"There is nothing better than having sauna by the lake during summer time and enjoying the light in the night"

I am a PhD student at the department of Environmental Science at the Kuopio campus of University of Eastern Finland. I work on the responses of biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions to climate change in ecosystems from high latitudes. BVOC are naturally released by plants but also under physiological and mechanical stresses. BVOCs are highly important for the atmospheric chemistry as they react with OH radicals and oxides of nitrogen to form ozone and affect the atmospheric life time of methane, that is, two important greenhouses gases. BVOCs contribute also to the formation of secondary organic aerosols, which have a greenhouse effect as well. I study mainly the effect of warming, enhanced UV-B radiation, water table drawdown and vegetation changes on the BVOC emissions from heath and peatland ecosystems in the subarctic and boreal regions.

I started my PhD at the department of Environmental Science in May 2006 and I have never regretted my choice. My studies gave me the opportunity to work in Abisko, Northern Sweden, and Sodankylä, Northern Finland. I also had the chance to travel in other countries for courses and conferences. Thus, studying in environmental science is a good mean to see the world because your laboratory can actually be any place on Earth. Life in our department is nice and it has been easy to make new friends. Finally, Kuopio is a beautiful town offering the services of large cities but also the calm and peace of nature with the lake and forest surrounding us.

I am Canadian and I have been in Finland for about seven years. I first came to Finland to do a part of my Master’s thesis and I got attached right away. I worked in various places before beginning my PhD, thus I got to know quite well Finnish culture in different regions. It has not been difficult to make friends in every place I worked. I also learned Finnish language, which was not an easy task at the beginning but paid off when I could see that helped my integration. There are many beautiful aspects in Finland that has charmed me and made me stay here. There is nothing better than having sauna by the lake during summer time and enjoying the light in the night. Winter is darker indeed but it’s quite easy to forget it if you practice winter sports and this is really easy to do. Every town in Finland has nice facilities and maintains areas for doing cross-country skiing, skating or simply enjoying the nice fresh air in the forest. Finally, Finnish cuisine has several good treats to offer. Finns are the best to serve fish using modern and antique ways to serve it, it is simply delectable.

Patrick Faubert

24.5.2010 / SM