In late April and early May, OSYK students Malla Hämäläinen, Kiira Karvonen, Mihkku Lukkari, and Mitja Saari, along with teachers Minna Korpierkki and Eveliina Partanen, had the incredible opportunity to travel to the United States. The journey was part of OSYK’s educational collaboration project with the United States and it is funded by the Finnish National Agency for Education. During the new project period, OSYK continues its collaboration with the Finnish language and culture program at Columbia University in New York, as well as with Vermillion High School in South Dakota. The project aims to strengthen international understanding and communication between young people in Finland and the United States, with a special focus on exploring the cultures of Indigenous peoples, both Native Americans and the Sámi.
Our journey began by flying from Oulu to Helsinki and from Helsinki to New York, where we spent three days immersed in culture, sights, and city life straight out of a movie. We spent the first full day exploring the city on foot, from the vibrant streets of Manhattan to the amazing Museum of Modern Art. Later that day, we visited Columbia University, which is one of our project’s collaborators. There we had the privilege to attend a Finnish language class. Meeting students interested in Finnish was inspiring, especially in such a prestigious environment. The energy of the whole city was unlike anything else. It was a perfect start to our adventure!
On our second day, we continued exploring the city, this time admiring the views from the Brooklyn Bridge and visiting The National Museum of the American Indian. It was a meaningful experience that aligned perfectly with our project’s core theme. In the evening, we headed to Broadway and our group split up. Some of us saw Hamilton, while others saw Six: The Musical. Both performances were spectacular as you might expect.
Our final day in New York was spent on the water, cruising past iconic sights like the Statue of Liberty. There was something surreal about seeing the skyline from a boat. It was a final cinematic farewell to the Big Apple. After that, it was time to hop on a taxi and head for the airport once again. From New York, we flew to South Dakota via Chicago. Our first night was spent in the town of Vermillion, staying with host families. Everyone was understandably nervous before meeting their hosts, but those worries quickly disappeared thanks to the warm welcome we received. Every host family was absolutely wonderful!
The next morning, we packed into cars with a few teachers from Vermillion High School and began our drive toward the Black Hills. It was a long journey, but filled with good company, plenty of snacks, and beautiful landscapes. We spent two nights in a cozy cabin surrounded by nature. On our first day, we visited the amazing Mount Rushmore. Right after, we continued to Crazy Horse Memorial. Some of us even found it more impressive than Mount Rushmore itself.
The following day was a memorable one as we were welcomed onto the Rosebud Reservation and got to visit the Sun Dance site. It was a deeply meaningful experience for all of us. Later that day, we visited several local schools before making the long drive back to Vermillion. Our guide on the reservation was the wonderful Leslie Crow, who is the principal of Spring Creek School, and the whole experience was really moving and brought us closer to understanding Indigenous cultures and especially Lakota culture.
Back in Vermillion, we spent the rest of the week with our host families, attending Vermillion High School and getting a true taste of American school life. We joined classes, made new friends, and even recorded a podcast regarding the project themes together with some Indigenous students. Between mural tours, bonfire chats, school visits and new friendships, Vermillion became a place none of us will forget.
On Friday, we said goodbye to Vermillion with heavy hearts. Many of us felt like we could’ve easily stayed for another two weeks. Still, our journey back home went surprisingly smoothly. We flew from Sioux Falls via Dallas and Helsinki and finally arrived in Oulu on Saturday afternoon. Despite the exhaustion, we returned to Finland with unforgettable memories, phones full of photos, and countless stories to share.
We’re endlessly grateful to everyone who made this trip possible, from the organizers and funders to our host families and teachers. We would especially like to thank Lenni Billberg and Kamden Dibley who organized everything and who made the best road trip company one could ask for on our way to the Black Hills. Meeting new people and learning about Indigenous cultures during this trip reminded us how connected we all are, no matter where we come from. This journey also showed us that meaningful connections can be built across languages, borders, and backgrounds.
The podcast
Osyk students Kiira Karvonen, Malla Hämäläinen, Mihkku Lukkari and Mitja Saari had the opportunity to discuss with Native American high school students Allysen McBride, Wokiksuya Cariage and Julise Shaw at Vermillion High School. Listen to the podcast: https://on.soundcloud.com/dTcWHsGS9TZzs37c8
Text Malla Hämäläinen
Photos Minna Korpierkki