Grand Finale!

We needed a few days to recover from our cold highlight. In the meantime, we also had to write an exam, to make matters worse. However, the three-hour study phase was rewarded with a decent result. On December 6, the day after, Finland celebrated its hundredth anniversary of independence. Many big parties were planned for this, but sensibly we canceled everything. There was still a lot of work waiting for us. Here's a little excerpt: (as of 05.12.2017)

09.12. - Book Report (guess who still had over 200 pages to read and summarize?)
11.12. – Final presentation Supply Chain Development (guess who hadn't created a single slide yet?)
13.12. – Final presentation Business Simulation (guess which group had won but hadn't thought about a presentation yet?)
14.12. – Coaching Session Project BGF (guess who still had to develop a marketing strategy?)
15.12. – Submission of Learning Diary (guess who hadn't reviewed their course yet?)
18.12. – Final presentation Strategies and Channels (guess who hadn't even thought that far ahead?)

As you can see, a lot was at stake. We had to work hard, but overall we managed to do it on time and with very satisfactory results... well, except for the last presentation. You can ask the local bus company how it went.
In between, there were some smaller parties, but Marco's birthday was supposed to be celebrated on a larger scale. Since the coaching session was scheduled for the 14th of December and we were busy all day, it was postponed to Saturday.

Our plan was actually brilliantly thought out. We invited as many people as possible and moved everything to the bike cellar. No risk of damage in the apartment. Sofas, tables (a shoutout to our desk), fairy lights, sound system, and even construction signs were added to the location. An extra BeerPong area, a chillout area, a fire pit for smokers, and a larger dance floor. Everything was ready for the last big party in the Kallio dormitory.
Boozy card games, exciting BeerPong duels, bizarre dance performances, and even floor gymnastics (this time by Darius, not Flo). We celebrated our last party together the way it should be, loud and long. Around 7 o'clock the lights gradually went out.

In general, Marco should work on his BeerPong skills.

On Monday, the 18th of December, we said goodbye to Konstantin and Luis. They made their way home by car. The packing session the day before would actually be worth its own entry, but we'll keep it short. A lot of stuff, little space, pure stress. We hope everyone made it through the trip well and Daniel wasn't crushed by any suitcases.

We still had some cleaning and tidying up sessions ahead of us, but now we had the apartment to ourselves. We don't want to admit it, but the first night in our own room was somehow strange. You're just not used to sleeping alone in the room anymore. Now it was time for the other friends to say goodbye one by one. We are pretty much the last ones to make our way home.

Today is our last day here and it feels really strange. On the one hand, we are very excited to go home, but on the other hand, we now realize that the chapter of Finland is coming to an end.

We had an incredible time here. The many new people and friendships we made. The many unique places and trips. All the fun we were able to experience in just four months. We will gladly remember all of this.

Thank you to everyone who made our time here unforgettable!