Vol 20 Issue 10

INSIDER 15.12.2017 | VOL. 20 | ISSUE 10

STUDENT MAGAZINE OF XAMK

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THIS WEEK SUN IN MIKKELI  PROFILE BECOME A GREAT COUCHSURFER  EXCHANGE VIEW GLÖGI  MOOMINS AND THE WINTER BOOK REVIEW WONDERLAND

EDITORIAL STAFF

Anastasiia Abgarian Mikkeli Current Affairs

Daria Chekalskaia Mikkeli Current Affairs

Stela Demaj Kouvola Current Affairs

Hafsa Farah Kouvola Current Affairs

Lingli Jing Profile

Suvi Karell Overseas Reporter

Trang Le Recipes

Lotta Lehtinen Movie Review

Long Nguyen Layout Editor

Setareh Nourzad Abkenar Kouvola Current Affairs

Hugh Clack Editor in Chief

INSIDER STUDENT MAGAZINE South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences Paraatikenttä 7 45100 Kouvola Editor in Chief: Hugh Clack INSIDER ISSN 1457-1587  /INSIDERSTUDENTMAGAZINE 2

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

EDITORIAL Here it is! T he las issue t befor e Chr Insider istma s.

I reckon each one of us already had a plan for this beloved winter break. Whether this is your first winter in Finland or you have been here for years, Christmas in a land said to be where Santa Claus resides somehow holds lots of special feelings. Since XAMK is such a diverse university, a good number of us is going back to our home countries to spend time with our families during this joyful season. I, personally, have booked some tickets a few weeks ago to travel because we do not celebrate Christmas in my country. For the chaps who decided to stay in our Kouvola like I did last year, do not worry too much about how to have fun. A home-made dinner on a cosy night with your flatmates is very much equivalent to a ton of fun. Do whatever you fancy in these three precious weeks!

However, before you go do all that, why not read through this issue you are holding in your hands right now? As usual, we have the trust-worthy movie review from Lotta, exchange view

by Suvi in lovely Malta, another update on current events in Mikkeli by Daria, my own attempt at making a traditional Finnish recipe, a super special profile article from Lingli and many more. As always, we hope you all have a pleasant time reading what we have been working on. From the Insider staff of XAMK, happy holidays!

Trang Le 3

SSLUSH 2017

MY EXPERIENCE AS A VOLUNTEER

Welcome you onboard to Slush 2017 in Messukeskus, Helsinki, Finland.

This was my pleasure to become a volunteer for one of the biggest innovation conferences in Nordic Area - Slush.

For one who does not know about this event, Slush is a not just an organization but a community of people with different ages, gender, nationalites and colors who have a common belief in chaging the world and making it better one. First it was based on Finland, then gradually it is spreading to Shang Hai, Tokyo, Singapore and soon over the globe.

Slush 2017 attracted approximately 20,000 headtechs coming from every corner of the world to Helsinki under the snowing and rainning mixed weather. There were 03 stages which consisted a large number of guest speakers talking about their stories in innovation world and lots of small fairs of new start-ups as an techonology exhebition. Besides those, it was considered as a place of opportunites for both entrepreneurs and investors to corporate in the near future. It had private areas to arrange meetings between opportunity-seekers. One form of

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Finnish traditions people must try when coming here is Sauna. Slush team set up some outdoor sauna baths in order to refresh their attendees at the end of the day. Additionally, there was a science pitch competition called Slush 100 Showcase. The winner was given 100,000 euros for his/her project, which was Altum Techonologies.

We were glad to welcome The President of Finland – Sauni Niinistö attending this event, making an opening speech and sharing about ‘Suomi 100’. #BragforFinland Slush team not ony focuses on betterning the experiences of the attendees but they, honestly speaking from my viewpoint, are considerate, prioritize and motivate their volunteers as well. Before on-site day, we as volunteers had a small talk with a well-known speaker and leaders of Slush team about individual responsibilities and a get-together after that. On event days, they designed a big room and restaurant only for volunteers to have fun and grab some snacks and beers between their turns. In this place, there was a DJ, some pillows to snap on, a cloakroom and PS4 game booths.

In the darkness of Helsinki and lateness of time a party with beers and business was held. The venue was the same but there were more than 05 stages where different types of genres were played. Let come and find your soul. Free drinks and amazing performances for everyone, wasn’t it cool? Thanks to this party after serious business stuff, it was a chance for investors and entrepreneurs to connect and get to know the other’s personalities more, which is considered as an important factor in business. I am always told that alcohol drink is inevitable when stepping into business.

First performance was from Slush volunteer band with their great artistic tanlents and skills. After that, we enjoyed great performances from some of the most famous Finnish singers such as Saara and Isac Eliot. At the end, attendees had fun and chill led by a talented DJ with a talented DJ. If you are a tech-holic and you could not be there this time, come next year as a volunteer, an entrepreneur or an investor.

You can apply to become a volunteer normally in September. For more information, you can check the site: www.slush.org.As a start-up, bring your ‘crazy’ idea here and prepare for the investment.

Long Nguyen

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HOW TO BECOME A GREAT COUCHSURFER The winter vacations are fast approaching. Some students will spend the holidays at home, some wait to just relax on the sofa with a good Netflix show, but this article is written for those who up for adventure. If you spend your days searching for cheap tickets no matter where, and you are ready for new experience – then keep reading.

No matter you are an experienced traveler or go on a trip for the first time, you are probably worried about catching the spirit of the place you are going to visit. I think you already read a lot of articles with trip advices such as « go where locals go », or «do what locals do». Unfortunately, even the best guidebook cannot follow the rapid changes in city’s life. You need to talk to actual resident. One way to find generous and friendly local, and also save some money for accommodation is Couchsurfing – a website where travelers and hosts meet.

Here some tips for unforgettable holidays and great couchsurfing experience: 1.

Do your homework. Read all information available about your host. Don’t afraid to ask the questions.

The absolute must is to read all the reviews on your host.

2.

Be honest with your host: write sincerely about yourself rather than lie to fit your host expectation.

3.

Safety comes first: always have a plan- B (or even C) if something will go wrong and always trust your intuition.

4.

Share: whether it’s food or stories, the main virtue of each couchsurfer is generosity.

5.

Try to stick to your host’s timetable.

6.

Be patient and attentive for all differences between you and your host.

7.

Leave the host’s flat clean.

Have nice holydays, but remember: Couchsurfing is about friendship and entertaining, rather than just free hostel.

Anastasiia Abragian

Exploring Stockholm with my host

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Exploring Jyväskylä with my host

PROFILE

INSIDER GROUP I have to say, time flies. From our first issue this semester, to the last issue this year. That’s why I decide to do a special profile for all of our wonderful staff, insider doesn’t exist without them. See you next year!

How do you think of our work in Insider this semester?

Trang: We have been working quite well with each other to produce lots of interesting articles. Everyone has their own fortes so each article is really unique.

Daria: Overall, I believe we need to concentrate on more specific topics, not just trying include a little bit of everything. And i cannot compare to how it was before, right now it was really comfortable even though we were covering stories from different town.

Do you actually gain something while working for Insider?

Stela: Of course, I gained very important things in insider. I gained an experience in something I love doing, i gained skills on how to write a real article and new friends well.

Hafsa: Other than the credit and free past as a reporter.

It's pretty good way to your practice writing.

How do you think of your experience in Insider?

Long: It was such an unforgettable experience when working with these amazing people. Everyone has their own talents and personalities but we were going well with each other.

Lotta: I have enjoyed doing the movie reviews, watching movies and writing the review has been like a weekly hobby and way to relax for me. I like how it kind of forced me to take some time for myself.

Lingli Jing Three words to describe our group, what would they be?

Long: Friendly, Trustworthy, Dedicated Trang: Diverse, thoughtful and fun.

Daria: Different, broad, bonded.

Hafsa: Awesome, understandable, hard-working.

Stela: Friendly, cooperative, skilled Lotta: Fun, creative, social

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SUN IN MIKKELI

Solar power plant in Mikkeli Have you ever wondered if Finland is a suitable location for solar panels? No more doubts – it is!

Students of XAMK implemented the project in cooperation with local company, Etelä-Savon Energia – one of the many companies in Finland interested in the development and increase of solar energy generation and the preservation of the environment.

In the beginning of 2017 the company constructed a solar power plant in the southern part of Mikkeli named “Sun Mikkeli”. The Sun Mikkeli solar power plant combines the typical desire of ESE to do things outside of the box while conserving nature. The profit of the Sun Mikkeli plant will be directed for 20 years for the good of the children, war veterans and the endangered ringed seals in the Lake Saimaa.

Overall, now they have 1132 solar panels set up next to the 5th highway to: - investigate and prove solar opportunities in this region of Finland - help people to see that solutions which seemed to be inefficient, already are able to take a lead - provide 20 household with clear energy and money got from it put to the charity

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- get 270 000 kWh of energy annually The panels themselves are efficient for 16% (while global maximum solar panel efficiency is of 21%) and have a payback period of 15 years (while they can work for 35+ years).

So, is not it good reason enough to switch to environmental engineering program?

Daria Chekalskaia

Our stand for discussing solar opportunities with the students

EXCHANGE VIEW

Almost done!

The semester is coming to its end soon. How has it been for you guys? Mine has been exhausting.

When deciding to stay here in Malta and finish my studies remotely I did not think of all the stress this might cause me. I knew it would be a lot of work, especially with the time frame I had given myself, but it still surprised me how difficult and tiring it could get.

Not only have I been working full-time and taking care of my son AND adjusting to the new country and culture, but I also went through the process of changing companies and positions. The recruitment process for my new position was stressful, finishing the thesis was a pain in the butt, having three different school projects going on at the same time was a handful and it just all seemed like too much at times.

But, here I am, still standing and now finishing the last courses. Once I graduate I can finally lay back a little and just watch Netflix on the weekends when my son goes to sleep. Oh, boy, have I missed that.

If I could do some things all over again regarding my decisions with my studies, there is still only one thing I would change: I would invest in a laptop that is designed for professional work. Might sound a bit weird, but that is the only thing that I would do differently, since my crappy 200 euro laptop does not make writing reports or searching information that easy.

It has slowed me down on many things, so my advice to everyone is: don't be like Suvi and buy the cheapest.

It feels great to graduate soon: I proved a point here: having a child is not making things harder, it actually makes you work harder for your studies and motivates you. Having a child also does not mean you couldn't move to another country and explore the world - not even when you are a single parent.

Whatever you do and whoever you are, plan big and then make your plans happen!

Suvi Karell

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GLĂ–GI

Moi! As promised, I attempted to make another popular Christmas recipe that is extremely well-known amongst Finns and some of the Nordic countries. To be more exact, this is in fact, a drink with a very lovely name – GlĂśgi. You might have seen this name on several types of boxed drink in the supermarkets. But home-made is always better. This is a non-alcohol version but you can easily make it a bit more hardcore by changing the main ingredient. The recipe requires many types of different spices so if you could not find all of them, one perfect substitute would be the packaged glĂśgi spices that could be found in every store. Let’s get to the recipe. đ&#x;˜Š How to make it: 1. Heat up juice in a pot. Mix in water and sugar and stir till the sugar is completely dissolved.

2. Add the spices and simmer on low heat for roughly 20 minutes or until it starts to smell aromatic.

3. Remove pot from the heat and carefully pour the glĂśgi through a sieve to get the spices out.

4. Serve the glĂśgi with sliced & skinned almonds or raisins.

As simple as that. A hot, slightly spicy drink to be accompanied with some Christmas ginger cookies can light up a whole chilly, windy night wherever you are. Please try this recipe out. I hope you have a fun time making it.

See you soon with more recipes.

Happy holidays!

Trang Le

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Ingredients: 500ml juice or red wine 400ml water 100g white sugar 1 cinnamon stick star anises and clove buds freshly grated ginger/ginger powder sliced almond and/or raisin

MOOMINS AND THE WINTER WONDERLAND

STUDIO 123 Kymenlaaksonkatu 1 45700 Kuusankoski 044 375 3686 www.studio123.fi 15.12 - 21.12.2017 STUDIO 1 THE NUTCRACKER (S) | 23€ | 2h20min Sat 12:00 Tue 18:00 STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI (12) | 12€ | 2h32min Fri - Mon, Wed - Thu 19:00

DIRECTORS: IRA CARPELAN, JAKUB WRONSKI WRITING: IRA CARPELAN, TOVE JANSSON LEADING ROLES: BILL SKARSGÅRD, STELLAN SKARSGÅRD, ALICIA VIKANDER Moomins is a classic book series written by Finnish writer Tove Jansson.

The story is begins when fall has come to the Moominvalley, and moomins start to prepare for winter. As always in the fall, Snufkin packs his pack and heads to the south. Moomins and Little My all stay in the Moominvalley the whole winter, but they sleep through the whole season. After moomins have retreated to their winter sleep, Hemulens skies in the Moominvalley and runs into Little My, who was woken from her winter sleep by squirrel. Hemulens explains to Little My all about Christmas and how they should already be prepairing for the it. Together they decide to wake the whole Moomins family from winter sleep to spend the Christmas together.

The film is made by using puppet animation, which is refreshing to see amongst all these 3D animation movies. This movie is nostalgic for the adults and it is fun and cheerful to watch for the kids. The plot in this movie isn’t too complicated, and it doesn’t have that much structure or exciting turn of events. It is mostly a gathering of events from Tove Jansson’s books put together, and it is all linked together by Christmas. I like how they included so many familiar characters all in one movie.

This movie had a bit too slow tempo for me, but it also made it possible just to sit, relax and enjoy all the nostalgic characters and stories behind them.

HEINÄHATTU , VILTTITOSSU JA RUBENSIN VELJEKSET (S) | 10€ | 1h31min Fri 15:00 Sat - Sun 15:00, 17:00 Mon, Wed - Thu 17:00

STUDIO 2 TUNTEMATON SOTILAS (S) | 10€ | 3h Every Evening 16:00 THE THREE TENORS' CHRISTMAS CONCERT IN VIENNA (S) | 23€ | 1h21min Sat 12:00 Tue 18:00 MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (12) | 11€ | 1h54min Fri - Wed 19:20

STUDIO 3 MUUMIEN TAIKATALVI (DUB) (S) | 10€ | 1h22min Sat - Sun 15:40 Mon - Tue 17:30 YÖSYÖTTÖ (16) | 11€ | 1h26min Fri - Sun, Wed - Thu 17:30 JOULUMAA (12) | 11€ | 1h32min Every Evening 19:20

 Lotta Lehtinen Students/armed services, pensioners 1€ discount on all full priced tickets of 10€ or more

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BOOK REVIEW THE ONE THING

“Productivity isn’t about being a workhorse, keeping busy or burning the midnight oil. It’s more about priorities, planning, and fiercely protecting your time.” – Margarita Tartakovsky – The One Thing The One Thing is New York’s number one bestseller. The book was published in 2013. Its authored by Gary killer and Jay papasan. The genre of the of the book is nonfiction. The book has great theory, examples and practical exercises that we could try. Also, if you've ever felt like you have too much to do and can't get anything done, then this book will help you to focus on those big ideas into manageable bites. it’s simple to follow and read.

So, the book is divided in to three category the lies, the truth and extraordinary results.

The first category the lies he covers multitasking, discipling and habits, willpower and that is has limited power life, balancing life and how you should take things slowly. One step at a time!

In the second part he covered focusing and great answer meaning by asking yourself quality questions. Lastly the third part is priority, productivity, commitment and your one thing. Key Insight example of the book is, that it takes 66 days to create a habit, that multitasking is a lie and rather we should focus one thing at time to get better result. Also, resting is as important as working, planning, respecting your work, learning to say ‘No’ and finally being like a surgeon and avoiding distraction.

Personally, I love this book and actually its one of my favourite books so far. The concept of the book is to resonate and illustrate how to tackle big goals, habits and ideas. Also, the one thing is good for anyone who's looking for simple book to read and straight advice.

Hope you like it. Let us know what you think!

Hafsa Farah

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