The Voice: Can you tell us any memorable moments you’ve experienced so far?

Mr. Tow: So I was warned, and I read lots of things online about the characteristics of the Finns for things to prepare for, and one of the things is that you don’t ask Finns “How was your day,” unless you want a legitimate full answer. So not the American answer of “Oh I’m good,” but if you ask a Finn, you will get “Oh well my grandma’s in the hospital, my cat died, and I’m getting evicted.” So, we get off the plane, and we get up to the cab driver guy and I’m telling myself don’t ask him how his day is going, don’t ask him how his day is going. So of course, I walk right up to him and I say “How is your day going?” So he kind of just looks at me and shakes his head and continues to talk to his buddy. So, that was a very awkward moment very early on. But I think one of the best moments that I had was earlier today. We went to the town of Turku, which is the old capital of Finland. And there’s not a lot of old buildings in Finland. Not only was [Finland] a part of Sweden for the most of its existence, but during World War II, both the Russians and the Germans kind of met in there so it was pretty desolate. But, the castle in Turku is one of the oldest buildings in Northern Europe. So I was really excited to be there. Other than those two moments, I think the best thing has been meeting with students. I’ve been here about two weeks so I’ve been meeting with a lot of Finnish students and answering their questions about the United States.

The Voice: As far as day to day life goes, what do you think is the biggest difference between America and Finland that you’ve had to adjust to?

Mr. Tow: The biggest difference? I think, for me, as a Californian especially, the fact that cars are very unusual. I’ve only been in a car once [in Finland]. Other than that, its all been public transportation. Public transportation is just a part of my life in Finland, especially in Helsinki. Everyone uses public transportation. They use buses, they use trolleys, they use metros, and that’s how everyone gets everywhere. So that has probably been a major difference. Also the fact that I can’t understand a thing they are saying because they are speaking in Finnish!

The Voice: Of what you have experienced so far, what has been your favorite thing about Finnish culture?

Mr. Tow: I think my favorite thing about Finnish culture is that they are very accommodating and warm and hospitable. I feel like in San Francisco when I’m getting a restaurant recommendation from a friend or something, they’ll show me on their phone on Google maps. But a Finnish person will say, “Oh let me take you there.” Instead of just telling me where it is and telling me where to go, or emailing me the link, they’ll instead make plans and say, “No, no, let’s go.” Which is really sweet.

The Voice: What is something you miss about California?

Mr. Tow: Oh my gosh! My students. Since I’ve been spending so much time in school I’ve been seeing all these kids. A couple days ago, I was at a school and as I was walking out the door, to leave the classroom, the teacher goes, “Okay now let’s do the lesson we were doing before he came in,” and I was like, “Aw I want to teach a lesson!” So yes, I miss my students, of course. I also really miss my dog! I feel like the fair maiden and I both really miss the dog. So, in two words: students and the dog.
The Voice: Please explain your research.

Mr. Tow: So there has been a lot of research done on Finland’s education system. In terms of test scores and standards. Finland has some of the highest [test scores] in the world. They [the students] do really well in college. And those that do graduate college tend to get higher job placement. So [I’m doing] research on why this is such a good education system. At our school we speak a lot about being a member of a community and learning what it means to be a citizen and eventually about how to be prepared to be an adult after school. And I’ve always been interested in young democracies. Israel is less than one hundred years, and Finland only got their independence in 1917, and even then, they had a couple years where they were struggling with Russia to preserve it. So, the generation that fought in their war of independence is now getting to be in their eighties and nineties, which means it is the students of Finland, those that are fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, that will determine what the country will look like. I’m interested in looking at how they achieve each civic involvement and engagement and their civic identity. And then, try and see how I can share that and compare it with my students in the US.

The Voice: How do you think that this research will help you gain a better perspective of yourself?

Mr. Tow: I recommend traveling for everyone. I think that going abroad you always learn a little bit more about yourself when you are put in unfamiliar or foreign situations. You very quickly find out what is important to you and what your priorities are and what kind of things you value. And I think that is good for everyone in all context. Both people who are sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, [who are doing] semesters abroad or traveling as well as people who are in their thirties and above trying to figure out what type of person they want to be. I also think that whenever you go anywhere in the world, as you probably know, you are kind of representing America. So, I find myself not just being a Californian, but kind of speaking to the American experience. So in every school that I’ve gone to [they’ve] asked me a lot of questions about American culture and American politics and about our elections, and I find myself having to, not defend, but illustrate and clarify things.