Name: Elena Iiskola
Age: 21
Degree: Politics and International Relations
Hometown: Espoo, Finland
HC: Hello Elena! You have finally made it to the last leg of third year, what has been the best part of this year?
EI: Hi there! It’s been a great year so far and my highlights have been the trips that I’ve made. I went to Shetland with my friends in October and it was a great mini holiday! Another great trip was in January when we went to Austria with my PIR friends. I’ve also really enjoyed my everyday life here in Aberdeen: Dinner parties, pizza and movie nights with friends and study sessions in the library with my friend Anette!
HC: Library dates are definitely necessary with exams just around the corner! What do you do when you need to relax during revision?
EI: I love to do some ice skating after a long day in the library, it’s a great way to combine exercise, fresh air and seeing my friends. I also love to have a cup of chamomile tea in the evening!
HC: This is quite a generic question, but why did you decide to make to move from Finland to Scotland?
EI: I had always been interested in studying abroad so when I was in high school I started to do a lot more research on where I could go. I also wanted to study international relations so I thought it would be important to get some international experience. My sister was already studying abroad and her experience there gave me the courage to apply to universities in Scotland and I was so happy when I got an offer from Aberdeen!
HC: You were part of the committee of the PIR Society at uni this year, what were the three best things you got out of the experience?
EI: The best thing was getting so many new friends! Our committee this year has been amazing and it has been great to meet many society members. We also organised a lot of academic events and I’ve learnt so many new things about politics this year. My third point might sound a bit lame but being part of this committee has really enhanced my organizational skills and I think that’s pretty awesome!
HC: If you had someone from home visit you, where would you take them in Aberdeen?
EI: I really love the beach so I’d definitely take them to see that, especially as you can spot seals close to River Don. King’s College is also a must see, I still find that building so beautiful! A friend of mine took me to see the amazing Winter Gardens in Duthie Park this year and I really liked that place so I’d take my visitors there.
HC: I can’t believe I’ve missed these seals! I’ll have to go check them out. We hear you do quite a lot of ice skating due to your job here in Aberdeen, what initially got you into skating, as I’ve come to find out in Scotland it isn’t a given to learn to ice skate?
EI: We have a lot of outdoor rinks in Finland during winter time, so that’s how I learnt to skate when I was younger. My mum took me to see an ice skating Christmas show and I got really excited about the sport and that’s how it all started! Skating is such a unique sport and I couldn’t be happier that I get to skate so often here in Aberdeen.
HC: Now some quick fire questions!
Beer or cider?
- Beer
Movies or TV shows?
- TV shows! My absolute favourites are Parks and Recreation, and Gilmore Girls.
Turtles or dolphins?
- TURTLES! There’s nothing wrong with dolphins but I absolutely love turtles
Winter or summer?
- I’ve come to appreciate Finnish winter a lot more now that I live in Scotland but I’ll still choose summer over winter.
Thank you for letting us get to know you a little better and all the best for exams!