Author: Raisa J

University of Helsinki welcomes exchange students from partner universities all around the world. Last month, we had the pleasure of meeting two exchange student applicants for 2013-14 at their home university, the University of Hong Kong.

We asked the applicants what they wanted to know more about, and the answer was very clear, “the Learning Agreement”. “How should one select courses for the Learning Agreement?” “What does a course number mean?”

We have gathered the answers to these questions here for all exchange student applicants, in case you are thinking about the same questions. Continue reading “Applying to the University of Helsinki as an exchange student for 2013-14: questions you may be thinking about”

…will have their photos displayed in today’s International Evening hosted by the rector & all the participants will be contacted via e-mail during this week.

The winning photo (above) was taken by Saara M. Laitinen in Cardiff, Wales.

A big thank you to all the 25 participants who are UH’s exchange students around the world.
More info about the winners of the photo competition for incoming exchange students will be available soon.

 

 

The Rector of the University of Helsinki invites you to the International Evening for UH’s international scholars, staff and students in the Great Hall of the University

Tuesday November 13th 2012 at 5 p.m.
The programme in the Great Hall will be followed by a Reception from 6 to 8 p.m.

Dress Code Smart Casual
Entrance Aleksanterinkatu 5
Further Information tiina.kosunen@helsinki.fi

Invitation

Please join to meet other Vuolukiventie tenants and to get info on the ongoing renovation project.

Date: Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at 6 pm, (coffee, tea and a cinnamon bun served from 5.30 pm)
Place: University Main Building, Center Campus, street address: Fabianinkatu 33, lecture Hall 10, 3rd floor

Organizers: University of Helsinki International Exchange Services & University of Helsinki Housing and Accommodation Services in co-operation with HOAS [Foundation for Student Housing in the Helsinki Region]

Are you an Erasmus student in Helsinki and wondering about who to contact? We have gathered instructions here for you.

Do you need a signature and stamp for your Learning agreement or changes to your Learning agreement?

First, contact your own Faculty to get the Departmental coordinator approval and signature. You can find the contact info here

Second, come to the International Exchange Services to get the Institutional coordinator approval. We can sign the paper when it already has the signature of the Departmental coordinator.

Do you need a signature and stamp for your Erasmus arrival or departure certificate?

If the paper needs to be signed by the Institutional coordinator, then you are welcome to come to the International Exchange Services office to get the signature. Kindly note that we need to follow Erasmus regulations about these, e.g. we cannot, for example, sign the Departure certificate months in advance.

Do you need your certificate of Attendance to be signed at the university?

Most home universities require their outgoing students to have their Certificate of Attendance filled in and signed at the host university before going home. You should check at your home university if you need us to fill in the Certificate of Attendance. Most universities have their own form, that they require to be filled in, but if needed, you can also get the form from us before your departure.

How to send the documents to your home university?

You can use the scanners at the Aleksandria learning center, street address: Fabianinkatu 28.

Where is the International Exchange Services office?

You can find us in the University main building, street address: Fabianinkatu 33, 1^st floor. We are open Mon-Thu 10 am – 3 pm.  You can come on any of these days to get the Institutional coordinator signature.

If you have other, very specific Erasmus issues, then please visit us on Tuesdays or Thursdays, because those are the days when the Erasmus experts are in the office.

See you in the main building!

Coordinators from the International Exchange Services

As you are getting ready to pack your suitcases, you may have tons of questions going through your head. Don’t worry, everything will sort out and soon you’ll be here! Just in case you are wondering, here’s a list of the often asked questions from exchange students before arrival.

When can I sign up for courses?
You can sign up for courses after arrival. You need a UH computer user ID for that. You will receive the computer user ID at the Welcome Fair + instructions for using WebOodi to register for courses.

When can I pay the Student Union membership?
There are two ways of paying,
either before arrival:
http://hyy.helsinki.fi/sites/default/files/12_13membership_exchange.pdf
or
in cash at the Welcome Fair on Thursday or Friday. Please bring exact change to make things faster. If you want to pay in cash, please remember that paying in cash is not possible on Saturday. You have to make the decision about joing the Student Union when you arrive: if you are here for the Welcome Fair, you cannot join later than 1 September.

When can I apply for a LYYRA card?
If you have joined the Student Union, you can apply for a LYYRA card after arrival. You need your UH student number for that. You will receive the student number at the Welcome Fair.

When do I get my student number?
You will receive the student number at the Welcome Fair.

Where can I find the Orientation Course schedule for my own Faculty?
Check it here

When do I meet my tutor?
You will meet you tutor and tutor group during the Orientation course.

Where do I get the stamp and signature for my Erasmus Arrival Certificate and/or other documents, which my home university gave me?
You will get the stamp and signature at the Welcome Fair.

Do you organize a pick-up service? Can someone else pick up my keys from HOAS because their office is closed when I arrive?
Unfortunately we are unable to organize a pick-up service. Please go to the HOAS office to get your keys. If you want someone else to pick them up for you, that person needs a proxy, e.g. written permission from you (with your name, birthday, address in Finland, recipient’s name, birthday and your signature).

How can I open a bank account?
Opening a bank account in Finland is fairly simple. You need to have your passport with you + the papers from the University, which you receive at the Welcome Fair. Many exchange students do not open a bank account, however, and just use the ATMs to withdraw money from their bank account at home.

I don’t have housing, what should I do?
Check this

How can I find the HOAS office and my dormitory and the Welcome Fair location? Can I get a student discount for public transportation?
There’s a good website, which will help you find your way around, we all use this, too: http://www.reittiopas.fi/en
You will get a student discount for the months that you are studying here (in most cases, September-December or September-May). You will receive papers for this at the Welcome Fair.

The Welcome Fair location is UH’s Language Centre, street address: Fabianinkatu 26.  Iif you are on Facebook, please join the Welcome Fair facebook event and you’ll see who else will be there.

And most importantly:
Will you make friends? Sure.
Will you learn things? Yes.
Are we excited for your arrival? Yes!

 

Raisa from the International Exchange Services

Have you already received a housing offer from Hoas? Worried about the fact that you have not been admitted to the University of Helsinki yet?

Hoas has started making housing offers. If you have received an offer, please follow the advice given by Hoas and pay the housing deposit of 500 euros before the deadline listed in the Housing offer. It’s the only way to make sure that you’ll have secured housing. To confirm the offer sent to you by Hoas, you should also sign and scan the tenancy agreement & scan the receipt of the paid deposit, and send them to Hoas.

Most incoming exchange students have not yet received acceptance from the University of Helsinki, so try to be patient (even though it can be difficult to wait, we know). Acceptance information should be available in mid- to late June at the latest.

What happens if you are not accepted to the University of Helsinki, but have already paid your housing deposit? In that case, Hoas is able to cancel your Housing agreement without any costs an you’ll receive the entire deposit back from Hoas.

Any questions? Please feel free to ask them here, and we’ll do our best to answer.

Kind regards,
Raisa from the International Exchange Services

P.S. When do you know that you have been accepted to the University of Helsinki? You will receive an Acceptance Letter by e-mail, sent by your host faculty… Read more about it here.

Photo by Eeva Anundi