Why Study Finnish? Students' Opinions

You might still be wondering “Why to study Finnish?” Is it difficult? What’s the benefit? Let the students answer!

Miksi opiskelet suomea?
Why do you study Finnish?

	Arianna 21, major linguistics, second year Finnish class   Aloitan opiskella kielitiedettä, ja tarvitsin kurssin, jossa opiskelisin kieltä, mitä ei ole indoeurooppalaisen kieliperheessä. Mutta tykkään suomen kielestä tosi hyvin ja halusin olla toisella kurssilla. Honestly, this started just as a program requirement, but has become a fascination and hobby rolled into one! I often pass free moments by reading about Finnish grammar.
	Jordan 21, major math and art, second year Finnish class   Koska ukkoni ja äitini puhuvat suomea ja haluaisin puhua heidän kanssa. Because my grandpa and my mom both speak Finnish and I would like to speak it with them.
	Brad 21, major linguistics, second year Finnish class   Opiskelen suomea koska Suomi on kiinnostava maa ja haluaisin matkustaa siellä. I study Finnish because Finland is an interesting country and I would like to travel there.
	Derek 29, major Pathobiology, school of Public Health, first year Finnish class I plan to study and live in Helsinki for 1-3 years and knowing Finnish will give me a chance to better integrate into Finnish society.
	Alicia 25, major Comparative literature, first year Finnish class   Partly, because my ancestors were Finnish, but mostly because I find both the sound and the grammar equally fascinating.

Millaista on opiskella suomea?
What do you think about studying Finnish?

	Charlotte 18, major Music, third year Finnish class   On vaikeaa, mutta hauskaa. Opin paljon Suomen kulttuurista, historiasta, ja kielestä. It is sometimes difficult but always fun. I learn a lot about Finnish culture, history, and, of course, the language.
	Arianna 21, major linguistics, second year Finnish class   On todella kivaa opiskella suomea. Kieli on vähän outoa, mutta se ei ole huonoa. I enjoy it very much. I don’t find the grammar particularly hard most of the time; it is mainly the rather foreign vocabulary which at times seem more difficult to master.
	Laurel Ph.D. student in linguistics, first year Finnish class Hyvä! I am enjoying it very much. It is very interesting to see the differences between Indo-European languages and Finnish.
	Alicia 25, major Comparative literature, first year Finnish class   I love the vowel sounds and the way it’s different from every other language I’ve studied.
	Brad 21, major linguistics, second year Finnish class   Minusta opiskella suomea on ihan hauska. Puhun Englantia ja minusta suomi on melko outo ja hauska kieli. Kurssit ovat pieni ja ihmiset ovat hyviä. Studying Finnish is really fun. As an English speaker, Finnish is a pretty strange and fun language. The courses are small and the people are nice.
	Babak 33, major Electric Engineering, first year Finnish class It’s great. It has opened an entirely new window towards Finland for me.

Mitä etua luulet suomen kielen taidosta olevan sinulle tulevaisuudessa?
In the future, how do you think you will be able to benefit from knowing Finnish?

	Tina major International Studies and Economics, first year Finnish class   As an International studies major, I will probably have a job where I work with people from around the world. Finnish will probably come in handy.
	Angie 37, Extension student, third year Finnish class   Toivon lukea sanomalehtia ja kirjen perheni sähköpostia, kuunnella Radio suomea parempi, ja puhua puhelin myös. Puhelin sanoa on vaikea, nyt. I hope to read newspapers, write email to my family, hear Finnish broadcast better + speak on the phone, too. Speaking on the phone is difficult, right now.
	Laurel Ph.D. student in linguistics, first year Finnish class Knowing Finnish will certainly benefit my professional work. I hope to be able to draw on Finnish examples when studying/developing cross linguistic theories. I hope that knowing Finnish will also benefit my personal life – it would be fun to travel there!
	Charlotte 18, major Music, third year Finnish class   Ehkä opettaisin Suomea, tai voin käydä Suomessa ja puhua suomea. Myös tykkäisit lukea kirjoita suomeksi. Maybe I would teach Finnish to someone, or I could go to Finland and be able to speak Finnish. Also I would like to read some books in Finnish.
	Babak 33, major Electric Engineering, first year Finnish class Besides being able to connect better with relatives, I’m hoping that we can expand (UW) technical and scientific ties with Finland. Hopefully, we can initiate joint programs between UW and Finnish universities and companies.
	Matthew major History, first year Finnish class   My girlfriend’s family is Finnish. Maybe they’ll like me more.