Austin MacDonald

Growing up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, I was always surrounded by landscapes that closely resemble the tranquil beauty of Finland. This environment fueled my passion for nature and the weather which led me to pursue a career in meteorology and studies at the University of Oklahoma, a prime location for studying severe weather phenomena.

 

My academic journey involved working at incredible agencies such as the Oklahoma Climatological Survey, NOAA's National Severe Storms Laboratory, and the Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies.. Here, I focused on improving weather warning systems through the FACETs (Forecasting a Continuum of Environmental Threats) program and worked on a wide range of projects that intersected communication, psychology, and meteorology to enhance the clarity and effectiveness of weather forecasts. Collaborating with a wide array of professionals, from National Weather Service forecasters to emergency managers, I led and contributed to important ongoing research aimed at refining how severe weather information is conveyed and understood by the public.

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Parallel to my meteorological pursuits, an unexpected cultural voyage unfolded, anchored by my love for the Dallas Stars. Finnish players like Roope Hintz, Miro Heiskanen, and Jani Hakanpää served as my introduction to Finnish culture, their social media posts echoing the distinct melodies of Finnish music. This exposure sparked a deep appreciation for Finland's musical heritage, compelling me to explore beyond the notes and delve into the Finnish language itself. This musical journey was not just about entertainment; it became a bridge to a richer understanding of Finnish culture, stirring a longing to experience Finland in all its authenticity.
 

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it prompted a period of reflection and ultimately led me to switch careers. I stood at a crossroads, reflecting on my path forward. The pandemic, alongside personal contemplations, led me to a pivotal decision: declining a PhD offer to explore new horizons in the business sector. Joining SidelineSwap as an SEO specialist and Merchandising Analyst, I embraced a role that synergized my background and skills from meteorology and communication with my lifelong passion for sports and data science. This transition was not a complete departure from my academic, science, and mathematical roots but an expansion of my pursuit to make a meaningful impact, leveraging my skills in a domain that champions accessibility and inclusivity in sports.

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My career change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and being far from home for so long underscored the importance of connection, community, and the simple joys found in sports and outdoor activities—elements that had been integral to my life from playing soccer, football, and ice hockey to embracing the thrill of storm chasing. This period of introspection and transition also solidified my resolve to experience Finland firsthand, a dream that had been nurtured through years of cultural exploration and personal growth.

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After earning my master's degree with the pandemic still unfolding, I chose to stay close to my university roots and moved to Dallas, drawn by my support for the Dallas Stars and the friendships I had formed during my studies. The pandemic did little to slow down my rapidly growing interest in Finnish music and culture. An emotionally charged winter in Canada in early 2023, spent alongside my ailing father, rekindled my love for winter landscapes and deepened my desire to visit Finland. This longing was solidified at a FlightRadar24 event at DFW airport's Founders Plaza, where I was captivated by Finnair’s Moomin-themed A350-900, celebrating the airline's 100th anniversary. This experience cemented my determination to make the trip to Finland.

 

On 9 November 2023, I boarded Finnair flight 20 at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, embarking on a journey aboard one of Finnair’s new A350-900s destined for Helsinki. Throughout the overnight flight, I remained awake, captivated by the changing landscapes below as we transitioned from the United States to Canada, and then observed Canada fade into the distance as we traversed the northern oceans past Greenland and Iceland. The entire time, an incredible display of the Northern Lights unfolded before me, marking my first experience with this natural spectacle. As dawn broke, we drew nearer to Finland, and the descent into Helsinki airport began. Despite the November cloud cover typical of Finland, a remarkable view materialized about 500 meters above the ground. Through the fog, I saw Finland for the first time—tall pine trees stretching into the distance, interspersed with patches of snow, an early sign of winter. This moment felt surreal, as if I was landing in a completely different world, yet it strangely resembled the familiar landscapes of Nova Scotia with its fog and towering pines. Upon landing, as the wheels touched the runway, and the flight crew welcomed us to Finland, I realized I had finally arrived in the land I'd dreamed of for so long. A new, foreign Nordic land that felt surprisingly familiar, as if I had been here before, as if this was my destined place, as if I had just returned home.

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My Finnish adventure had begun.