University of Jyväskylä: Expanding Life's Pathways
In my first three decades, I travelled to over forty countries and visited top universities in the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia, yet I had never undertaken long-term study abroad nor set foot in Finland. Initially, I applied to numerous programmers and received offers from Australia and Germany. Yet the fields didn't fully align with my interests, leaving me hesitant to take that crucial step. That changed when Professor Pekka Korhonen from the University of Jyväskylä emailed: ‘We welcome you to join us. Your academic background fits our research group perfectly. Let's arrange a video interview.’
The interview took place on a sun-drenched day. Professor Korhonen sat in the garden, surrounded by purple flowers and green lawns, everything appearing serene and peaceful. Although the University of Jyväskylä wasn't the highest-ranked institution among my offers, the perfect alignment of my field of study led me to choose it. From that moment, the gears of fate began to turn.
My discipline is Political Science, and the University of Jyväskylä holds considerable renown for its expertise in conceptual history research methodologies. To master this approach effectively, I diligently studied the classic texts recommended by my tutors. Moreover, during my first summer term, the faculty encouraged me to participate in summer schools at the University of Oslo and the University of Helsinki. This experience significantly accelerated my academic development. When encountering research difficulties, receiving proper guidance prevents unnecessary detours, and it was precisely my supervisor's patient instruction that proved immensely beneficial.
During my first semester, I opted to take multiple courses rather than immediately focusing my energy on thesis writing. Though juggling ten courses proved demanding, this approach laid a solid foundation for adapting to university life while simultaneously securing all the credits required for graduation. Subsequently, I had greater energy and time to dedicate to my dissertation research. The process was arduous and winding, yet looking back, it was all worthwhile. I still cherish the memory of walking forty minutes through blizzards to catch an 8am lecture, the thick snow crunching beneath my feet – light yet solid underfoot.
At the faculty's small Christmas pikkujoulu party, the dean—usually seen in a suit and tie with a stern demeanour—revealed himself to be a heavy metal enthusiast. He strummed his guitar, performing one song after another. This delightful contrast offered a glimpse of the rich diversity beyond work and study. The relaxed academic atmosphere encouraged everyone to pursue their interests. In my spare time, I learnt to swim and even worked as a part-time tour guide during the holidays, introducing Finnish culture and the magnificent Lapland scenery to more Chinese tourists.
At the University of Jyväskylä, I forged many genuine friendships. It is the encouragement of these dear friends that has illuminated my path forward. It was also within the “each one teach one” interactive study groups that I met my life partner. We journeyed together, supporting each other, and after graduation, we held a warm wedding ceremony and attended the 2023 doctoral graduation ceremony together – a life surprise I could never have anticipated before coming to Finland.
My research field is governance. If Finland's academic ethos aligns with any ancient Chinese philosophy, it would surely be Laozi's concept of non-interventionist governance: achieving results through minimal interference, where inaction yields action.
