Towards MY Camp: What lies behind 30 names?
Let’s play a game. Try to guess what the following countries have in common: Romania, Thailand, New Zealand, South Africa, Costa Rica, and Finland.
Summer in Helsinki. Picture: wili_hybrid, Flickr.com (Creative Commons)
One might be tempted to say that they were chosen simply by pointing a finger aimlessly at a world atlas and writing down whichever name happens to come up. The names are, in fact, those of only a fraction of the countries of the origin of the participants of the Millennium Youth Camp.
Released last Monday, the names of the lucky 30 tell a tale of their own. A total of fifteen nationalities will be present, with each continent having at least one participant. This dazzlingly international group will arrive in Finland June 6 and be treated to a week of lectures, excursions, workshops, and sightseeing.
My job, as an instructor, will be to ensure that these talented teenagers get the most out of their visit and to return home inspired and content. I am looking forward to meeting them; there is nothing quite as extraordinary as getting to know some of the brightest young minds of the planet. Equally exhilarating is the prospect of making acquaintances from across the globe. They have shown great determination and resolve in successfully getting through the two-part selection process and most definitely deserve this once in a lifetime opportunity.
Yet the truly interesting question here, in my opinion, is what exactly lies behind those thirty names. We know that they are accomplished. We know that they are independent. What truly remains to be seen is how they interact among themselves and how the cultural differences play out.
In the ICT group, which is my group, India and Japan are represented, not to mention Romania, Finland, and Hungary. How will they react to the challenges presented to them? What makes them tick?
I hope that the youngsters will also reveal new perspectives on Finland. What better way to observe Finnish culture and technology than through the eyes of an outsider. Perhaps their insight will help us define our expertise and see what we Finns might have missed. The result of all of this, however, benefits both parties. The participants will be taking home something unique: in-depth knowledge of Finland and its citizens. It will truly be a week to remember.
Link: Millennium Youth Camp
Toni Kaario is a second year student at Aalto University School of Science and Technology. He loves reading non-fiction books, and has a knack for asking the right questions.