My best memories at the University of Helsinki

It’s funny to think that I have been part of the University for over half of my life. There are nearly 30 years between me and the new freshman. Nevertheless, the most central moments to me are when I started studying. There was a wonderful spirit of history and enlightenment in the main building. Humanism as an approach to Life by Georg Henrik von Wright, which I got as a course book from Rector Olli Lehto, made an impact on me, as did the entrance exam book, Language Change – Progress or Decay?, which had already opened my eyes to exciting new perspectives on language.

The greatest feeling, however, came from being free to focus on my own affairs. No one cared anymore whether I was keeping my nose in the textbook or getting good grades.

I didn’t meet my spouse at the university, but I got him excited about the field of humanities. I had in fact decided that theoretical philosophy would be good for his analytical character. Looking back I have wondered why I didn’t encourage him to go into law or medicine, where an analytical mind can be of great benefit. Cynicism aside! It is always nice to return to an enthusiastic and optimistic atmosphere, where educational decisions were once made. I am glad I was so certain I wanted to study English at the University of Helsinki back then because this path has opened up so many possibilities for me.

By Written by Minna Palander-Collin and Kaija Hartikainen (ed.). Translated by Joseph McVeigh.

Minna Palander-Collin

Minna Johanna Palander-Collin
Born August 31, 1967, Helsinki

PhD 1999, BA 1991 in English Philology with a minor in Romance Philology, University of Helsinki
Subject teacher qualifications and adult education studies 1998, University of Helsinki

2009– Professor of English philology, University of Helsinki
2011–2015 Head of Unit for English philology
2014– Deputy Head of the Department of Modern Languages
2007–2009 Research fellow at the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies
2006–2007 University lecturer at the English Department
2002–2006 Doctoral assistant at the English Department
1989–2001 Various research assistant and teaching positions at the University of Helsinki; English teacher at the Adult Education Centre; postgraduate studies at Oxford University under a grant from the Osk. Huttunen Foundation

Research interests
History of English, historical sociolinguistics, historical pragmatics, language and identity, language change and contact

Publications, research projects and other scientific activities at TUHAT

Photo: Linda Tammisto
Written by Minna Palander-Collin, Kaija Hartikainen (ed.)
Translated by Joseph McVeigh