Stipendiet hon nästan inte sökte – This is Aada telling her story
Hey! I am Aada and I study psychology at California State University Long Beach! I am doing my whole Bachelor’s degree there, which is four years. I have completed the first year now and couldn’t be more excited. I like to be outdoors, mostly because of the weather. I love working out, you can find me dancing, playing tennis and or at the gym for example.
What’s the best thing about studying abroad?
The best thing for sure are the friendships that I never otherwise would have gotten.
Why did you choose to study abroad, and why specifically in the United States?
I feel like the biggest contributor was my exchange year, which I did in Alaska, Anchorage in 2023. There I got to experience American high school and lived on my own for a long time. I also met awesome people and fell in love with the communal culture. After I graduated high school here in Finland, I was really lost with my studies but I knew I didn’t really want to go to a Finnish University. Then I found out about this scholarship opportunity and have been on the go ever since :). I think it was easy for me to choose the US again, because I had been there before and really enjoyed it.
How did Blueberry help you throughout the application and study abroad process?
I remember Blueberry being really supportive from the beginning. I got in contact with a few of the assistants at Blueberry and they really came through every time. They helped me with my visa process, applying for the school and kept me informed and still do! I remember panicking and sending them emails that I’m not sure if I actually want to do this, they supported me and told me it’s fully my decision and there’s no pressure. I am so glad I did it anyway.
How did you find out about the Ehrnrooth Foundation Scholarship, and what did receiving it mean to you personally?
I saw this scholarship opportunity on Instagram reels and thought it was fake, so I contacted Blueberry immediately to ask more about it. I know I sound pretty skeptical, but I couldn’t believe that my dream could actually become reality. I got my answers and decided to apply. I am not very confident and thought I could never get it. I remember stressing out for several weeks after writing the essay and couldn’t really concentrate on anything. That’s how I knew that this really meant a lot to me. Then one day I got an email saying “Congratulations Aada!” and I couldn’t believe my eyes. Receiving this scholarship meant the world to me. I wasn’t so lost anymore and I could start planning my future with this amazing opportunity!
In what ways has the scholarship impacted your study experience and opportunities abroad?
Well, it gave me the funding that otherwise I never could have even imagined going abroad. But it gave me a lot of other things too, the scholarship seems pretty flexible and they covered extra units for me when I had to choose them for my major. This scholarship is the reason I am able to get my degree and study what I want. It gives me peace knowing I won’t be struggling financially in a few years and hope that I can actually have a career I aspire to have. I can choose among all the classes available and get it approved through Blueberry, and I am all set.
How would you describe your university and campus? What was your first impression when you arrived?
My university is California State University Long Beach, which means that it is located at Long Beach. Seems obvious but for my European brain I thought it was just a name for a school like Harvard.. My university is very diverse and that’s what I like about it. It is also pretty big and got me a lot of getting used to when I arrived. We also have construction going on, so that made some routines harder than usual. Overall I like my campus because it is a very open space with nature. My first impression was being completely lost and not knowing how to go from upper campus to lower campus. Luckily Americans are pretty helpful so I made it to my classes in time :).
What does a typical day as a student look like for you?
A typical day usually starts at like 10 ish. I like to sleep in and that’s why I have picked day and evening classes for myself. I don’t want extra stress of sleeping through a class or being overly tired, just because something doesn’t fit my routine. I start my first class at 11-12. I can’t drive in the US, so I usually took the shuttle or the bus to school. Then after that I eat lunch in one of the dining halls, and continue my classes. Usually I am done at like five. Then I either have dance practice or I go to the gym. I am back home at 8-9 and then I start my schoolwork. Now in the Fall I’m going to have a different schedule, so it is not completely the same every day, but I still have day classes and practice.
What do you think about the city you live in?
I live in Long Beach, California. It is a pretty big city, especially compared to these here in Finland. It feels like a small town to me, everything is pretty close by and conventional enough. It has a lot of beaches and sightseeing, which I like.
Where do you live, and how did you find your accommodation?
I lived in a dorm on campus. I found it from our school’s housing website. This fall I’m moving to an apartment with a couple of my friends. It is pretty close to school, but I still have to take the bus.
Do you have any tips for finding good housing?
If you want to live on campus, search your school’s own website. They cover everything. Off campus housing can be harder to find, but I liked using the regular websites for apartment search, like apartments.com or zillow.com.
Are there any places or experiences you would recommend others not to miss?
Well I would love to travel California more by car, but I liked the Universal Studios in Los Angeles. I also like the Pier in Long Beach at nighttime. I would say do as much as you can, this time is pretty limited! Join clubs, sports and see events that you normally wouldn’t!
Do you have any advice for other students who are thinking about studying abroad in the U.S.?
I would say just do it! It makes you very independent, if you aren’t already. I personally was doubting myself a lot before leaving, if I was doing the right thing for my studies. I think the US is a place where you can have a lot more going on around you than just school, so if that’s your cup of tea, I think you’d fit in well!
What are your plans after finishing your studies?
My plans are pretty open right now. I want to continue studying psychology as long as I can, maybe it is in the US or here in Finland. I am not sure yet. I’m happy I have so many options to choose from! I know I want to get my masters and after that probably a job in the field.
