13th Jan, Reception at the Oulu townhall.

On Friday evening we were invited to Oulu Townhall by the Mayor of Oulu for a reception to welcome all the exchange students to Oulu. We heard from previous exchange students that we could expect a free buffet dinner and drinks (alcoholic and non)...so naturally, we were very excited! The dinner consisted of platters of funny fish terrine, cold turkey, salads, bread and spreads. Very "interesting food"...you can't expect anything less from the Finnish!


We first mingled and chatted, looking hungrily at the food. We were then welcomed by the director of the Townhall and then we proceeded with dinner...


At the end of the evening I got to practice my public speaking skills, as Joanna (head of international relations) asked me to say a short thank-you speech on behalf of all the exchange students to the director at the end of the evening...
I was very nervous about speaking in front of so many people in the beginning but after consuming some champagne and wine my nerves "miraculously" disappeared...;)

After the reception a big group of us went out to a nearby coffee place and chatted the night away about issues from "how to make a proper tiramisu" to comparing the "political issues in South Africa, Italy and Germany".