{"id":13041,"date":"2026-02-24T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/?p=13041"},"modified":"2026-04-13T13:39:39","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T05:39:39","slug":"under-the-midnight-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/2026\/02\/24\/under-the-midnight-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"Under the Midnight Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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After years of studying and travelling across continents, Dr Anthony Torres-Ruesta (Medicine PhD \u201922) has found himself in Helsinki, Finland \u2014 a city whose calm, measured pace offers a striking contrast to the bustle of places he has lived before. A Peruvian scientist and proud NUS alumnus, Dr Torres-Ruesta is currently based at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare<\/a>, where his work focuses on epidemic and pandemic preparedness, with an emphasis on building fairer and more inclusive global responses.<\/p>

His path to Helsinki was shaped by both work and personal ties. After completing his studies at Cambridge University, Dr Torres-Ruesta relocated to Finland to continue his research, while also beginning a new chapter with his partner, whom he met in Singapore. \u201cIt feels like the best of both worlds,\u201d he reflected. \u201cI get to work on meaningful science, while discovering a completely new way of life.\u201d<\/p>

Still, traces of Singapore remain close to his heart. Dr Torres-Ruesta admits to occasionally daydreaming about his old neighbourhood, Tiong Bahru, the comfort of hawker food and weekend badminton games with friends. \u201cHelsinki has its charms, but reindeer stew hasn\u2019t quite replaced char siu <\/em>noodles,\u201d he quipped.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\"Spring\"
Spring<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\"Summer\"
Summer<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>
\"Winter\"
Winter<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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A CITY THAT CHANGES WITH THE SEASONS
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For visitors, Dr Torres-Ruesta recommends timing their trip carefully. Summer, in his view, reveals Helsinki at its most enchanting. The days stretch almost endlessly under the midnight sun, temperatures are mild, and nature bursts into view across the city. \u201cYou forget winter ever existed,\u201d he said. \u201cThere are music festivals everywhere, outdoor caf\u00e9s are full, and the whole city feels lighter.\u201d
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What sets Helsinki apart, he believes, is its slower, more mindful rhythm. Life here unfolds gently, with nature always close at hand \u2014 forests, parks and the sea woven seamlessly into everyday routines. \u201cFinns have a subtle but genuine way of enjoying life,\u201d he noted. \u201cWhether it\u2019s spending time in a sauna or escaping into nature, it\u2019s about simplicity and presence.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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DESIGN, ART AND NORDIC CREATIVITY
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Though compact, Helsinki is rich in culture. Dr Torres-Ruesta suggests starting in the Design District<\/strong><\/a>, where architecture, boutiques and galleries showcase Finland\u2019s creative spirit. \u201cDesign here isn\u2019t just about how things look,\u201d he explained. \u201cIt shapes how people live.\u201d
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Art lovers can explore the Ateneum Museum of Art<\/strong><\/a> or the contemporary Kiasma Museum<\/strong><\/a>, while architecture enthusiasts will find the influence of famed Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto throughout the city \u2014 a reminder of how design and functionality go hand in hand in Finnish life.<\/p>

For a change of pace, a day trip to Porvoo <\/strong>offers pastel wooden houses, cobblestone streets and riverside caf\u00e9s that feel lifted from a Nordic fairytale.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Houses in Poorvo<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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SAUNA, SUNSETS AND SMALL ESCAPES
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One of Dr Torres-Ruesta\u2019s favourite places is Suomenlinna,<\/strong> a sea fortress spread across several islands just off the city. \u201cIt\u2019s not exactly a secret,\u201d he admitted, \u201cbut if you go in the evening, the sunsets are stunning and the crowds thin out.\u201d Visitors should, however, keep a close eye on their food \u2014 the local seagulls are notorious for swooping in unannounced. Closer to the city, Helsinki\u2019s many parks and coastal trails offer moments of unexpected stillness. \u201cYou\u2019ll stumble upon peaceful corners where it feels like the whole city has paused just for you,\u201d he said.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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EATING LIKE A LOCAL
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Food in Finland, Dr Torres-Ruesta has learned, is quietly comforting. His go-to dish is lohikeitto<\/em>, a creamy salmon soup he describes as \u201ca hug in a bowl\u201d \u2014 perfect in any season. He has also grown fond of Finland\u2019s rye bread, now a breakfast staple, and korvapuusti<\/em>, cinnamon buns best enjoyed with strong Finnish coffee.
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For a truly local experience, karjalanpiirakka<\/em> (Karelian pies) are not to be missed. \u201cPair one with coffee, and somehow it feels like a full meal,\u201d he said.<\/p>

LOOKING BEYOND THE STEREOTYPES
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Helsinki, Dr Torres-Ruesta notes, is often misunderstood. \u201cPeople think it\u2019s cold and quiet all the time,\u201d he said. \u201cBut in summer, the city transforms \u2014 terraces fill up, festivals appear everywhere, and the energy is infectious.\u201d And while Finns may seem reserved at first, warmth often emerges in unexpected places. \u201cGet someone into a sauna, and you\u2019ll discover some of the kindest, funniest people you\u2019ll ever meet,\u201d he added.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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INSIDER RECOMMENDATIONS<\/strong><\/p>