Preface . . . .5
Getting the Most out of Studying! . . . .6
The Student Union METKA . . . . 6
ESN-METKA . . . . 7
Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences . . . .8
International Relations . . . .8
Contact information . . . . 9
Metropolia Student Services . . . . 10
Finnish Education System . . . . 12
This is Finland, This is Helsinki Metropolitan Area . . . . 13
Finland ahead of the rest . . . . 13
Beginner’s guide to sauna . . . . 14
Facts about Finland . . . . 15
Life in Helsinki Metropolitan Area . . . . 17
Finns seen by others . . . . 20
Finnish sayings . . . . 20
Finnish feel-good factors . . . . 20
Arrival Information . . . . 21
Arrival in Finland . . . . 21
How to get to Helsinki Metropolitan Area? . . . . 23
Roof over your head . . . . 23
Money matters . . . . 26
Insurance . . . . 26
Disabled students . . . . 27
Health care . . . . 28
C ov er ph ot o: f ut ur ei m ag eb an k. co mPublisher Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
Photos City of Helsinki Image Bank, Metropolia Image Bank, Stadia Image Bank and Evtek Image Bank
Lay-out Rhinoceros Ltd
Printer Painotalo Miktor Oy, Helsinki 2010
M
etropolia is the biggest university of applied sci-ences in Finland, with some 14,000 students and a staff of over 1,000 . The education, research and devel-opment and services it provides have been designed specifically for the needs of the Helsinki metropoli-tan area and its labour market needs . In Metropolia, students get a look at Finnish cutting-edge technology, the labour market and international cooperation . We are located in the cities of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa .Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Scienc-es has four fields of study: Culture, Economics and Business Administration, Health Care and Social Ser-vices, and Technology . Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences is international, providing education in English in all faculties . What’s more, the number of degree programmes providing education exclusively in English has also increased .
Metropolia offers students an international and stimulating, multidisciplinary learning environment with close connection to working life . All curricula have been reformed to meet the challenges of rapidly changing working life . Metropolia also focuses on lifelong learning because it will in many areas be a prerequisite to stay attractive to the labour market . In Metropolia you will get practical insights and useful skills to build the future! I hope you will learn and discover a lot of new things and find many new friends, both among our Finnish and foreign students during your stay . I am sure you will find living in Finland and studying at Metropo-lia an exciting and stimulating experience, something to look back at home .
We look forward to meeting you at Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences!
Riitta Konkola, President
Keep on moving! . . . . 30
Opening hours . . . . 30
How to get about in Helsinki Metropolitan Area? . . . . 32
How to get out of the city? . . . . 34
Other useful information . . . . 35
Studying at Metropolia . . . .37
Academic calendar 2010 – 2011 . . . . 38
How to apply . . . . 39
Language of instruction . . . . 41
Survival vocabulary in Finnish . . . . 41
Curricula/ Structure of Studies . . . .42
Bachelor Level . . . . 42
Master Level . . . . 43
Methods of Teaching . . . . 43
Degree Programmes in the field of Culture . . . . 44
Degree Programmes in the field of
Business and Administration . . . . 47
Degree Programmes in the field of
Health Care and Social Services . . . . 49
Degree Programmes in English . . . . 50
Degree programmes in Finnish . . . . 50
Degree Programme in Nursing and Health Care
(Nursing, Midwifery, Public Health Nursing) . . . . 51
The Master’s Degrees . . . . 53
Degree Programmes in the field of Technology . . . . 53
Degree Programmes in English . . . . 55
International Semesters in
Bachelor’s Degree Programmes . . . . 58
Degree Programmes in Finnish . . . . 59
To Check before Departure . . . .64
Useful Addresses . . . .66
Preface
Dear Exchange Student,
Welcome to Helsinki Metropolia
University of Applied Sciences!
Ph ot o: M et ro po lia I m ag e Ba nk / L au ri M an ne rm aa
T
he Student Union METKA is an organisation for all students enrolled at Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences . The basic task of a student union is to represent the students with-in the Metropolia admwith-inistration and to improve their study environment, as well as students’ social conditions . Not to forget about the fun and events associated with student life! All exchange students are automatically members of the Student Union METKA . The student union and all other student associations within METKA are politically and reli-giously independent . Every member of the union has the right to vote and run for a seat in the coun-cil of reprsentatives elections that are held every fall . The Council elects the Board that uses the executive power within the Student Union METKA . Thus, are we democratic, too, and always open to your propositions!Getting the Most out of Studying!
ESN-METKA
(Erasmus Student Network)
E
SN-METKA is a student organisation founded in 2009, operating under the Student Union METKA International Section . ESN-METKA provides an international environment for incoming and returning exchange students and for other internationally minded people . Every Metropolia campus that houses international students has a Campus Responsible, who is part of ESN-METKA Board . Together with the other board members they are in charge of projects, events and trips organized by the ESN community .We work hard on developing and organising activities, events and trips to make student life in Metropolia more enjoyable . We also emphasise the importance of intercultural learning . Our traditional trips will take students to Lapland, Russia, Estonia and to one-day tours to different cities in Finland (SuperSunday events) . Also, there are Language Cafes – gatherings to improve foreign language skills – Game Nights and much more .
Feel free to join us in our international family . For the latest news on ESN-METKA’s activities, check our new website at esn .metkaweb .fi . ESN-METKA group is also available both in Facebook and the Tube portal .
Tutoring for all new students
Every year, students are trained to meet and host new incoming exchange students . This means that when you come to Metropolia you will be appointed a tutor who will help you acclimatize to the school, Helsinki and the people! The tutor will assist you in practical matters puzzling you at your arrival, regarding both the studies and free-time activities .
Exchange Students: Your tutor will contact you before your arrival . Please sign in through the Electronic Arrival Form (eaf .edu .metropolia .fi) as soon as possible to let your tutor know your arrival date as early as possible .
International Degree Students: Your tutor will meet you at your first day of school and will tutor you and your fellow classmates . Together with your tutor you will get to know Metropolia, Helsinki and each other!
We are here to help you get started . Welcome to Metropolia and METKA!
Sports
The Student Union METKA organises various sport courses, sporting events, has free gyms for students and all this at student-friendly prices . With a Sports Pass you’ll get a discount for various courses . METKA organises fitness kick-boxing, wall and rock climbing, marathon training group, samba, acrobatics, afro-dancing, yoga & pilates, water exercising, climbing and self-defense . Are you in to team sports? We also have football, indoor floorball, basketball, badminton etc . Read more about sports: www .metkaweb .fi/English or send your questions to: liikunta@metkaweb .fi .
The Student Union METKA
2 More information on: www .metkaweb .fi/English Tube-portal: METKA International (English), METKA (Finnish)
Facebook: METKA International (English), METKA Tapahtumat (Finnish)
The National Student Card
1 card instead of 3 cards + a lot more!
When a new student arrives to metropolia he/she can apply for a student card, that is valid nationally . It replaces the students’ meal ticket, gives you the right to student discounts on public transportation (local and national!) and proves that you are a student where ever you might go (so it replaces the paper student certificate) . You can also access the numerous discounts in restaurants, muse-ums, bowling alleys etc . that the students of Finland have negotiated for cardholdres . Get your own electronically via
www .metkaweb .fi/English .
M ai n Ra ilw ay S ta ti on b y ni gh t | Ph ot o: C it y of H el si nk i Im ag e Ba nk / O fe lia d e Pa bl o
M
etropolia promotes a learning environment that encourages international cooperation and cul-tural awareness through many international degree programmes (both Bachelor- and Master-level), student and staff mobility, R&D, and projects in several countries together with partner institutions, as well as making use of Internationalisation at Home -activities . Metropolia takes part in various teacher and student exchange and student trainee programmes e .g . Erasmus and Grundtvig within the Lifelong Learn-ing Programme (LLP), First, North-South-South, Nord-plus, Tempus and via numerous bilateral agreements .Contact information
Ms Arja Hannukainen, Head of International Relations Bulevardi 31, 00180 Helsinki, Finland e-mail: arja .hannukainen@metropolia .fi
Ms Päivi Hellén, Erasmus Institutional Coordinator Bulevardi 31, 00180 Helsinki, Finland tel +358 (0)20 783 5038, e-mail: paivi .hellen@metropolia .fi
Ms Anneli Luoto, Advisor Bulevardi 31, 00180 Helsinki, Finland
tel +358 (0)20 783 5040, e-mail: anneli .luoto@metropolia .fi
Ms Kaisa Meghjee, Assistant Bulevardi 31, 00180 Helsinki, Finland tel +358 (0)20 783 5042, e-mail: kaisa .meghjee@metropolia .fi
Culture:
Helsinki:Ms Laura Mähönen, International Coordinator Hämeentie 161, 00560 Helsinki, Finland tel +358 (0)20 783 5045, e-mail: laura .mahonen@metropolia .fi
Vantaa: Ms Elina Värtö, International Coordinator Lummetie 2 b, 01300 Vantaa, Finland tel +358 (0)20 783 5157, e-mail: elina .varto@metropolia .fi
Business and Administration:
Ms Eija Tamminen, International Coordinator Leiritie 1, 06100 Vantaa, Finland tel +358 (0)20 783 5044, e-mail: eija .tamminen@metropolia .fi
Health Care and Social Services:
Health Care and Nursing:
Ms Aija Ahokas, International Coordinator Tukholmankatu 10, 00290 Helsinki, Finland tel +358 (0)20 783 5035, e-mail: aija .ahokas@metropolia .fi
Social Welfare and Human Functioning:
Ms Lea Moua, International Coordinator Vanha viertotie 23, 00350 Helsinki, Finland tel +358 (0)20 783 5041, e-mail: lea .moua@metropolia .fi
Technology and Transport:
Helsinki: Ms Hanna Juntunen, International Coordinator Bulevardi 31, 00180 Helsinki, Finland tel +358 (0)20 783 6775, e-mail: hanna .juntunen@metropolia .fi
Espoo: Ms Tiina Piipponen, Internatiownal Coordinator Vanha maantie 6, 02650 Espoo, Finland tel +358 (0)20 783 5043, e-mail: tiina .piipponen@metropolia .fi
Vantaa: Ms Elina Värtö, International Coordinator Leiritie 1, 01600 Vantaa, Finland tel +358 (0)20 783 5157, e-mail: elina .varto@metropolia .fi
Helsinki Metropolia
University of Applied Sciences
Operating idea
Insights and skills to build the future .
Vision for 2014
Metropolia will be Finland’s most valued university of applied sciences and dynamic learning environment .
Every year Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences (UAS) welcomes a number of foreign exchange students and trainees . In 2009, nearly 300 exchange students arrived from various countries, including Europe, North America, Africa and Asia . In addition, another 600 foreign degree students study at Metropolia .
In the same year, the number of outgoing students through different exchange and trainee programmes and bilateral agreements was about 400 (longer than 3 months) . In 2009, about 400 teachers or experts took part in staff exchange, and 160 teachers were welcomed from the international counterparts .
International Relations
Values
l Expertise – our passion l High quality – our target
l Community spirit – our source of strength l Transparency – our operating policy
Leppävaara Unit, Espoo |Photo: Scanfoto
Librar y 10 is Helsinki City Librar y’s newest unit specializes in music and IT . |Photo: City of Helsinki Image Bank / Mika Lappalainen
Student Affairs Office
Student Affairs have six offices located on different campuses . Student affairs offices are designed to help students with everyday study-related matters such as study right, enrolment and student financial aid . In addition, student affairs offices provide students with study certificates, transcript of records and discount ticket applications for public transportation .
Student Affairs Offices are open as follows: l Mon – Tue 9 – 12
l Wed 14 – 17 l Thu 13 – 16 l Fri 9 – 12
2 E-mail: opintotoimisto@metropolia .fi
Metropolia libraries
The aim of Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences Library: “Library at the centre of learning” .
The Metropolia library is situated at eight locations and in addition there are several cooperational services available . The services include book and journal col-lections, loans, PCs for the students, information ser-vices and interlibrary loan serser-vices . Most serser-vices are free for all users .
A notable new service are the electronic services . The library belongs to The Finnish Electronic Library, FinELib, and numerous information sources can be freely used via the library’s web page .
The electronic services include reference databases as well as full-text magazines .
2 www .metropolia .fi/en/services/library
In addition to Metropolia’s own library services, Helsinki offers an extensive network of public libraries and numerous university libraries that everyone is wel-come to use .
2 Public libraries at www .helmet .fi/search~S9/X
Helpdesk services
As all Finnish students at the beginning of their studies, you will also be provided with a Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences computer user account upon your arrival . The account gives you access to the school computer network and, thus to e-mail, word processing and other use . There are several compu-ter classrooms and separate workstations at different Metropolia locations, library, etc . Ask for more infor-mation on arrival and get yourself connected!
Student cafeterias
There are several cafeterias at Helsinki Metropolia Uni-versity of Applied Sciences . They offer students warm meals, coffee and snacks at moderate prices . The open-ing hours of the cafeterias vary .
You get the meals at low student prices only by presenting a valid cafeteria card entitling you to reduced prices . You get the card upon your arrival . If you decide to get a student card from the student union you do not need a cafeteria card . Both the cafeteria card and the student card entitles you to have lunch also at various Helsinki University and other universities’ cafeterias . Some of the university cafeterias are open late in the evenings and on Saturdays . Please contact the METKA for more information . 2www .metkaweb .fi/English
Student well-being
Metropolia aims to promote and encourage student well-being in all areas of life through providing support in studies, learning and professional and personal devel-opment . A fundamental element in student well-being is open and positive communication culture in all areas of university, including fields of pedagogics, learning enviroments, safety and student services .
Student well-being constitutes from actions aiming at a culture of caring, sense of communality and inte-gral life management . Communality is based on trust, sincerity and good-will . These can be reached through
Metropolia Student Services
building up team spirit and encouraging communica-tion and self knowledge skills both in students and staff . Transparency of functions is furthered on all areas .
Student well-being services aim to provide ade-quate support and means for managing well-being and removing obstacles for it .
Metropolia supports well-being through offering services of the counselling psychologist and student well-being advisor .
Counselling psychologist offers support in chal-lenges of personal and study life through appoint-ments, education and group activities .
Student well-being advisor supports students in issues of social, economic and personal life manage-ment .
Student health services are provided on campuses . Metropolia provides a crisis jour for mental first aid situations . You can reach professional help on teaching days from Monday to Friday at 9 – 17 during semesters through e-mail kriisipaivystys@metropolia .fi or by calling 050 575 0679 .
Pastors from the Evangelical Lutheran Church work-ing in the University also offer support to students fac-ing life’s crisis or in spiritual issues .
Well-being in Metropolia stands for equality and safety . Student well-being functions are being con-ceived, implemented and assessed by a professional team of experts .
I
n the past the Finns generally thought of themselves as somewhat shy and modest . Now, most people would agree that a human being’s personal character-istics do not change overnight, if ever, but the mood of a nation may change as its international position evolves . Many observers would suggest that Finland today seems more self-confident, while retaining its tra-ditional modesty, since it joined the European Union in 1995 and started to play a full and equal part in shap-ing the future of Europe . You may regard the foregoshap-ing as mere generalisation, but with the following data our aim is to show that Finland does have many achieve-ments to be proud of . We are not boasting, of course .In search of good quality
Finland is ranked as the twelfth in the latest United Nations survey of quality of life . And if the implemen-tation of equal rights for women is included as a fac-tor that enhances the state of a nation, Finland rises some steps up in the world statistics . The U .N . bases its assessment of quality of life on four criteria: gen-eral health, standard of education, life expectancy and
incomes . On top of the list (in 2007) there is Norway, followed by Australia, Iceland and Canada . Sweden is ranked the seventh, Denmark the sixteenth .
Call me! I’ll call you!
In proportion to population, Finland ranks first in the world in the number of mobile phones, ninety-eight per cent of households have a mobile phone . The Nokia corporation, founded and headquartered in Finland, is one of the biggest manufacturer of mobile phones in the world . In Internet connections per capita Finland again takes the first place: seventy-five per cent of Finnish households own a personal computer, 70 per cent have an Internet connection and 68 per cent a broadband . Not only is Finland one of the leading countries in inter-net use, Finland is the world’s safest interinter-net country . 78 per cent of Finnish households own a digital television .
For further information see for example
2 Virtual Finland: http://virtual .finland .fi 2 Finnish Communications Regulatory
Authority: www .ficora .fi
C
ompulsory education in Finland starts withcom-prehensive school, which generally starts in the year children turn seven . Comprehensive school is a nine-year system providing education for all children of compulsory school age . Every Finnish citizen is required to complete this education .
Post-comprehensive school education is given by general upper secondary schools and vocational schools . The upper secondary schools offer a three-year general education curriculum, at the end of which the pupil takes the national matriculation examination, which is the general eligibility criterion for higher education .
Finnish vocational education and training is institution-based to a very large extent . In order to create closer cooperation between vocational education and training and the world of work, efforts are being made to increase the proportion of apprenticeship training to some 10 % of all entrants . Vocational training qualifies you to apply to higher professional education .
Higher education system consists of univer-sities and univeruniver-sities of applied sciences, UAS, (polytechnics) . The Finnish higher education sys-tem is made up of two parallel sectors: universi-ties and UAS (polytechnics) . The universiuniversi-ties rely on the connection between research and teaching . Their basic purpose is to perform scientific research and to provide higher education connected with it . Students at universities may take a lower (Bach-elor’s) or higher (Master’s) academic degree and also academic further education, consisting of licen-tiate and doctoral degree . Universities also arrange further education and open university teaching .
The UAS (polytechnics) are usually regional high-er education institutions which provide instruction in subjects from several sectors, and which emphasize a connection with working life . The UAS (polytech-nics) also carry out R&D relevant to their teaching and to the world of work . The degrees they provide are higher education degrees (both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees) with a professional emphasis .
Finnish Education System
There are universities and UAS (polytechnics) all over Finland, and the ultimate aim is to ensure that all prospective students have equal opportunities for study, regardless of where they live . Higher education is provided by 17 universities and 25 UAS (polytech-nics) . Universities and UAS (polytech(polytech-nics) offer a place to over 60 % of the age group .
Adult education is given by independent sponsor-ing organisations, evensponsor-ing schools, vocational insti-tutions as well as UAS (polytechnics) and universities .
2 www .minedu .fi/OPM/Koulutus/?lang=en
This is Finland, This is
Helsinki Metropolitan Area
Finland ahead of the rest
Leppävaara Unit, Espoo |Photo: E VTE K
ht tp :/ /w w w .m in ed u . fi/ ex po rt /s ite s/ de fa ul t/ O PM /K ou lu tu s/ ko ul ut us ja er je st el m ae /l iit te et /f in ni sh _e du ca tio n . pd f
Read more guess less!
Finnish people are well educated . Finland invests 6 % of its GNP in education, the average figure within the OECD, the group which includes the western industr-ialised countries and Japan . The Finnish higher edu-cation is above the average in OECD .
Finland’s literacy rate is 100 per cent and the coun-try holds almost all the world records related to pub-lic libraries . In proportion to its population, it has the highest number of registered borrowers, the highest borrowing rate and one of the highest visiting rates .
The Finns are very fond of buying and reading newspapers . They rank the third in the world in terms of newspaper circulation relative to population: 525 newspapers per 1,000 habitants .
Finland has also the highest rate of public fund-ing for the arts and museums per capita in the world, some 91 € annually .
2 Ministry of Education: www .minedu .fi/OPM/?lang=en
2 Statistics and indicators on Finnish education: www .stat .fi/til/kou_en .html
2 Finnish Newspaper Association: www .sanomalehdet .fi/inenglish 2 Finnish Public Libraries: www .library .fi 2 Culture: www .kulttuuri .net and www .taik .fi/en
See the trees at the waterside?
An archipelago is a group of islands . The archipelago off south-west Finland is the biggest in the world, meas-ured by the number of islands in it – more than 20,000 . In Finland we call a lake a lake when its surface area is at least 500 square metres . On that basis, Fin-land has 187,888 lakes, their average area 18 hectares . Forest covers 70 % of Finland’s land area, the high-est proportion in the world . It is not surprising, then, that Finland is one of the leading exporters of forest products in the world . In exports of paper and paper-board Finland is the second in the world, after Cana-da . Many of the eminent newspapers in the world are produced on Finnish newsprint .
2 On Åland Islands: www .aland .ax 2 Straight to Finnish forests: www .forest .fi
In the heat of the sauna
This one will come as no surprise . On second thoughts, perhaps it will . The national statistics bureau says there is a sauna for every household in Finland; another world record . There are now close to one and a half million saunas in Finland altogether – nearly one for every three inhabitants . Many of them are built close to the country’s 400,000 vacation cabins which are usually by a lake, a river or the sea .
The sauna has to be experienced, because no attempt to describe its pleasures can get the message across fully . No visit to Finland can be complete without enjoying a sauna that is as real as it can get .
2 Finnish Sauna Society: www .sauna .fi 2 Kotiharjun Sauna: www .kotiharjunsauna .fi
2 Arlan Sauna: www .arlansauna .net
F
inland is a democratic republic, independent since 1917 . The President of the Republic of Finland is Mrs Tarja Halonen, the first female President, elected in March 2000 for a six-year term of office, and she was re-elected in March, 2006 . The Finnish unicameral parliament is elected every four years .
In the parliamentary elections of 2007 women won 84 of the 200 seats . The largest parties are the socialdemocrats, the conservatives and the center party .
Finland on the map of the world
Finland is situated in northern Europe between the 60th and 70th parallels of latitude . Finland is the
sec-ond northernmost country in the world . A quarter of its total area lies north of the Arctic Circle . Finland is the seventh largest country in Europe by its 338,145 square kilometres . Finland’s neighbouring countries are Sweden, Norway and Russia, which have land borders with Finland, and Estonia across the Gulf of Finland .
Much of the country is a gently undulating plateau of worn bedrock and boreal forests, presenting a strik-ing mixture of wooded hills and waters . High rounded fells form the landscape in Finnish Lapland, the most northerly part of the country .
2 On the relief and landforms of Finland: www .helsinki .fi/maantiede/arkisto/suomi .html 2 Picture book of Finland: http://virtual .finland .fi 2 Nature picture of the year:
www .vuodenluontokuva .fi
and http://luontokuva .org
How’s the weather?
The Finnish climate is marked by cold winters and warm summers . The mean annual temperature in the capital, Helsinki, is 5 .3 degrees Celsius . The highest daytime temperature in southern Finland during the summer occasionally rises to almost 30 degrees . During the winter months, particularly in January and February, temperatures of minus 20 Celsius are not uncommon . In the far north, beyond the Arctic Circle, the sun does not set for about 73 days, producing the white nights of summer . In the same region, during the dark winter period, the sun remains below the horizon for 51 days, creating the polar night known in Finnish as kaamos .
On weather see e .g .
2 Finnish Meteorogical Institute: www .fmi .fi/en
Not a crowded country
The population of Finland is approximately 5 .3 million inhabitants . The population density is low, 17 persons per square kilometre . Most Finns, some 65 %, now live in urban areas, while 35 % remain in a rural environ-ment . The three cities of Helsinki, the capital, popu-lation 579,016 (June 2009), Espoo, appr . 230,000, and Vantaa, 196,963, form the fast growing Helsinki metro-politan region, which is now home to roughly a sixth of the country’s total population . Other important cit-ies are Tampere, 209,749, Turku, 175,542, and in the north Oulu, 128,618 .
There are about 1 .4 million families in Finland . Among families with children the average number of
Beginner’s guide to sauna
n It is best to protect long hair from the heat of the sauna by wrapping a towel around your head . Do not go into the sauna if you have ordi-nary conditioner in your hair; rinse it out first .
It is customary to give visitors to the sauna a small cloth to sit on . Be sure to use it (or even a towel), because sitting down on the bare wood-en bwood-ench might be somewhat too-memorable an experience!
If the air feels too dry, as can happen in an electrically-heated sauna, it helps to splash water onto the walls . Do not immediately throw a lot of water onto the hot stones, but instead let the heat build up and ladle on small amounts of water . An inexperienced sauna bather should not stay in the heat too long . Do not show bra-vado in an effort to impress your host; any host that would let you do so is a bad one .
Except at home, saunas are very seldom mixed . Women and men have separate saunas in fitness centres, swimming halls and other public places .
Facts about Finland
offsprings is 1 .8 . In 2007 women made up 66 % of the total work force of 2 .5 million . Women on average out-live men in Finland . Average life expectancy for females is 83 years and for males 76 years .
2 Statistics on Finland:
www .tilastokeskus .fi/index_en .html 2 Finnish Parliament: http://web .eduskunta .fi/
Resource .phx/parliament/index .htx 2 Finnish Government – Council of State:
www .vn .fi/etusivu/en .jsp
2 Finnish President: www .president .fi/en/ 2 Citizen’s Guide:
www .suomi .fi/suomifi/english/index .html
What do the Finns speak?
Finland is a bilingual country, both Finnish and Swed-ish being official languages . Around 6 per cent of the population speak Swedish as their native language . Most of the Swedish speakers live along the south and west coasts . Sámi is spoken by about 2,200 people living in Lapland . The most widely studied foreign language is English, followed by German and French . You can get by in most situations with English, including almost all public offices, shops, restaurants and bars .
On Finnish see e .g .
2 Learn to speak Finnish in 3 minutes: www .hs .fi/english/extras/speakup and
www .yle .fi/easyfinnish
2 How to pronounce Finnish names? www .sci .fi/~kajun/finns
and on Swedish
2 Institute for the Nordic Countries: www .nifin .helsinki .fi/engelska .html 2 Pohjola-Norden: www .pohjola-norden .fi
Finnish industry
Before World War II Finland was predominantly an agri-cultural country with a rather narrow industrial sector; exports came only from the wood processing industry .
The subsequent development into a complex mar-ket economy took place very rapidly after World War II . Alongside the wood industry the main manufacturing areas are now the metal industry, chemicals, textiles and construction . The overall structural change of the
economy has brought about a dramatic expansion in the service sector: two thirds of the total output is gen-erated in the service sector .
Certain high tech fields, such as computers and communications equipment, have also grown spec-tacularly . Finland is a world leader in the development of mobile phones and their networks .
Finnish design, too, is well known: classical exam-ples are Marimekko textiles, Iittala glass and Fiskars scis-sors . The main trading partners of Finland are Germany, Sweden, Great Britain, the United States and Russia .
2 Information on Finnish economy and industry on Finnfacts: www .finnfacts .com 2 Finnish Design Forum:
www .designforum .fi/designforumfinland_en Economic structure (2005):
l Agriculture and forestry . . . . 2,9 % l Industry . . . . 31,4 % l Construction . . . . 5,9 % l Commerce . . . . 17,4 % l Transport and communication . . . . 18,4 % l Financial services . . . . 6,9 % l Miscellaneous . . . . 17,1 %
Monetary unit: The euro is the official monetary unit since 1 January 2002 .
l 1 € = 1 .45 USD (January 2010)
l 1 € = 0 .89 GBP (January 2010)
H
elsinki, along with the neighbouring cities of Vantaa, Espoo, and Kauniainen, constitutes what is known as the capital region, or Helsinki Metropolitan Area, with over 1,000,000 inhabitants . The Greater Helsinki area contains several additional municipalities and has a population of 1,322,757 .Metropolia UAS is located in the cities of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa, which together with Kauniainen, make up the Helsinki metropolitan area as mentioned above . As well as being the political centre, it is the cultural, economic, and commercial centre of Finland . Helsinki itself was founded in 1550 by the Swed-ish king Gustavus I as a trading port . Two thirds of the city’s surface area is water, and not surprisingly the sea has always been a focal point of Helsinki’s life . In addi-tion to the industrial traffic that makes use of Helsinki’s harbours, it is possible to take pleasure cruises around the islands and to board some of the world’s largest passenger liners, which make daily trips to Tallinn in Estonia and Stockholm in Sweden .
The city of Espoo, immediately to the west of Helsinki, covers a relatively large, mostly residential area . Espoo is a young city that mainly developed after the Second World War . In addition to its residential areas, Espoo has one of the world’s ‘Silicon Valleys’, a large concentration of information technology . Nearly 500 international companies are established in Otanie-mi, Espoo, many of them linked to high technology . The headquarters of the world’s largest producer of mobile phones, Nokia, is located there, as well as the Helsinki University of Technology of Aalto University .
Although some of the earliest settlements in Fin-land were located in Vantaa, as a city it is relatively young . Vantaa has been built around the railway line from the late 19th century onwards . The city of
Van-taa, located to the north and to the east of Helsinki, is still growing . It is very much a city for young people, with an average age well below the national average . It has a corresponding cultural orientation, with the emphasis on music, drama and sports . Vantaa is per-haps best known for its international airport, which has won numerous awards for efficiency . Vantaa is
also the location for a large amount of industry and commercial enterprises .
Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen are linked together with an excellent public transport system . Helsinki has its own tram and metro networks cov-ering both downtown and the residential areas . The local train is the fastest route to Helsinki from Espoo and Vantaa – it takes less than 20 minutes from Lep-pävaara (one of the Metropolia campuses) to the main Helsinki railway station! Espoo and Vantaa are also con-nected to Helsinki by a number of fastmoving roads on which regular bus services operate, and two ring roads, which encompass the entire conurbation link all three municipalities together .
Cities on the web:
2 City of Helsinki: www .helsinki .fi 2 City of Espoo: www .espoo .fi 2 City of Vantaa: www .vantaa .fi 2 City of Kauniainen: www .kauniainen .fi
Never a dull moment in the capital city!
The last day of April is the beginning of Vappu . Vappu (May 1) has traditionally been the spring festival of students and workers, but now the entire nation cel-ebrates with equal fervour . Thousands of people gather in the Helsinki city centre, and the next morning in the Ullanlinnanmäki park for a picnic . People sing and toast with champagne . Long live spring!
A bit of the rest of Finland takes up residence in the Senate Square for a while in early June . Tents, marquees, stalls and platforms are erected in the square and every year a new region puts its best foot forward with its fin-est foods, handicrafts and other products and services . Helsinki Day is celebrated on 12 June to mark the city’s birthday . Admission to many museums and exhibi-tions is free of charge and a lavish programme of events is arranged in parks, squares and other public places .
In the end of June, Juhannus, Midsummer, is cel-ebrated all over the country on the longest day of the year . Many people move out to the countryside for their holidays in July and the city gears down to a
Life in Helsinki Metropolitan Area
Es pl an ad e Pa rk | Ph ot o: Ci ty o f H el si nk i I m ag e Ba nk / M ar kk u Ju nt un en
Kaivopuisto from the sea |Photo: City of Helsinki Image Bank / Ari Leppä POLAR CIRCL E FINLAND HELSINKI RUSSIA SWEDEN NORWAY LITHUANIA LATVIA ESTONIA
more relaxed pace for the month . The tempo quick-ens again in August when the Helsinki Festival brings a rich programme of orchestral and chamber music, opera, dance, theatre, jazz, rock, art exhibitions and film .
As August draws on, open-air performances and other events stretch out the evenings . The Art goes Kapakka series (“Kapakka” is the Finnish word for “tav-ern”) takes music and other disciplines of the arts to clubs and restaurants, free of charge . The Helsinki Fes-tival reaches its culmination during the “Night of the Arts”, when art institutions, galleries, many museums and bookstores are open until the early hours of the following day .
The Herring Market held in the Market Square in October cherishes a tradition dating from the 18th
cen-tury . Baltic herrings, both fresh and prepared in a vari-ety of ways, are sold to be eaten on the spot or to go . Another place to look for delicacies is the Tuomas (“Thomas“) Market in Esplanadi Park in December . Home-made organic mulled wine, ”glögi”, and spiced cakes are in keen demand .
Crowds always gather in the Senate Square on the last evening of December to welcome the new year . Once again the square becomes the focus of national attention, because the festivities there are televised .
In 2000 Helsinki was one of the nine European Cit-ies of Culture and was also celebrating the 450th
anni-versary of its own foundation, European City of Culture .
2 Events Calendar: www .helsinkithisweek .net
Safe cities
The Helsinki metropolitan area is a large and lively modern city, but cosy and safe in its atmosphere . Pub-lic services function effectively, and promptly in emer-gency situations big and small .
The Helsinki area has no actual “no-go” areas that the visitor would be well-advised to avoid . As in any big city, it is, however, always good to exercise some caution, especially late in the evenings .
Green cities
The Helsinki area is a green city, bisected by the great Keskuspuisto (Central Park), which runs north-south and is largely forest . The River Vantaa, which flows through the eastern part of the city, has good fish-ing grounds . There are unique nature reserves in the Viikki – Vanhankaupunginlahti-area in Helsinki, a mecca for ornithologists, and Nuuksio National Park in Espoo .
In the depths of the forest that you will find within the Helsinki area limits you could easily come across a squirrel or, if you are really sharp-eyed, a leveret (young hare) hiding in the bushes . Walking a nature trail you get the double benefit of fresh air and interesting sights .
In rain and shine
The average temperature in the Helsinki metropolitan area is 18 °C (64 °F) in summer, but it can soar to above 30 (86 °F) during the occasional heat wave . The winters are not terribly cold, averaging around – 5 °C (+ 23 °F) or so – but great fluctuations are possible winter or summer, so be prepared and make sure you have a wardrobe for all events .
Dressing in layers – to be added or removed as the temperature changes – is a good solution in Helsinki . There are four distinct seasons, but fluctuations from
the average temperatures that statisticians have worked out for them are frequent and considerable .
Autumn begins to make its presence felt in late September or early October . An umbrella and good footwear are to be recommended at this time of the year . There is often snow on the ground in late Novem-ber and DecemNovem-ber, but the days can be mild enough for winter .
There is often frost in January and although the temperature is not necessarily very much below freez-ing . In deepest winter, in January and February, even the Baltic is in the grip of ice strong enough to walk on . To cater for skaters, the city has many rinks, some artificial .
The sun begins shining through again in March and spring begins to arrive . There are often a couple of proper heat waves in June and July . Summer is the time to make the most of the brightness and warmth . The evenings in August can still be warm until a tiny nip of autumn can be sensed in the air .
2 Current weather condition in Helsinki: www .fmi .fi/en
Other countries right next door
The Helsinki metropolitan area is a good base from which to make a brief trip to one of Finland’s neigh-bouring countries . Large, luxurious ferries provide daily services from Helsinki’s seaports to Stockholm in
Swe-Finnish sayings
l When a man remembers the land, the land remembers him .
l Everything is beautiful once the eye likes the view .
l Even a poor man owns the sun and the stars . l A man without a wife is like a field without a
fence .
l God never says no to grand thoughts . l Eat, and small ills disappear . l Skill is not a heavy load to carry . l He who asks won’t lose his way .
l Wise in the morning is wiser in the evening . l Besides, giving privacy is considered polite . l Silence is considered comfortable and it is
appreciated .
(Translation for Virtual Finland by Joe Brady)
Finnish feel-good factors
1 . l Home sweet home, a home of one’s own 2 . l Sunny weather
3 . l An honest relationship 4 . l A trusting relationship 5 . l The freedom to be oneself 6 . l A freshly cleaned home
7 . l Friendship, gestures/words in a relationship 8 . l Friendship, actions in a relationship 9 . l Fidelity in a relationship
10 . l Security in a relationship
(According to a survey on Finnish happiness made by magazine called Seura)
den and Tallinn in Estonia . St . Petersburg in Russia is only a train trip away . Naturally, all three cities are also well connected by air with Helsinki . A trip to Finland’s northern province of Lapland beyond the Arctic Circle and other places in the north and east of the coun-try is likewise easily arranged from Helsinki . (See also chapter How to get out of the City?)
Web sites used as reference and for further information:
2 City of Helsinki: www .hel .fi/english 2 City of Espoo: http://english .espoo .fi 2 City of Vantaa: www .vantaa .fi/en/ 2 Virtual Finland: http://virtual .finland .fi 2 Statistics Finland: www .tilastokeskus .fi 2 CIMO Discover Finland: http://finland .cimo .fi 2 Wikipedia: The free Encyclopedia on the web
http://en .wikipedia .org
Finns seen by others
”It is said that Finland is a beautiful land .”
Sebastian Munster, Cosmographia 1544
”The climate is severe; there is scarcely any spring or autumn, but there are nine months of winter in the year . . . The people . . . live to a good old age when they do not undermine their constitutions by the abuse of strong drink . . .”
Voltaire, Histoire de Charles XII (description of Sweden and Finland) 1731
”Finland is not the home of barbarians, as some folk imagine, neither do polar bears walk continually about the streets . . .”
Mrs Alec Tweedie, Through Finland in Carts 1897
”Countries are like people: by their very existence they exalt or deflate the opinions one would like to have of oneself . When I return from Finland, I feel young-er and liveliyoung-er; I make great plans, I like many things in the world and, what is more, I like myself a little better .”
Georges Duhamel, Chant du Nord 1929
”The Finn has a fresh, unspoiled, primitive side that exists in close harmony with nature . He feels stirring in his blood a special kinship with the wilder variety of nature – with virgin forests, unproductive fells, and the animal life that haunts them . . . Wherever his foot wan-ders in the city, however far fortune lets him ascend the wheel, his roots remain deep in the soil .”
Hudson Strode, Finland Forever 1941
T
he following information is aimed at helping you to get through the formalities before entering Fin-land . Please notice that all of the information on these pages is subject to change and that the latest infor-mation about the arrival procedures is always avail-able from the officials .
Before entering Finland, please remember to leave enough time to complete all the necessary formalities such as obtaining a passport, arranging visas, other permits and insurance! Please check the following sec-tions to see which ones apply to you .
Information on the Internet:
2 Finnish Immigration Service: www .migri .fi 2 Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland:
http://formin .finland .fi/public
Passport or official identity card
Exchange students who are citizens of the Nordic coun-tries (Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and Norway) do not need a passport to enter Finland . EU-nationals and citizens of Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, Swit-zerland and Schengen Agreement countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherland, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden) can enter Finland with a valid passport or a valid identity card . All other nationalities require a valid passport . However please note, that during your study period in Finland there will be opportunities to travel to Finland’s neighbouring countries . For travel outside Finland a passport is often required, especially to Russia . Passport might also be required when trav-elling to new EU-countries .
Visas
Students who are not citizens of EU/EEA or equivalent countries (Switzerland), or a country that Finland has an agreement on the abolition of visas, need to obtain a visa from a Finnish embassy or mission before
enter-ing Finland . It may be difficult in some cases, for indi-vidual embassies and diplomatic institutions have the right to reject a visa application for various reasons . For further information on applying for a visa, the validity periods of visas and visa application fees, as well as a list of countries whose citizens do not need visas, see the website of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland
www .formin .fi (section Services > Foreign nationals arriving in Finland) .
Residence permits
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs website (www .formin .fi ) offers a list of countries showing what travel documents are required and what agreement each country has with the Schengen member states .
Detailed information for students can also be found at the Finnish Immigration Service www .migri .fi .
EU citizens:
EU citizens and citizens of Liechtenstein and Switzerland do not need a residence permit, but they must register their right to reside in Finland at the local police station if their stay lasts for longer than three months . Citizens of the Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland) are registered at a Register Office if they stay in Finland longer than six months . The police reg-ister the right of residence in the Regreg-ister of Aliens and issue a registration certificate . The registration is done at the police department of the student’s place of
resi-Arrival Information
Bank of the Market square |Photo: City of Helsinki Image Bank / Harald Raebiger
dence (in the city you live in, e .g . Helsinki or Espoo) . Take with you to the police department:
l basic information form (obtained from the police station when registering)
l national identity card or passport l European Health Insurance Card l certificate of study from Metropolia l account of the applicant’s means of support l photograph
Non-EU citizens:
Exchange students, who are non-EU citizens or of a comparable status, must acquire a residence permit if their studies in Finland last for longer than three months . The first residence permit should be applied for from a Finnish embassy or mission within the applicants native country before entering Finland . The embassy provides application forms and further information on the application process . In order to obtain a residence permit, the student must have proof or sufficient finan-cial means of supporting him/herself as well as a valid health insurance .
It is a precondition for obtaining a residence permit that the student has comprehensive health insurance cover with a reliable and solvent company or institution . Comprehensive insurance cover means insurance which includes the types of treatment and costs that are cov-ered by municipal health care services and the health insurance system . For studies of less than two years in duration, a student must have private insurance which primarily covers the costs of medical treatment up to 100,000 € (cost level in 2007) .
Work permit
EU citizens and citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Nor-way and Switzerland can freely work in Finland if the work lasts less than three months . After that they must register their right to reside in Finland at the local police department, but they do not need a residence permit while they are employed . The police register the right of residence in the Register of Aliens and issue a regis-tration certificate verifying the regisregis-tration . Sometimes a health certificate is required . Non-EU citizens must apply for a residence permit to be able to work in Fin-land already before coming to FinFin-land .
Persons who have a residence permit granted on the basis of studying may work without restrictions when the work consists of practical training or diploma work as part of a degree . During study terms when actual instruction is being given, student is allowed to do an average of 25 hours of part-time work weekly . During holidays, i .e . during summer and Christmas holidays, students can work full-time without hourly restrictions .
To be able to work more than 25 hours per week, the student must apply for a work permit . The appli-cation should be delivered to either the local employ-ment office or the local police . The employemploy-ment office where the work permit is applied for makes the deci-sion on whether to grant the permit .
For residence and work permits contact: 2 www .poliisi .fi/english
Espoo Police Department
Nihtisillankuja 4, 02630 Espoo, Kilo Tel . +358 9 525 41, Open: 8 .00 – 16 .15
Helsinki Police Department (the Immingration Police)
Viljatie 2 B, Helsinki, Malmi (entrance from the Kaupparaitti side) Tel . +358 71 877 3220, Mon – Fri 9 .00 – 11 .00 Open: 8 .00 – 16 .15
Vantaa Police Department
Kielotie 21, 01300 Vantaa, Tikkurila, Tel . +358 71 873 0291
Open: 08 .00 – 16 .15
2 Basic Information for Foreigners & Immigrants also available at the Infopankki: www .infopankki .fi/en-GB/home
Notification of move
If the exchange period lasts for more than one month, it is recommended that students make a change of address notification to Posti (Finnish Post, Itella) . Forms can be found at all post offices . The form can also be filled online, but Posti online services require authen-tication by using personal online Finnish bank ID or Posti username (you can obtain a single-use username and password at a post office) .
M
ost international visitors arrive at Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport . Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is an international airport with good connections to all the European capitals and beyond, to the US and Asia . The airport is situated 20 kilometres away from the centre of Helsinki .From the airport to the city centre of Helsinki you can take the Finnair shuttle bus . The buses leave right outside the arrivals terminal and arrive at the main railway station at the centre of Helsinki . The journey takes about 30 minutes . You can also take the local bus number 615 (cheaper than the Finnair Bus), which takes you from the airport to the Helsinki railway sta-tion as well . There are also taxis available at the airport, including some special Airport Taxis or Yellow Taxis
How to get to Helsinki Metropolitan Area?
which have cheaper rates for groups of clients going in the same direction .
Apart from flying, you can also arrive in Helsinki by sea, from Sweden, Germany or Estonia . There are also international train links to Helsinki from Moscow and St . Petersburg in Russia .
For further information see:
2 Helsinki-Vantaa Airport: www .finavia .fi/home 2 Schedules for the Airport bus:
www .helsinki-vantaa .fi/bybus 2 Finnish Railways: www .vr .fi/eng 2 Ferries: www .vikingline .fi
and www .tallinksilja .com/en
2 More information on international traffic to Finland: www .visitfinland .com
On the ice near Suomenlinna |Photo: City of Helsinki Image Bank / Matti Tirri
Roof over your head
Accommodation
(Exchange and double-degree students)
Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences does not have a campus as such . Most of our exchange and double degree students live in apartments owned by the Helsinki housing foundation HOAS . Universities have an agreement with HOAS and there is a certain amount of furnished apartments reserved for each university in the Helsinki metropolitan area . HOAS
can offer exchange students housing depending on the main location of study .
How to apply?
Once you have been admitted to Metropolia you will receive information how to apply for accommodation through HOAS . Accommodation in Metropolia HOAS student apartments will be arranged in general on a “first come, first served” basis . The accommodation will
Fr om K al lio C hu rc h to t he c it y ce nt er | Ph ot o: C it y of H el si nk i Im ag e Ba nk / M at ti T ir ri
be more assuredly reserved providing that the deadline for returning the application form has been respected: l 15 May for autumn semester
l 1 November for spring semester
You can apply for a room, studio apartment or shared studio apartment . The room can be in a shared apart-ment from 3 to 8 tenants . Each tenant has a room of his/her own and share a kitchen and a bathroom . The studio apartment is a shared open space room with a kitchenette and a bathroom . A studio apartment can also be shared with another student . The rent in all locations includes Internet connection, water, heating, electricity and basic furniture i .e . a bed with a mattress, a table and chairs .
NOTE! Should there be any changes to your student exchange period or should you cancel your student exchange at Metropolia, you are obliged to inform the Metropolia immediately!
Tenancy agreement
Once HOAS has found you a room they will send you a Housing offer by post . Usually the Housing Confir-mation letter is sent in June or in late November/early December . It is very important that you provide the
Metropolia International Office and HOAS with your full and valid contact information! Please read the Housing offer and the accompanying Confirmation letter very carefully . Please note that the housing confirmation is a valid agreement . The agreement will be made for a fixed period of time and it cannot be terminated . To accept the housing offer pay a deposit of 500 € and
send HOAS the receipt of the paid deposit and the signed housing confirmation form .
The deposit will be returned to your account when your agreement ends, provided that you have paid all the rents and other possible fees, returned your keys on time, and emptied and cleaned your apartment when moving out .
Remember to send the documents by the line mentioned in the offer . Failing to meet the dead-lines means that you will not be offered an accom-modation in Metropolia HOAS rooms . If HOAS does not hear from you by the deadline mentioned on the offer, the offer expires and the housing will be offered to someone else . If you need more response time to make sure your confirmation reaches HOAS in time, please contact HOAS: housing@hoas .fi .
You will get the keys to your room either from your student tutor or HOAS office . If you have filled the elec-tronic arrival form and asked for a tutor to meet you at the airport or harbour, the tutor will bring you the keys to your HOAS apartment . In other cases, you will receive your keys from the Metka office or HOAS office . A rental agreement has to be signed at HOAS office in one week after arrival . When the agreement comes to an end, everything in the apartment has to be in order and the keys have to be returned .
Equipment in the apartments
The rooms are equipped with basic furniture, i .e . bed with a mattress, a table, chair and a wardrobe . Metropolia does not offer any bed clothes or kitch-enware . There may be some equipment left from the exchange students in previous years . Please use the items with care and make the students who come after you also feel welcome . Please note that equip-ment that can be left behind are clean and unbroken dishes . Clothes and bedclothes are not to be left for hygienic reasons .
Cheap kitchenware and bedclothes are easy to find in flea markets or cheap supermarkets . You may want to take a sleeping bag with you for the first few nights if you do not want to bring sheets with you . This may also be useful in some trips many exchange students do during their stay . In most student houses there is a TV and newspapers in the housing complex . There are laundry rooms in all HOAS buildings .
There is no cleaning service for the rooms or shared areas in the apartments, and all students sharing an apart-ment are responsible for cleaning the common areas . It is a good idea to agree on the turns from the start .
Regulations
The due date for paying the rent is always the 6th of
each month and it cannot be postponed – even if you arrive to Finland later . You can always pay your rent in advance or several months at a time . Remember to use the reference number in each payment . Please note that if you transfer the money from abroad you must add the international transaction bank charges to the rent payment .
For late payments HOAS charges a collection fee of 5 € . If the due rent and collection fee have not been
paid by the next rent payment deadline, another col-lection fee of 5 € will be added to the amount .
Students living in student houses are presumed to follow the house regulations set by HOAS . The regu-lations are on view on the notice board or the HOAS web site: www .hoas .fi . Tenants should avoid disturb-ing neighbours . Loud playdisturb-ing and sdisturb-ingdisturb-ing is forbidden at all times . You may depart from this rule only if your neighbours give you their approval . Please note this especially when you practice instrument playing in your room . Should any problems arise HOAS will contact Metropolia International Office to discuss further action .
2 www .hoas .fi
If you wish to find accommodation elsewhere, one option is the private market . However, please note that it is difficult or even impossible to find furnished accommodation for a short period of time from the private market . The International Office at Helsinki Metropolia UAS does not offer assistance in finding accommodation elsewhere .
Accommodation possibilities in Helsinki
In case you will arrive some days before the beginning of your tenancy agreement, or if you are not able to get the keys on the day of your arrival, there are some places where you could stay as listed below:
2 HOAS Guest Room Services (Student Housing Foundation) Tel +358 (0)9 549 900 E-mail: guestroom@hoas .fi
www .hoas .fi
2 StayAtEspoo: www .stayat .eu
Youth hostels:
2 The Finnish Youth Hostel Association – SRM Tel +358 (0)9 565 7150, E-mail: info@srm .fi
www .srmnet .org 2 Stadion Hostel
Tel . +358 (0)9 477 8480, E-mail: info@stadionhostel .fi
www .stadionhostel .fi 2 Eurohostel Linnankatu 9, 00160 Helsinki Tel . +358 (0)9 622 0470 Fax . +358 (0)9 655 044 www .eurohostel .eu 2 Hostel Erottajanpuisto Uudenmaankatu 9, 00120 Helsinki Tel . +358 (0)9 642 169 Fax . +358 (0)9 680 2757 www .erottajanpuisto .com/eng
Other hostels:
2 Hostel Lönnrot: www .hostellonnrot .com
2 Traveller’s Home:
www .matkamajoitus .fi/en 2 Summer Hostel Academica:
www .hostelacademica .fi 2 Hostel Satakunta:
www .sodexo .fi/en-GB/hostel_satakuntatalo
Apartment hotels:
insurance the medical payments may rise high . Please remember that though citizens of the EU and EEA coun-tries are entitled to all health services in Finland if they are covered by health insurance in their own country (you should ask the social security authorities in your country for the document needed for social security in Finland), they too must have an insurance .
Students from outside the EU / EEA must have private insurance to cover the duration of the visa / residence permit and the Schengen area . The insurance must cover cases of illness or accident and include travel costs to home country, including also a liabililty insurance .
For travel outside Finland, make sure the insurance is valid in these countries as well .
Remember to bring the valid insurance policy with you!
Disabled students
Wheelchair access
In Finland, during the last years, special efforts have been made to take into account the interests and needs
of disabled persons . This means ramped access and wide doors in many places and WC’s for disabled per-sons . Airplanes, ferries and trains have wheelchair access and services that involve no problems when the per-sonnel has been notified in advance, i .e . when book-ing the tickets . Local traffic has some low floor buses and trams, specially marked on the timetables . There are taxis with wheelchair access (the so called InvaTaxi) and many hotels and hostels that have rooms designed for disabled persons .
For further information, contact 2 Kynnys ry
Itämerenkatu 2, 00180 Helsinki, Tel . 09 685 0110
www .kynnys .fi
Disabled students have been taken into consideration also in planning and renovating the premises at Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences . However, Metropolia does not have special facilities or services for students with a visual or hearing impairment .
Should you need special assistance during your studies in Helsinki, please contact the international coordinator .
Aralis Librar y and Information Centre |Photo: Stadia Image Bank / Mari Hohtari, Rhinoceros Ltd
Money matters
Tuition fees
All tuition is free of charge at Helsinki Metropolia Uni-versity of Applied Sciences . You may, however, have to pay for some of the study material, literature, and work clothes, depending on the course .
Scholarships
Normally international students do not get any schol-arships from Finland . Helsinki Metropolia UAS is not able to offer any scholarships or funding for foreign students nor assist the students in finding funding for their studies . It is best you look and apply for possi-ble scholarships in your home country before leav-ing for Finland .
How expensive is it in Finland?
The cost of living in Finland, on average, is comparable to the rest of Europe . For basic expenses such as food, rent and transportation you should count 700 – 1000 €
month . This could be divided, for example, as follows: l Rent . . . . 400 – 600 €
l Food . . . . 250 €
l Transport . . . . 20 – 80 € l Leisure . . . .100 €
All this depending, of course, on your personal spending habits . Be prepared to have more expenses in the begin-ning of your stay – for the deposit for your apartment, the student card, text books . . . Consider also budgeting some money for travelling both in Finland and abroad, Stockholm, Tallinn, St . Petersburg . . .
Some prices
l Lunch at the student restaurant . . . .2 .50€ l Milk (1 l) . . . . 1€ l Cheese (1 kg) . . . . 8€ l Apples (1 kg) . . . . 1 .5€ l Coffee (500 g) . . . . 2 .8€ l Bread (loaf) . . . . 1 .9€ l Cinema ticket . . . . 8 – 13€ l Museums . . . . 6€ l Beer in a pub (0 .3 l) . . . . 4 – 6€ l Cigarettes (packet) . . . . 4€l Wine bottle in Alko . . . . 7€
l Pizza . . . . 8€
l Eating out in a restaurant . . . . 20€
Insurance
B
efore leaving your home country, please check your travel and health insurance . The insurance is compulsory for all students regardless of the period of stay, and it must cover expenses and transportation to the home country in case of an emergency and/or repatriation including a liability insurance . The insur-ance must cover you during your stay in Finland and also during your travel to and from Finland . Metropolia does not cover for eventual accidents and illnesses that happen during your stay and without a valid insurance the medical payments may rise high .Students from the EU / EEA countries are entitled to public health services in Finland if they are covered by health insurance in their own country . An official document/European health insurance card (E111 or E128) is needed for all health services in Finland . Note that the European Health Insurance Card is not valid during your travels to and from Finland and during the excursions to the third country . The institutions of higher education do not cover for the eventual acci-dents taken place during your stay, and without a valid
Es po o | Ph ot o: EV TE K