Finns have a strong relationship with nature, and nature is often mentioned in everyday discussions as one of the most important factors in life. Nature is also reflected in many ways in Finnish homes, both in materials and interior design. In Lapland, nature is one of the most important or even the most important elements of tourism, and many travellers get to experience the wonders of nature with the guidance of different nature professionals. As nature is an integral part of Lapland, it is no wonder that it is also possible to study nature in many different degree programs in the area.
Emilia and Markku shared their thoughts on their fields of study in Lapland.
Emilia – Making of a wilderness guide
Emilia moved to Muonio in Fell Lapland this summer, to study to become a wilderness and nature guide. She describes her current life in Muonio as very easygoing. After two months of experience in her new field of study, she’s excited. “Time has flown by while studying. At times it has felt like there is no school at all, as the days have been so inspiring and immersive!”, shares Emilia. So how did Emilia decide to apply to study this particular field? In recent years she had become even more interested in outdoor activities, hiking and photography. She considered applying to the wilderness guide training for about a year, after which she finally decided to fulfil her aspirations. During her studies she hopes to learn new wilderness skills, experience an unforgettable year in Fell Lapland and to weigh the possibility of turning her dear hobby into a profession.
“The best part of my studies as a whole has been that I have already had a lot of great experiences in the middle of nature, as well as getting to spend my days outdoors”
There are no ordinary study days for wilderness and nature guide students. Emilia shares that already the first week of school culminated in an overnight trip with the class, where the whole group wondered if going to school and studying could really be so nice. A majority of school days involve dressing up in camping gear, packing up lunch to go and a driving into the wilderness. Most of the studying is done outdoors and when an odd class is held indoors, the whole study group is anxious to get outdoors again. Emilia describes the week long hike in the Käsivarsi wilderness area as the most educational experience in her studies so far. It was Emilia’s first long hike. Reading a map, walking in the wilderness and leading a group were among the skills Emilia was able to practice during the hike. In addition to these skills, orienteering and fishing have become more familiar activities to her. “The best part of my studies as a whole has been that I have already had a lot of great experiences in the middle of nature, as well as getting to spend my days outdoors”, Emilia rejoices.
Wilderness and nature guide in Lapland
Becoming a wilderness and nature guide challenges an individual in a very different way than perhaps traditional education would. “In this training, you sometimes have to step out of your comfort zone. It is a challenge on the one hand, but also the most fruitful moment to learn on the other”, Emilia ponders. Emilia tells that before starting her studies she was especially nervous about orienteering and “staying on the map” as she describes her orienteering skills as round zero. However, during the past two months, her confidence has grown tremendously. Next big thing to look forward to Emilia is looking forward to the first long ski hike with enthusiasm and excitement. “It’s going to be a whole new experience for me again in the midst of all that frost and snow.” Emilia feels that her studies are quite intensive, and visits to home to see family and friends need to be planned well in advance. Due to the physical nature and intensity of her studies, Emilia finds rest especially important in her free time.
The wilderness and nature guide programme students become professional wilderness guides once they graduate. In the Lapland area, wilderness guides are generally well employed. According to Emilia, many of the wilderness guide programme graduates end up as entrepreneurs. That’s also a dream of Emilia’s. As is the job of a nature photographer, running an inn or owning a nature event planning company. Whatever the final title may be, Emilia hopes to gain actual work experience as a wilderness guide after she graduates. “It would be great if in my future work I could combine nature, working as a wilderness guide and being around animals”, Emilia reflects. In the current state of affairs in the world as a whole, uncertainty also affects graduating wilderness guides whose customers are primarily tourists. “If, for some reason, working as a wilderness guide will not become my livelihood, at least I got to learn a lot of important wilderness skills related to a passion of mine, and received an unforgettable experience here in the beautiful Fell Lapland.”
Markku – The second path
Much like Emilia, Markku embarked on his educational journey due to his passion for nature. As his employment came to an end last summer, he didn’t have to think for long to decide on making a U-turn with his professional career. As Markku had previously worked as a HVAC installer as well as a technical salesman, applying to study in the Vocational Qualification in Natural and Environmental Protection programme was a leap into the unknown. But only professionally. “Nature is a big part of my free time, so I was naturally interested in nature education and work through my hobbies”, Markku shares. “I finally found enough courage to leave work to study!”
“You can always learn something new from all the other students. There is no one right way to go about in nature.”
In August 2020, Markku began his studies in Lapland Education Center Redu in Rovaniemi. The qualification holders gain extensive knowledge and skills in the natural and environmental protection sector and more specialised competence in the field of nature guidance, natural resources production, natural and environmental advisory services, reindeer husbandry, or environmental protection. Markku tells that their school days are largely spent in nature and the style of studying is very practical. “We’ve studied, among other things, the use of different tools (like a chainsaw and an ATV) and hiked both on land and water (paddling),” he lists. Markku’s studies have also included orienteering, getting to know various wilderness skills and knowledge of plants and fungi.
Markku has been satisfied with his study programme and shares that the best part of his studies is both the time spent in nature and the sense of community. “You can always learn something new from all the other students. There is no one right way to go about in nature”, Markku reveals. Although the avid outdoor enthusiast has enjoyed his studies, he has also faced some challenges: “Plants and fungi – I have difficulty identifying them”, Markku shares with a smile.
Career as Nature Guide!
Once Markku graduates, he will earn the title of either nature guide or natural and environmental advisor. Nature guides have the qualification to arrange and run different nature-related program services, guide hikes and excursions or work with specialty groups. Natural and environmental advisors, in turn, can work e.g. as energy or recycling advisors, in different waste management positions or in water and environmental care management positions. The two study orientations allow students to plan their studies according to their own interests and to focus on a specific field. And although Markku’s studies are still in their infancy, he has already found interest and is currently leaning towards the orientation of natural and environmental management. He is particularly interested in the management of building and renovating environmental and outdoor sites. According to Markku, Lapland in particular is a great place to study nature. “Nature in Lapland is always within close proximity and clean. It gives me great pleasure to be able to work and move about in the Lappish nature”, Markku concludes.
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Read Why Tourism Education Is Needed Now More Than Ever In Lapland from our previous blogpost.
