I was proud of my university during my studies, and still am. Every once in a while I find myself boasting about how university education in Finland is both free and open to everyone. The atmosphere is inclusive, students are given a great deal of freedom, and, above all, the opportunities to learn do not depend on wealth.

What particularly attracted me to the Faculty of Arts was that we were not there to chase after profits but to learn, research and pass on knowledge to future generations. Science and humanistic values are at the centre of it all. The humanities have always encouraged students to think for themselves. That is something that cannot be taken for granted. In some countries I have encountered a very strong “must ask the professor” mentality.

I am grateful to the professors and other teachers at the departments of Finnish and Slavonic languages as well as elsewhere at the University for always having the time to discuss matters and share their expertise, and it was not always necessary for those discussions to relate specifically to the courses or assignments. I remember how the professors at Essex seemed to have less time to spare.

Studying at my own pace suited me well, particularly when I experimented with other subjects along with the humanities, and even with other institutes of higher education. On the other hand, perhaps it is not such a bad thing that stricter study deadlines have since been imposed, as they can serve as an inspiration for students to complete their degrees. In my case, my MA thesis remained unfinished for several years when I found work after completing my Bachelor degree. In any case, I believe that the important thing is to create an environment for learning that is both free and open while still maintaining academic standards and an air of professionalism.

One of the finest moments at the university was when I finished my own publication in 2005. I did not pursue an academic career any further, but I felt that I had made my own concrete contribution to linguistic research. The publication was the result of many years of work as it was based on my bachelor’s and master’s theses.