space is about 10,000 m², it can receive up to 800 visitors at a time.

This historical park is unique in that the history of the Fatherland is given here panoramically and with the help of modern technologies - expositions include 900 units of multimedia equipment, 11 cinema halls, 20 interactive 3D-carriers with reconstruction of historical events, multimedia maps, a 20-meter Dome with video projection, interactive panoramas and scenery. This museum Visitors can familiarize themselves with interactive has been opened in 21 cities in Russia. maps of the most famous Kremlin of Russia, find out what people are used to eating, where they lived and how they dressed with a fun animated film, or try to read a love letter in the old Cyrillic language. Tours in the museum are held in Russian, English, you can take an audio guide.

The space is divided into two main parts of the long of Russia: ancient times, Romanovs, and modernity 8

two main sections, and eventful history the Rurikovich and (the Great Patriotic

MUSEUM For example, elements such as the water projected under your feet, when you enter the section on the Christianization of Russia, create the feeling that you are really “walking” through the history of Russia.

Before visiting the museum in the main hall there was a thematic exhibition dedicated to New Year's cards (from 1906 to 2019), it was possible to choose any one you liked for free and send it to your friends and relatives. I also decided to send a couple of postcards to my friends and parents. Of the two sections of the museum, I decided to start from the very beginning, so I visited the Rurikovich section. I learned a lot of interesting facts about the origin of which I had not previously known, for example, that knitting is a man’s business, it is connected with the fact that in ancient times this work fell on men's shoulders, since in monasteries where there were no women, all the work, including making vestments, embroidering diapers, was performed by monks. Also, the creation of woolen sails, exclusively engaged in men. It took more than one year to make a sail. Or, for example, the meaning of “Belt Passport”, in Russia, a belt was a kind of identification card of a person by its ornament, it was possible to determine from what locality his master was, how old he was. Men removed the belt only when going to the bathhouse and at night, while women did not wear the belt until the 18th century. But a person who behaves inappropriately said that he allegedly does not have a belt, which means he "unbelted". So they say to this day. Also, this interactive museum helped me recall the material that I studied in high school, as

I went through this era, I asked questions that I could not find a definite answer for myself. It was very interesting to watch the iconic battles on the interactive stand, having examined, in detail, the number of soldiers on both sides, the strategic location of the troops, clothes, weapons, etc.

Browse through interactive books, select and view from different angles the most famous fortresses of that era. In the huge domed hall, sit on the sofa, listen to the Orthodox chants of the choir or watch any of the 15 documentary, historical films to choose from. Participate in an interactive quiz after visiting the museum to memorize viewed and listened material.

Being there, you really get the feeling that you are traveling in a history textbook from era to era, getting acquainted with life, traditions, learning new interesting facts, and seeing how significant battles took place in the history. This is breathtaking! I highly recommend everyone to visit this museum!

Lidiia Benkovskaia 9

STUDENTSTORY

Meet Cheele Chun

I study Product design, I'm an exchange student.

I was born in Daejeon. It's one of the big cities in South Korea, close to Seoul and it's about 1.5h travelling time with train. Daejeon its more like industrial city one of the most famous engineering university. My university is in a different city in the south. I've been studying here for 4 years now.

I always wanted to study abroad to learn things that I haven't learnt at my university. I was interested in European countries and XAMK has cooperation with my university and they teach Computer engineering Product design as well. It is a huge field, students start 3d design (making products) I am interested to study digital design (building web pages and more social). In XAMK we have Digital media, so we learn to design and a bit further when we design the platform, we learn how to build it with simple codes and that helps me make realistic products.

I'm also taking more real design courses such as making some design with wood and metal.

Those I haven't experienced much in Korea and here they have machines that make them and teachers help us all the way starting from building the idea. In Korea are more and more designers that deal with digital products and there are a lot of companies and startups that make products and platforms build with digital devices. I'm expecting to get some work experience in this field in the future.

So far, it's totally different from South Korea. My city is so big but Kouvola it's much more relaxing with its nature and lakes. During September, I've been to several places around here and it was a great experience. I met a lot of people from different countries because there are a lot of international students, it helps me to get a lot of diverse experience. I've been to Helsinki as well and cities in the north like Tampere, Mikkeli, 10

Lappeenranta, Porvoo.

Before I came here, I didn't have much knowledge about education here. Instructors gave us freedom and at the same time, they are ready to help us and the lessons are very independent. It was a short time to experience all the beauties of Finland. If I have a chance to come here, I definitely visit again.

Next year I'll be graduating. Going to work for big companies it might be difficult because the competition is very high. People tend to find jobs in public places. Many people don't want to work in small companies cause the workload is about the same but is much lesser payment.I think now it's becoming easier to start your business in South Korea. Young people are challenging the business with new startups, there are many foreigners that are coming to South Korea to start businesses. It's becoming more and more globalized and definitely you can meet many people when it comes to high tech, investors as well.

I encourage anyone to go abroad for studying.

Arian Ukaj

STUDIO 123 Kymenlaaksonkatu 1 45700 Kuusankoski 044 375 3686 www.studio123.fi 24.1-30.1.2020 STUDIO 1 ELLA BELLA BINGO (S) | 10€ | 1h20min Sat-Sun 15:15 TERÄSLEIDIT (7) | 11€ | 1h33min Every evening 17:00 JUST MERCY (12) | 12€ | 2h17min Fri-Sat,Tue-Wed 18:50 VEITSET ESIIN (12) | 12€ | 2h17min Sun-Mon, Thur 18:50 STUDIO 2 HELENE (7) | 12€ | 2h 2min Every evening 17:15 1917 (16) | 12€ | 1h59min Fri, Sun, Tue, Thur 19:30 JOJO RABBIT (12) | 12€ | 1h49min Sat, Mon, Wed 19:30 STUDIO 3 FROZEN 2 (7) | 12€ | 1h44min FIN: Fri-Sun, Wed-Thur 16:50 ENG: Sun-Tue 19:00 JÄÄHYVÄISET (S) | 12€ | 1h40min Fri 19:00 Sat-Sun 14:50 Wed 19:00 STAR WARS THE RISE OF SKYWALKER (12) | 14€ | 2h22min Sat-Thur 19:00 Students/armed services, pensioners 1€ discount on all full priced tickets of 10€ or more

REVIEW Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker The end of the saga…. for good?

It’s been almost a month since the fans of the 43-year-old franchise got their last piece of the Skywalker puzzle. And now that this trilogy is finally over, it is safe to say that yet again this movie also proves that how these recent Star Wars movies were just… not needed.

J.J Abrams, known for his directorial work in Lost and Star Trek, directed, produced, as well as was responsible for writing the script for this last movie in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. After the huge success of the first movie The Force Awakens, which he directed as well, he had a lot of expectations in finishing off the series on a high note.

Unfortunately, this time it didn’t really take off.

Now, it is not easy to predict whether it will be a hit or a miss, let alone MAKE, movies like Star Wars which has a deep emotional place in the heart of its fans, and still Disney decided to make a whole new TRILOGY. Actors like Daisy Ridley (Rey), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren) and Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron) reprise the main roles as they tried to cover up the mess created by the poor storytelling and unnecessary plot holes.

But it wasn’t all bad as no matter how many times there were “uh...what just happened?!” moments, John Williams’s music surely did its magic and took the viewers on a nostalgic ride with all the scenes and references to the previous movies. The action and stunts performed in the movie are impressive, but then again, are totally unnecessary for the scenes they are.

To sum it up, this movie, with all its “cliché-Disney” moments still wasn’t able to match the high standards of its predecessors and is recommended for those who are there just for the sake of the story. Let’s just hope that Disney sticks to its more interesting projects such as The Mandalorian and there are no more let downs like this “Rise...”

Prakhar Sharma 11

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