Austin is currently completing a Masters in Applied Linguistics in the Language and Communications Department at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland, and is expected to graduate in 2020. During his time in the Scandinavian Studies Department, Austin spent the summer of 2015 in Finland for the CIMO summer course. This opportunity opened up the possibility of moving to Finland more permanently to do a Masters degree, and since making the move, Austin plans on staying as he is enjoying life in Finland. Austin recalls enjoying the annual Pikkujoulu parties held by the Department of Scandinavian Studies and the sense of community they created. He also enjoyed a folklore class, which showed him the depth that existed within the world of folklore. While a student at UW, Austin was not sure what professional benefit he would get out of his Finnish studies, but made the choice to study what interested him. In the end it has worked out as he is living in Finland, completing a graduate degree, and continuing to study languages and linguistics, his passion.