Thanks for the memories, Finland!

by guest blogger John Hall

We got up early for our 8 am plane ride back to the States filled with excitement and new experiences.  We had a hiccup or two on our journey home, but nothing that could eclipse the experiences we will cherish forever.

We met so many new friends, learned about the universities (Aalto, JAMK, and TAMK) and lives of students.  Our minds were broadened by the new appreciation and understanding of the manufacturing of paper machine parts and fabrics at the Valmet locations and how much work and dedication they put into making our machines and fabrics better.  We learned about the up and coming technologies for the bioeconomy at VTT with their focus on foam forming and nitrocellulose fiber technologies.  UPM – Raflatac gave us insight into labeling solutions for different applications.

Once we arrived back in Raleigh, we said our good-byes and best wishes to the people we had shared this experience with.  For many of us this means going on to permanent positions or summer internships, while others will be taking summer classes or enjoying their summer vacation.  Many of our group felt like this was a final good-bye, the last time they would be able to spend time with the friends they have made over the last four years.  I saw this differently, not as a farewell but as a see you later.  The paper industry is unique in that it is a community.  There are no good-byes because I will see my fellow students later at Paper Con, a TAPPI sponsored event, in industry, or class reunion.  We will always be a part of each other’s lives in one way or another because of the close connection felt in the paper and allied industries.  In one way or another we all could feel that this was the beginning of a new way of thinking about our lives and the industry.

We wanted to take a moment to thank all of the donors for helping to sponsor our trip this year!  Without you, this experience would not have been possible! And a special thanks to Valmet for helping our group get around Finland by paying for our bus transportation!