NO 13

THIS ISSUE

Trip to Lapland

50 SHADESOF WHITE

How To

ECO FRIENDLYGIFT WRAPPING

Independence Day

ID GALA

STUDENT MAGAZINE

KYMENLAAKSO UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES | 12.12.14 | Vol. 17

INSIDER

HOANG ANH N

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RAH ROSENTHAL

DIANA KAMALETDINOVA

MATTEA NÄVERI

BAC LE

ANNUKKA RE

PO

IULIIA POGORELOVA

KA

ROLIINA NIEMI

RIIA JÄRVINEN

ANNA G

ELYU

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ALENA KIIA

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INSIDER ISSN 1457–1587Copyright © Insider 2014

Editor in chief: Hugh Clack

INSIDER MAGAZINE

EDITORIAL

3

Karoliina

at least the colour of December seems to be

gray. To get into the mood, why not read about

what it is like up in the northern Finland and just

cross your fingers that we will have same kind

of Christmas Eve.

Even though the Christmas time is here, it is also

good to look back to our celebrations last week.

The Independence Day has probably stayed in

everyone’s mind, whether you’ve join the gala,

spent it as an exchange or just watched the

Unknown Solider from the TV. If you were about to

say: “No, I do not remember it”, there is even better

reason to have a look to our this week’s articles.

Insider wishes you all a merry little Christmas,

even if it might be a gray one.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Not only in shops which are filled with Christmas

stuff, but also in Insider Magazine. We want to share

our Christmas spirit to all of you and hopefully with

our tricks, you’ll have a Christmas to remember.

If you’re feeling like you’re not in the mood to rock

around the Christmas tree yet, it is probably time

to refresh your knowledge about Finnish Christmas

traditions. Have a look at some of the tricks people

have used before to create memorable Christmas,

and maybe with these traditions, you can make your

Christmas better than the last one.

If you’re like me, you’re probably dreaming about

that white Christmas. Unfortunately, at the moment

INSIDER MAGAZINE

EXCHANGE VIEW

4

Last week has been quite patriotic in here.

On Wednesday we had an international day in IT

Carlow and on Saturday we celebrated the Inde-

pendence Day of Finland.

For the international day, the institute asked us to

serve some Finnish food. After hard thinking we de-

cided to make blueberry pie, as it was easy to make.

Or so we thought. Unfortunately we had minor pro-

blems with the pie, so it took three different ovens in

three different houses, five hours and lot of patience

to make the pies. On Wednesday we started to cut

the pie to serve it but it turned out to be raw.

Well, after we had an emergency meeting with

the girls we realised that no-one in the IT actually

knows how the Finnish blueberry pie should look

like. So we ended up serving the mushy blueberry

pie for hundreds of people and tried to smile like

nothing was wrong. We definitely nailed it, as our

English teacher sent me an email, saying that it

was the best blueberry pie she has ever tasted.

We wanted to celebrate the Independence Day of

Finland and gather everyone together. We deco-

rated our house with Finnish flags, snowflakes

and fairy lights to make it look pretty. This time

we thought that blueberry pie wouldn’t be on our

menu so we just decided to serve some salmiakki.

People were actually interested about knowing

how we got the independence. This tests your

history knowledge a lot. Luckily, we saw this

coming. We actually studied the Winter War, the

Continuation War and the Lapland War before

the get-together, to avoid sounding like a beauty

pageant contestant.

Next week is the final week in IT Carlow before

the Christmas holidays. Most of the exchange

students leave on next week, which is quite sad.

Creating events like a Finnish Independence Day

-get-together is just an excuse to have everyone

gathered in the same place. I think events like this

are important now, even if it means that we need

to study again everything about Finnish history.

Text: Karoliina NIemi, Photos: Karoliina Niemi & James Wynne

INSIDER MAGAZINE5

50 SHADES OF WHITE

Lapi, Laplandium, where-santa-lives and other N number

of ways to say about the magical place on Earth named

Lapland.

A week there is definitely one of the best decisions you can

make. Probably one of the most exciting spots for your trip

is called Levi, ski paradise above the Arctic Circle. 6 days

in Levi will cost you a lot, starting from 500 euros, but how

much are you able to pay for the best time of your life?

Santa Claus village (just like in Coca-Cola ads, it’s true!),

reindeer farm , Ranua zoo with huge polar bears, snowmobile

safari, SPA with open-air jacuzzis, spellbinding ski slopes,

husky safari – that waits on you in Lapland.

People say you cannot buy happiness. Well, sorry, in Lapi

it’s possible. But of course you get the best for free: nature.

Even NatGeo photos do not convey the beauty of those piles

of snow that cover everything. Whiteness is everywhere,

straddling each and every building and tree.

There are more than 13 words in Finnish language that

mean “snow”. After Lapland you can understand why.

That endless snow creates a feeling like the Northern part of

Finland is completely another world. Sun rises at 11.30 and

sets at 15.00, reindeers and foxes are more common than

cats&dogs, skiing is not a hobby but more like style of life

for local people.

Instead of McDonalds fastfood you can eat reindeer filet and

giant pancakes with blueberry and raspberry. You and your

best friends in a cottage with fireplace and your own sauna.

This is the atmosphere of Lapi.

There is something magical about Lapland, something

from childhood and fairytale together. Something you

cannot describe in words and have to experience your-

self. Inspiration and relaxation live there.

Text: Anna Gelyuta, Photos: Kalle Silvola & Miska Karvinen

INSIDER MAGAZINE6

INDEPENDENCE DAY GALA

Finland‘s Independence Day is a national public holiday. It is held on

the 6th of December to celebrate Finland‘s declaration of indepen-

dence from the Russian Republic. Finland is now 97 years old.

After the speeches the dinner organizators gave

some time for people to wonder around before

the band started to play in the hall where a

dance floor was located as well. People were a

bit shy yet to dance but everyone was capturing

the moment with friends by the wall where Riku

Sundström took photos of the guests.

After a few hours of kind of dancing and great

music, people started to move to Sokos Ho-

tel Vaakuna. The after party took place in the

bar-café restaurant Aula. The place was crow-

ded from the start till the very end. One by one

the Gala guests started to take over the dance

stage so the bartenders decided to keep the bar

open for two hours more than usually.

The Independence Day Gala was very suc-

cessful but for the next time, it would be nice

to have a few dancing lessons before or during

the gala. We do have people in our school who

dance like stars, so why not this year?

Text:Riia Järvinen, Photos:Riku Sundström

At 17.50 the doors of Kouvola City Hall opened

for everyone. When you’re used to see someone

at the school in normal clothes it can be funny

to see the same people wearing suit, ties and

long dresses. In addition, the gala was a great

opportunity for everyone to forget school and

deadlines for a few hours.

Guests were welcomed with a glass of sparkling

wine and after 30 minutes of chatting with

others and standing there looking important,

like my avec said, it was time to find a table.

Host of the night welcomed us with short speech

and gave the turn for our rector Petteri Ikonen

who told how he sees independence for the stu-

dents and himself. After these, it was time for the

dinner. The dinner included a starter, main course

and dessert with coffee or tea. The dinner was

versatile, giving the best flavours of traditional

Finnish dishes. By the way, it was fairly smart

move to place the dinner to the start, so that peo-

ple didn’t need to just stare the clock in hunger.

INSIDER MAGAZINE7

The point of using eco materials is sustainability.

Things you can reuse, recycle or simply upcycle.

Think green, easily decomposable and nature

friendly. Things that both feel and look good.

1. Choose the materials you want to work with. I

took an old wallpaper and marked it with a stan-

dard box pattern, cut it, then glued it together to

make the box. You can find different patterns easily

online, depending on your preferences.

2. After both the bottom and the top of the box are-

dry, place your present in and then check out your

MATERIALS

newspaper

catalogues

fabric

hay

wool

sewing ribbon

old wallpaper

HOW TO:

wrapping materials.

3. One of my boxes, I simply painted with some

watercolour. For the rest I decided to use a catalo-

gue and newspaper. Find colours you like, print that

looks attractive, or simply the paper quality you find

interesting. You can also use bits of fabric as well.

4.Once you wrap you paper around it‘s time for the

ribbon choice. You can use wool, hay or sewing ribbon.

Once again, it‘s all about how nature friendly they are.

Mine were re-used ribbons from a secodn hand shop.

Text & Photo: Mattea Näveri

When in doubt: do an online

search for inspiration. If you

can‘t make up your mind about

materials or colours, turn to

nature and find you inspiration. Enjoy!

ec0 gift wrapping

TOOLS

scissors, ruler, glue, tape

INSIDER MAGAZINE8

INSIDER MAGAZINE9

ULIANA KOVALEVA

Text & Photo: Alena KiianichenkoWho’s that girl? Who’s that invisible at the university’s corridors

and yet that sparkling on stage girl? Her name is Uliana. That girl

has an incredible ability to surprise and surpass. You could forget

her name, but you’ll never forget her exceptional voice. Do you

want to dig into the depth of her personality and get familiar with

her story of becoming so passionate about music? I bet you want!

So, let’s start our journey to the wonderland called “Uliana’s life”.

Can you tell us about yourself: where are you from, what do you study?

Hello, my name is Uliana, I come from Petrozavodsk, which is

pretty unknown town located in the north-west of Russia. When

I answer the same question to foreigners, they usually don’t know

where it is. I study International Business at Kyamk. I’m a first

year student and I’m happy to be here!

What are your feelings about your group mates, teachers?

My group mates are extremely creative and hilarious guys! I keep

learning from them and their cultures. Their talents of playing the pi-

ano and drawing inspire me a lot and help me to cope with everyday

learning routine. Speaking about teachers, I would like to say that

they are very helpful and different from Russian ones as here they

are more to guide you on the way of studying and give you advice.

What are your plans for the future if you have them?

I’m not really sure if I would like to connect my future with busi-

ness but I would definitely like art to be the huge part of my life.

Let’s talk about art then. How is it important for you?

In my opinion, art is one of not many things which can make peo-

ple better and which are worth living for. Art lifts people’s souls

up to the sky and makes them less concentrated on materiality

and little concerns, which is essential.

Do you have any hobbies? What inspires you the most?

I like drawing, taking photographs and of course singing. I would

like to learn how to play many different musical instruments. Mu-

sic is the greatest source of my inspiration. When I was young, I

was trying to write songs. Moreover, music school made me got

used to the “music atmosphere”, which I miss really much now.

Luckily, a month ago I joint a local chore, in which there are many

talented people who also inspire me.

You performance on stage quite frequently at Kyamk and else-

where. What do you feel when you sing in front of the audience?

Of course I’m nervous and even frightened sometimes, but I think

these emotions are worth experiencing because they usually

make you give a good result. Performing brings me an incredible

excitement and I am happy when I make people feel.

What kind of music is your favorite?

I listen to various kinds of music: from rock to classic. I admire

Nina Simone as a strong woman who made a huge contribution

to jazz music. At the same time I like Arctic Monkeys, Three Days

Grace, Kings of Leon and AC/DC. From classic, I strongly appreci-

ate the music of Rachmaninov, Prokophev, Tchaikovsky, Chopin.

What are your plans for the winter break?

I’m going to spend the holidays in a magical place called Nad-

voitsi where my grandparents live. This place has a marvelous

atmosphere which makes me feel better. This is the motherland

of mine. I’m going to do skiing and skating, enjoying the nature.

I will celebrate New Year with my family in a cozy atmosphere

and have fun. Merry Christmas to everyone!

Thank you Uliana for sharing a particle of your life with us and

enjoy forthcoming holidays!

INSIDER MAGAZINE10

TOOLS

Bowl, foil, mixer, a baking dish, oven,

rolling pin, paper, scissors

GINGERBREAD HOUSE

the height of the wall is 6.5 cm (2 pieces).

4. The finished dough roll out the layer thickness of

07 mm, to impose a workpiece on the dough and cut

out the relevant details of the test house.Bake lightly

floured workpiece, at 180 degrees C ~ 10-12 minutes

5. Leave the product to dry a bit and you can begin

to collect the house.

6. Use glaze to secure parts and to decorate the house

Text: Diana Tykhonenko, Alexandra Ivchenkova Photo: Diana Tykhonenko

1. Put honey, sugar, vanilla sugar and butter to

a small saucepan.Heat the honey with sugar and

butter, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is

smooth.Remove from heat and cool.

2. In the honey-oil mixture, add spices, egg and stir

well.Mix flour with baking powder and honey-oil

mass.Knead the dough, roll it into a ball and put 2

hours in the refrigerator.

3. Cut paper blanks for the Gingerbread House:

Roof blank 11x12 cm (2 pieces);For the blank side

walls 6,5x10 cm (2 pieces);Blank facade 14x10, at

INGREDIENTS

100g Honey

50g Sugar

50-60g Butter

1tsp Vanilla sugar

a pinch of Cardamom, & Cinnamon

1 Egg

2050-280g Flour

1tsp Baking powder

Glaze

INSIDER MAGAZINE

MOVIE REVIEW CINEMA

12.12.2014.-18.12.2014.

STUDIO 123

Kymenlaaksonkatu 1

45700 Kuusankoski

05 3792082

www.studio123.fi

MARIINSKY:PÄHKINÄNSÄRKIJÄ|(S)|23€

Thu 19:00, Sat 12:00 |2h05min

AUTOLLA NEPALIIN:UNELMIEN

ELOKUVA|(S)|8€

Sun-Tue 17:15|1h43min

MIELENSÄPAHOITTAJA|(S)|10€

Fri,Sat,Wed,Thu 17:15|1h43min

NIGHTMARE 2-PAINAJAINEN

JAKTUU|(16)|10€

every evening 17:00|2h15min

NÄLKÄPELI|(12)|10€

Fri-Wed 19:30 |2h03min

HOBITTI-VIIDEN

ARMEIJAN TAISTELU|(12)|10/12€

2D every evening 18:45,

Sat,Sun 14:15, 18:45

3D every evening, 19:15

Sat, Sun 14:40, 19:15 |2h24min

THE KINGDOM OF DREAMS

AND MADNESS|(S)|10€

Sat,Sun 15:00|1h56min

FRENCH RIVIERA|(12|10€

Fri,Sat,Wed 17:15|1h56min

`71|(16)|10€

Sat-Tue 17:15|1h39min

11

Wish I was here is a movie about a man trying to keep his family together, growing up and

finding himself and facing many changes in his life while watching his father die of cancer.

I can‘t say I enjoyed this film. I also can‘t say I didn‘t enjoy it. It was an okay movie. The story

line is interesting enough, but somehow, this „identity chrisis“ thing Zach Braff has going on

throughout the movie is somewhat annoying.

The cast has done a pretty good job! I am especially impressed by the young actors who play

Zach‘s kids,Joey King and Pierce Gagnon. Her character was very interesting with her teenage

and religion struggles going so far that she goes „Britney Spears“ and shaves her head at one

point in a missguided attempt to be more religious.

The movie is trying very hard to be quirky and deep, and make you feel something and think

about your life. Not so exciting and definitely not entertaining, unless you are into that.

If you are into deep, dark humoured dram-com‘s and you like Zach Braff, I definitely recom-

mend seeing this movie. Great cast, decent story line and lots and lots of dealing with „tough

life“ stuff.

WISH I WAS HERE(2014) / Director: Zach Braff / Genre: Comedy|Drama / Starring: Zach

Braff, Joey King, Kate Hudson / Rating:

Mattea

INSIDE INFO

KOUVOLA

12.12 Kouvot – KTP-Basket

Starting 18.30

Mansikka-ahon liikuntahalli / Huovinhongantie 1

Tickets: 12€ students

12.12 Studio Dance Pit’s Christmas Show

Starting 19.00

Kouvola-talo / Varuskuntakatu 11

Tickets: 15€

13.12 Pre-Christmas Party feat. Menore @ Bar Q

Starting 21.00

Bar Q / Salpausselänkatu 27

13.12 KooKoo – HOKKI

Starting 17.00

Kouvolan jäähalli / Topinkuja 1

Tickets: starting from 7,50€

26.12 Tapsa’s Dances

Starting 23.00

Amarillo / Kauppalankatu 13

KOTKA

19.12 Poledance Show

Starting 22.00

Amarillo Kotka / Keskuskatu 21

Tickets: Free till 24.00, after 7€

21.12 Traditional 6Party feat Jannika B

Starting 22.00

Amarillo Kotka / Keskuskatu 21

Free entrance

LAHTI

12. & 13.12 Summer Up X-MAS!

Starting 22.00

Lahden Tivoli / Vapaudenkatu 13

Tickets: 9€ / 8€

13.12 Christmas Market

Starting 10.00

Lanunaukio / Lahti

STUDENT MAGAZINE

INSIDER

HELSINKI

17.12 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Starting 19.00

Tuomiokirkko Helsinki

Free entrance

31.12 New Year’s Eve celebrations

at Senate Square 2015

Senate Square Helsinki