“Why Finland?”: Exploring Cultural Parallels between North Karelia (FI) & North Central Appalachia (USA)

As I navigate the new (to me) culture of Eastern Finland, I notice parallels between this region and my home-region in the USA: Appalachia. This blog explores my professional and personal choice in selecting this location to complete my Fulbright research grant and whether I would select it again if I had known then what I know now.