Floating on a Boat with the Future Doctors of Finland

Adventures on a ferry with 500 medical students

I sat here, ate some food and listened to some live music.

As I write, I’m sitting on a ferry heading to Stockholm. I’m visiting a friend for the weekend—a quick trip before we head to Australia towards the end of November.

It takes six hours.

When I booked this particular ticket, there was a banner that said “many students onboard.” I wasn’t entirely sure what this meant—but now I know! I’m on board with 500 medical students from Turku (on mainland Finland). Hello, future doctors of Finland.

If this trip is anything to go by, we may (or may not!) be in good hands.

So far, I’ve seen Mario & Wario, '80s aerobics instructors Jane Fonda-style, a group of cockroaches, Survivor contestants, a fairy posse, a group of lifeguards, some Western: Wanted Dead or Alive waking posters, a whole group wearing showers, UPS delivery drivers, a group of German-lederhosen-wearing fellas, and a whole garden of flowers. Oh, and some wedding cakes!

Unbelievable!

Walking showers and a car!

Of course, this is early in their adventure. By the time I’m ready to leave, there’s a little more chaos. The bars are full. There’s dancing and music, and they’re all enjoying their cruise.

The group of ‘70s tennis players are looking tired. The group of Impressionist paintings (yes, they were wearing picture frames!) were a little bedraggled, and the Transformer cars hadn’t yet sat down so who knows how they were feeling?! (Quite happy by this photo!)

Transformers!

It did take me back—to the early ‘90s (yes, the 1900s 😱) to my student days of pub crawls and being thrown in a particular iconic Adelaide fountain that no longer exists.

I’m impressed by their creativity, zest for fun, and, quite frankly, their non-Finnishness on display. I could see some visible discomfort of being the centre of attention—squirming almost. Others had taken on a persona and embraced the attention. I wondered how they’d be as doctors after an adventure such as this—who might drop out? Who would become a surgeon or paediatrician? Who would work overseas?

Their life is ahead of them, a little uncertain despite the certainty.

As I write this, a group has gone past in silver and white holding alien dolls. I’m not sure what they’re dressed as but I think they’re enjoying the safety of the ferry—they’re able to be a little crazy without overexposing themselves to the outside world. Maybe that’s what’s enjoyable about these cruises.

For me, and especially for people who’ve lived and grown up on Åland, it’s just a mode of transport. The gaming (pokies as they’re known as in Australia), tax-free shop, Schlager music and cheap(ish) booze are something to be tolerated. I don’t think I’ll ever venture on a cruise anytime soon.

But still, I enjoy the exuberance of these young people showing their creativity through wonderful outfits. Embracing the moment on the cusp of growing up and being an adult. At the edge of having to make decisions that could very well mean the difference between life and death.

And so I head off into cr ai of bustling Stockholm, quite glad I won’t be on the return journey to Turku as the music gets louder and the 500 students onboard really get down to partying!

Stay well,

Lisa x

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I’m reading

My Stockholm adventure saw me come home with a few kilos of books. One very beautiful book was gifted to me ~ The Women I Think About at Night: Traveling the Paths of My Heroes by Mia Kankimäki, a Finnish author, copywriter and editor. Oh, what a beautiful book! It’s part memoir, travel adventure, and literature analysis. I’m enjoying it very much. Thank you, Kika, for the special gift 💖

I’m listening

I’m finding Cat Powers all over the place—her music popped up in films and on Instagram so I’m enjoying her songs on repeat on Spotify.

I need a good pair of headphones - the old-fashioned, sit-on-your-ears type (earbuds and I aren’t friends) so if anyone has any recommendations on a brand or model that won’t mean I have to sell a kidney, I’d appreciate it!

I’m watching

Over twenty years after it was released I’ve now watched Band of Brothers. What an incredible production. If you haven’t watched it and can stomach the brutal realities of WWII, it’s worth seeing.