Congratulations on winning such great prize.

Here is official tourist guide.
http://www.visithelsinki.fi/en/see-and-experience/sights-and-attractions/main-attractions-in-helsinki#/?listing_id=52354&mode=list

Older people are quiet and don't know what smalltalk is but younger generation is much more open and most of them understand english quite well.

You should visit Suomenlinna which is an old fortress island near the coast of Helsinki. A ferry goes there regularly. You should definately experience finnish sauna. Current weather is windy and rainy with 0...+5C temperature. It can go down to -10C within a week and even to -20C. Lapland in northern Finland is something you should experience in autumn and winter. It is amazing.
http://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/weather/helsinki

Daylight time is 6-7 hours. One week after slush is
Finland's independence day 6.12.