Todd: Mariel, you are from Finland.

Mariel: Oh, yeah. Yes, I am.

Todd: What city are you from?

Mariel: I live in a city called Espoo, which is right next to Helsinki, but I was born in
the center of Finland in a place called Jyvaskyla.

Todd: Right in the middle?

Mariel: Yeah, pretty much right in the middle.

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Todd: So is that way out in nature in the forest, or is it a big city?

Mariel: It's a reasonable size city, maybe the fifth largest in Finland, but it is very,
a very natural place still. It's surrounded by lakes and forests and lots of cliffs and
really beautiful scenery. Yeah.

Todd: Well, that sounds nice.

Mariel: Yeah. Yeah, I love it there. I go back there every year to visit my
hometown.

Todd: Now does your family still live in your hometown?

Mariel: No, they live down south near Helsinki.

Todd: OK, is that common? Everybody moves to the big city.

Mariel: Pretty much, yeah. Especially young people. They want to get jobs and go
to schools near Helsinki. Yeah.

Todd: Now is Finland part of the European Union?

Mariel: Yes, it is since 1995.

Todd: OK, so because it's part of the European Union do a lot of young people
decide to leave Finland and go live in other countries?

Mariel: The Finnish young people are actually very outgoing and they're very
interested foreign cultures so a lot of people take a year or two just to travel, just to
see the world, visit some places, and yeah, a lot of people go out to other countries
to study as well. Yep, mainly Europe but also a lot of my friends for example went
to India for six months or to South America.

Todd: OK. Sounds fun.

Mariel: Yeah.

Todd: But because you're in the European Union you can go live in France or
Germany or Spain if you want, correct?

Mariel: Yeah. It's very easy. Just go.

Todd: But do most Finnish people prefer to stay in Finland or do a lot of people like
to go move to warmer climates?

Mariel: Finnish people are very patriotic. We really love our country. We like to
visit other places but I think even if we live abroad for a long time most people
always some back to Finland. I think especially if they want to have a family
because Finland is a very safe place and it's very good to raise your kids in
Finland.

Todd: Sounds like a nice place.

Mariel: Yeah, I think so. You should come and visit.

Todd: Oh, I'd love to.

Learn vocabulary from the lesson!

pretty much
Pretty much right in the middle.

The term 'pretty much' is similar in meaning 'almost'. Notice the

following:

1. It's pretty much finished.

2. It's almost finished.

reasonable size

It's a reasonable size city.

When something is reasonable, that means we are happy with it or it

is acceptable. Notice the following:

1. That's a reasonable price.

2. He's a reasonable guy.

Yep

Yep, mainly Europe.

'Yep' simply means 'yes'. It is informal and used more frequently in

spoken rather than written English. Notice the following:

1. Yep, I agree.
2. Yep, It is.

patriotic

Finnish people are very patriotic.

People who are patriotic love their country. Notice the following:

1. Younger people seem less patriotic.

2. My dad's really patriotic.

raise your kids

It's good to raise your kids in Finland..

To 'raise your kids' means to take care of them as they grow

up. Notice the following:

1. It's expensive to raise kids these days.

2. I could never raise kids on my salary.
3. Answer the following questions about the interview.
4. 1) Where did she grow up?
5. a) In the capitol city
b) In the middle of Finland
c) On the coast
6.
7. 2) What do young people move to Helsinki for?
8. a) The warmer weather
b) Jobs and schools
c) The night life
9.
10. 3) What is the most popular tourist destination?
11. a) Europe
b) India
c) South America
12.
13. 4) Where will Mariel likely have a family?
14. a) A warmer country
b) A country abroad
c) In Finland

Vocabulary Challenge
Complete the sentences with the words below.
pretty much • reasonable • yep
patriotic • raise his kids

1. The flag on your car is very .

2. He wanted to to be bilingual.
3. , we are going there this weekend .
4. It was a solution to the problem.
5. The turkey is finished cooking. Only a few more minutes.