Category: Student life

Posted on

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!

 

Posted on

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 diploma. Other 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.

 

 

Posted on

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!

 

 

Posted on

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!

Posted on

How to survive Finnish winter and enjoy it?

Life is about enjoying yourself, not just surviving, and this goes for Finland in winter as well. Winter in Finland can be harsh, too cold, grey and dismal with temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius, up to seven months of snow and ice covering the ground, and fewer than four hours of daylight at peak midwinter,  but the arrival of the cold, dark, snowy winter doesn’t mean life stops. Finns always go to work or school in the morning no matter how cold it is or how much snow has fallen. They have plenty of ways to enjoy the winter season.

So , if you are visiting Finland during the winter, these are some top survival tips to help you not only stay alive but also to enjoy the Finnish winter with the snow-covered trees, magical pastel pink colors of the sky, golden sun light, frozen lakes and Northern Lights.

Dress well

The secret of spending time outdoors in the winter is to make sure you are dressed properly. Finns wear thick trousers during the winter with long-johns underneath. On your top half, you will need a thick jumper, preferably one made of wool, and a good snow proof coat. Special attention must be given to protecting the feet, hands and head from the cold. Nothing will ruin the fun of outdoor activities faster than frozen feet. Gloves should be roomy with a warm lining. Headgear should protect the ears properly, and in very cold weather a silk balaclava is excellent for protecting the face. Remember the Finnish saying: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”

Go to Sauna

Sauna is one of the most popular activities in Finland where there are more than 3 million saunas in total. In winter, the sauna is a great place for warming up frozen fingers and toes. It is a place for relaxation, tranquility and deep thought. The sauna experience includes escape from the tensions of everyday life to another reality, towards calm and contentment. Some say that having a dip in a hole in the ice of a lake or the sea is one of the joys of a waterside sauna in winter. It will certainly improve your circulation, and at the very least, make you feel refreshingly alive!

Maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle

During cold and dark winter days, it is extremely common that you feel lazy all the time. To maintain good brain health, try to include a lot of vegetables and fruits in your meals. It’s also crucial to take vitamin D supplements every day, as the absence of sunlight can even make you feel dizzy at times.

Do sports

Don’t forget to exercise frequently. Bouldering, gym and the swimming pool will help to cheer you up on cold and dark days. As a bonus, you get a healthy body, productive attitude and positive mind-set. Yoga is also a great workout regime for reducing stress and allowing for greater relaxation.  It can be done from your home or in a classroom.

Escape your room

It can be quite boring and even depressing sometimes to stay at home on winter evenings when it gets dark at 3 pm. Get outside every time you see the sun actually shining. This is crucial to your well-being! There are not too many sunny days, and especially during the wintertime all of them should be appreciated and enjoyed outside. Besides – the sunny winter days are spectacular! Go wandering in the forest or to the seaside and admire the sunset colors.

Walking on ice

Nobody likes taking the risk of falling over on the ice and looking like an idiot, but it is unavoidable to get around during the winter. There is a trick to walking on ice, however. Walking at a regular pace doesn’t distribute the body weight in the correct way to stay upright on ice. The trick is to take short, quick steps, much like the way that penguins walk. You may still fall over from time to time, but locals expect this so they won’t laugh at you.

 Watch ice hockey

Finns really love this sport and if you ask them which ice hockey team is the best, they’re going to answer “Finland”, of course. If you live with Finns prepare yourself to watch all the match and shout with them “SUOMI, SUOMI, SUOMI!!!”

Winter health

As strange as it may feel, remember to breathe through your mouth rather than your nose when it is cold outside. This is because breathing in cold air through your nose and breathing out warm air can cause the blood vessels in your nose to rupture, giving you a nosebleed. Short hours of daylight combined with isolation and dreary weather can cause a feeling of physical and mental exhaustion and lack of motivation. These symptoms are normally felt during the early winter and are usually temporary, easing off once the body becomes more accustomed to the winter. It is difficult to get up when it is so dark outside, but doing so and going for a half-hour walk every morning will expose the body to sunlight and provide enough energy to get through the day. Light therapy lamps can also simulate sunlight and are easy to find online.

Enjoy the Snow

What a fantastic feeling to wake up one morning in the late autumn and look out of the window to see that the first snow has fallen! Children waste no time rushing outside to make their first snowmen and find the nearest sledging hill, while adults dig out their winter sports equipment. Other key sports are the various branches of alpine skiing, snowboarding and freestyle skiing. The latter are relatively new sports but they have rapidly become big favourites among the young and daring. Ice skating is another national pastime, like cross-country skiing. 

Gather with friends

This might sound like a cliché, but hanging out with friends is one of the best ways to overcome the winter depression. Friends can have a great impact on your emotions, especially during winter. Just make spontaneous plans, meet at someone’s place, cook together, have some drinks and watch some movies.

Text: Basma Ragab (International Student Ambassador)

Posted on

February Fun and Frolicks!

Text and photos: International Student Ambassador Coordinator Sara Haapanen

You may have noticed that the shops are bursting with cakes right now, and unless you’re on a diet it’s a time to indulge a little. And of course, there is a reason behind it all.

You have probably seen some little golden brown almond towers topped with a blob of raspberry jam and a circle of icing, these are called Runeberg cakes. Johan Ludvig Runeberg (1804–1877) is the national poet of Finland, the author of a poem which is now proudly the lyrics of the Finnish national anthem. Legend had it that his wife made him these cakes and they are produced every year as a little celebration. He has his own flag day too, 5th February, so eat cake and give a little toast to Finnish history. Continue reading “February Fun and Frolicks!”

Posted on

New Student – Make sure you come to the Welcome Fair!

January is almost here, which means we are getting impatient to meet all our new international students here at the University of Helsinki!

Your student experience at the University of Helsinki will begin with a visit to the Welcome Fair on January 10, 2018, as well as your Faculty orientation. Please note that you will need to take part in both! Remember to bring your official ID (passport, ID card or residence permit) with you to the Welcome Fair!

The Welcome Fair is the perfect place to get to know the University and the Campuses as well as to get all the official matters out of the way. The venue for the Welcome Fair is the Language Centre of the University of Helsinki (address: Fabianinkatu 26). Please see our Welcome Fair and orientation week map for locations. Continue reading “New Student – Make sure you come to the Welcome Fair!”

Posted on

Autumn

Text: International Student Ambassador Min Wang

Hi everybody! This is the best time to experience the autumn of Helsinki. Trees are getting colorful and appealing now. A little bit raining day may let you down but anyway you deserve to hang out for a while and explore some interesting things to do. Here are some suggestions and hope you like them.

Continue reading “Autumn”

Posted on

Trip around Finland

Text and Photos: International Student Ambassador Shirajum Monira

Where have you heard about Finland? This question may appear often in a friendly conversation with Finns, or you might stumble upon a stranger trying to start a conversation while waiting for bus at the bus stop or in a university party. Many of us heard about Finland before as a country of midnight sun, Nokia, the real Santa Claus from Lapland, and some of us did more research before deciding Finland as our next home away from home. However, there are much more the land of Sisu has for its visitants to explore and admire.

Studying in Finland brings you an amazing opportunity to explore the hidden beauties Finland has to offer. Starting from the old capital of Finland till the home of indigenous Sami people, there are hundreds of attractive places you can plan trips with friends at reasonable prices and bring back pleasant memories to cherish.

As an international student studying Physics at the University of Helsinki, life has been quite stressful with assignments and exams, but weekends and summer breaks brought unwastable scope for me to visit places I have always dreamed of. In this blog I would like to share some of my trip experiences and information which might be handy for the future tourists.

The old capital of Finland: Turku

Continue reading “Trip around Finland”

Proudly powered by WordPress