When I started at Aquinas College, I didn't know many people, only two people that were my cousins. I felt like the school was very big and scary at first but I got friends easily and everybody was very nice. I have to give a special thanks to the staff of Aquinas College for accepting me into the school.

Until Week 2 in Term 1, 2021, I had only done Finnish schooling in Finland. When I switched, the whole school and school system was totally different. I’ll mention some differences:

• We don’t have all-boy schools in Finland at all.
• The length of the school days vary every day.
• In Finland, I go to a small school building with no boarders. The Aquinas College is a big campus with boarders and day boys, I didn’t even know such exists. Schools don’t offer boarding in Finland.
• In Finland, 500 students is a lot for one school.
• The strictness is much higher in Australian schools in general.
• In Finland, we do not get break A detentions or after school detentions.
• Our curriculum is totally different in Finland.
• We do not have school uniforms, so we can use any clothes that we want. Also, we don't have a specific hairstyle or length requirement.
• Our schools don't have as much sport in Finland compared to Australia. We do not verse other schools in sports or academics.
• The schools are free in Finland in all grades, including university. We get all our exercise books and school books from the school itself for free. We also get a free lunch and it is served to everyone, you cannot bring your own food, but you can have a snack for recess.
• We practically get no homework in Finland. We do work in class and if you don’t get it done you have to do the rest at home, but it isn't a lot at all.
• We also have more recesses: two breaks of 15 minutes, one of 30 minutes and one of 50 minutes.
• At Aquinas, there are service hours, but in Finland, we don’t have such.

The school in Finland might sound easier but it is somehow harder. Students need to be a lot more independent with the studies: I can be given the main topic to study and need to come up with which specific topic I want to research, where to find information, how to present my findings. I have to be so independent and take initiative and it is sometimes very difficult.

My experience at Aquinas College has been amazing. Everything I have learned has been learned in a way that I will remember for a long time. The staff of the school have been very helpful and kind, thank you for that. I hope to come back one day.

After a 6-week summer holiday in Finland, the academic year starts and I’m starting Year 8. I must be the only Year 8 student who has already studied two terms in Year 8. Enjoy the rest of the school year!