Talking about the US election with young Finns

Be happy for me: I get to teach 160 young Finnish college students during a semester (this one) in which a US election is taking place. Did you know that many Europeans follow the US election quite closely? I thought this might be the case, and then I moved here (and read One of Us, too) and found out that it really is true.

Finnish youth seem to be more involved in their own politics than American youth are, so it stands to reason that their interest in elections, etc. would extend across the ocean. I think mostly it's a form of entertainment - or even betting, for some - and I don't blame them. There is plenty of entertainment to be had.

I do honestly feel lucky, though. Of my 160+ students, about half are studying political science or contemporary history, so I have an actual excuse to incorporate some election-based enrichment activities into the course (we tailor our materials to the students' field of study). I'm as giddy as an elementary school teacher handing out those "color the states red and blue" election maps the morning of November 8th. And...I totally intend to hand out those maps to my own students. You're never too old to color an electoral map of the United States on election night.

My class isn't the only place they can get US election coverage, though - there are actually two special courses on offer this semester at the university about the presidential race (one in English, one in Finnish).

One of the reasons it is a joy to talk Election 2016 with Finnish young adults is that unless you think about it too hard (don't), they don't have a horse in this race. Our discussions are free of rancor or true divisiveness and not a single one of them is carrying around 1990s Clinton baggage or has a crazy uncle who is voting for Trump. It's just: talk about the issues. Talk about the candidates. What the heck is even going on over there. That kind of thing. And I'm loving it.