Quang Neo Bui's Fullbright Journey

This week marks the beginning of my Fulbright journey as I wrap up the Fulbright Orientation. #FinishWelcome #Fulbright

I am deeply grateful to the #FinlandFulbrightFoundation and #UniversityOfVaasa for their support in making this opportunity possible amid many uncertainties back home in the U.S. I am also honored to stand among so many talented Fulbrighters who represent America and our values to the people of Finland.

Here are a few cultural surprises I’ve already encountered during orientation:

• 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬! True story: I once sat next to a passenger on a bus (avoiding the priority seats), only to get an intense stare because plenty of other seats were available. Lesson learned.

• 𝐒𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐚 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬! For the first time in my life, I plunged into a freezing lake after a steamy sauna. An unforgettable (and invigorating) experience.

• 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞! I discovered Everyman’s Right—a unique Finnish law that allows people to access private lands for recreation. A striking contrast to the U.S.

• 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞! From gender-neutral public restrooms to the overall cultural mindset, inclusivity is deeply ingrained. More than once, I’ve had to double-check I wasn’t mistakenly walking into the wrong restroom.

I’m excited for many more cultural discoveries over the coming months of this adventure.

𝐄𝐥ä𝐦ä 𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐢! (“Life is life!” – a playful Finnish saying about embracing life as it comes.)

#Fulbright #FinishWelcome #GlobalEducation #FinnishCulture #LifeInFinland #CulturalExchange

Last week marked my second week at the #UniversityofVaasa, my host institution for my Fulbright visit (#FinlandFulbrightFoundation). I have been warmly welcomed by my hosts, Dr. #TeroVartiainen and Dr. #DuongDang Dang. We quickly jumped into our project, drafting plans to engage with various energy companies in the region.

The University of Vaasa is a beautiful, modern campus by the Baltic Sea. I arrived just as the campus came alive with the return of students. I enjoy working here each day in the open, light-filled spaces — and the healthy, affordable lunch menus are a welcome bonus.

Alongside the busy work schedule, I’m also adjusting to our new life: my son has started school, my wife is set with her remote work, and as a family, we’re happily discovering Finland day by day — counting cultural surprises as we go.

So here's what I've learned in the last two weeks:
• 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐨 "𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬": you may actually get a serious answer to "how's your week been?" 😅
• 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐤𝐞𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭: my biggest surprise came when I couldn’t even type a simple parenthesis and had to ask for help. I still rely on muscle memory, and the struggle is real 😓
• 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐯𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮: a lesson learned the hard way… twice 😱. No more leisurely scrolling while waiting for the bus!
• 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡, 𝐚𝐬 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐬 11𝐚𝐦: Finally, a cultural habit that I can fully get behind 😍

Excited to see what other surprises and lessons the next few months in Finland will bring! 🇫🇮✨

𝘌𝘭ä𝘮ä 𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢” – “𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨”

Excited to visit the University of Turku this weekend for the 37th American Voices Seminar (#AmVoices2025) organized by the #FinlandFulbrightFoundation!

This unique event showcases diverse aspects of U.S. society and culture through the experiences of current U.S. #Fulbright grantees living in Finland.

On the first day, I learned so many fascinating things about American life that I hadn’t known before — from the cultural importance of Homecoming at the University of Missouri, to how mass timber could revolutionize U.S. construction and reduce carbon emissions, to life in a West Virginia holler, and even how to celebrate at the Kentucky Derby! 🎓🌲🏇

Tomorrow, I’ll be presenting on “The American Workplace: The Employee Perspective,” focusing on the U.S. healthcare system.

To be updated tomorrow 😊

#AmVoices2025 #FinlandFulbrightFoundation

Shared from Quang Neo Bui LinkedIn post, with permission