Tervetuloa

That’s welcome in Finnish.

Welcome to the land of a thousand lakes, reindeers, and the real Santa Claus — Finland. Everything is covered in snow, it’s surreal…

the view from my kitchen window

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What does Turku look like?

Turku, having existed since 1229, holds the title of oldest city in Finland. When I say I’m from Turku, most people react with ooohs and aaahs, expecting to see medieval streets and buildings and castles.

So what does Turku look like? Surprisingly, it’s quite modern. Turku burned down several times in the past, so there are hardly any remnants of its medieval past. Most of the buildings in Turku are actually quite new. There are the occasional brick buildings which were built in the late 1800s or early 1900s, but the rest are modern concrete blocks that were probably built from the 1950s onwards.

Come take a walk with me down one of the streets in downtown Turku:



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Do you live in igloos?

No, I live in a student housing complex in Halinen called Haliskylä, where I share a three-bedroom apartment with Johanna, a Swedish-speaking Finn, and Katri, an Estonian. Student housing in Finland is excellent. Everything is convenient and well-planned — the Halinen landscape is almost rural with a forest and Halistenkoski rapids nearby, yet there is a commercial complex across the street and school is a 10-minute bus ride away.

It’s hard decorating your room when you’re on a student budget, especially when you know you’ll be moving out in four months. Luckily, the Finnish — never one to let anything go to waste — have it all figured out. For roughly a hundred euros, I was able to deck out my room quite comfortably, with rentals from the housing office and the student union (some furniture + a starting package of curtains, a duvet, a pillow, & some kitchenware), things scrounged from second-hand shops (a mattress, a rug & a drying line) and an assortment of items from the dirt-cheap IKEA. (A full-sized pillow for 95 cents? Outrageous!) Probably the most expensive thing I bought was a new heater, and that was only after I shivered in my room for a week and finally decided I couldn’t wait until a heater turned up at the second-hand store. Hehe.

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What do you eat in Finland?

When I first arrived in Finland, I found the food appalling.

Meals tasted like they had come from mass-production lines. Fruits and vegetables tasted like cardboard. Fresh meat was nowhere to be found in supermarkets — everything was either cured, processed, marinated, or ground into mystery meat and resurrected as cold cuts and sausages.

My initial theory was that Finland, being on the edge of the earth, was so far away that fruits, vegetables, and meats aged and died before they could finish their journey to Finland. And, once they get here, they are cryogenically frozen by the Finnish weather.

I was expecting the fruits and vegetables I had in the Philippines to taste the same in Finland. That, of course, was a stupid assumption.

The secret was to eat like a local.

I have since learned to buy only produce in season at the kauppatori, and have grown fond of some local favorites, like Aura blue cheese (named after the River Aura in Turku), Fazer chocolates, and the wide array of Finnish breads. Finnish bread, in contrast to the crusty & airy ones sold in France, are hearty and grainy, perhaps to help keep you warm in the harsh Finnish climate. Hardly a day passes now that I don’t have some bread — whether its crumbly blue cheese on warm monivilja viipaleet (a soft, chewy multigrained bread) for breakfast; a generous layer of onions, peppers, lettuce, and roast pork on a ruispalat (a coarse, dark rye bread); or large chunks of sunflower seed bread slathered with butter from our bread station at the school cafeteria. Yummy.

I still have to get used to salmiakki and lakritsi, though.

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How cold is it in Finland?

Contrary to popular misconception, winters in Turku aren’t as cold as winters in other parts of Finland. The average temperature in January ranges from -10°C to 3°C, which, with the dry climate, often feels much warmer.

There is, however, a perennial mountain of snow. So, when in Finland, I do as anyone from a tropical country would do — indulge myself shamelessly in the list of winter-y things to do!

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Are there polar bears in Finland?

No, there are no polar bears in Finland.

There are reindeers, though, and you can even visit Santa Claus and his elves at his home in the Arctic Circle.

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Sheila Santiago

International Masters in Management of IT (IMMIT), 2008-2010

Universite Aix-Marseille III, France; Turku School of Economics, Finland; Tilburg University, Netherlands

News in brief:

1. Pinoy Erasmus Mundus logo

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After the vote, we now have a logo for the group. Thanks to everyone who submitted entries and voted!

2. EM Southeast Asia Chapter President

Pinoy Erasmus Mundus congratulates Iqbal Akbar (above, front row center) for winning the election for SEA Chapter President. We look forward to working together in the next three years.

3. New links

The blog sidebar (right column) now includes links to Erasmus Mundus 2009-2013, particularly the complete lists of Masters Courses and Joint Doctorates, as well as a link to the Pinoy Erasmus Mundus Yahoogroup. Spread the word!

The 12th European Film Festival lands in Manila for a 10-day run from September 11 to 20, 2009. Catch it at the Shang Cineplex 1 in Mandaluyong City. For schedules, click here. Synopses on the Facebook event page.

The election period for the EMA-Southeast Asian chapter president is ongoing, so sign up at EMA if you haven’t registered yet. Here on the blog, we have a decision to make, too. It’s time to choose a logo for Pinoy Erasmus Mundus. Why do we need one? A matter of brand identity, really. A logo will help our efforts to become more visible and bring some consistency in our image as a group promoting student and alumni causes.

How to vote:

1. Select one from these six choices below. Click on each individual image to enlarge. The different versions (full color, two-color, on black and white backgrounds) are for different applications. Each numbered entry, as captioned,  is only considered as one logo.

2. Send a private message or email to our Country Representative, Jill Lopez, via the new Yahoogroup by August 31st. Indicate “logo vote” in the subject line and the number of the selected logo in the body of the message. Only votes from Filipino Erasmus Mundus students and alumni will be considered.

3. The winner will be announced on the blog and on the Yahoogroup on September 1st.

Brand identity is important not just for products and services, but also for groups. We’re putting out a call for logo studies until August 15. Submit entries to the pinoyerasmusmundus Gmail address or upload the file/s on the pinoy_erasmus_mundus yahoogroup (and please notify the group). We’ll vote on a logo by the end of the month.

Need something to get you started? Take a look at Andrei’s logo studies.

Notes:

1. This call is voluntary and open to everyone, not just Filipino EM students and alumni.

2. The logo will be used by the group for different materials/collaterals until PEM decides to replace it.

3. The final logo must be in either JPEG or layered PSD format, minimum 6″ x 6″ size, 300 dpi. No restrictions on dimensions.

Ambassador Alistair MacDonald and Erasmus Mundus alumni met Erasmus Mundus undergraduate and Master’s students and scholars for the 2009-2010 intake at the delegation’s Makati office last July 30. The new students listened as the ambassador warmly welcomed the group, after which incoming student Marcial Batiancila delivered his remarks. EM alumni fresh from Europe, Tuesday Quiller and Francis Totanes, gave tips and talked about their experiences in Europe. EM country representative Jill Lopez gave an update on the Erasmus Mundus Students and Alumni Association; Abby Yao enumerated possible efforts on improving networking and visibility. The afternoon gave the students and alumni the chance to link up and work together for the benefit of all Filipino EM students.

We at the Pinoy Erasmus Mundus blog congratulate the new students and wish them all the best in their European journey. Itaas natin ang bandera ng Pilipinas sa Europa! Hope to hear from you soon.

Incoming Erasmus Mundus students

Showing their not-so-serious side

Alumni Abby, Vera, Francis, Tuesday and Jill with Ms. Thelma Gecolea

All together now

Incoming EM student Marcial Batiancila (left) and EM alumnus Francis Totanes (center) look on as Amb. MacDonald welcomes EM students and alumni

[Delivered during the pre-departure meeting at the EU Delegation of the Philippines, RCBC Tower 2, Makati City, July 30, 2009]

Your Excellency, Ambassador Alistair MacDonald, Thelma Gecolea (Public Affairs Officer of the delegation), Ms. Jill Lopez, EMA Country Representative, Fellow Erasmus Mundus Scholars, Ladies and Gentlemen—good afternoon. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to participate in this important event that recognizes the achievements of Filipinos for successfully competing in the most prestigious Erasmus Mundus Mobility Programme.

Indeed, the selection of students from third countries to join the programme was not that easy considering the high academic requirements including mastery/fluency of the English language and for some scholars—fluency in other European languages and also this is a competition taking into account the diversity of applicants from countries all over the world. So, what are our chances of being selected? The probability of being selected in the program is too slim. Despite of this, we are still fortunate that we have been selected as Erasmus Mundus scholars.

Erasmus Mundus is an interesting and relevant initiative of the European Union, responding to the challenges of higher education in Europe aiming at contributing positively to global development and of making Europe the most attractive region for higher education in the world. The creation of a European area for higher education and research and the globalization of higher education, have made it important to facilitate the access of students from third countries (including Philippines) to higher education in Europe.

There are several reasons why we applied for the scholarship programme; we have our own stories to tell too. Personally, continuing professional education in library and information science has always been one of the main ways leading to the realization of my academic and career goals. It has always been an integral part of my life because education plays a central role in innovation and economic growth as well as societal development. The opportunity to help people was not only a future job for all of us Erasmus Mundus scholars but it is our calling to be of service to humanity…to the Filipino people in particular. This is also the point in my life when I truly realize who I want to become and what I have to do to achieve it. I realize that as information professional I do have a social responsibility towards the practice of my profession and to the society in general.

Ever since, I have been aspiring to study abroad particularly in Europe and I am greatly fascinated with its colourful history and contributions to world culture and development. October 2008 when I applied for the International Master in DILL and 3 days after I got an e-mail telling me to submit all the needed documentation. April 21, 2009, another e-mail from DILL administration, notifying me that I was selected as one of the Erasmus Mundus Scholars in International Master in Digital Library Learning jointly offered by Oslo University College (Norway), Tallin University (Estonia), and Parma University (Italy). At first, I can not believe it and then I realized that this is God’s answer to one of my prayers. On the other hand, I felt very sad because I will be leaving my family, my work and most importantly my responsibility as Regional President of the Philippine Librarians association, Inc.-Southern Tagalog Region Librarians Council (PLAI-STRLC). But, I have to accept this and if not it would be a lost of opportunity for our country, the Philippines .

Moreover, I felt proud that of the 22,000 applicants from 166 countries a handful Filipinos has been selected to study in Europe . This is a rare privilege, as well as a responsibility. As Pinoy Erasmus Mundus scholars, we have also the responsibility to represent our country as its cultural ambassadors to European Union. There are a lot of challenges that awaits us when we come back here in our country.

At this point, I also would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you my fellow Erasmus Mundus scholars, Congratulations Kababayan! To the governing body of the European Union thru the Delegation, thank you for giving us the opportunity to take part on this wonderful and prestigious Erasmus Mundus Mobility Programme.

Indeed, the programme would greatly help us Filipinos in developing our potentials as professionals, provide us opportunities of learning new skills or gain insights on our chosen field of specialization and have a better understanding on our role in today’s global society. More so, we need such training in order to materialize our professional goals of not only learning new technology but be able to transfer whatever technology that we will be learning from Europe to our home country, the Philippines.

Thank you.

Marcial R. Batiancila

Incoming Student in International Master in Digital Library Learning, 2009-2011

If you’re a prospective postgraduate student thinking of applying for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship for the 2010 intake, consider applying for a Chevening scholarship as well.

Chevening Scholarships are prestigious awards available to international students for study in the United Kingdom.

Chevening scholarships offer an ideal opportunity for young, high-flying graduates not only to study their chosen subject, but also to meet and network with their peers in the unique learning atmosphere that the UK provides. The ultimate objective is to build a network of friends of the UK, who will be future leaders in their countries.

Candidates are selected by the British Embassy in Manila. The scheme is managed by the British Council on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Applying for the Programme

The Chevening Scholarship Programme for the academic year 2010/2011 for the Philippines, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau begins 1 August. All applications are done on-line and must be submitted before 15 October 2009.

The minimum qualifications are:

•an applicant is a Filipino, Marshallese, Micronesian, or Palauan national

•has attained a local/international degree

•has two years work experience in your chosen career

•applicant should also be committed to returning to the applicant’s home country after the period of study

We encourage that you first visit the Chevening website and read the E-Chevening guidance notes before completing the application form. To download the E-chevening guidance notes, click here.

[via British Council website]

Have you heard of the EU Blue Card?

EU Blue Card- residence conditions for high-skilled foreign workers
The directive establishes more attractive conditions for third-country workers to take up highly qualified employment in the member states of the Union, by creating a fast-track procedure for issuing a special residence and work permit called the “EU Blue Card”.
The Blue Card will facilitate holder’s access to the labour market and entitle them to a series of socio-economic rights and favourable conditions for family reunification and movement across the EU.
The directive determines the common criteria to be set by the EU member states for applicants for the Blue Card without prejudice to more advantageous conditions provided for by national laws.
The period of validity of the EU Blue Card will be between one and four years, with the possibility of renewal. A Blue Card may also be issued or renewed for smaller periods in order to cover the work contract plus three months.
Under the rules set by the directive, EU Blue Card holders will enjoy equal treatment with nationals of the member state issuing the Blue Card, as regards:
– working conditions, including pay and dismissal;
– freedom of association;
– education, training and recognition of qualifications;
– a number of provisions of national law regarding social security and pensions;
– access to goods and services, including procedures for obtaining housing, information and counselling services; and
– free access to the entire territory of the member state concerned within the limits provided for by national law.
After eighteen months of legal residence in the first member state as an EU Blue Card holder, the person concerned and his family members may move, under certain conditions, to a member state other than the first member state for the purpose of highly qualified employment.
Following its publication in the Official Journal of the EU, the member states will have two years to incorporate the new provisions into their domestic legislation.

The directive will be effective in all of EU member-states except the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Denmark.

Full details here.

CC-licensed image by Valéry-Xavier Lentz