Posts

Posted on

The Flower Day

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 at Kumtähti Field in Toukola, right next to Kumpula Campus. University students have celebrated a spring festival at least from the beginning of the 19th century, and Kumtähti Field was established as the place for the celebration already in the 1830’s.

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.

Every year, the Flower Day programme still includes a performance of the Maamme song. In addition, there are now other kinds of live music performances, spring speeches, snacks and DJ music. All students are welcome to take their own picnic lunch with them and to celebrate both the end of the spring and the birthday of the national anthem with their friends in a relaxed atmosphere. The programme starts at 12noon.

Read more about the Flower Day on the Student Union’s web page.

Posted on

Where to get Furniture – IKEA and Secondhand Shops

By Yafei Zhao, Master’s Degree Student at the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry

Generally speaking, we cannot survive without food, but we could be alive without furniture. However, furniture are as important as the necessities of life. Anyway, we need furniture no matter where we live!

It is common that there is no furniture in the students’ apartment, like HOAS, HYS. It is very necessary that we could get the furniture as soon as possible. Here are some information about where to get the furniture in Helsinki. If you prefer new stuff, IKEA is the best option and it is in our student price range; If second hand stuff does not matter to you, then many Second Hand Shops are available. They are relatively cheaper, especially furniture. Sometimes, with the same price, you may get better quality.

Anyway, good luck for your new life in Helsinki. Have a good START!

IKEA Vantaa & Espoo

Free Bus from Kiasma Museum and shopping centre Dixi (Tikkurila) EVERY day, clear blue bus with yellow IKEA.

IKEA also has a delivery service which charges depending on the delivery destination. Starting price is from 39€.

Timetable:

To Vantaa From Vantaa
Kiasma Mon-Fri Sat Sun Mon-Fri Sat Sun
10:15 09:15 11:30 11:30 10:15 12:45
12:15 10:45 13:15 13:45 12:45 14:45
14:30 13:15 15:15 15:45 14:30 17:30
16:30 15.00 18:15 16:45
Dixi 11:00 10:00 12:15 12:45 11:15 13:45
13:00 11:30 14:00 15:15 13:45 15:45
15:30 14:00  16:00 17:15 15:30  17:00
17:30 15:45 16:15
To Espoo From Espoo
Kiasma Mon-Fri Sat Sun Mon-Fri Sat Sun
12:00 10:00 12:00 12:30 10:30 12:30
13:00 11:00 13:00 13:30 11:30 13:30
14:00 12:00 14:00 15:00 13:00 15:30
15:30 13:30  16:00 16:30 14:00  17:30
17:00 14:30 17:30 15:00
18:00 16:00 20:00 17:30

 

For more information, check out IKEA’s website: www.ikea.com/fi

Helsinki Metropolitan Area Reuse Centre Ltd

A non-profit organization hoping to reduce the amount of waste and increase environmental awareness. You may find almost everything in the stores, like furniture, electric appliances, kitchen stuff and clothes etc.

If you have the Student Card or Certificate of Attendance, 10% discount is available.

Stores and address:

  • Kyläsaari Shop (Helsinki). Kyläsaarenkatu 8, 00580, Helsinki. Tel: 0400 348 111  (buses 56 and 68 and trams 6 and 8 ) (I have only been to this one among their chain stores, and highly recommend!)
  • Itäkeskus Shop (Helsinki). Kauppakartanonkatu 12, 00930 Helsinki. Tel: 0400 344 863 (bus 58 and walking distance from Itäkeskus metro station)
  • Nihtisilta Store (Espoo). Kutojantie 3, 02630 Espoo. Tel: 0400 348 114 (Espoo’s internal bus lines 3, 5, 15, 18, 110, 110A, 121A, commuter train E)
  • Suomenoja Shop (Espoo). Rusthollarinkatu 1, 02270 Espoo. Tel: 0400 348 160
  • Koivukylä Shop (Vantaa). Hosantie 2, 01360 Vantaa. Tel: 0400 348 113 (Vantaa’s internal bus lines 52, 53, 54, 71A, bus 732 from Helsinki and the commuter trains N and K)

Working hours: Mon-Fri 09:00-20:00, Sat 10:00-16:00, Sun 12:00-16:00.
Website: www.kierratyskeskus.fi/in_english/shops

Fida Secondhand Shops

They have secondhand clothes, small furniture and other small items.

  • Eira: Tehtaankatu 36, 00150 Helsinki. Tel: 9 612 1770
  • Hakaniemi Metro Station: Hämeentie 5, 00530 Helsinki. Tel: 9 876
  • 3744
  • Lönkka: Lönnrotinkatu 4, 00120 Helsinki. Tel: 9 5660 0395
  • Malmi: Kirkonkyläntie 34, 00780 Helsinki. Tel: 9 4289 2400
  • Maunula: Pakilantie 8, 00630 Helsinki. Tel: 9 5660 0396
  • Puotinharju: Kastelholmantie 2, 00900 Helsinki. Tel: 9 343 2299
  • Sornäinen Metro Station: Hämeentie 31, 00500 Helsinki, Tel: +358 9 7014772 （Upstair of K-market)

Working hours: Mon-Fri 9:00-18:00/19:00, Sat 10:00-16:00
Website: www.fidainternational.fi/fida-2nd-hand-shops

Online Flea Markets and Facebook

There are also free online marketplace services, where registered users are able to buy and sell anything from clothes to furniture. Beware of scammers and read the shipping policies carefully!

Check out: Tori.fi and Huuto.net

Certain Facebook groups also offer the possibility for users to sell and buy different items, but be extra careful – it’s more difficult to detect scams when users can’t always be verified.

Check out: Helsinki Buying, Selling, Giving Away and Students in Helsinki Buy/Sell/Exchange

Last but not the least – Pick up furniture

There are sometimes designated recycle rooms in residential areas, which you may open with your own house key. You may find small pieces of furniture, kitchen equipment, carpets etc. left by moved-away tenants.

The policy is usually first comes, first served – so if you are lucky, you may find a complete set of furniture for your new room. Good Luck!

Posted on

Helsinki Summer School – happy customers since the year 2000!

Wondering what it would be like to study in Helsinki? Or did you perhaps miss the application round 2012? Don’t worry, there is a way to come to Helsinki for three weeks in August and see if this is the place for you to live and study.

Helsinki Summer School is organized by all the universities in the Helsinki area. Last year there were 400 students from 60 different countries. The majority of the courses are arranged by the University of Helsinki (UH) and its Master’s Degree Programmes. Here’s the list for this year’s courses by UH:

Activity Theory and Formative Interventions
Change and Continuity in Russian and Eastern European Development
Cognitive Neuroscience
Cultural Activities and International Networks
Cultural Heritage, Chemistry and Spectroscopy
Design and the City
Designing Sustainable Forest Landscapes – Ecosystem Services in the Future
Designing Teacher Education for the Future – What Can We Learn from the Finnish Experience
Designing Tomorrow’s Agriculture: role of Ecosystem Services
Developing Intercultural Competence
Ecology and Management of Urban Green Space
Introduction to Bioethics
Introduction to Conceptual History
Introduction to Holocaust and Genocide Studies
Skills of an Active Citizen Towards an Inclusive Society
Video in Research on Learning and Education

Taking it easy in Nuuksio National ParkThe feedback from the students has been excellent every year. HSS arranges accommodation for the students in hostels or student flats and offers also an extensive social programme (e.g. canoeing trips to Nuuksio National Park).  For more information visit the HSS website and find HSS on Facebook!

Pictures: Veikko Somerpuro

Posted on

Get Your Master’s Thesis Written! Grant – Report from Kilpisjärvi

If you already are a master’s student starting your thesis, you have the chance to apply for the Get Your Master’s Thesis Written! Grant. The aim of the grant is to promote the finalizing of the master’s thesis by providing for an intensive thesis writing period at one of the field stations of the University. The field stations are located in Hyytiälä, Kilpisjärvi, Lammi, Tvärminne and Värriö.

Read our students report from the Kilpisjärvi research station!

DSC00754
Kilpisjärvi research station and the Saana fell

“Today I am spending my last day at the Kilpisjärvi biological station. I have been here for two weeks and decided now to send report about this period of time.

The grant has been very useful for me. Finishing of my thesis has been delayed as I am doing nearly full-time work. Now I got leave of absence for March in my work. At the beginning of March I was writing my thesis in Helsinki, but working here in Kilpisjärvi has been more efficient. It has been easier to read and write, which is certainly because of peace of the place. Here I do not have to worry about cooking and washing dishes as meals are included to the grant. I can easily clear my thoughts by skiing amidst beautiful scenery as ski tracks are situated next to the station. Here I have managed to make bigger step in my writing process. I wish to return my thesis and graduate at the end of the year. All in all I have really enjoyed my stay here.

The lake Kilpisjärvi
The lake Kilpisjärvi

One reason, why I wanted to come to Kilpisjärvi, is the theme of my thesis. I am majoring in social and cultural anthropology. I am writing my thesis about the holy places of Udmurts. They are a Finno-Ugric people living on Central Russia, where I have conducted my fieldwork. Some subgroups of Udmurts have maintained their ethnic religion in, which rituals conducted in holy places are essential. I was interested to come to Kilpisjärvi because of the old holy places of Sami people. They are also a Finno-Ugric people inhabiting the Northern parts of Finland, Sweden, Norway and Russia. Their holy places were called seita, which were unusual rocks or big stones. They were prayed for hunting and fishing luck. For Sami holy places are not anymore living part of their religion, but seita can still be seen in the landscape. Actually the most prominent holy place in Kilpisjärvi is Saana fell, by which the biological station is situated.

While being here I have read a lot about the holy places of Sami. It has brought useful comparative perspective for my thesis. During my summer holiday I will return here for hiking and searching for more seita, which I have already marked on the map.

Thanks for this useful grant!”

Kirsi Hafeez

 

More information about the grants for enrolled students can be found in the University of Helsinki intranet Alma.

Posted on

Vappu – celebrating spring and student life

Spring has now finally arrived in Finland and with it, of course, the biggest student party of the year: Vappu. Vappu is a big spring festival and celebrated all over Finland. For many students it is the highlight of the year. On the 30th of April and 1st of May you can see students wearing overalls and doing silly things all over Helsinki. Why don’t you join them?

Here is some practical info and tips to help you celebrate the best Vappu ever:

On the 30th of April:
A lot of student organizations have some punsch in the afternoon to toast to Vappu. Afterwards, they will go together to watch the crowning of the Havis Amanda statue. Havis Amanda, a fountain and a statue, is one of the landmarks in Helsinki. On Vappu she is given a good scrub and a white student hat. Bring your own food and drinks. In Finland, we usually drink sparkling wine on Vappu. Vappu is also usually celebrated in colorful wigs, sunglasses, face and hair paint, streamers and balloons, and if you have student overalls, this is the time to wear them!

On May Day, 1st of May:
On May Day morning the party continues in Kaivopuisto park where all students gather to celebrate (except the Swedish speaking students who gather in Kaisaniemi park). It’s like a big picnic, so bring your own food and drink. The dress code is still funny hats/sunglasses and overalls. Finnish students wear their student hats (ylioppilaslakki), that they got when they graduated from high school.

Also, it is a must to try traditional Finnish Vappu food such as mead (or “sima” in finnish), dognuts and “tippaleipä” (funnel cake) that can be found in all grocery stores this time of the year.

Read more about the Vappu celebrationson the Studen Union’s webb page.

Text: Jenny from ESN
Picture: Juho Saarinen


Posted on

Look for a roommate via Lyyra Rentals

There is a new functionality on finding flatmates at the Lyyra rentals page.

“If the landlord has marked the apartment suitable for roommates you can leave your own message under the rental add. This way you can show others that you would be willing to rent the apartment as long as you could find someone to rent it with. If someone else has left their message you can answer him/her and find a roommate and a home!”

 

Posted on

Important information about residence permit for students from Pakistan

The Embassy of Finland in Islamabad is closing by 1 August 2012. As a part of the gradual shutdown of the activities, entry issues will not be handled in the mission after 1 March 2012.

Entry permit applications can be submitted to other Finnish Embassies in the region, such as Embassy of Finland in New Delhi, where applicants have legal entry.

For more information please visit the website of the Finnish Embassy in Islamabad.


Posted on

Housing – ideas on where to find a place to live

As Helsinki is a capital and a vibrant student city, it might be challenging for you to find the flat of your dreams. When you start hunting for a place to stay, these two are a must:

More information on HOAS, Lyyra and several other housing options can be found in the Housing Guide brochure.

Be prepared to pay 400-600 EURO per month for housing. There are cheaper options too, but they are located further outside of the city centre.

If you get a housing offer, take it as it may be the only offer you get! There have been students rejecting offers in the past years, with unfortunate consequences… Unfortunately, the university has no emergency housing available.

Once you have found an apartment, please take the time to read the useful tips on the Lyyra Housing Guide website. The Housing guide gives information on things that helps you when you are moving in, it gives advice on how to take care of your apartment etc.

Posted on

Considering coming to Finland for a shorter period of time – applying to University of Helsinki as an exchange student

Has your home university selected you for exchange at the University of Helsinki? Thinking about what to do next? Congratulations! You are making a good choice.

If you have already been nominated by your own university, you have taken the first steps towards becoming an exchange student.

Wondering about what to include in your Learning agreement or how to apply? You aren’t the only one. Every spring about 600 students from UH’s partner universities apply to UH as exchange students, planning to come here for one semester or a year.

In total, University of Helsinki welcomes about 1000 exchange students each year, for one term or for the full academic year.

Applying is quite straightforward: there’s the online application, and a few enclosures (Transcript of Credits, Learning Agreement and a Language Certificate)

There’s also a different group of students, who apply independently as so called free movers or visiting students (without the nomination from their home university). Their application process is a bit different.


For the to-be-exchange students, there are a few questions which are asked often. What puzzles the exchange students most? It’s the Learning Agreement, a preliminary plan for the courses to take during one’s exchange stay… The rules shortly are as follows: choose between 20-30 ECTS credits per semester (with 30 ECTS per semester being the norm), at least 50% of those from one of the UH’s 11 Faculties

The puzzling part? The Learning Agreement is based on this year’s teaching. It is not the final list of courses you will be taking during your exchange. Information regarding courses in 2012-13 will be available around June. What is important for UH now is that you know what types of courses are offered at UH in general, and how you can use them towards your degree at your home university.

Housing? Yes, you need to apply for it as soon as possible:

In need of technical support? UH’s Mobility Online experts will be able to help, but please read these instructions first.

Detailed questions about courses? These are the people who’ll help you:

Questions about applying in general? Please find more information here.

If you upload all the enclosures to your Mobility Online application account, then there’s no need to fax or send paper copies. That’s what Mobility Online is for!

Most importantly, when will you hear the results? When can you start packing?

The deadline for applications for autumn 2012 and full study year 2012-13 is 15 May. You’ll get e-mails throughout the process, explaining which step your application is in.

Your application first goes to UH’s International Exchange Services, where the staff checks that you have included everything. Then it is sent to the appropriate Faculty for their consideration. You’ll hear the results via e-mail by the end of June.

We are looking forward to meeting you soon in Helsinki!

Raisa from the International Exchange Services

Posted on

Coming from outside of the EU – remember to apply for the residence permit as soon as possible

If you are a citizen of a so called third country, i.e. a country outside of the EU/EEA, you will need a residence permit for studies if your studies last for longer than three months.

You should apply for the residence permit as soon as possible, the processing time is usually longer during the summer months. Please note that you can initiate your residence permit application online, but you still need to visit the nearest Finnish embassy or consulate in person to submit the application.

You should also note that a health insurance is mandatory when applying for a residence permit for studies.

You can find more information on the residence permit and insurance as well as links to the Finnish Immigration Service on the New Students website. Please read the instructions and information provided by the Finnish Immigration Service carefully, a complete application helps the permit process on the way.

The Permits section on the New Students website.

The Insurance section on the New Students website.

flaijeri_en-e1334647617235

Proudly powered by WordPress