Welcome to University of Helsinki

In case you missed the Welcome Fair or did not have a chance to get all official things sorted out at there, we have gathered a checklist of the things you will need to do after your arrival: Continue reading “Instructions for exchange students who missed the Welcome Fair or arrive late”

It’s beginning of January and the historical City Centre Campus is full of new bright international students. It’s time to start exciting studies and meet new people. There are lot of fun things to do with your new friends, but also bureaucratic tasks you should do at the beginning of your study period. Luckily, University of Helsinki helps and gives you a lot of information at the Welcome fair -event, which is now open for two days; today and tomorrow! “We want to help our new students to get the information they need from the same place at the beginning of their studies. It’s important to us and to our students”, says Anna-Maria Byman from Student Services.

We took the opportunity to ask also from our new law student Eirini Andrikaki from Greece about what her impression of Helsinki has been after couple of days. “It’s really nice, even though it’s cold. I come from Greece, so its really different culture, but I like it so far. It’s great to see the famous Finnish education system and how it really works”. Sounds good to us! We hope you will have a rewarding time at the University of Helsinki.

Read more about Welcome fair, Orientation Course and tips from former exchange students!

On January 9, 2013 at 15:00-16:00 there is a session on cultural competence held at the Welcome Fair.

The venue is the Festival Hall at the Language Centre (address: Fabianinkatu 28, 3rd floor)

Finland and the Finnish people- cultural features
Moving abroad, dealing with a new culture may raise unexpected thoughts and feelings.
Let´s find out some facts and features of Finland and Finnish culture to increase our
understanding both culture around us and ourselves.

Presenter: Kirsi Helosuo, Finnish Student Health Care

The session is open to all students interested in cultural competence issues.

Welcome!

The Finnish Independence Day is celebrated on the 6th of December. Independence Day is a public holiday, which means that shops and offices will be closed. Finns might have many different ways of celebrating their Independence Day, but here are a couple of our traditions.

Every year, on Independence Day, the students in Helsinki organize a torch parade and all students are welcome to join. Finnish students usually wear their white student hat for this occasion, but the hat is not a requirement for joining the parade. If you want to join, you can come on your own, or with your student organization (e.g. ESN).

The torch parade starts at Hietaniemi cemetery, where torches will be handed out from 4 pm and the procession starts at 4.45 pm. The parade will arrive at the Senate Square at around 5.45 pm. The event then continues at the Senate Square with speeches and music. Read more on HYY’s webpage.  

Another important tradition is the Presidential Independence Day Reception (or the Presidential Ball). Every year the President hosts a big reception for around 2000 invited guests. The reception is broadcast live, and is one of the biggest events on television every year. Finns especially like to watch the part where the guests come in and shake hands with the President and commentators comment on what the guests are known for and what they are wearing.

Happy Independence Day!