Summer's for relaxation, work and sun
The end of the school year and the arrival of summer is a long-awaited time for rest and letting go. For many of the young, it also means a summer job.
Most students and school pupils began their summer break this past weekend.
Relaxation and a pause in study routines is a welcome part of summer, and for many of the young, travel is a big part of summer plans.
"My dance group is travelling to Italy and to Tampere for folk dance events. In Italy, there is a week-long dance festival with different kinds of groups from around the world," explains Mona Nygren, a travel industry student at North Karelia College in Joensuu.
Mona's friend Anna Hakulinen also intends to spend part of her summer abroad.
"On Monday, a small group of us are leaving for London. I've never been to London, so it’s nice to go," says Anna.
Not all play
Anna Hakulinen was also fortunate enough to find a summer job in a pizzeria. It will be her first experience in the workplace.
"I've been in a few times to practice making pizzas. I'm starting to get the hang of it, but occasionally the pizza wants to get stuck on the bakers peel."
Nina Sorsa, who just completed her business studies at North Karelia College, is to hear this month whether or not she has got into a programme for continuing education. While she is waiting, she has plans to take a fishing trip to Norway with her father. However, there will be time to work.
"I'm going to learn how to sell stone at the Viinijärven Kivi architectural stone company. I've never had a job before, but it's nice to go there."
Elementary school pupils Runo and Alku Vartianen are not yet of an age to be in the workforce, but part of their summer will go into a school project.
"We're supposed to collect 30 plants and make a notebook about them. Otherwise, I don't plan to think about school," says Runo, who just finished sixth grade.
"We have a project to collect 15 plants," Alku chimes in.
Got to get a tan
Nothing creates the summer mood like sunshine. Few young people plan on seeing rainy days.
Mona Nygren and Anna Hakuluinen are both hoping to get good tans.
"The goal of this summer is to be very brown come autumn and beat out all our friends when comparing tans," the girls laugh.
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