Housing Option for Master’s Degree Students

Posted on June 18, 2013 by S Emilia

We have a brand new housing option especially for Master’s degree students: apartments right in the heart of the city on Hietaniemenkatu 14 and within good connections on Ida Aalbergin tie 1 for a reasonable price!

The apartments are reserved for students that have been accepted to complete a Master’s Degree at the University of Helsinki and are moving to Finland from another country. The deadline for the applications is 12th of July 2013. The residence period is from September 1st 2013 to May 31st 2014 with a fixed-term contract.

Read more about applying on our website!

The Flower Day

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Elin E Andersson

The Flower Day (or Flora Day) is the second official celebration of the Student Union of the University of Helsinki. It is the joyful spring festival of all university students, celebrated every year on 13 May. University students have celebrated a spring festival at least from the beginning of the 19th century.

The celebration in 1848 was as a special day in the origins of Finnish national identity. That year, the Maamme song, which later has received the status of Finland’s national anthem, was sang for the first time by the students gathered in Kumtähti Field. Also an early version of the Finnish flag was used for the first time on that occasion – afterwards, this flag became the flag of the Student Union. So, in addition to being the university students’ spring festival, the Flower Day is now also celebrated as the “birthday” of the Finnish national anthem. This year will be the 165 anniversary of the Maamme song. Continue reading →

Vappu – celebrating spring and student life!

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Helena M

Spring has now finally arrived in Finland and with it, of course, the big carnevalistic spring celebration: Vappu. For many students it is the highlight of the year. On the 30^th of April and 1^st of May you can see people wearing the Finnish student cap, ylioppilaslakki, and students wearing overalls and doing silly things all over Helsinki. The celebration begins on Tuesday afternoon and continues all Wednesday. Here follows some practical info and tips to help you to experience the best of it: Continue reading →

Meet our students: Shristi Neupane from Nepal wants to promote peace and understanding

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Helena M

Shristi Neupane studies at International Master’s Degree Programme in Plant Production Sciences (picture and text: Dina Nitisa)

In spite of freezing temperatures outdoors, Helsinki is possibly the warmest place one might choose to spend the winter. I’m not talking about the heating system (though it is generally excellent), rather – the remarkable people one meets daily in the campuses of University of Helsinki: the teachers and students, each carrying their own unique story of their past and future, but all sharing their current common belonging to the university. Enrolled in the International Master’s Degree Programme in Plant Production Sciences, a student from Nepal Shristi Neupane enjoys the high standard of the studies, as well as embraces herself in a variety of extracurricular activities the City of Helsinki offers. Continue reading →

Shrove Tuesday

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Annika

On Shrove Tuesday, the 12th of February, it’s time to find you something that passes for a sled and head on over to Kaivopuisto, Helsinki! Students from all over are showing up for an action-packed afternoon outdoors – so why not you as well? Continue reading →

Academic action network promotes entrepreneurial mindset at University of Helsinki

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Helena M

The social world around you needs improvement. Something should be done about climate change. The elderly need to be taken better care of. There is something strange in the neighborhood, but who are you going to call?

Tieteestä toimintaa (‘academic action’) network gathers people who want to create more academic entrepreneurship. Network opens new doors for different projects and start-ups. Organizer Outi Kuittinen from think tank DEMOS HELSINKI shares her insights and experiences on Academic action -network. Continue reading →

Fancy getting new friends, both Finnish and international?

Posted on January 11, 2013 by S Emilia

If you answered yes, the ESN Buddy Project is for you! The project is organized to bring together Finnish and foreign students from the University of Helsinki.

The Buddy Project participants will be divided into small groups based on similar interests at the first Buddy Project event. After the project launch event, further Buddy Project events will be organized approximately once a month until May and the groups are encouraged to meet in their own time too.

The Welcome Event will be held next Sunday 20th of January (place and time will be announce later). It is mandatory to attend to the first event, so please apply only if you can make it.

To sign up fill the application form!

HYY’s Anniversary Week – celebrations all week long!

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Annika

Monday the 26th of November, is the Student Union’s (HYY’s) 144th anniversary. HYY’s birthday is traditionally celebrated in the form of an anniversary week. These ten days are packed with diverse cultural and other events, all of which are free of charge or very inexpensive for members of the Student Union. Join us in celebrating the 144-year-old Student Union!

You can find the whole program of the week on HYY’s webpage, but here are a few highlights for you.

The anniversary week ends on Wednesday, 28 Nov, with the Art for Us! event in Ateneum art museum. There is free admission to Ateneum with the student card throughout the day. The most interesting program is related to the international 52 Souls exhibition opened just two weeks earlier, featuring poetic, mystical and sensory interpretations of nature. There will also be non-stop workshops and performances by a pop-up quartet.

If art isn’t your thing, maybe you would like to visit Debate Night organized by the University of Helsinki Debate Society? If you are hungry for theatre, check out the English speaking theatre festival FELT IF, which is co-organised by Thespians Anonymous Theatrical Society. There are short performances every night 20-25 Nov at Kaapelitehdas.

Still not your thing? Check out the full program of the anniversary week and find your own way of celebrating HYY’s birthday. Between all the soap making, table hockey tournaments and Mayan calendar predictions we hope you will find something to your taste and have a great time!

Friendship Family Programme for higher education students in Lahti starts in January 2013!

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Pia

Did you know that international students at the University of Helsinki can study also in the city of Lahti? This year 14 new students started their studies in Lahti in the Master’s Degree Programme in Multidisciplinary Studies on Urban Environmental Issues (MURE).

Integration into a completely new culture is a challenging process for international students; in particular for those who wish to complete a degree in a foreign country and potentially settle there after finishing their studies. The Friendship Family Programme in Lahti is aimed at supporting international students with their integration into the Finnish society.

The programme is coordinated by Lahti University of Applied Sciences and Lahti University Consortium. It aims at matching international higher education students in Lahti with local families and offering these students an opportunity to experience real Finnish life and culture, as well as make new local friends.

Networking with local people enriches students’ experience of living in Finland. With the friendship family students can practice language skills and learn more about everyday life in Finland. In return, Finnish families have a great chance to increase their international experience, improve their language skills, learn about new cultures and make new international friends. Cook, go skiing or meet for a coffee – students and families can decide together what they want to do.

The Friendship Family Programme of the Lahti region starts in January 2013 and finishes in May 2013. The programme kicks off in a first meeting organised for students and families in January. After this the students and families meet approximately once a month during the summer semester.

Experience Finnish culture and everyday life though a local friendship family!

More information: www.studyinlahti.fi

Text and photo by MURE programme

Grants and Scholarships Available – apply 24.10.-14.11.2012.

Posted on October 24, 2012 by S Emilia

The “Get Your Master’s Thesis Written!” -grant, grants for student organisations and study circles offered by Student Services are open for application for the university students. The application time is 24.10. at 12.00 – 14.11.2012 at 23:59.

The “Get Your Master’s Thesis Written!” -grant offers individual master’s level students an intensive one- or two-week period at Hyytiälä, Lammi, Tvärminne, Värriö, or Kilpisjärvi research stations to work on their master’s thesis. The grant covers room and board.

Student groups planning a study circle can apply for a study circle grant to cover the expenses of the teacher’s salary.

Grants for student organisations are available for student organisations within the University of Helsinki who are planning a study trip or a seminar.

More information on the grants and scholarships and the application process is available in the university’s new intranet Flamma:

”Get your Master’s Thesis Written!” -grant: Contents and services > Students > Financing of Studies > Grants and scholarships > Undergraduate and graduate students
Grants for student organisations & study circles: Contents and services > Students > Financing of Studies > Grants and scholarships > Grants for student organizations and student groups

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