About me

My life journey has taken me to different places and cultures. These are the major milestones on that journey.

I was born and raised in northern Finland. When I was seventeen (in 1969), I went to South Dakota, USA as an AFS exchange student to live with the Polly family and attend the Watertown Senior High School for one year. Since then I have been a member of the family and go home to see them as often as I can.

The year in the States was a life changing experience. It opened my eyes and my heart for the wide world and strengthened my wish to learn more about different cultures.

In 1983 I moved to Switzerland to marry the love of my life. We have two sons and two lovely grandchildren, who live very close to us. I have learnt to speak the local dialect that has not much to do with modern High German. It means I had to learn two new languages in my new home country. My Swiss husband says that I have become a “real Swiss”. I am very happy living here.

The People’s Republic of China has become yet another “home” for me. Since the year 2000 I have been going there regularly to spend time with my local friends and to study the fascinating language and culture.

In my free time I travel, read, dance, do qi gong and play with my grandchildren.