We talked with Sami Kumpula of MTV in Finland and Jessica Enns of Bonnier Corp in the U.S., who are trading places for three months under the GROW program.
So what are you working on?
Sami Kumpula: I started out with the Outdoor Group and then switched to the Technology Group, which includes Popular Science, Popular Photography and American Photo, working with ad placement on the websites. I work with TV ads at MTV, so I love learning the software that Bonnier Corp. uses and getting to see a whole new side of media.
Jessica Enns: I’m working with campaign planning and optimizing the advertisements for MTV’s TV channels, putting all the puzzle pieces together. There’ve been a lot of ins and outs, it’s been a steep learning curve for me. But I’ve surprised myself with how much I’ve learned to use the system, even though it’s in Finnish. It’s a lot of Google Translate.
Do you have much contact with each other?
JE: Before we arrived, there was a lot of back and forth explaining things and giving helpful tips. But after we started, not as much.
SK: It was very helpful that we talked ahead of time. But now if I need something, I just ask the people here. But they miss you! Still, we see what you’re doing on Facebook…
So what’s the most important thing you’ve gotten out the experience so far?
SK: Jobwise, it’s been learning a new side of web advertising, seeing a bigger picture in a bigger market, I really love learning new stuff. And in general, just getting to meet new people.
JE: Yeah, the opportunity to meet new people is one of my favorite parts of the experience as well. And learning the TV industry from the inside out – pop culture is my life, so it’s fascinating to see TV up close and in another country. Also, I love being able to travel, I’ve been to Estonia, Sweden, Denmark and other places in Finland, it’s very cool to be able to see so much so close, that’s almost impossible in the U.S.
How about the cultural differences - food, for instance?
JE: I love seeing all the little cafes, we don’t have that in the U.S., but really everything is different. Even the sushi has its own flair.
SK: There’s food everywhere here, it’s weird but I’ve enjoyed it, well, too much. Ice cream is so cheap! Every day we go to a different restaurant for lunch.
JE: I’ve enjoyed having the cafeteria at work instead of going out to eat because I always have the hardest time deciding where to go back home!
Since you haven’t spoken much to each other recently, anything you’d like to say or ask each other?
SK: Well, I'm really curious, how have my colleagues treated you? Be completely honest, I want to know the truth!
JE: Heidi [Manninen, Sami's boss and Jessica’s supervisor at MTV] has been fantastic, and some of the girls have been really great, they invite me out all the time to everything. My birthday was in March and they took me out to several places, it was so nice that they planned something even though I had just arrived.
SK: It’s the same here, all my friends work for Bonnier. They invite me everywhere.
What’s your favorite part of the exchange so far? Anything you’ll be bringing back home with you?
SK: I love the beach, but Winter Park is just so beautiful. The nature is amazing, there’s water everywhere and I go paddle boarding with one of my colleagues here at the lakes. I didn’t expect it to be so beautiful – it’s like summer in Finland in a way, only warmer!
JE: I love that the days last forever. But I think what I’m going to take back with me is patience. I’ve had to work here very carefully, step-by-step, and I can see that it’s improved my work. And of course, I’ll take back all the friendships I’ve made, I’ve invited everyone to stay with me when they come to Florida!
SK: Exactly, all the relationships I’ve made – both in terms of the job and also privately. And I’m going to be nicer in my e-mails, American style!