The weather has gotten a bit nippy, but there's no time to hibernate. Get some C-vitamin rich fruits and berries into your system and the D-vitamin pills and bright light lamp ready: the UMK 2025 is already in progress. A record-breaking 485 songs were offered to the competition and the rumors are already circulating.

Moving is tough - let alone when moving to another country. Take your time, do not feel bad about letting your self be at ease and rest. This is also the best time of the year for that :) it takes time to settle in, especially if you've been through a lot, but I'm sure you'll start to enjoy it properly later on. There is no better way to chill down and relax than some sauna, nature, peace and quiet. Finnish happiness is all about finding joy in the nice little things in life. Please remember that you do not own it to anyone here to do a bunch of updates right now, despite many of us are looking forward to it. Take it in your own pace and update us once you are ready to do it, no pressure :)

Looking forward to your updates. It has to be stressful to move your whole life to another country, but it seems like you have found a place that suits you well.

Welcome! Also, it's dark in here, and it's getting darker, so don't forget your vitamin D supplement.

Welcome to Finland! I’m so sorry you’re going through a rough patch. Do not fear to reach out to people for help, all personal issues and culture shock combined are not easy. No one needs to deal with these issues alone here.

Welcome! You came to Jyväskylä about a week too late to see a TON of people on the streets in the evening. There was a City of Light event. But you will see it next year.

Welcome!!! Many hugs to you both and just take it easy at the begining. Moving your whole life is stressful and your brain needs the time to adjust. It is still fairly bright but we are moving towards the darkest times of the year so use a lot of decorative lights to illuminate your days. Luckily Christmas is just behind the corner to cut the darkness. I hope you have friends here who can help with your apartment, furniture etc. Thrift stores are very popular in Finland and you can find good and cheap stuff from those for your new home. I hope you got tickets for UMK25 if you were going. Sadly I can’t go this time but I will be watching it. Looking forward to your updates ❤

Welcome. The coldest time in Finland is from December to February, so prepare to somewhat colder times in the winter. But remember, sauna helps if you are cold, stressed or sad.

Loistavaa, tervetuloa! (You got this!)

Welcome! ❤Yes, get some decent sleep and nourishing food, and you'll have energy to explore your new surroundings.

It'll get easier! I remember that feeling from the time when I moved to Ireland. When every single thing is new and you need to figure it out, and the people around you are also new, it is exhausting. But it will get easier! And you are right about people moving around in Jyväskylä. It is a very active and sporty town. And a lot of students, and it makes the vibe very "young". Greetings from Kuopio again!

Welcome to Finland! 😊 The early to mid fall is the prettiest season here but soon it'll be dark and cold for 6 months so make sure you have strong vitamin D supplements ready to go, those are a must during winter!

Welcome to Finland and Jyväskylä ❤ looking forward hear more. Here you can walk and go for long walks with your dog. Jet lag usually takes as many days to recover from to how many hours your flight took.

I'm so glad that the two of you got there safely! I hope that you are able to get settled soon, and just enjoy your new place!

There's also the jet lag to consider. It will affect your mood. That will settle in a week or two. When you go out, in the forests etc., remember the "Everyone's rights": You are legally allowed to walk, bicycle - even camp! on private property (just not in the immediate vicinity of their yard...) No need to worry that someone might come and tell you to leave. Take advantage of that. Go see the woods, lakes, rivers. Pick berries, mushrooms, flowers. Experience the nature around you. It is yours to see! :)

I didn't expect someone to describe Jyväskylä as having a lot of people, but cool that you like it 😂 At least the weather is still nice and it's not quite November yet

Feeling like a hibernating bear is the true Finnish experience at this time of the year. I always feel like I'm hibernating over the winter and waking up again in April :) I hope the things will get better once you settle in your new apartment and get over with jet lag :)

enjoy Finland! get more rest and then you can hopefully fully enjoy the country ;) I want more updates too!!

I hope everything goes well for you!

It takes a few days for your soul to catch up with your body :) It will be all right. Welcome 💛

It's easy to see that you are tired and exhausted, but as soon as you started to talk about your new hometown, your eyes shine again! Looking forward your updates.

Nice to see you here finally, and I hope your dog is okay! Not sure if it's just me, but the ending of this video seemed somewhat abrupt. 🤔

Moi mitä kuuluu?🌼🤘

Hope that you like Finland! :)

I hope you will have the best time in Finland. Don't mind the murky people and it's starting to get cold also. I think you'll be fine🙂

❤

Don't worry everything will be OK! If you have the opportunity to spend some time in the countryside you should try it. Älä huoli kaikki menee hyvin! Jos mahdollista niin sinun kannattaisi viettää vähän aikaa maalla.

Something interesting is coming.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

My unsolicited advice as someone who has been an exchange student in a Nordic country and who has chosen to move to and integrate in Jyväskylä: Interacting with the international community at the university will help you establish a support network and a home base of sorts. I wouldn't neglect it. Hobbies are the best way to venture out of that circle and to meet other people. For many, it's sports. For you, I assume, it's music 😊 It'll be an adventure!

Something that might happen when you move in to a another country is that you might feel lonely at times. I hope you will find many friends in Jyväskylä, who will become your new family. Also the Finns might seem a bit cold in the beginning, but you'll see, once you are able to break that facade, we are very friendly, warm and wre make very faithful, trust worthy friends. Sending you loads of mental support from Kuopio! Would be lovely to run in to you one day. :)

I brought my cat with me from USA to Finland. I remember all too well the paperwork. Worth every penny and hassle.

I am very exited you came here. Winter is coming 🥶but i am sure, everything will going just all right 😀👍

Just be yourself. We'll love you best that way!

Remember that you should not ask how people are doing in Finland if you do not want to hear a life story. ;-) Pidän kaksin käsin kiinni tuopista niinku cha, chacha, chachachachaa

I strongly recommend that u go to witness "Raskasta Joulua" -concert. 21st of December in Jyväskylä.

Pro tip: do not tip in restaurant in finland

So basically you are in a bit of a freaking out state..? The funniest video I've seen about culture shock is this one: "Football at -18C | The coldest club in the world | Finland's Rovaniemen Palloseura". Don't worry, it's probably the early stage of autumn in Jyväskylä, which is warm and lovely.

Nice! Wellcome to Finland! ❤

Hope to see you again at isku areena.

I may be swedish and cant wacth umk but käärja is amizing

I hope to see you in Jyväskylä in the next year or two!