Author: Pia

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Dear neighbours in Russia, welcome to study at UH!

In 2011 UH visited student fairs in St. Petersburg. Here we had some time to admire the Winter Palace after rain.

University of Helsinki (UH) is once again visiting Russia to meet local students. We visit our favourite city St. Petersburg and student fairs there every year. Why? Because the University of Helsinki wants to actively recruit bright Russian students to our international programmes. Already now Russians are one of the largest groups among international students at UH.

Come and meet UH and other Finnish universities during the Study in Europe Day in St. Petersburg.

  • Time: Saturday 22 September, 2012
  • Place: Finnish Consulate, Preobrazhenskaja pl. 4, 191028 St. Petersburg

Did you know that the University of Helsinki is consistently ranked in the top 100 out of world’s 15 000 universities? Here some examples:

The reason which makes international students choose the University of Helsinki is the university’s good reputation and the high level of research and teaching. Helsinki is also a great place to be and our international students say it is a very safe place to live in. Nowadays the two cities, Helsinki and St. Petersburg, are closer than ever before. It is barely a four hour train-ride away (5 times per day), a flight takes only an hour and you can take a cheap minibus or an overnight ferry, too.

The application period for Master’s Degree Programmes opens 19 November, 2012 and closes 31 January, 2013. If you are planning to apply, please pay attention to the application documents. Russian applicants must submit the official government-granted degree certificate and transcript (you should get this automatically from your home university) and you must have your degree certificate and transcript verified by apostille. For more information see the How to Apply website.

See you at the Consulate!

Admissions Services

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Join the UH Alumni Network Now!

University of Helsinki AlumniWhether you’re here for six months or six years, you’ll probably create a close-knit network of friends during your stay at the University of Helsinki. But how do you make sure that you don’t lose touch with your friends and Uni after your studies come to a close?

Even though you probably are already active in your own discipline’s Facebook group you should still register to Campus Alumni, so that we don’t lose track of you and you won’t forget us. Granted, we’re still in the process of developing our international alumni activities, so this is the time to join and give us your input!

On Campus Alumni you can also register a lifelong university alumni email address, find friends and see where in the world UH alumni have headed off to find new adventures. You’ll also get our eHUB  newsletter directly to your inbox.

If you register at Campus Alumni before October 3 at the Think Corner (Aleksanterinkatu 7), you’ll get a 20% discount on UH sweatshirts and T-shirts. (They’re really nice, just look at the picture!)

Also feel free to join our LinkedIn alumni group  Helsingin yliopisto | University of Helsinki Alumni.

Read more about Campus Alumni and other alumni services at www.helsinki.fi/alumnus and register!

More information from UH Alumni Cordinator Saara Vihko at saara.vihko[at]helsinki.fi or +358 9 191 22802

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Integrate! Make the most out of studying at UH!

Wish to learn more about your Finnish fellow students? Want to practise Finnish in a
less formal setting? Or just like to get new friends?

Sign up for an ALICE-course and you will get it all. The basic idea of the course, organised by the Language Centre, is to provide two language learners who speak different native languages the opportunity to learn about each other’s language, culture and customs and receive information about the practicalities of everyday life in an interactive way.

Christian Niedling, teacher of German, has been teaching Alice courses (Academic language and intercultural exchange) since 2009. In his opinion, taking part in ALICE is a great opportunity to get to know the authentic student life in Helsinki: “Learning in this programme is self-directed which offers you the possibility to talk about a wide range of topics you might be interested in and get together at different places in Helsinki,” he says. “You and your study partner have it in your own hands to create an efficient and enjoyable learning environment. And there is always the tutor you could
ask for hints and help if required. ALICE is a promising contribution to a diverse, successful, and pleasant stay here in Finland – that’s what the participants generally comment in their feedbacks.”

Got interested? ALICE languages are the following:

  • Deutsch – Christian Niedling
  • Español – ­­­Marjaana Kuokkanen
  • Français – Frédéric Nozais
  • Italiano – Giuseppe Feroldi
  • Svenska / suomi – Hanna Vänskä
  • Русский – Eija Hämäläinen

Get in touch with the teacher in question by e-mail (firstname.surname@helsinki.fi).

  • For more information about Alice,  see here.
  • For more information about Language Centre, see here.

Kind regards,
Language Centre at UH

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One Night of Future Possibilities leading to two years in Helsinki?

Night of Future Possibilities Study Fair
The fish was this big… Or staff testing the background for the photo session at the Helsinki Summer School study fair.

University of Helsinki, or UH in short, was invited to the Night of Future Possibilities study fair organized by Helsinki Summer School this week. Thanks for all summer school students for visiting us at the fair! We took photos of you, have a look at the album on our Facebook page.

If you come to Helsinki for three weeks for summer school, why not find out how to stay a bit longer. Most of the courses in summer school are organized by the University of Helsinki and our Master’s Degree Programmes. Summer School is probably the best way to get to know more about a programme, the facilities, the staff, etc. before applying for degree studies.

Why should you choose UH? Well, it is a pretty good university! The Shanghai ranking list for 2012 was published this week and UH is again in the Top 100. This year we’re ranked 73rd out of world’s 15 000 universities. UH is aiming even higher, to the Top 50. There is no success in university rankings if we’re not truly international. There are about 3000 international students here, but we want more. This is why the faculties have worked hard for having today a wide range of International Master’s Degree Programmes open for international (and Finnish) students.

We have asked the students for their opinion too. UH participated in the International Student Barometer (ISB) in 2010. There were over 200 universities worldwide that took part in the survey. A questionnaire was sent to international students at UH and they were among the most active ones of all participants. 68% took part in the survey – and that’s a lot.

There are a few things worth mentioning in ISB. It is clear that the research and long traditions are important and UH was seen as a very prestigious institution. Almost 90% of the students would recommend the study experience to others. The learning environment is world-class, no doubt about that. The labs and learning spaces were ranked to one of the highest positions. And so were our sports services – it is not all about studying, you have to look after yourself, too.

One thing that was striking with Finland was the safety issue. Students really feel safe. Maybe I should also mention good public transport between our four campuses, libraries, IT services, catering, etc. I mean everyday life is quite uncomplicated here. Ok, Helsinki is not the cheapest place to live in though…  But you get value for your money.

A few words more about the facilities. In just a few weeks UH’s new main library, the Kaisa Library, opens its doors. It has already been described an example of WOW architecture and will probably become one of the landmarks in Helsinki. The library couldn’t be more centrally located and it offers group work facilities, a book cafe, silent rooms, even rocking chairs! And probably much more. We’ll see when the place opens 3 September.

We hope you enjoy your time in summer school, Helsinki and at UH – hope to see you again!!

Admissions Services

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No housing offer yet?

No flat before arriving in Helsinki?

If you need a temporary housing in Helsinki you can try booking a bed from CheapSleep hostel for prize 22e/night. The beds can be reserved on beforehand or onsite via hostel’s web site by using special booking codes.

If you want to book the bed before arriving to Helsinki please use booking code “STUDENT”.

NOTE: Hostel’s booking calendar will show the beds available only after you have typed in the booking code in the box on the right corner of the page.

www.cheapsleep.fi

Find a flat, Mate!

30 August, 16.00-19.00, Think Corner, Aleksanterinkatu 7

Find a flat, Mate! is an event for international students looking for an apartment and for landlords looking for a reliable tenant for a longer or shorter period of time. This event is targeted to the international students who have faced difficulties in finding a place to stay in Finland and also for people who are looking for a new tenant, subtenant, flat mate or simply want to offer a place to stay overnight.

The goal is to share information about how to find a flat in Finland and to find solutions for acute housing problems. Lyyra, HOAS, Forenom, Ne-Rå Councelling centre and CheapSleep hostel are also present to share first hand tips about housing in Finland.

HOAS on Facebook

HOAS customer service is also on Facebook with up-to-date information about the housing situation.

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Changed for life?

Not too long ago I was contacted by a journalist who asked me if I knew of any research as to the consequences of studying abroad. A surprisingly simple question I thought first, but after a while I had to conclude that there really is no solid research as to how people are affected if and when the study outside their home country. This is very surprising because practically all universities are sending and receiving students from abroad and millions of students are undertaking full degrees or exchange periods in foreign universities. Why do we do it, and why do you?

Do not get me wrong, I am not questioning your decision to come to Helsinki. Quite the opposite. I am just saying there is no scientific proof of what this will do for you. I was an exchange student in the US for a year when I was in high school. And apart from learning English I really cannot pinpoint how I was changed as a result of this experience. But I am very convinced that my life would have been very different without having spent the year away from home. Maybe I would not even be writing this blog entry…?

You are just about to be exposed to the Finnish way of life, the learning environment and fellow students at the University of Helsinki. You will meet people you probably would not have met without having opted to study with us. You will of course learn things in classrooms or laboratories but I would still guess that you will learn an equal amount outside classes. I am not advocating skipping classes but rather that you open yourself to all kinds of new opportunities and make the most of your time at the University. And hopefully you look back ten or twenty years from now, you can be as convinced as I am based on my study abroad experience that I would not change it for anything.

Welcome to be changed for life!

Markus Laitinen
Head of International Affairs

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This is where the fun begins

A world-class university needs to have world-class sport services. UniSport is a directorate commonly owned by University of Helsinki and Aalto University who provides a wide range of high quality health and wellness services, activities for students, staff and the wider community across our six campuses. A range of membership options and casual visit possibility are available with qualified and experienced fitness professionals to assist you in keeping active and having fun while studying or working at the University of Helsinki.

Our slogan is “more than exercise” and that is truly so. Our services were ranked third best University sport service in the world according to ISB survey (International Student Barometer, 2010). I think it is safe to say that we offer something for everyone who is interested in exercising in some way or another and we offer inspiration to those who have not taken that step yet. Our big goal besides making people move is to foster a social environment within the University. Our facilities, classes and events are a great platform to meet new people in a relaxed atmosphere. The only suits we wear are track suits.

You do not have to worry about the weird sounding Finnish language either. Everybody speaks English if necessary and some of the classes and courses are even held in English. UniSport warmly welcomes you to Helsinki. Please show up at our our service desk in any of the six campuses to register and get started!

For further information have a look at our website www.unisport.fi.

Janne Pakarinen
Head of Sports

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Housing in Helsinki

Dear all new students,

We would like to remind you once more about how important it is to search for housing here in Helsinki through all possible channels. A good guidebook for this can be found at our housing webpages, please do read the Housing Guide carefully through!

Are you going to apply for housing through HOAS, the largest provider of students flats here in Helsinki? Are you looking for a flat in the city centre with a maximum rent of 250 euro? Hope not, as such housing does not exist…  Please, do not narrow down the suitable housing options on the application form. If you choose only a few parts of the city that you are willing to live in and accept only a maximum rent of 300 euro, your chances of getting a housing offer from HOAS are not that good. We are more than aware that our students’ budgets are limited, but it is still better to accept any housing offer so that you have a place to stay when you arrive in Helsinki. After you have settled down, you can always start looking for a cheaper option. Btw, HOAS is now also on Facebook so if you have questions to HOAS please post them at their FB pages.

If you are arriving in the beginning of September and haven’t heard from HOAS by mid-August, then it is time to check some other short-term housing options, e.g.the CheapSleep hostel. You can use the booking code STUDENT in their reservation system at www.cheapsleep.fi in order to get a discount (the booking code is active starting from June 1, 2012).

Also put the date 30 August in your calendar. Find a flat, Mate! is an event for international students looking for an apartment and for landlords looking for a reliable tenant for a longer or shorter period of time. More information about the event, place and date is available at the Helsinki Region Welcome Weeks pages.

We hope that this writing did not scare you off and that everything goes well with your preparations. We are very much looking forward to seeing you all here in Helsinki!

 

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MURE students study at the Lahti campus

Study in LahtiEvery other year a group of new international students start their academic career in the MURE Master’s Degree Programme.The www.studyinlahti.fi website provides information for students about accommodation, study advice, everyday life, etc.

With over 100 000 inhabitants Lahti is the 8th largest city in Finland. As part of the Helsinki metropolitan area, it is located in the southern part of the country with an easy connection to the capital city.

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Important information about residence permit for students from China

Newly admitted exchange and degree students from China should be prepared for delays in processing of their residence permit applications. The closing of the Finnish consulate in Guangzhou and the introduction of new obligatory biometric residence permit card with fingerprints are slowing down the application process.

The University of Helsinki has contacted the Finnish Embassy and the Finnish Immigration Service MIGRI and expressed concern about possible late arrivals of Chinese students during autumn term 2012. Unfortunately, the University of Helsinki is not able to speed up the process on behalf of it’s students.

Appointment at the Finnish Consulate is necessary for submitting a residence permit application – please make an appointment as soon as possible and make sure you have all the required documents! We strongly recommend that you initiate your application through MIGRI E-services as this will speed up the process.

More information:

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