Shannon Mendis

Moi! My name is Shannon Mendis from sunny Winter Park, Florida, now working in Helsinki, Finland as a graphic designer for Bonnier Publications for Olivia (style) and Divaani (interior design) magazines. In Florida, I work for the Design Services Department for more than 40 special-interest magazines at Bonnier Corporation for Terry Snow. Olivia is the most stylish in Finland (and I am not just saying that because I work here).  It allures you: it's bright, funny, and honest, and it's your personal shopper, which means it helps you when you need to make small or big decisions.
 
For the first six weeks, I have been helping with designs for the Olivia website launch.  For the remaining time, I will be designing pages with Tuomas and Liisa for Olivia/Divaani magazines.
 
In my time here in Finland, I have tried to experience everything I can and take this trip for all it's worth, whether it be exploring the city, making new friends, traveling to different countries, snowboarding and skiing in Talma, trying different foods and everyday trying so hard to get used to the climate here. Going from a place that is sunny and hot to a place that is colder than I have ever experienced was probably the hardest change for me. I have lived in Florida all my life and it has never snowed. My first experience was the first week here when I was walking to work. Not only am I wearing shoes instead of flip flops now, but I am also piling on layer after layer just to keep myself warm. I felt like the kid from the movie Christmas Story..."I can't move my arms!" Besides the climate, the food tastes different to me, but that was expected. I am so lucky that I am not a picky eater.  I say this because I have decided not to learn the Finnish words for food.  It's an adventure—basically, I order and hope I like. So far, my favorite has been the meatballs, but everything is so great. I even tried reindeer for the first time.
 
I took advantage of the weather one weekend and went to walk on ice! It is something you can do here when it's really cold. It was so neat to just walk off the dock and onto the "water", and next week I am trying ice swimming and sauna. I can't wait! I also spent time in Talma with Michelle and Tiki (two employees of Bonnier) skiing for the first time and snowboarding again. Also, I went to the outside ice skating rink Jääpuisto with Päivi (employee of MTV3).  I also tried climbing with Kaisa (Finland girl going to NYC next for GROW), bowling and badminton. Other activities have included shopping, visiting the aquarium, visiting MTV3 studios, going to a printing house in Forssa, getting lost in the city, Bloc Party concert and seeing Top Billin at Redrum (the coolest night club in the city that happens to be on my street...Aw...yeah!!)
 
My other weekends have been spent here in Helsinki visiting all the museums and art galleries. I went to Estonia on a shuttle for the day and walked around Tallinn (Old Town). I met James Blunt, got attacked by pigeons and found the goofiest magnet I have ever seen. Then I went to Stockholm last weekend and visited Michelle and also got to meet other GROW ambassadors Mikko, Ami and Renee. It was so great to share our experiences. I had another great time seeing the city and having chats in cafés. We even went out Saturday night to Café Opera where Metallica had also been hanging out. I swear, I must be in the right place at the right time! Next is Copenhagen, Denmark! Look out!
 
All in all this experience is so AWESOME and I am very fortunate to be here in Finland. Some people ask how I stand the cold...and I just say layer it up! Others ask about the language barrier and some of it IS difficult to me, but I am a designer so as long as I make it look glam then they are happy! Others ask about making friends.  Everyone is so nice and offers to take me with them places and see different things in the city. I am YES-woman...haven't said no to much and that's what has kept me so busy and the time flying. Others ask do I miss home...well I miss my family and friends of course and the water...the flip flops...the sunshine, but I wouldn't trade the time I am having here and the people I am meeting and how positive this trip has been for me, both professionally and personally, for anything!!