Finnish teens

The title says it all, basically. Except for Andy G, we’re all Finnish teens in BigColafor21. But what is it like being a teenager in Finland? First we read texts about teen life in countries like Argentina, the US, Italy and Australia. After that it was our turn to tell the rest of the world about Finnish teens (that’s us). You'll find some really nice texts here, so be sure to check them out!

How do you spend your free time?

- Every week I go to school and waste a lot of time there. Foolish. After school I watch TV, listen to music, play video games, read, draw or write.

What are your hobbies?

- I don't really have any hobbies, but last year I bought a skateboard and tried to practise, but the weather was always bad and there aren't many places nearby with great places to skate. So, I'm trying again this year and I hope I don't fall too many times.

Do you get pocket money?

- No, but I get stuff. For example I cleaned our whole apartment and my mom bought me two CD's from my favorite artist online.

How is school life for you?

- Well, I'm going to be honest here: school sucks. But let me explain a little; I like to come to school and chat with friends and be with people, but the classes... Man, if only I could be the one to decide what subjects we are having in our school, nobody would ever even think of staying home because school is stupid and boring and my Xbox is nice. (But after all we would actually have a video game class.)

What do you worry about? What are the biggest pressures in your city?

- I have to worry about school, studying, pets, mom, brother and keeping the house up. That's a lot of stuff. And I also have to worry about myself, because I might be sick, but the only way to find out is to get some bloodwork done and man... I have a serious problem with needles. But enough with me. The other teens don't really worry so much as I do, or at least I don't know about it if they do. Eveyone wants to blend in, be a part of ”the group”. But to do that, they have to change a lot. And when they do, they become something else, they are not themselves anymore. That's why I don't want to blend in, and I'm trying to be me as much as I can.

Are you proud of your country?

- Honestly? No, not really. I mean, Finland is cool and everything's supposed to be fine here, but I just don't like this country made of men with beer bellies. I'm planning to move to the USA when I have the money to do so. And all because it would be nice to live in a place where the temperature outside is just a little bit warmer.

What do you think about the stereotype of teens in your country? Do you agree?

- Well, what I have heard from the interwebs is that some people think that we don't have any cultural knowledge. Once someone asked me in a chatroom that 'how can you own a computer? Aren't you people in Finland very poor?' And another chatroom, another time, someone asked me if we had polar bears walking around. I just laughed my butt off!

What is your ambition? What would you like to do when you're older?

- My ambition is to have a life that someone will respect when I'm gone. My dream job is tattooing, and running a tattoo shop.

Michelle Iron

I spend my free time mostly at home. I don’t have hobbies. I get on well with my parents. School life is okay. I think the stereotype of teens in my country is that they use drugs. I have visited many other countries, including Estonia, Sweden, England and India.

Paul Woods

My hobbies are listening music. Like pop, rock… I like movies, drawing, singing and sleeping. I go to gym one or two times in a week. In the summer I go cycling with my mum or my friends.

I don’t get any regular pocket money, but sometimes mum gives me money, if I go to a movie theater.

I’m in the eighth grade now. I started primary school when I was seven. Secondary school started when I was 13.

I agree with Sinead what she said about teens’ pressure of clothes and everything like that. Too many teens choose their friends by looks and that makes them feel the pressure.

Charlotta Snowhill

How do you spend your free time?

- I often go to a city nearby with my friends and when I’m home my favorite thing to do is reading and watching movies, I also love coocking and baking. And I have two dogs.

What are your hobbies?

- My hobbies are riding, reading and down-hill skiing. I started skiing when I was three and riding when I was seven. I hated reading ‘til I was 10 or 11 but then I read a very good book and now I’m reading all the time.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in your town?

- It’s a really safe and quiet town to live and grow-up. The bad thing is that Kangasala is far away from all the action. The bus connections are really bad and I won’t get a car before I’m 18.

Do you get well with your parents?
- Yes! My dad’s kinda funny and my mom’s my friend. That might sound lame but my mom is really laid back and cool. Of course we argue a lot!

How is school life for you?

- I like school and I like to think I’m good at it. And it’s one of the few places I can meet my friends.

What is the most memorable experience in your town?

- I’ve pretty much grown up here so there has been many nice and few bad memories.

Alice River

How do I spend my free time?

- I spend my free time with my best friend, reading, drawing, listening to music, watching Anime and reading Manga. And I also like to only relax.

What do I like/dislike about living in Finland?

- I like Finland really. It’s beautiful in the summer and winter. The autumn is my favorite season. When it’s still warm and when trees are painted orange, red and yellow. It’s beautiful. But on the other hand, winters are cold. Heh, this is my home country.

Where do I get pocket money?

- I get pocket money from helping at cleaning, washing dishes and all that kind of things. I get 10 euro every Friday!!

What do I argue with parents about most?

- I argue about insane things. When I’m tired I start to complain about everything. I argue with my mother most ‘cause I don’t have the courage to argue with my father. :P

How is school life for me?

- My school life is okay. My grades are good and I’m happy. I’m happy ‘cause I finally have my BEST FRIEND!! I’m in 8th grade right now. It’s easy but I’m busy with homework. There just is sometimes too much tests and homework!!

Have I visited any other countries?

- Yeah, indeed I have. I have lived in Italy one year but I can’t remember anything ‘cause I was too young. I have visited the Canary Islands many times. I have visited Turkey and Estonia too. I have also visited Sweden of course, my neighbour country.

Roxie Bluerose

How do you spend your free time?

-I usually spend my free time with my friends and, as unfortunate as it is, school takes some free time from me, too.

What are your hobbies?

- I don’t have any real hobbies, but I like to read and write, spend time with my friends and take care of my dog, and when you consider how much I do these things, I think you could take them as my hobbies.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in your town?

- I like living in my home town because it’s a pretty quiet and peaceful place. On the other hand, when you want to go shopping or something, there’s nothing for that in the town I live in.

Do you get on well with your parents?

-Yes, I get on pretty well with my family. Of course, as any teen, I sometimes have problems with them, but I could still say we have a pretty good relationship.

How is school life for you?

- It’s sometimes a little hard and maybe stressful, especially when we have many tests coming up, but I can manage.

What is your most memorable experience in your town?

- I don’t really know. I have experienced a lot there.

Are you proud of your country? What do you like or dislike? Why?

- Sometimes I’m proud of Finland, and sometimes it makes me a little less proud. It depends.

What do you think the stereotype of teens in your country is? Do you agree with it?

- It seems like most Finns think that teens are grumpy, rude shoplifters. I’d like to find a way to prove them wrong.

Have you visited other countries?

- Yes, I have been in Sweden, United Kingdom, Norway, Estonia, Lithuania, Malaysia and Australia.

Marie Cain

And since we always want to have some music here, here's one Finnish teen you might know.