IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT STARTING YOUR STUDIES AT JAMK UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT STARTING YOUR STUDIES AT JAMK UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

Dear Student,

Congratulations on making the decision to study in another country! It takes courage and a certain spirit of

adventure to do that and we are glad that you have chosen to study at JAMK University of Applied Sciences.

A warm welcome!

In this letter you will find important information concerning your future stay at JAMK and Finland. Please go

through this letter carefully and do all the necessary things before departure to Finland to make your arrival

and settling down smoother.

THINGS TO DO IMMEDIATELY

1. Confirmation form

You will shortly receive an official Letter of Acceptance and a Confirmation form from us by e‐mail. Fill in the

Confirmation form stating whether you will accept the offered study place and send it to us by e‐mail or post

as soon as possible (see the form for further instructions), deadline 31 July 2014, at 16.15.

If you neglect to return the Confirmation form, you will lose your right to study in the degree programme you

have been accepted to as a degree student.

2. Start the Visa/Residence permit application procedure immediately

More information in this letter part “Insurance coverage and permits” and on our website at

www.jamk.fi/visa‐residence‐permit‐and‐right‐of‐residence‐for‐exchange‐and‐double‐degree‐students

3. You are requested to arrive by 21

st

_{August, since the orientation for all incoming international students start}

on this day. The orientation will continue starting from the 25

th

_{August for all new students. The location for}

the orientation is the main campus (Rajakatu 35). The classes will commence on 1

st

_September.

STUDY RIGHT AND YOUR STUDENT STATUS AT JAMK

You will receive your full study entitlement after you have returned the Confirmation form to the International

Services. After receiving the form the International Services will enrol you as a degree student at JAMK. As a

degree student you have the same rights and obligations as the degree students of JAMK (exception; you do

not have the right to enrol for non‐attendance before starting your studies. If you do not start your degree

studies at JAMK at the beginning of the academic year/term you have been accepted to, you will lose your study

place.)

The maximum study time is standard study time (1 year in your degree programme) plus two terms.

During your mobility period at JAMK you will be served by the International Services as it comes to the mobility

documents (study plan=Learning Agreement, Transcript of Records after the mobility period concerning the

studies done during the mobility period and so on). The Student Services will help you with the questions of

study right, enrolments, exams, degree certificate and so on.

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ENROLMENT FOR ATTENDANCE

You will automatically be enrolled by the International Services of JAMK for attendance for the whole maximum

study time (1 year + two terms) starting from the autumn term 2014 onwards

.

Only those enrolled for

attendance have the right to register for courses and pursue studies. Participation in exchange, practical training

abroad, tutored practical training, and applying for a degree certificate will also require enrolment for

attendance.

As a degree student you must be able to complete the degree programme and to receive the degree certificate

from JAMK within the maximum study time.

Further information concerning the study time and enrolment for attendance will be provided after your arrival

to JAMK.

JYVÄSKYLÄ AND TRANSPORTATION

Jyväskylä is located about 250 km from the capital of Finland, Helsinki. Through the following link you can view

different kinds of maps (e.g. aerial) of Jyväskylä:

http://kartta.jkl.fi/

To familiarize yourself with your future hometown, visit the websites:

http://www.jyvaskyla.fi/lang/

and

http://visit.jyvaskyla.fi/en

.

The connections from Helsinki to Jyväskylä are excellent. Websites with information on the schedules are

available at:

Flight:

www.finnair.fi

http://fi.flybe.com/

Railways:

www.vr.fi

Bus:

www.matkahuolto.fi

ARRIVAL

The Student Union of JAMK University of Applied Sciences (JAMKO ) employs student tutors whose task is to

help the incoming exchange students with practical matters such as figuring out the course schedules and

getting around in Jyväskylä. Your tutor will get in touch with you in June/July, after you have received the official

Letter of Acceptance from the International Services of JAMK University of Applied Sciences.

Confirm your arrival date and time to Jyväskylä by e‐mail to your tutor no later than three weeks before your

arrival. If your tutor has not contacted you 3 weeks prior to your planned arrival to Jyväskylä, contact us at

International Services via

[email protected]

.

You are requested to arrive by 21

st

_{August, since the orientation for all incoming international students starts}

on this day. The orientation will continue starting from the 25

th

_{August for all new students. The location for}

the orientation is the Main Campus (Rajakatu 35).

Exchange students are expected to take part in the orientation, so please make sure to arrange your travel plans

so that you will be present in the orientation! The classes will commence on 1

st

_September.

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Your tutor will meet you at the Jyväskylä Travel Centre (bus and railway station) if you have informed him/her

of the exact time of your arrival. If you do not let your tutor know about your arrival or do not contact

International Services in case you do not get in touch with your tutor, you will have to find your own way to

your apartment and the institution.

ACCOMMODATION

International students usually stay in the furnished shared flats of the Central Finland Student Housing

Foundation (KOAS) in Roninmäki and Myllyjärvi. Linen, blankets and kitchenware are not included in the rent.

For further information visit the website of the foundation at

www.koas.fi

.

You have to apply for your accommodation independently by submitting an application on the website of

KOAS at

https://koas.agileus.fi/en/ex/

.

The deadline for applying for accommodation from KOAS is 10 June

2014!

NOTE: Use the Application for JAMK Exchange Students ‐link to submit your application!

If you want to assure getting an apartment, you need to apply for the accommodation immediately (by 10

June at latest) as the situation with flats is really tight in Jyväskylä. Note that the apartment/room has to be

rented for the whole semester/whole academic year (from the beginning of August until the end of December

or May) and the rent for the apartment must always be paid for the whole month. So even if you move in at

the end of the month or move out before the end of the month, the rent must be paid for the whole month.

There are also other agencies for rental apartments that you could contact, for example:

‐ Forenom:

http://www.forenom.fi/en‐US/

‐ SATO

https://asiointi.sato.fi/asuntohakemus.aspx?lang=en

‐ The rental agency for students Opiskelijoiden vuokravälitys, contact information:

Yliopistonkatu 6, 40100 Jyväskylä

Tel. +358 50 341 0224, +358 45 133 6440 and +358 45 111 3007

Fax +358 14 310 0644

E‐mail [email protected]

On the Student Union of the University of Jyväskylä (JYY) website there are ads (most of them in Finnish) on

apartments to lease. Please see the website at

http://jyy.fi/en/for‐students/housing‐and‐

income/apartment‐forum/

INSURANCE COVERAGE AND PERMITS

Exchange Students coming to JAMK should take care of insurance coverage for the whole time of their stay

before arriving in Finland. The insurance should also cover the free time. One option for insurance is The

Student Insurance Program. Please see further information at

www.sipinsurance.eu

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EU citizens can apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The card holders are covered by health

insurance in one of the EU member states and they have the right to immediate medical treatment while they

are in any other member state. Please find out more on this from your local authorities.

Students outside EU or EEA need to apply for a residence permit or visa and take care of the sufficient

insurance coverage. Do it without delay at the nearest Finnish consulate or embassy before leaving for Finland.

You can find further information on permits and the compulsory Student’s Health Insurance on the Finnish

Immigration Service website at

http://www.migri.fi/frontpage

. Closest missions to you can be found on the

website of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs:

www.formin.fi

– Diplomatic Missions ‐

Finnish missions abroad by

country

You will also receive an official Letter of Acceptance in which it states that you have been officially accepted as

an exchange student at JAMK; the document will allow you to start the process of obtaining the residence

permit or visa if necessary. Please, have the document with you when travelling to Finland in case you are asked

to present it. If you are not sure whether you need to apply for residence permit or visa, please contact your

closest mission for further information.

ORIENTATION

Orientation for Exchange Students takes place before the beginning of each semester, providing useful

information on staying in Finland and studying at JAMK. You are expected to participate in the orientation to

receive all the essential information concerning your studies at JAMK. The orientation for all incoming

international students starts on the 21

st

_{August, 2014. The orientation will continue starting from the 25}

th

August until the 29

th

_{August for all new students. The location for the orientation is the Main Campus (Rajakatu}

35).

The detailed programme and the place of the orientation will be published on our website at

http://www.jamk.fi/en/JAMK‐information/international/For‐incoming‐exchange‐and‐double‐degree‐

students/Services‐for‐Foreign‐Students/

.

ACADEMIC CALENDAR

Autumn Semester 2014

1st period: 25 August 2014 ‐ 24 October 2014, week 42 is contact free

Note that classes for exchange students run from 1

st

_{September onwards}

2nd period: 27 October 2014 ‐ 19 December 2014

Spring Semester 2015

3rd period: 7 January 2015 ‐ 13 March 2015, week 9 is contact free

4th period: 16 March 2015 ‐ 8 May 2015

5th period: 11 May 2015 ‐ 18 June 2015

 Note that the courses usually end by 19 December 2014/8 May 2015, unless you have signed up for the 5th

period (summer studies) as well. The dates in your final Transcript of Records (and a Letter of Confirmation, if

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requested) after the exchange period will be written according to your actual studies and your physical stay at

JAMK, no later. Please take this into account when you are planning your exchange, since it might affect your

grant.

INFORMATION FOLDER AND REGISTRATION

Upon arrival each exchange student will receive an information folder containing all the relevant information

and documents concerning the exchange period.

The folder contains e.g. documents to apply for student discount from the public transportation. Please notice

that none of these documents can be sent to you beforehand. If your tutor does not hand you the information

folder upon arrival, please pick it up from the International Services (Main Campus, room B104).

Registration is done online after you arrive at JAMK.

TUTORING (STUDENT BUDDY)

JAMK University of Applied Sciences and our Student Union JAMKO provide tutoring for exchange students. The

fellow‐students trained for the task help the new students in matters concerning studies and student support

services. They also provide guidance in practical matters, e.g. housing, permits and getting adjusted to a new

culture and country. Your personal student tutor (buddy) will contact you via email beforehand and meet you

in Jyväskylä upon your arrival.

If your tutor has not contacted you 3 weeks prior to your planned arrival to Jyväskylä, contact International

Services

[email protected]

to enable us to find you a new tutor if necessary.

STUDENT UNION JAMKO

The Student Union of JAMK University of Applied Sciences, JAMKO, functions as the supervisor of the interests

of all JAMK’s students. The student union has a legal status and functions. Its main functions include choosing

student members for the committees of JAMK University of Applied Sciences, supervising the interests of

students and passing on information about current issues. In addition to its legal functions, JAMKO organises

leisure time activities and provides its members with student cards (

http://jamko.fi/en/membership

/).

SURVIVAL KIT

The exchange students who do not want to bring their own linen and kitchen utensils can rent so‐called

“Survival Kits”: packages with basic kitchenware, a blanket, a pillow and sheets. The Student Union of the JAMK

University of Applied Sciences JAMKO runs the Survival Kit service.

In order to get a Survival Kit the student should fill in a Survival Kit Form given by a tutor upon arrival. A partly

refundable deposit of 75 Euros has to be paid at that point. Part of this deposit will be paid back if the rented

items are returned clean and in good condition. For further information:

http://jamko.fi/en/tutoring/survival‐

kit‐2/

, or contact

[email protected]

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FRIEND FAMILY PROGRAMME

The International Services of JAMK University of Applied Sciences coordinates a Friend Family programme for

international students and Finnish families. Students staying in Finland for a semester or longer can participate

in the programme, which will help them know more about the Finnish culture and way of life through a local

friend or family.

An online system for the friend family programme is currently being planned. Its purpose is to provide the

students and families a forum to find each other, after which they can meet. More information will be given in

the orientation.

LEARNING AGREEMENT

Your Learning Agreement from the online application system will be printed out and sent to your home

institution for approval and signatures before the beginning of your exchange period. If you are an Erasmus

student, you should make sure that your Erasmus+ Learning Agreement is signed before the beginning of your

exchange period also. Notice that your Learning Agreement is the official and binding study plan that will be

followed throughout your studies.

STUDIES

Classes in Finland might be different from those at home. You may find that teachers are less formal here. For

example, it is not unusual for you and the teacher to address each other by first names. Teachers want you to

feel comfortable and welcome, and everyone is expected to treat each other with respect.

Studies at our institution also take place outside the lecture rooms: many programmes include independent

study, group work and online learning.

Students from non‐English speaking countries who are attending academic classes may find that they need

some time to adjust to listening and speaking a foreign language. Nevertheless, you need to be active as well

as have initiative and above all, stay positive!

The values of JAMK are responsibility, trust and creativity. Every member of the higher education community is

expected to act consistently with these values. In addition, our activities are guided by general ethical principles

and field‐specific ethical guidelines supplementing them. In practise, this means, for instance, that JAMK’s

students are responsible for not fabricating, plagiarizing or cheating in their studies. For further reading about

ethical principles at JAMK:

https://opinto‐oppaat.jamk.fi/Global/Tietoa%20JAMKista/Esittely/Ethical%20Principles%2020130513.pdf

.

WEATHER AND CLOTHING

Remember to bring some warm winter clothing with you. The temperature may vary between ‐25 °C in the

winter months and above +20 °C in the summer time. For further information about the weather in Finland:

www.foreca.com

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EXAMPLES OF COSTS

Average monthly living costs for students are estimated to be about 750 euros. A bus ticket costs about 60 €

per month (single ticket costs about 3,30 €). Lunch at the school cafeteria costs about 2,60 €. Please see further

information at

http://opinto‐oppaat.jamk.fi/en/Study‐Guide‐Bachelors‐Degrees/General‐Information‐for‐

Students/Living‐Costs‐Student‐Financial‐Aid‐/

.

LEARNING THE FINNISH LANGUAGE

A Finnish course for Exchange Students will be arranged during your studies. You can also study Finnish on the

internet, for example, on the following websites:

http://www.oneness.vu.lt/fi/

http://donnerwetter.kielikeskus.helsinki.fi/finnishforforeigners/

http://www.uuno.tamk.fi/

http://www.yle.fi/opinportti/supisuomea/sanasto/01.shtml

(vocabulary)

LINKS TO USEFUL INFORMATION FOR EXCHANGE STUDENTS

http://jyvaskylanseutu.fi/travel

www.finland.fi

http://finland.cimo.fi/

CONTACT INFORMATION

IT‐Pro Coordinator, School of Technology, ICT:

Mr. Esa Salmikangas, Room D548

Piippukatu 2, FI‐40100 Jyväskylä, Finland

[email protected]

Tel. +358 40 716 7285

The International Coordinator of the School of Technology:

Ms Outi Laitinen, Room F131

Rajakatu 35, 40200 Jyväskylä, Finland

[email protected]

Tel. +358 40 705 4506

***********************************

International Services

Rajakatu 35, FI‐40200 Jyväskylä, Finland

Room B104

[email protected]

Fax +358 14 449 9694

Office hours: Monday – Friday 9:00‐11:00 & 12:00‐14:00

Welcome to study at JAMK University of Applied Sciences!