Nature and National Parks close to Helsinki

One of the best things about living in Helsinki is the proximity to nature. Helsinki is surrounded by forests boasts many city parks, and is close to water – and close to some gorgeous natural parks! Nature is treasured in Finland, with many Finns venturing out to their cabins every weekend during summer. Nature is also a great way to combat any university-induced stress.  A good idea is to bring food and water, and to have a picnic. Nothing beats a relaxing lunch with a scenic view. So grab your friends and your new classmates, check the weather forecast and go explore! I can personally recommend these 3 natural parks, all easily reachable from Helsinki centre. As winter is here and snow will start falling soon, don’t forget to bring warm clothes and proper footwear!

Nuuksio National Park

“How to get there”-suggestion: bus 244 from Espoon keskus or 238 from Leppävaara. Get off at Siikaniemi, and you’re right by one of the entrances to the park! Located in HSL zone C.

Probably the most famous day trip from Helsinki, Nuuksio is a gorgeous natural park just a short ride from Espoo. Nuuksio has a couple of trails, the yellow trail Korpinkierros (roughly 7km) being the easiest to hike. There are a couple of lakes with good picture spots, and the biggest lake has a fireplace and good rocks for enjoying a picnic!

Usually, the trails will be icy a few weeks after the snow has disappeared in the city, so make sure you wear appropriate footwear if you go between the start of the snow (usually December-January) and the “final melting” (anything from early April till mid May). Some of the paths are steep, and going up and down icy trails is not always super fun!

Sipoonkorpi National Park

“How to get there”-suggestion: bus 739 from the Central Railway Station, get off at Kuusijärvi – good place to start! Located in HSL zone C.

More of a hidden gem than Nuuksio. Sipoonkorpi is very big, and has a lot of different trails. Doing research before going to find the best trails and hikes is worth the effort, to make sure you know where to go upon arrival. The park is way bigger than Nuuksio, so if you want to make the most of your visit and cover as many of the beautiful spots, spend some time looking up the places and how to get there. The park has many entrances, and some busses only go to the south, and some only to the north – but everywhere you go, south or north, you’ll have plenty of mushrooms to pick, pretty lakes, and magical fairyland type forests.  

Vallisaari Island

How to get there: Ferry only operates in the summer months, every day from 1 May to 30 September. Ferry leaves from Market Square, next to the route ferry to Suomenlinna.

Many know of Suomenlinna, but fewer know that the surrounding islands are also worth a visit. Vallisaari in particular is very beautiful! The 10€ island hopping pass will allow you to jump on a off the ferry circling to all three island. Many people start at Suomenlinna and then go on to Vallisaari.

Vallisaari consists of two islands, easily explored in a couple of hours. Beautiful nature, the shortest nature trail in Helsinki, a fireplace by the lake and plenty of good spots overlooking the ocean. Definitely worth a visit!

All photos my own  – sunshine not guaranteed! 😊

 

Tips for applying from our Admission Advisers

Are you planning to apply to one of our International Master’s Programmes between 3 December 2019 and 10 January 2020?

Check out a few tips from our admission advisers about applying in order to avoid surprises and getting through the process as smooth as possible.

  • In Finland, applications go through a national online application system called ‘Studyinfo’. Therefore, don’t be surprised when you are redirected through the Studyinfo service website to the correct application form.
  • Each Master’s Programme has its own admission requirements. Ensure you meet them before applying. The programme-specific requirements are at ‘Studyinfo’. You find a direct link to the information on the website of the programme in question.
  • You have to submit educational documents together with your application. Check out the required application enclosures and how to submit them.
      • Please note that academic qualifications awarded in certain countries have special requirements. See if they apply to you by checking the list of countries with special document requirements.
      • Prepare your documents in advance as it may take some time, for example, to have them translated or certified by the correct officials.
      • Follow the instructions carefully as your documents must fulfil all requirements and be submitted correctly. Otherwise, your application can not be considered.
  • All applicants must prove their language skills when applying either with their previous education or a standardised language test.
      • If you still need to take a language test, book it now.
      • Follow the instructions carefully as your documents must fulfil all requirements and be submitted correctly. Otherwise, your application can not be considered.
  • The motivation letter is always included in the online application. If sent separately, it will not be taken into consideration. When writing your text, pay attention to the maximum number of characters which is mentioned in the application form.

  • When applying to an International Master’s Programme, you can at the same time apply for a scholarship on the same application form. There are no separate application forms or application periods for the scholarships. Please also note that the number of scholarships is limited and only intended for excellent students from outside EU/EEA liable to pay tuition fees.
  • The processing of applications and enclosures takes time. By submitting your application immediately when the application period starts, you have a better chance to still react to possible additional queries, for example, submit insufficient documents anew.
  • In Finland, a deadline is a deadline. Make sure to apply before the application period closes on 10 Jan 2020 at 15:00 UTC+2. No late applications are accepted. Also the required enclosures must be provided within the given deadlines.
  • Remember that all the instructions and requirements are in place to protect your rights by ensuring equal and fair treatment of all applicants.

More information about how to apply to the International Master’s Programmes.

If you still have questions after checking the information on the website, you can contact the Admission Services.

Lots of success with your application!

 

Which foods to try in Finland!

By now, you’ve probably already tried some of the delicious food that Helsinki and Finland has to offer! One of the really fun things about moving to a new country is to try all the new food, and Finland has lots of weird and quirky traditional foods that every foreigner should try. You might not like all of it, but at least give it a go! 😉

I think you should try all of the following:

Traditional Finnish foods:
Karelian pie (karjalanpiirakat in Karelia, riisipiirakka everywhere else) – this wonderful creation is a salty snack made with rice and rye flour. It tastes like rice porridge on bread, but much better than that sounds! Finns like to eat them hot with butter on, and some also put cheese and meats on it.. like you would a regular piece of bread!

Salmon soup (Lohikeitto) – fish is very popular in Finland, and their salmon is very, very good. Soup is good for the cold winters, and salmon soup is made with cream, potatoes and carrots, so it is perfectly creamy and will keep you full (and warm) for a long time!

Cinnamon/cardamom buns (korvapuusti)– I am not actually sure if this is more Swedish than Finnish, but nevertheless! Finland has so many good buns, the most famous ones being the ones with cinnamon and cardamom.  Cinnamon and cardamom are very beloved spices in the Nordics. Korvapuusti are delicious, and you can buy them in every supermarket, every bakery.. everywhere! This is the bun that is on the picture above, on the plate.

Meat pie (lihapiirakka) – this “pie” is made from what resemlbes donut dough, yet it is not actually sweet..just greasy! It is filled with ground beef mildly spiced and is a popular fast food/food on the go item in Finland. This is the food item I am about to indulge on the photo 😉

Helsinki is also a wonderful city for vegetarian and vegan food. The options are plentiful and food is tasty!

My personal recommendations are:

Roots,  Eurantie 8 – breakfast, bowls, smoothies, coffeee, bread and cakes, Roots is a hotspot vegan café that I recommend everyone to try!

OHMYGOODNESS.fi, Vaasankatu 14 – this place also has everything your vegan heart could desire, and the food is tasty and GORGEOUS!

Ravintola Soi Soi, Vaasankatu 9 – the place to go to for greasy vegan fast food!

Sen Chay Vegetarian Restaurant,  Siltasaarenkatu 3-5 – very affordable and yummy vegetarian Vietnamese food. A must in Helsinki!

The Finns also quite like their buffets! Most Finns are not aware that this seems to be a very Finnish thing, as they are very used to it. But it is something that most foreigners note when they arrive here. Most buffets are quite reasonably priced, and there are so many different ones to choose from that even if you are very picky, you will still find one that fits your taste! Many buffets are lunch buffets, which means that for 10-13 euros (typical price) you can come in for lunch and eat all you want!

A popular buffet restaurant is Caverna, which is right next to the city centre campus (Yliopistonkatu 5).  Paulig Kulma (Aleksanterinkatu 9), which is also in the area, offers a  delicious vegan salad buffet Mon-Fri for around 12 euros.  But fear not, there’s plenty of buffets all around Helsinki – you might have to visit a few to find your favorite!

A fun thing to do is to invite all your new international friends to go try some of the delicious food in Helsinki – or you can ask your Finnish friends to cook some traditional delicacies for you. Food is always a good reason to spend lots of quality with your new friends. 😊

 

 

Tips on How to Find a part time job

Many people have asked me about finding a part-time job while studying here. Indeed, working helps a student to develop greater independence, and earning his pocket money can teach him how to handle his finances. Furthermore, a part-time job seems to be a reasonable and realistic choice when we should focus more on study and self-improvement as a university student. So I interviewed some students around me who have a part-time here and those who have some knowledge about this. Finally, based on my own personal experience and knowledge from others, I wrote down several tips on finding a part-time job. Questions and comments are welcome 😉

If you want a position within our university, I would recommend:

PROFESSORS OR RESEARCH GROUPS

Ask professors or research group that you are interested in. Many research groups need part-time research worker, sometimes they would publish an advertisement on their webpage, but most of them also welcome an enquiry and self promotion. Professors who have funding for research assistant would also recruit part-time workers. Don’t hesitate to contact them.

TRAIN­EE­SHIP PRO­GRAMME FOR IN­TER­NA­TIONAL MAS­TER STU­DENTS

This is a traineeship programme opens for international students almost every year by University of Helsinki. In 2019, the application period is from 1 to 24 April and 10 position is needed in different departments of our university. See here for more detail of the programme in 2019 and prepare yourself for the next year’s cycle.

KEEP TRACK OF OUR CAREER SERVICE

Never leave out our official resources that support our career wellbeing. First check out the website here. Among these, I strongly recommend you keep track of the career service calendar for fresh news and chances. They held workshops, such as Let’s Learn LinkedIn, and provide us with up-to-date information on career and working opportunities.

For jobs outside university, possible ways are:

GET KNOWLEDGE FROM PEOPLE AROUND YOU

Ask people around you, such as your friends or classmates, who has a part-time or full-time job to see if they can recommend such a position for you. At least they would have some useful information and the experience may be of help.

FACEBOOK GROUPS

There are some facebooks group based in Helsinki or Finland, on the topic of part-time job, as well as full-time job and jobs in startup companies. Join such groups and keep an eye on the posts.

JOB SEEKING WEBSITE.

Here reads a list of website in Finland for jobs and traineeships, including both full-time and part-time positions. It’s worth noting that our university has our own Rekrynet: Announcements targeted at students and recent graduates of the University of Helsinki. Click on this link for detailed information.

As the first period is near the end, you may have some time to think about your career plan and act on it. Good luck! 

First two weeks in Helsinki

Written by Andreas Hansen, Germany

Helsinki! You made it! You have succeeded in the application process and reached a new level in your personal development. All your worries are left behind, and the dream rapidly materialises. It is time to embrace your studies, the city, new people and surely new friends. As the joy might slowly fade away and the grey reality of life’s triviality hits you hard, it is about time to get out and embrace your new home. Afterall the daughter of the Baltic waits for you, so do not let her wait for too long!

My first weeks at the university were packed with loads of welcoming events that ensured a smooth start to my studies and the life outside of the lecture halls. In this article, I would like to introduce you to some things I enjoyed in the last two weeks!

CISSI A question you will stumble upon quite frequently if you study at a programme of the Faculty of Social Sciences is, have you heard of CISSI? Short CISSI is the student organisation for International Social Scientists and offers a perfect meeting place for all Internationals and those locals who are interested in exchange within an international atmosphere. So, to all exchange students out there who seek to escape the infamous ERASMUS bubble, this is your chance! Those of you who raise their eyebrows and regret not being a social scientist, don’t worry I am not either and yet I mingle among them enjoying the company.

Chamber Choir EOL Do you feel the urge to sing in a choir and want to meet some Finns? The Chamber Choir EOL might be the right place for you. Even though my humble singing skills were not enough to pass the auditions, this should not stop you from trying! I have no musical experience after all, except for some sessions in Karaoke Bars and the daily singing under the shower… may someone have mercy with my flatmates, as I have a certain lack of it.

Centre of HelsinkiStrolls around the city. I have heard many things about the beauty of Nordic Skies, and I am not talking about Northern Lights, a phenomenon of beauty without a doubt but also not a daily sight. I am talking about the daily sunsets in the city! Just imagine walking calmly around the city, enjoying the sounds of bypassing trams and other pedestrians. Well don’t imagine it, do it instead!

One of Helsinki's many bookstoresBookstores and Libraries Do you love books? If you do, you will certainly understand my passion for bookstores and libraries. If you don’t, well university life will certainly force you to enter these temples of knowledge anyway. In any case, the libraries and bookstores of this city are a delightful place to be and are certainly inviting you to stay for a bit longer. In general, Helsinki is far from being a hectic and fast city, but time simply stops in the bookstores and libraries placing you in a state of meditation and calmness. Just stay for a moment and appreciate a moment of intimacy. No matter if its Kaisa-talo, Oodi or the Academic Book Store.

Lectures Of course, does the life of a student also consist out of lectures and despite all these things around us we shouldn’t forget our studies. This might seem a bit strict and patronizing, but if you know how the lectures and seminars are conducted you will know that it is not. Teachers are really enjoying the things they are doing and are very happy to explain things you might have understood wrong and are up to debate issues which are critically approached by you or your fellow students. If you are unsure whether your question seems worth asking, please do not hesitate and state your question(s). In the end, we are all in it together and learn from each other. A sentence often used but indeed lived at our university. That’s why I am openly admitting that lectures are something I probably enjoyed the most in my first two weeks!

 

The Perfect Time For a Master’s Degree

Written by Leah Martin, USA

The day I graduated with a bachelor’s degree, it was hot and humid in my home state of Minnesota. The sun beat down on my black robe as I walked to the ceremony where I would accept my diplomaOther graduates may have been anxious, but I was confident.

Why?

Because I had a 5-year plan:

Work for 3 years.
Gain some experience.
Apply to graduate school.
Graduate with a Master’s before age 26.

Sounds perfect, right?
WRONG. 

Before I knew it, 6 years had flown by.
WHAT HAPPENED TO MY 5-YEAR PLAN?? 

In those 6 years, I had learned a million different things- like how to manage projects, secure funding for non-profits, host community events, and recruit volunteers. Yet, I had also found places where my knowledge was lacking. When I came across the Intercultural Encounters Master’s Programme at the University of Helsinki, it felt like the perfect fit. The description matched the themes of my work history and the courses were in the exact areas where I craved education.

I would love to say that I applied right then and there and that the rest was history, but it wasn’t that speedy. First, I did my research and made sure that the University of Helsinki was a great school (it is). Then, I talked to professors, friends who had visited Helsinki, and consulted with my partner, to see how we would make a big move work. After a whole year of thinking and a whole lot of encouragement, I finally got up the nerve to apply. I applied to the University of Helsinki in January, and in April I got an email saying I was accepted!

Which brings us to here and now… with me writing from my Helsinki apartment, eating Karelian pie, listening to Nordic folk music, and brushing up on my basic Finnish.

Eating a Karelian pie and brushing up on basic Finnish.

Did my plan go exactly as I imagined?

Well, no.
But despite what I thought upon graduation, there is no perfect time to go to graduate school.

As we get older, our opportunities grow but so do our responsibilities. There are real hurdles that stand in the way:
Lack of money
Lack of information
Lack of resources
There are also excuses:
“I’m too old”
“I’m too busy”
“Its too hard”

If I wanted to study, I had to make the decision and move forward, leaving the 5-year plan behind me. I learned that a whole lot of people were willing to help make the experience a success.

So, wish me luck on my first round of classes. And if you’re thinking of taking a leap of faith into the Baltic Sea of studies…do it! I’d be happy to help make your dream a reality.

 

 

Ready for the Finnish experience? Let’s pack the travel bags!

Written by Matilda Carol Dok

I know you are excited about the idea of coming to the “land of a thousand lakes”, and by now you have gathered a few tips on how to survive in Finland. This article guides you on what is important for survival, and so it doesn’t mean you have to buy everything in it. Just select a few that you feel are very necessary. It is also more applicable to the non-EU students coming to Finland since most EU students experience similar seasons like Finns. You will realize that winter has been given much importance than the other seasons. This is because it is the longest season and can be depressing if one is not adequately prepared for it.

My first precautionary advice on shopping for this experience is, buy as much items as you can from home because Finland can be very expensive. But be careful because not all things you buy abroad will function in Europe, especially electronics. Also, not all airlines allow large luggage capacity. You should also check flight regulations to know what is not allowed to carry in an aircraft. Good earphones, a music podcast and neck pillow will do you justice for the long journey. Finns religiously keep time, so no matter what happens, do not forget to carry and adjust your watch! And oh, carry some love with you, a gift or two, for the person who will receive you in Finland. It warms the heart, you know!

Finland experiences four seasons. Autumn is cold, and winter is freezing harsh. But that is just before the beautiful Spring and wonderful summer! Summer is a free and playful season, so you need very light colorful clothes, cap, open light shoes and a water bottle because the heat can be dehydrating. Spring requires umbrella, raincoats, and waterproof clothes. In winter, you can freeze, get wet, or slide and fall on ice (I had a pretty fall myself! Everybody does at some point 😊 But it is all fun, believe me! (If you don’t break any bones of course 😊). The key elements are therefore wind and water resistance, warmth, and comfort. As Finns say, there is no bad weather, only bad clothing! All you need is a “layer system” that will trap in your body generated warmth to keep you away from freezing. The most important parts to keep warm are your hands, head, and legs. Now, are your passport, visa/resident permit, IDs, and all travel papers ready? Let us see what can fit in those suitcases for an amazing Finnish experience! 😊

Winter
This is the longest season in Finland. Wear thick trousers with long-johns underneath, a thick woolen jumper, and a good snow proof coat. Gloves should be roomy with a warm lining. Headgear should protect the ears and face properly. In your winter list, consider a warm hip length hood that is water resistant, wind resistant, with an adjustable drawstring; a Parka or heavy-duty winter hooded coat of looser fit since you will wear several layers of clothing underneath; warm wool; bulky sweaters; light sweater; fleeces; long sleeved tees; short sleeved tees; thermal polyester tops; good shoes with Vibram-sole for walking on ice; shoe spikes; warm, well-fitting moisture-wicking socks; synthetic fabric gloves with a padded or double lining; “flip-top” glove; mittens (normally considered warmer than normal gloves); gloves for touchscreen use (since you will use your GPS a lot for navigation and also your phone for browsing and you don’t want to get your fingers frozen by exposing them to cold); sock liner for hikers; polyester ski pants; a wind resistant and multi layered hat; jeans; thermal stockings; silk balaclava; scarf; neck-warmer; waterproof shoes; boots; face moisturizer with sun protection; sauna gear; Waterproof Ski; jacket; Ski goggles; headlamp or flashlight.

Spring
Raincoat; Umbrella; Mosquito repellant; water resistant shoes; waterproof bags and allergy pills.

Summer
Regular pair of shoes; Undergarments like bras; Swimming/Sauna Gear; waterproof Sandals/Shower shoes; denim jeans; shorts; skirts; dresses; tank tops; skirts; hot-pants; light trousers; sleepwear; sports bra; sunglasses; Sleeping mask; jewelry; flats, walking shoes like casual sneaker.

Autumn
This season sets in immediately after summer, so it is characterized by fluctuations in temperatures. It starts of warm and gets colder as September approaches. Carry light jackets; headlamps/torches/flashlights; warm sweaters; normal shoes; reflectors.

Toiletries
Good hygiene results in a happy soul and consequently a healthy body! Pack deodorant and fragrances; soaps; swabs; wipes; moisturizer; Chapstick; toothpaste and toothbrush; sunscreen; sanitary towels or tampons; face and hand towels; hairbrushes; cosmetics and haircare products; handkerchiefs; dental floss and medications.

Electronics, photography gear and general tools of entertainment
Finland has Type C or F European style two pin plugs for its electronics, so, carry universal travel adaptor plugs. Do not carry a 110v appliance since its electricity is 220 to 230 volts. Dual voltage appliances are recommended. Cold weather makes batteries die faster especially for gadgets not custom made for the European market, therefore, carry extra power-bank; batteries; normal chargers or car charger. Other things include Backpacks and day bags; unlocked smartphone; travel journal; cables; headphones; audiobooks; laptop or tablet; e-reader; memory cards, camera with spare batteries, tripod stand, selfie stick, lenses, case, strap; game cards; scrabbles; and most importantly, medical first aid kit. Carry all your travel and academic documents. They should be legalized and translated according to country specific requirements.
Finally, as earlier stated, Finland is an expensive country you know! 😊 Carry a few euros and your Visa electron card along, since you will need money to survive and it takes a while before you get your Finnish bank account. It is not fun to go hungry or homeless because you cannot access your money back at home! I almost did! 😊

TERVETULOA TUHANSIEN JÄRVIEN JA SAUNAN MAAHAN!

After acceptance, what to prepare?

So, you have got an offer from the University of Helsinki? Congratulations!

But… What are you going to do this summer? How to get prepared for the coming new life? There is so much information out there on the web and they come from all aspects. What to listen to? Where’s the starting point?

Maybe you should just forget it – it’s too confusing!

Well… hold up! I used to be a freshman too. I had the same problems. Now, after encountering numerous problems, I know a ton about the entire process and the possible pitfalls. I’m also a trained tutor this year in the Department of Computer Science. Let me tell you some practical tips to guarantee your easy new life.

Arrange your housing

Hoas is the largest student housing organization in Helsinki. An unfurnished apartment only has a wardrobe in the bedroom, with a refrigerator and oven in the kitchen. You can now submit your application on Hoas website four months before you intend to move in. This used to be three months. You can specify your preference on the housing in the comment section of the application, such as “I’d like to live near train station” or “I want to live in Viikki(area)”. Your words will definitely be considered.

The furnished apartments are in certain locations and specially designed for international students. It’s easier to move to a furnished apartment offer comparing to unfurnished one. You can check the details from here. However, the furnished apartment is fixed for one year, which means you have to apply again the next year and get yourself a new apartment offer, while the unfurnished apartment contract does not have a fixed term. The distribution of apartment offers is based on a “first come, first serve” principle, with the consideration of the priority level of the applicant. Fortunately, new students are of the highest priority level, so just catch up with time. After you receive an offer, DO NOTE to pay the deposit as soon as possible, especially for non-EU students, because of the currency exchange and the longer international processing time. In China, it takes at least three bank days for the money to arrive in a foreign bank account.

In addition, there are always many other choices. For example, the studios offered by Unihome are also very good. But do pay attention, if you didn’t receive an apartment offer one month before your arrival, no need to panic, just get yourself a plan B. Firstly, check the other housing options on the housing webpage, for example, there are apartments only open to the forestry students. Secondly, there are a great number of students subleasing their rooms or apartments on Facebook groups and other portals. Normally these rooms are furnished. Lastly, if you want to wait for the offer, I suggest you take a look at the short-term housing, such as Forenom. The price is reasonable and more affordable than ordinary hotels.

Get connected

By the time I was trying to prepare myself for Finland, and the 10-hour flight, I often felt at a loss or stuck with a problem which can’t be solved by myself. Then I managed to get in touch with some other students who were also going to studying in Finland. It’s wonderful to get connected to others, either peers or senior students who are already here. You can use social media to look for the student organization from your country or freshman like you, after which you would never struggle alone. Trust me, there are so many students as confused as you who are eager to get connected. In addition, you can try to contact senior students from your department, most students here are willing to share and help. Moreover, each freshman has a tutor to get help from – tutors are also students from UH who volunteered to guide the new students through the orientation time and provide them with long-term assistance. Getting connected also means get ready for possible culture shock and a totally different lifestyle, I suggest you follow some blogger from Finland as well as the official social media accounts.

The Bank card

I think the financial issues are of vital importance,  especially to us non-EU students, because we have a currency exchange to deal with. To open a local bank account in Finland as an international student, you have to first register at the population office here, register as attendance in UH, and at last, you can go to the bank with all the papers needed. The processing time of the bank takes at least two weeks. Therefore it’s much more convenient if you have a valid card with you in the very beginning. Apply for a VISA or MasterCard of your own, either credit or debit card is good.

Additionally, it is better to apply for the card yourself, instead of using a secondary card of your family. When I arrived here last year, I only had a secondary card from my mother. Then when I was at IKEA and ready to pay for my furniture, I was told that it’s illegal to use other’s credit card, and they reserve the right to expropriate it unless the owner of the card shows up. I was so embarrassed at that time because my mom was not there, obviously, and I didn’t bring anything with me to prove my mom is my mom. Luckily, I got a friend going with me and he lends me some money. Using a card is always safer than bringing a large amount of cash, especially when you can pay for the housing rent with your credit card here.

Most importantly, take the official newsletters seriously! they always deliver the best information at the right time, telling you what to follow up with.

And that’s it! I’m more than confident that your starting time here should be smooth and enjoyable. Always feel free to ask for help or consultation, I strongly advise HYY(student union of UH)  and their website where you can find most of the answers to your problems. If by some unfortunate circumstance you get stuck or have any questions, you can just get in touch with us.

Enjoy the summer!

 

 

Learning Finnish – is it worth it?

Lesson #1: “Puhutko suomea” = “Do you speak Finnish?”

Learning Finnish – is it worth it? Short answer: yes! But don’t beat yourself up about it, because Finnish is haaaard.

One could argue that I’m not the best ambassador for taking up Finnish as an international student, as I dropped out of my Finnish course a week before the exam! But, nevertheless, I feel like I have a pretty good sense of the upsides and downsides of embarking on the Suomi-journey, so I’m gonna share my thoughts with you anyways. If you are an international student coming to study at UH in the fall, keep reading as I have a secret to share with you!

First of all, I want to say that I am not trying to persuade you to take Finnish. I’m also not trying to persuade you not to take Finnish. What I’m going to do is give you an honest and fun insight into one of the hardest languages I have come across in my 24 years of life!

Finnish has 16 verbal cases. Or is it 30? Either way, it’s a lot! Some will tell you that Finnish is similar to the Estonian language. Both Finns and Estonians alike are likely to dispute that. They originate from the same language branch: a branch that also has Hungarian on it! My native language is Danish and if I had a dollar for every time someone had assumed that I must surely already speak Finnish as we’re all Nordic brothers, I would have a lot of dollars. Finnish has absolutely nothing to do with any of the Scandinavian languages (unfortunately!) – it’s a whole different world, and many people opt to learn Swedish instead, as Swedish is another national language in Finland. I am lucky that I can get by with Swedish in Finland, as there’s usually very limited English on the products in the supermarkets and a lot of websites are only in Swedish and Finnish. So, if you’ve ever flirted with the idea of learning a Scandinavian language, here is a wonderful chance to learn the biggest one!

Anyways, back to Finnish – upon my arrival in August last year, I signed up for Finnish 1A at the Language Centre. I was hesitant, as I have to say I wasn’t super enthusiastic about the challenge – but it was fun, I have to admit that. We are lucky enough to get language courses completely free of charge at the university, and you can choose between an intensive course, which has class 3 times a week, and another way less intensive one which is 2 times a week. I opted for the one that runs two times a week, and it wasn’t interfering too much with my other classes. If you are good at managing your time and want to put in the work, taking up a new language, even a not so easy one as Finnish, is very doable.

As mentioned above, I did drop out a week before the exam, as the winter darkness had started to kick in – like I said, do not beat yourself up about it. If it becomes a chore above anything else and you cannot find any good sides to it after you have given it a decent try, then consider if it is worth it. Finnish is not easy, and being at least a little excited about learning it is important. If you aren’t, then at least you can say you tried. And there’s always next year, if you felt like jumping into it during your first week in Finland was too rushed. If not, there’s Swedish!

For all my fellow international students – if you wish to get a head start on your journey into the wonderful land of the suomen kieli (Finnish language in Finnish – head start!), I encourage you to attend the Helsinki Summer School in August. Here, you can take a Finnish course before the academic year really kicks in in September – the course is free for scholarship students and other new students can access the course for a small fee. Signup takes place here: https://apply.helsinkisummerschool.fi/courses/course/217-intensive-finnish-course?search=76170

To sum up: learning a new language is a challenge, but it can also be very fun and it can help you get to know Finland and the Finns better. It’s not as easy as some of the languages you might’ve learnt in high school, but the benefit here is that you’re surrounded by natives and you can practise all the time if you so wish. Don’t beat yourself up about it if you choose to focus on other studies – I have never met a Finn who expects you to speak Finnish, as they are well aware of how hard their language is. And, perhaps the most compelling reason to start a Finnish language course when you start your university journey in Finland – you meet loads of equally new international students with whom you’ll be sure to curse away Finnish in no time. They are sure to become your new best friends, as you have your ‘love’ for Finnish in common!

Our City Centre Campus

Before I came to study in Helsinki, I had absolutely no idea what to expect of the city centre campus. I had been to Helsinki before and had no idea I was walking right on campus when I was touristing the city! I was surprised to find that not only is it in the very heart of the city, it is also quite beautiful –  a mix of old and new in a perfect constellation. Every time I have class at our main building, I can peek out the window and see our divine cathedral – Helsinki’s stunning landmark. I’ve been here for more than 6 months, and I still have to pinch myself!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I could write several paragraphs about the Senate Square, where the cathedral is located, but it’s not actually part of campus. The yellow building in the picture, however, is! That’s our main building (päärakennus), and the cathedral is literally right next to it. The square is huge, and it is a very popular tourist hotspot. You’ll be listening to lectures with the sound of tourist buses dropping off and picking up! In Nov/Dec, there’s a nice Christmas market, so you can leave class and go straight to the baked Christmas goodies and the warm glögi.

On the other side of the main building, you have Think Corner (Tiedekulma). This building looks like a sauna on the inside (not a coincidence!) and it’s also cozy and warm. Very sauna-like.

 

There’s a super cool gift shop where your uni apparel needs are sure to be met. There’s a lot of events and discussions on every week, and you’ll be sure to walk in on a few during your time in Helsinki. Think Corner also has a nice café, where, as a student, you can get discounted lunches. There’s plenty of spots for studying and chilling out. There’s even bean bags!

On the 2nd floor, you’ll see Helsinki Think Company, the beloved entrepreneurship society of the university. If you have a secret dream of becoming an entrepreneur, this is where you can go and get help, inspiration and meet likeminded people. In the basement of Think Corner, you’ll find multiple floors of our exercise service, UniSport. They also have a location opposite Think Corner, in Porthania.

If you feel the need to leave Think Corner – after your exercise, nutritional and entrepreneurial needs have been met – you can go to our wonderful main library, Kaisa. An architectural masterpiece with all the knowledge you could ever need! Take some time to roam around the floors and explore the hidden gems. On the last floor, you get a nice view of the cathedral. Hard to study with a view that good!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you find yourself hungry, fear not! We have a wide array of our wonderful UniCafés around the city centre campus. You could go to the one in the main building, Metsätalo, Soc&Kom, Porthania or Ylioppilasaukio. For just €2.60 (with a student card or the Frank-app), you get a delicious and filling meal with a main dish, free selection from the salad bar, a side (rice, potatoes and the like) and a drink (juice, plantbased or cow milk).  Be sure to download the Unicafé-app, so you can check which café has the tastiest meal on the day you’re looking to eat! There’s always a nice selection of vegan and vegetarian meals, and you’ll be sure to leave UniCafé refreshed and with newfound energy.

There are so many more things that make our city centre campus an awesome place to be, but I’m gonna stop here and hopefully leaving you wanting for more. I hope to see you around exploring and taking advantage of all the nice places our campus has to offer! If you arrive here as an international student, make sure you ask your tutor for a tour around campus so you get to know it during your first days here. It’s the perfect way to start your new life here!

If you have any questions about our city centre campus or about student life in Helsinki, feel free to email me on sofie.gregersen@helsinki.fi!