On Cultural Differences

My life here continues as before. My work is still interesting, I’m working hard to learn more Spanish and the sun is shining :)

I wanted to dedicate this post to write a bit of something about cultural differences. I never thought I would notice them as clearly as I have during my time here. I thought cultural differences were actually only stereotypes and that I would never be really affected by them. I thought that all youth of all countries would somehow have approximately similar values. But I’ve learned now.. ..no way :D

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I wrote a post about cultural differences because of having experienced so many misunderstandings here. But I don’t dare to post my original text because it got so personal and I started sounding like I was claiming some cultures were better than others, which is totally not what I want to say!

Here is however my top three most striking things that I have realized only now, during my time here:  

1. Of course I knew that the times of skinny models and photoshopped pictures of actresses are not over but looks and beauty still are even more highly appreciated than I thought. Here I notice a lot more looks-related pressure than in Finland.

2. I had no idea how often two people can interpret the same thing in two totally different ways. Because of this I have experienced here so many misunderstandings I wouldn’t believe it is true if it didn’t happen to myself. Note to self: Be cautious, people can get offended by things that you’d never think as offensive.

3.The level of equality between men and women is totally different in different countries, and also in terms of the attitudes of the young people. Of course, in theory, this is not a surprise but again, I did not think I’d notice the difference here myself so clearly. Around here there have been a million times more situations related to equality that have actually made me angry, than ever in Finland.

With love,
Noora

IP Campus

It's getting sunny :)
Picture taken through bus window on my way to work

 We had IP Campus!

This was an event of three days, one of the highlights of the yearlong experience of us Pan-European Seal trainees. This was an exciting thing, especially because of the first day, on which volunteers had to present on the stage of the EUIPO

Auditorium a selected department of the Office. I was one of the volunteers and worked with a core-group of three others. Team working always requires patience and nerves. ..especially when all group members come from different countries and have completely different idea of what you’re supposed to do and different methods of working.

But well, we worked hard for about 1,5 months and prepared a presentation of two departments, the Observatory and Academy of the EUIPO. We wanted to be a bit original and made our presentation into a form of a fairy tale. Finally, now on Monday our group got to go on stage and present the result of our hard work. It was quite exciting! None of us had extensive experience of public speaking, the Auditorium where we had to present is scary big and I guess none of us had spoken to such a big amount of people before as we had to now. Thus, we were nervous but finally it all went well and now at least I am really relieved that I managed it and don’t have to think about it anymore.

The two other days were related to getting to know local industries and we got to visit a coffee factory and a toy factory (!) =) and met representatives of local law firms. As a whole the event was really nice and some great change to our everyday working life.

In addition, I had my Spanish exam last week and now that these obligations are behind me, I’m quite tired but happy that now life is rather easy. Besides it’s almost Easter! ..and there are also many other holidays now upcoming during the Spring. Also the weather is getting summery here, yippee!

With love,

Noora