OCR Text |
Show Feature . . 1 . 4 . SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY AUGUST 5, 1998 We miss you already - Petri! It seemed like such a long the best view of normal time, (six weeks), said 17 year-ol- d Finnish exchange student Petri Huttunen ofhis stay. Now it seems too short. Petri has spent the summer months in Kanab with the Dennis and Dixie Brunner family through a Lions Club International exchange program. The six week program is organized to give high school students brief exposure to a foreign country. It has been a wonderful experience, said Petri. I have enjoyed my stay in America. I want to come back. Petri is the son of Tapani and Eeva Huttunen, and he has two Riikka and sisters, 15 year-ol- d 11 year-ol- d Paula. His home, in central Vesanto, Finland, is a America. (That is, if you can call staying in our home normal!) Day to day family life is really quite similar, he comments. But many differences exist between America and Scandinavia. Americans have a very high quality of living. We have to pay so much taxes in Finland, explains Petri. Teenagers have more spending money because they havt better access to jobs. The minimum wage in Finland is $3. 15 an hour, but usually only teenagers living near big cities can get the jobs. And moneys really important to a Finnish teen, they cant drive a car unless they have some! Besides the fact you must be 18 before you get your drivers lismall, farming community, cense, the cost of lessons and where his father serves as build- licensing can run between An 18year-oldca- n ing inspector and his mother cooks at the school Petri attends. also purchase and consume beer, Utah has big mountains and but cannot drink hard liquor better weather than hes accus- until theyre 21. tomed to. Its probably more Finland is governed by a Presibeautiful here, admits Petri dent and a Congress. The curwith a grin, but maybe because rent President of Finland, Martti Im just not used to it. Ahtisaari, is completing his secFinland, located near the Arc- ond term of office. Each of the tic Circle, evolves to a full 24 200 members of the Finnish hours of sunlight in the sum- Congress are elected to a four mer, as well as experiencing 24 year term. Finland has a goverhours of darkness in the winter. nment-provided healthcare We have lots of snow and cold in system. All Finnish males must the long winters, said Petri, serve one year in the Army folwhich can last up to six months lowing high school. of the year. Winter sports such DuringPetris stay in America, y as ice hockey and stories concerning President d 83 are indescretions domiClintons year-olskiing popular. My to nated the news. He found the grandmother is addicted ice fishing. furor amazing. Thats his $1500-$2,00- 0! cross-countr- Summertime turns Petris (Clintons) private business, homeland into a lush, green, Petri commented. Why should rolling countryside, closely resembling the American midwest. The high school senior says that he selected Utah as his choice designation because he thought our state would give him it be any business of Americans? School requirements are more stringent in Finland than in the United States. Finnish high schoolers must be proficient in three languages-SwedisEnglish h, S i N and Finnish, before being al4 lowed to graduate. Ten different languages are offered. You can complete high school in two to four years, as your own progress dictates. While no letter grades are given, completion of 75 courses are required to graduate (45 mandatory), with each course taking from 8 hours. The last year of high school is dedicated to intensive testing to assure subject proficiency and college placement. These test results not only determine if you can go to college, but provide career direction and college selection. College is paid by the Finnish government, with room, board and book costs paid for by the student. Petri is interested in several areas of study including engineering and broadcasting. He was recently featured in his community newspaper for having created a Worldwide Web site for the town of Vesanto. Apart from the fact that there are no competitive high school sports in Finland, teens spend PetriHuttunen, a Lions Club exchange student from Finland, returned home their free time in much the same on Monday, August 3, after a six week stay in America with the Dennis & Dixie way Americans do. We hang Brunner family of Kanab. Photo by Cody Brunner. around together, but we cant go as far as kids do here, because most of us cant drive. But kids adapt, said Petri with a grin, one kid he knows wanted to get into town so bad he hopped onto GETAWAY his dads tractor and headed out! People are much more open here, commented Petri of family life. In Finland, people are more reserved. Im surprised people say they love each other so often here. Petri said that he has enjoyed a wonderful and unforgettable time in Kanab, and really appreciates the warm way in which he was treated. Thanks to all the people here, said Petri. I had a great time largely because ofyou. , , 37-3- If YOURE READY FOR THE BEST EVER, TRY After a long, hot frantic week at work and at home, Fourth Annual wouldnt be nice to get away from it Embassy Suites Phoenix Nonh and relax it all1 spacious suite Enjoy our evening reception Join us poolside for weekend family movies, order a Pc;a Hut Summer Sidewalk two-roo- Express pc;a Utght on proper!) ). or have a video challenge on a new Play Station in every suite in the morning with a complimcnary, cookcd-to-ordbreakfast August 8 & 9 access oil e we're minutes away from Bank One Ballpark day is your weekend at the Embassy Suite's Phoenix North1 Call (602) Swapp Meet 375-177- 7 (ask for Reservations) or (800) 527-771- 5 PhoenixNorth 2577 West Greenway Road Phoenix, AZ 85023 Saturday only Used Gear & Books Easy game P charge Arrowhead and Miiroccuter Mall, Goll. Peoria Stadium, and Castles & Coasters 'tour saiislaction is 100 guaranteed Come get some cool therapy on whatever Saturday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. 10 a.m. to Noon Buy Sell Trade Come to in a 263 South 100 East Kanab 435 644-888- 4 -- next to the Sound Room (602)375-177- 7 EMBASSY SUITES What a difference a stay makesT Call 1 00-Embassy www.embassy-suite- s com Per suili , per night Not applicable to groups or ummtums Taxes n.x included Subject to availability Offer expires or, 9J098 t Subject to stair anJ hxal laves J998, Premies Hotels, Inc . |