Welcome to University of Helsinki
News, stories and updates for applicants and international students at the University of Helsinki
On Friday 13 May, the students and staff of the University of Helsinki will get together to once again in an annual celebration of spring and Flora Day. The celebration, lasting from 3 pm to 8 pm, spreads the spring spirit to Kumpula, as Physicum (at Gustaf Hällströmin katu 2A) fills up with music, festive events, food and refreshments and, of course, the joys of academia.
Come enjoy art free of charge on April 20, 2016 at Art for us! at Ateneum.
Art for us! means free entrance for students to the Ateneum art museum, Finland’s national gallery. Grab your student card and join us on a vibrant journey that will take you from the history of Finnish art to Japanomania in Nordic art, as well as including Auguste Rodin’s dramatic sculptures.
On top of the exhibition, the museum offers lectures on the exhibitions and collections, introductions to the artists and movements, and a workshop. You can also slow down and participate in the mindfullness-inspired guided tour taking place at 16:30 and 18:00, or One Picture at a Time tours at 17:00 and 18:30 if you want to just focus on a few pieces of art at a time. The full programme of the day can be found on the museum website.
So come and look at something inspiring! Follow the event on Facebook and with the hastag #taidettameille or #artforus.
Art for us! is organised twice a year, this time for the 12th time. The event is in co-operation with Frank, HYY, KPMG Finland, HOK-Elanto, HS.fi and Helsingin Sanomat.
No Finnish student life experience is complete without joining a student association or two (or ten…)! Student life at UH and within the student union (HYY) is very active, and the New Student House hosts a variety of events and parties every single day!
The student associations within HYY are open to all students, and you too are invited to join! There are so many different student associations, though, so we’ve made joining one a bit easier for you: representatives of different student associations have written about what they do, and why and how to join them. These stories will be shared in a series of blog posts in February.
So, without further ado, here’s Emilia and Östra Finlands Nation, one of the 15 student nations of UH:
Hi there!
Have you been wondering where you could meet new people, make a lot friends and get to know the REAL Finnish student life? Joining a student nation is the answer for you! There are many student nations in Helsinki that you can join. What makes the nations different from another is that people from a certain area in Finland gather in a certain nation, but as an international student you are welcome to join any nation. I am here to tell you about our lovely nation – Östra Finlands Nation (ÖFN)!
Continue reading “The Guide to the Complete Finnish Student Experience – Student Associations, 1/3”
‘Laskiainen‘, Finnish for Shrove Tuesday, is a celebration traditionally held in February, and celebrated especially by students. This year Shrove Tuesday falls on Tuesday, February 9th. In previous times, laskiainen was the last celebration before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, but nowadays it mainly means a day of sleigh-riding. Laskiainen is not a public holiday, however, so you’ll still have lectures!
During the day traditional Finnish Shrove Tuesday dishes, pea soup and Shrove Tuesday buns, are offered also at UniCafes. The Shrove Tuesday bun, or ‘laskiaispulla‘ in Finnish, is a special type of bun made just for this occasion by filling a traditional Finnish bun with whipped cream and either raspberry jam or almond paste. Both types of filling have their avid supporters, and the nation remains divided about which of them is the best. We recommend you to try both, and decide for yourself!
Student life is not just about completing your degree. Student life is also about meeting new people, dialogue, sharing ideas, learning together, and forming lifelong friendships
One of the best things about studying at the University of Helsinki is the active community of students. Community spirit improves your well-being, and over 250 different student organisations within the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY) open up a field of opportunities. Participating in the events and activities of these organisations is a great way to not only make friends and have fun, but to learn new skills and gain access to networks which can prove useful in your future working life.
Continue reading “Friends and Benefits: Welcome to your Student Union!”
The Finnish Independence Day is celebrated on December 6. Independence was achieved in 1917, so 2015 marks the 98th year of an independent Finnish state. Traditionally, Independence Day, a public holiday, is celebrated quietly by lighting two blue-and-white candles by the windows for everyone to see from the outside, and by watching the President’s Independence Day Reception and Ball from television. As with many other odd Finnish traditions, this kind of celebration might be considered an acquired taste.
For students, though, the celebrations include instead an atmospheric torch-lit procession within the Helsinki city centre.
The student unions of the capital region (HYY, AYY, TaiYo and SHS) organise the traditional Independence Day torch parade of university students. Students follow the flags of their student union, and student organisation or student nation, carrying torches and wearing their white Finnish student caps.
Continue reading “University Students’ Torch Parade on the Finnish Independence Day, December 6”
The Student Union of the University of Helsinki celebrates its 147th anniversary November 18-26, and all members are invited!
The anniversary week is full of events ranging from free films and free entrance to Ateneum, to a singles’ night in the National Museum! The grande finale of the anniversary celebrations is HYY’s birthday party at the Old Student House. All students of the University of Helsinki are welcome to the epic, most cross-disciplinary student party of the autumn term! Music and dancing are a given, but the celebration also features an student-sized ball pit, karaoke, and sparkling wine at very student-friendly prices. This is a night you don’t want to miss!
Continue reading “The Anniversary Celebration of the Student Union – You’re Invited!”
A special students’ day in Ateneum is organised on Wednesday 18 Nov for the 11th time!
Ateneum organises the Art for Us! student day with the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY) and Frank and in cooperation with the museum’s business partners Helsingin Sanomat, HOK-Elanto and KPMG.
Continue reading “Art for Us! in Ateneum – Free entrance for students”
Students are making the revolution at the University of Helsinki live on! This revolution, however, is not carried out by demonstrating dissidents, but from the inside, with students as important and valued members of university administration. Read on and be part of the revolution!
Starting your studies at a new university, whether as a degree student or on exchange, brings new people and new opportunities into your life. One of the best things about studying at the University of Helsinki is its active community of students. Community spirit influences your well-being positively, and communities are an important way of making the most of your student life.
Student culture is exceptionally rich and diverse in Helsinki. Over 250 different organisations within the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (HYY) open up a field of opportunities. Participating in the events and activities of these organisations is a great way to not only make friends and have fun, but to learn new skills and gain access to networks which can prove useful in your future working life.
University of Helsinki