whitneyinky

hei! I just read that your daughter is in Finland with AFS. Well I was there last summer too with AFS, so maybe I could give you some advices? First of all, she has to get involved with the host family. It's the first step to feel less homesick. Like Afinnegirl said, finns aren't the most overly welcoming type of people like spanish people, for exemple. it takes time to befriend, but really, once you get to be friend with one, you know it will be a friendship you will keep for life.

maybe if she tries just to speak a bit finnish, couple of words or stuff like that, people will be a bit more open to her, since she is making an effort to speak the language. if she doesn't feel that confortable in the family, maybe she should try to speak with them and try to see what might not be working. if she still doesn't feel like this is the perfect "match" for her, maybe she can contact the local AFS volunteer. but first, she must really try to get involved with the family and community. maybe participing to a school activity, play some group sport or something like that would help! I have a friend in the town called Ylöjärvi (she's from Canada) as an exchange student and find her time a bit hard too. maybe they could contac each other, and try to do something or try to talk about their experience!

I hope this can help you out! give me some news!

Where in Finland is she? She could try going to the Finnish-American society's gatherings. Tervetuloa SAYL:n sivuille! — Suomi-Amerikka Yhdistysten Liitto There are American's who attend these as well as Finns who are interested in the US. When I spent time as an exchange student and was homesick I hung out with my Finnish friend but also got more involved with my host family. Finns aren't the easiest people to befriend, but once you do, you have a friend for life.