Aalto Guide to

Aalto Guide to
Thriving
in Finland
Contents
Welcome!
4
News in English and other languages
22
Getting around
45
Your 2nd year
54
About Helsinki and Espoo
4
Radio
22
Local transportation
45
Health insurance and your 2nd year
54
Weather
5
Newspapers
22
Long distance
46
Renewing your residence permit
54
Dealing with the Finnish authorities
after you arrive
6
Internet
22
Alumni Relations
55
Working in Finland
48
Getting your personal number
(henkilötunnus)
7
Staying after your studies have
ended
55
Television
Community, Culture and Recreation
22
Official regulations
48
23
Finnish job market
48
8
Meeting people
23
Finding work
49
Banks, currency exchange and
credit cards
8
Getting involved in campus life
24
Taxation
49
Off-campus exploring
27
Career planning
50
Managing a realistic budget
9
Learning Finnish (or Swedish)
in Finland
30
Financial Matters
Post-arrival one-off expenses to
consider
10
Budget tips
10
The Finnish way
12
Being Finnish
12
Study culture
in Finland
15
Apartment living in Finland
17
Finnish festivities and food
Diversity and equality
32
How Finns celebrate
32
Finnish Food
34
Shops and shopping
36
Wellness
38
Communications
20
Well-being is important for
academic success
38
Post offices,
mail
20
Cultural transitions
38
Telephone
20
Phone books
20
International calls
21
Internet connections
21
Medical assistance
51
What is discrimination?
51
What is harassment?
52
Documents
Common expressions
56
Useful links
57
Finnish authorities
57
Living in Finland
57
News in Finland
58
Transportation
in Finland
58
Language learning
58
53
Document copies
53
Change of name
53
Lost/stolen passport or residence
permit cards
53
40
Using student health care
40
Using municipal health care
42
Outside municipal health centre
hours and emergencies
43
Pharmacies
44
Images: Aalto University material bank
2
3
Welcome!
The challenge of living in a new environment, socialising in a new culture,
and studying on a new campus is exhilarating, but even the most adventurous
students can use some help from time to time. This guide aims to do just that –
provide you with helpful guidance on everything from Finnish study culture to
where to go shopping to meeting people. You’ll find chapters that cover the major
aspects of your Aalto experience which we hope you will find helpful while you
settle in and beyond! This guide is intended to provide you with information that
is common to all students at Aalto University; it is about living in Finland. All
academic-related or specific campus information will be provided in your School
Survival Guide.
About Helsinki
and Espoo
Weather
In Helsinki (as in all of Finland) there are four distinct seasons: a cold, dark
winter; a short spring; a warm or mild summer and an autumn famous for its
spectacular colors.
Autumn:
You will have arrived as thoughts are turning to autumn. From the beginning of
September to early November, you will see the fantastic changing and falling
leaves. You will feel the crisp fall air that brings you the eye-catching views of a
colourful season that is defined by deep reds, bright oranges and pale yellows in
parks and neighbourhoods.
Winter:
Helsinki, the capital of the Republic of Finland, is a modern city with over half a
million residents and is situated on the coast of the Baltic Sea. Helsinki together
with the neighbouring cities of Espoo, Kauniainen and Vantaa forms the Helsinki
Metropolitan Area (or Helsinki Region) with more than a million inhabitants.
In 2000 Helsinki was an official European City of Culture while celebrating its
450th anniversary and now, in 2012, Helsinki is celebrating its designation as the
World Design Capital with many events all around the capital area and beyond.
Helsinki is unique among Northern European cities. The lifestyle in the secondmost northern capital city in the world is full of contrasts and activities in the
form of hundreds of events and friendly people. Helsinki’s identity has been
formed by cultural influences from both the East and West. The archipelago that
surrounds Helsinki with hundreds of tiny islands creates an idyllic environment
for cruises, for example.
Helsinki’s identity has been formed by cultural influences from both the East
and West. Over 450 years of history, several architectural layers and the impact
of different periods can be clearly seen in Helsinki. Finnish design has also made
the country’s capital city world famous. The beauty of the surrounding nature
blends seamlessly together with high-tech achievements, while old traditions
mix with the latest contemporary trends. The city centre has many beautiful
parks, and the nearby forests offer an ideal setting for peaceful and quiet walks.
Helsinki’s rhythm is laid back yet at the same time refreshingly active in terms of
both the number and quality of restaurants and nightclubs.
Real wintertime usually begins in December in Southern Finland when the
permanent snow arrives. Generally on the coast and in Southern Finland there’s
not usually that much permanent snow but the temperature can go below -10 ºC.
The days get shorter towards the end of the year (until the winter solstice – Dec
21/22) and it can be quite dark during the daytime from November to February.
Warm winter clothes are not a luxury in Finland. If you do not have winter
clothes, i.e. a thick, warm jacket, boots, gloves and a proper winter hat which
covers your ears, be prepared to buy them in Finland if you intend to stay over
the winter. Although it is cold outside, the buildings are properly heated and you
should never feel cold inside.
Spring:
Late April is when spring starts in the Helsinki region. The snow is melting and
rubber boots can be the order of the day (or season). The melting is a sign that life
is coming back to nature although it can be a wet and muddy experience. Summer
is just around the corner!
Summer:
There is lots of light (20 hours daylight in the middle of the summer) and
greenery. This is a wonderful time to be in Finland. The summer months are
June, July and August and the temperature rises on the sunniest days above
25ºC.
In terms of getting around this area, it is important to note that the Helsinki
region is, according to the European Commission’s 75 city study, also home to
Europe’s most satisfied public transport passengers. This combined with the
750 km of cycling paths around the region, means that getting around the four
cities is seamless and it is possible to get to most of the places you need to
without a car.
4
5
Dealing with
the Finnish
authorities after
you arrive
When you have arrived in Finland you will be expected to register your stay.
Where you register depends on where you are from.
Nordic citizens are not required to report to the police station or the local
register office, unless they plan on residing in Finland for a period exceeding
six months. In this case, you are required to register as a foreigner in addition to
making a change of address notification, unless you have already been assigned a
personal identity number in Finland.
EU citizens and citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland
do not need a residence permit beforehand, but they must register their right
to reside in Finland if their stay lasts for longer than three months. This
registration of residence is done at the police station in the city where you lives
after arrival in Finland.
Getting your
personal number
(henkilötunnus)
The number is used for identification purposes, for example in banks, hospitals,
registering for classes outside the university, and the registers of different
authorities. Life in Finland is rather more complicated without this, so it’s well
worth getting even if you are not required to (it is required if you intend to work).
Foreigners, who have moved to Finland and have a residence permit valid for at
least one year, can be registered for a Finnish municipality of residence with the
same rights and obligations as other residents.
Registration takes place in the local register office (Maistraatti in Finnish).
You need to bring your passport, valid residence permit, university certificate
of attendance and other official documents depending on your situation (for
example, certificate of marriage, birth certificates of children) with you to
the register office and you need to fill in and sign the form “The Registration
Information of a Foreigner”.
Non EU/EEA citizens intending to study and live in Finland must register with
the local Register’s Office (Maistraatti in Finnish) of their place of residence.
Registering with the local register office will enable you to obtain a travel
card to use for the public transportation, and a Finnish personal identity code
(henkilötunnus), if you intend to work but it is also advised to get a personal
number in general (see below).
You will be required to bring the following to Maistraatti:
• Enrolment certificate/certificate of attendance from Aalto University
• A valid passport
• Residency permit
• Other legal documentation
You will also need to fill out a form labelled: “Notification of Moving/Change of
Address.” You should contact your district’s register office if you are unsure of
what documentation to bring with you.
Maistraatti offices
Helsinki Maistraatti: Albertinkatu 25
Espoo Maistraatti: Itätuulentie 1
Vantaa Maistraatti: Kielotie 15
Police stations
Helsinki Police Station: Viljatie 2 b (in Malmi)
Espoo Police Station: Nihtisillankuja 4 (in Kilo)
Vantaa Police Station: Kielotie 21 (in Tikkurila)
6
7
Financial matters
Banks, currency
exchange and
credit cards
All banks operate throughout Finland; the largest ones are Nordea, Sampo, and
Osuuspankki.
There are no restrictions on foreign students opening a bank account in Finland.
You will receive a bank card giving you access to virtually every cash point –
Otto – (Automatic Teller Machines, pankkiautomaatti) in the country. Apart
from withdrawing cash you can also check your balance and, at some ATMS, pay
bills. If you prefer to pay bills by bank transfer (e.g. for your rent), there is a small
charge. When arranging such transfers you may need to show proof of identity.
You will normally receive a statement of all your transactions including cash
point use once a month.
Opening a personal account is generally fast and simple, although the
documentation required appears to vary slightly not only between banks, but
between branches. Someone in the bank will usually speak acceptable English other foreign languages could prove problematic. To minimise the possibility of
difficulty take as much official identification as you can.
• Passport
• Proof of address
• Residence permit
• University acceptance letter
While you open the account, be sure to ask for:
• Statements to be sent to you in English (other options: Finnish or Swedish)
• Online banking facilities, if you have access to a computer
• The ability to use your ATM/debit card in shops, restaurants etc. (i.e. not just
cash machines)
Foreign currency can be changed at any bank in Finland as well as at many
currency exchange offices in larger cities. It is worth changing large amounts
at a time to avoid service charges. At FOREX offices you can change and buy
currency. You can find a FOREX-office at Helsinki Main Railway Station
(Rautatieasema) and other locations through their website. Money transfers to
and from abroad incur an extra commission fee, the size of which depends on the
destination. Having a bank account here is not necessary for receiving money.
Banks are normally open Monday–Friday from 9am to 4pm, but office hours
may vary. Banks are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Cash points are open
around the clock every day, and there are plenty of them. All banks have branches
throughout the country. In addition, banks offer electronic services making it
possible for you to manage your bank affairs on the internet.
The major credit cards (Visa, Eurocard, Access, Mastercard, Diner’s Club, and
American Express) are accepted throughout the country. Automatic cash points
accept Visa. The Eurocheque is not as popular as it is elsewhere.
8
Managing a
realistic budget
• Pick up your keys from the appropriate housing office (check the opening
hours), sign your tenancy agreement and find your way to your apartment.
(Journey Planner for local transportation: reittiopas.fi/en/)
• Go to the Student Union AYY’s office (located at Otakaari 11, above the post
office). Take with you one passport-sized photograph. Pay the Student Union
membership fee (compulsory for all bachelor’s and master’s degree students),
fill in and submit the application form for the student card.
• Enrol at the Student Services Office of your School. Take with you the
receipt of the paid Student Union membership fee, your admission letter and
passport/ID card.
• During enrolment you will receive your Aalto student number, computer
account username and password.
Monthly expenses
Accommodation
€250–450+
If you get student housing it could possibly be less, however you may need
to pay more if you look in the private market
Transportation
€20–50
This is based on the cost for 30 days of unlimited travel for students (not
including PhD or those over age 30) on public transit. The exact price
mostly depends on whether you have to travel regularly between the
Helsinki and Espoo regions (note that the Arabia and Töölö campuses are
in Helsinki and the Otaniemi campus is in Espoo). Helsinki Metropolitan
Areas is very bike friendly! See Transportation section for more info.
Food
€130–170+
Estimate includes one average priced student meal per weekday and
groceries/other food at €20–30/week (a conservative estimate).
Phone
€20
This is an estimated monthly price for a phone plan for local calling and
texting. A ‘pay-as-you-go’/pre-paid phone card might seem like the easier
option at first, but check into getting a phone plan once you arrive – go
visit any mobile phone service outlet and discuss your options.
Internet
€0–30
If you want internet access also in your accommodation, this cost will
depend on where you live and how many roommates you have, if any, to
share the service with you. Also, check to make sure your housing doesn’t
already include internet service in your contract.
Sports
membership
€8–25
For the benefits of a gym and more, paying a yearly/monthly fee is worth
it, priced in this range for Aalto students at UniSport (see ‘Community,
culture and recreation’ section).
Entertainment
€50+
Travel
€50+
Do you like going out, travelling, eating out? All of these will, of course
affect your budget.
Total
€530–850
9
Post-arrival oneoff expenses to
consider
Budget tips
10
• Hostel or hotel before housing available- you may need to stay in a hotel or
hostel for a few days if you arrive before your accommodation is available or
you may be arriving without housing sorted out (not recommended).
• Deposit – you may be required to provide one or two (or even possibly three)
months’ rent as a deposit, especially if you are renting on the private market.
• Student union fee
• Furniture
• For services such as haircuts: training colleges offer affordable options.
Contact the Helsinki City College of Culinary Art, Fashion and Beauty:
Customer service 09 310 84311 and to make an appointment: 09 310 84311.
• Student discounts: if you’re not sure, it’s worth asking “is there a student
discount?” since it’s not always informed in English, but often there is!
• On transportation: The distance between the Otaniemi campus and the
border of Helsinki is about 1 km (the last/first bus stop in Helsinki is
‘Lehtisaarentie’) which means if you are willing to walk the 1 km, you would
only need a ‘one region’ ticket rather than an ‘all region’ ticket.
• For finding a bicycle, try the online student forum “kassi” and second hand
bike shops around Helsinki.
• In case you’re hungry but aren’t on an Aalto University campus, you can eat
at any student restaurant in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area! For example
UniCafe has many locations downtown, and you can check all the menus
online. A tip for eating on the weekend: the restaurant at ‘Ylioppilasaukio’
(Mannerheimintie 3 B) is open on Saturday also!
• For food shopping try exploring beyond the supermarket chain stores, for
example in the Hakaniemi area there are a number of ethnic food shops
offering an even wider variety of imported products at reasonable prices.
Arabia campus student cafeterias
Katri Antell, Hämeentie 135 A, 2nd floor
Kipsari, Hämeentie 135 E, ground floor, vegetarian restaurant
Meccala, Hämeentie 135 C, 5th floor
Otaniemi campus student cafeterias
Alvari, Otakaari 1 D
Cantina, Dipoli Congress Center
Dipoli Buffet, Otakaari 24
Elissa (café), Otakaari 1 D
Konetekniikka, Otakaari 4
Kvarkki, Physics building, Otakaari 3
Puu, Puu 2, Tekniikantie 3
Ravintola Kasper (Kallio- ja materiaalitekniikka), Vuorimiehentie 2
Silinteri, Otakaari 1 D
Sodexo sähkötekniikka, Otakaari 5
Tietotekniikantalo, Konemiehentie 2
TUAS house, Otaniementie 17
Täffä, Otakaari 22
Töölö campus student cafeterias
Rafla, Runeberginkatu 14–16
Arkadia, Lapuankatu 6
Chydenia, Runeberginkatu 22–24
11
The Finnish way
Being Finnish
We have put together some general information about Finnish nature and
character. Be sure that for the most part, there are some generalisations as there
always has to be when speaking about a population.
Greeting
When meeting for the first time, both men and women usually shake hands and
introduce themselves by their name. After that, “Moi”, “Hei”, or “Terve” is used.
Being quiet
The Finns like to talk in turns. Of course there are exceptions to the rule but in
most cases what might seem like awkward silences in a conversation are just a
way to give space for the others to finish what they’re saying. Sometimes it’s even
considered rude to interrupt. Also, it’s not uncommon for friends to hang around
spending long moments without saying anything. For Finns the philosophy is
that you don’t always need to talk.
Talking to people
Again, it might seem that no-one is talking to strangers but don’t be afraid to
ask for advice or help. The Finns are very helpful. Even if someone notices you
need guidance or maybe help, he/she may hesitate to offer help without your
permission (=ask for help). Finns generally have a pretty good command of
English, so don’t be too shy.
Friendship
Foreigners sometimes say that it is difficult to meet Finnish people, and it must
be admitted that this may be true. Finns are not very quick to invite people into
their homes or go out with them in the evening. Do not be afraid to take the
initiative, usually people will be absolutely delighted. Also, your tutor, if you have
one, and your classmates are the first chances to make Finnish friends.
Being honest
Most Finns are still not used to answering to “How are you?” with a “Great!” If
they don’t feel great, they may not try to hide it too much. This, however, doesn’t
mean they’ve given up hope but to them it’s just about being honest! Also, it’s not
uncommon to find your lost wallet in the lost and found with all the bills intact.
Equality
In Finland equal treatment of different social, gender, minority, etc. groups is
well promoted and accepted. Students and CEO’s can share the same bus ride
every morning, women are active in working life and politics, people dress quite
freely according to their own taste not according to their position etc.
Hierarchies
The Finns are not big fans of hierarchies. This applies to both work and
university context and everyone is expected to be treated with the same respect.
Nevertheless, if your professor insists you call him/her by his title, please do.
Being on time
Both at work and in their social life Finns are pretty punctual. Even between
friends it’s considered rude to be late. A major exception is the so called
akateeminen vartti (academic quarter – 15 minutes). If only the hour of the
lecture or other educational event is mentioned (e.g. 9 am) the event begins 15
minutes after (e.g. 9.15 am). Although this may not be true for all schools and
classes... so make sure you know when your classes start! If you are unsure, then
you can ask your tutor or someone in your school.
Switch off your mobile phone
Although this can be more of a problem for Finns, be a good example: switch off
your mobile in classes, libraries, exams, computer classrooms, or when visiting a
church.
No smoking!
Finland has one of the strictest smoking legislations in the world. You are not
allowed to smoke inside a building, restaurant etc. except in specially designated
places. There are now even some outside places where smoking is restricted, so
please take note of any notices in the area.
12
13
Tipping
Tips are customary only for hotel and restaurant doormen and porters. Prices
in restaurants include a service charge; a few extra coins may also be left on
the table. Hotel bills include a 15% service charge. Taxi drivers, barbers and
hairdressers do not expect tips.
Sauna
You will find saunas everywhere – in hotels, at gyms, in private homes, on board
ships, at motels and holiday villages, and of course at country cottages. Public
swimming pools also have saunas: it is the custom to wash before entering the
pool. Finns may go to sauna with or without a towel. It is not recommended to use
a swimsuit in the sauna. Public saunas are segregated by sex. More information
is available on the Finnish Sauna Society’s website sauna.fi.
Alcohol
You can only buy wines and spirits at Alko, the State Alcohol Company. Mediumstrength beer and low-alcohol wine is also sold in supermarkets and other shops.
Personal space
Just as you arrive, you may notice people talking to each other from a significant
distance. Or while talking to a Finn (s)he takes a step back. A kiss on the cheek on
the first meeting might be a little too much for a Finn. Not talking in the bus can
also be considered as giving others their space. Don’t take it as an offence; it’s just
a different perception of personal space and a way to show respect.
Study culture
in Finland
Study culture in Finland and at Aalto University may or may not differ from
what you have been used to. At Aalto taking initiative is valued and students are
encouraged to make comments and participate. Here are the most important
features:
“Academic quarter”
Lectures tend to start fifteen minutes past the full hour and last for 90 minutes.
If the schedule is given as 12–14, it usually means 12:15–13:45. However, it is a
good idea to show up in time for the first lecture and see, if the lecturer gives any
specific instructions.
Deadlines and punctuality
Lecturers will expect you to keep to the deadlines given to course work and to
show up to meetings/lessons sharp.
Plagiarism and cheating – zero tolerance!
Aalto University’s values are based on high ethics, openness and equality. We
wish our students to adhere to good scientific practice and good artistic practices
and we have guidelines for handling misconduct. If you have questions or
hesitation regarding the correct practices related to e.g. research methods or
sourcing styles, you can always turn to your lecturer. The University has a Code
of Academic Integrity and Handling of Violations Thereof, which you can find for
example in Aalto’s Into student portal.
Bilingual country
You may have noticed since you arrived in Finland that most signs are in two
distinctive languages. If you don’t know yet, that is because Finland is a bilingual
country (Finnish and Swedish). Finnish-speakers make up the majority but
there is a 6% Swedish-speaking minority. The Swedish-speaking community
are definitely Finns so don’t confuse them with Swedes (they don’t like that very
much), they cheer for Finland’s sports teams and have their own (unofficial) flagdifferent from Finland and Sweden. Most Swedish-speaking towns and cities are
found along the west and south coasts and throughout the Turku archipelago.
Popular hobbies
Many Finns are sporty and enjoy sports and outdoor activities throughout the
year. Each season brings its own opportunities for playing and watching things
such as ice hockey, football, skiing, snowboarding, tennis and going Nordic
walking, hiking, swimming, etc.
14
15
Active participation in class
We encourage our students to be active in learning situations. Active
conversation doesn’t come naturally to everyone, so also remember to give room
to other students’ views.
Informality
It may come as a surprise to you how informally your professors and lecturers
might wish to interact with you. Often they invite you to call them by their first
name. But even if contact with the academic staff was very relaxed, remember
that the professor has a lot of responsibilities, so when you have questions, be
sure to adhere to office hours.
Academic freedom = responsibility
Studying in Finland is often very independent and students are given flexibility
and freedom in their studies. This requires you to be good at scheduling. We
trust you to progress successfully in your studies and take responsibility. The
academic and administrative staff are there to support you, but it is you who has
to make the most out of your studies.
Forms of teaching
Each field has its own forms of teaching, some offer more lectures, others are
based on workshops or lab work, and some require independent tasks or group
work. Your own School and degree programme will tell you more about what is
required of you.
Credits and evaluation
Aalto University adheres to the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation
System in which one credit, or 1 ECTS, corresponds to roughly 25 to 30 hours of
work. The University has issued study regulations regarding the fair assessment
of course work and other study attainments. The teacher is always the first
contact if you have questions before hand or think that you have been treated
unfairly. The University has given a General Regulation on Teaching and
Studying, which can be found in Aalto’s Into student portal.
16
Apartment living
in Finland
Housing Responsibilities and Rules
One thing you will probably notice when you come to Finland (the degree to
which depends on your home country) is that Finns live in a highly ordered
society. There are many rules and regulations. But this can also lead to great
things like the Helsinki transit system running on time and the ability to
depend on schedules in general. So it goes without saying that when living in an
apartment building in Finland, there will be rules that need to be followed as you
are not the only person living there. Here are the most important:
• Do not put anything down the drain that does not belong (such as oils, cooking
fats, paper towels, or feminine hygiene products) as it may get stuck and clog
the drain. However toilet paper can be flushed in Finland.
• Recycle as much as possible by sorting your waste. This has been made very
easy in Finland. Every apartment building usually has their own garbage
‘house’ in the yard with separate waste bins for paper, cardboard, mixed waste,
and bio-waste.
• Pay the rent on time. Not doing this can easily lead to eviction.
• Rental Contracts are legally binding!
• If you have signed a fixed term rental contract (i.e. contract for particular
period agreed in the rental contract e.g. September 1–December 31st) it
cannot be terminated prematurely.
• If you have an open ended contract (i.e. from 1.9.2012 onwards until you or
the landlord terminate it according to the legal notice periods) you as tenant
are able to terminate your rental agreement by giving one month’s notice (or
however long it states in the contract).
• If the landlord terminates the rental agreement, they have to give 6 months’
notice in the case of a tenancy for at least one year. If the tenancy has lasted
less than one year, the notice time is 3 months from the landlord’s side.
• The tenant is always responsible for any damage whether on purpose, by
accident, or done by guests. Therefore keep the apartment in good condition.
• You must return the keys on the final day of your tenancy period or before.
• The building rules state that there are quiet hours in every in apartment
building between 22:00–7:00. Be respectful of your neighbours on all sides, by
reducing the volume on everything from conversations to music after 22:00.
• Smoking is generally discouraged and it is strictly prohibited inside the
buildings owned by AYY and HOAS. Private landlords can ban you for
smoking indoors in the rental agreement. If you do not follow this condition
you are responsible financially to compensate for damages (smells, etc).
• It is strongly recommended that you have home insurance in Finland. It is
also very common that landlords for private rental accommodation require
tenants to have home insurance.
• If you have a TV, you must buy a TV license.
17
Living with others
For some people this will be the first time living away from home or living with
other people (or people other than family members). This new situation can be
made easier if you think about these things first:
• Remember that the shared apartment is a home for all of the tenants. To get
the best of the communal living be friendly, be tidy, do not cause disturbances
and consider your roommates’ needs and wishes. This means that you will
need to be flexible.
• Keep the apartment and/or your room tidy. Especially when you move out as
the expected state of cleanliness can be strict.
• Create a schedule with your roommates for taking out the garbage and
cleaning etc. (remember also to clean the fridge and oven).
Shared building facilities
Usually every apartment building has some commonly shared facilities such as
sauna and a laundry room. Quite often, especially in AYY and HOAS, properties
there is also a so-called “clubroom” where you can e.g. meet other dwellers and
arrange evening gatherings.
Laundry
• Usually there is a laundry room in the basement, which you have to book. It
can cost, so check if there’s an extra charge and also check what kind of coins
you will need. If it is necessary to make a booking, you have a right to use the
machine then, but you must follow the beginning and end time of your booked
appointment.
Sauna
• You need to check the schedule, and usually book a time, for which there
might be a fee. Information can usually be found outside the door to the sauna
or in the hallway. A time marked as ‘Lenkkisauna’, means it is reserved for free
use by all building residents, however with different common times allotted
for women (naiset) and men (miehet).
Bike storage
• Bikes are allowed to be kept in certain areas outdoors – locked to racks
reserved for your building, or inside in a storage room, for which you need to
use a key.
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19
Communications
Post offices,
mail
Post offices are usually open Monday–Friday from 9.00 to 18.00 or 20.00. These
opening hours may vary depending on the office. Stamped mail (both national
and international) can be dropped in the yellow post boxes for collection. Stamps
are available at post offices, some book-shops and paper shops, R-Kioskis, some
railway and bus stations, and from stamp machines.
Telephone
The number of mobile phones in Finland is very high. It is almost impossible
that you would get a land line anymore. So this section will deal only with mobile
phones. All mobile phones numbers use the prefix 04 or 05, these must always
be used when calling within Finland. When someone wants to call you from
abroad, they must drop the “0”. The code for international calls (that will precede
the country code and phone number) depends on the telephone company you
choose-for most there is no sign up fee, you just use their code. Some you must
sign up to. Area code numbers are listed in the telephone directories or can be
found online. Telephone booths in general are quite rare.
There are several providers of mobile phone networks: DNA, Elisa, Kolumbus,
Saunalahti, Sonera and others. When deciding on a phone line there are three
options. First, if you are staying for a longer time, you could get a contract which
includes a phone and a monthly charge. Secondly, if you already have a phone (or
buy one), then you can purchase just a phone line with month-to-month billing
(you may be required to make an advance payment). Lastly, you could use a payas-you-go SIM card, which can be purchased at any R-Kioski convenience store.
The international country dialling code for Finland is +358.
Phone books
20
International
calls
Internet
connections
Country codes are listed in the telephone directories or can be found online. In
addition to needing the country code for where you are calling, you will need
an international call prefix. There are many outgoing prefixes that can be used
(these replace the + sign). Each of these prefixes is a different provider so it
would be a good idea to check their rates through the internet. The international
call prefixes depends on the telephone company you choose-for most there is
no sign up fee, you just use their code (see a small – randomly chosen – sample
below). Some you must sign up to. Each has its own price list so you should
investigate which offers the best deal to your country. A more comprehensive list
is available on Wikipedia.
990 –
TeliaSonera Finland Oyj
99532 –
Saunalahti Group Oyj
99551 –
Cubio Communications Ltd
99555 –
DNA Oy
99599 –
Scandicom Oy
999 –
Elisa Oyj
If you are living in an apartment provided by HOAS or AYY, you will already
have an internet connection in your apartment. Within the city, computers with
Internet connections are quite readily available, for example in public libraries,
some bigger post offices, and there are also internet cafés. It is also possible that
there will be a wireless connection available in other areas of the city – just turn
on your computer and see!
Finland does have a phone book (and there may be one in your apartment when
you arrive) but you can also check for numbers on the internet or by calling
information (118). Two of the internet pages to look for phone numbers are:
02.fi, eniro.fi.
21
News in English and other languages
Community, culture and recreation
Radio
Meeting people
Newspapers
Internet
Television
The broadcasting service consists of several local commercial radio stations
and the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE), Finland’s national public service
broadcasting company. YLE Capital FM 97.5 MHz offers 24 hours of news and
features each day in cooperation with major international broadcasters. Besides
the FM service there are two DAB-based channels: YLE World broadcasts
English 24 hours a day while YLE Mondo features a variety of languages. Capital
FM also broadcasts YLE information about Finland in English and Russian.
The most important foreign western newspapers can be bought in Finland or
read in the libraries. The newspapers can be bought at bookstores, R-Kioskis and
at railway stations. For more local news, The Helsinki Times is a weekly English
paper that comes out on Thursday and SixDegrees is an English-language
magazine/paper that is monthly. If you go online, you will find some of the daily
headlines of Finland’s main national newspaper, Helsingin Sanomat, translated
into English.
Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs has an excellent news room on the
internet at virtual.finland.fi/news, providing information on both Finnish
and international affairs. The YLE24 news service of the Finnish Broadcasting
Company YLE is on the internet at yle.fi/news. The biggest newspaper in
Finland, Helsingin Sanomat, publishes an English edition (see above) and the
site also includes some links for foreign visitors.
There are four main channels: TV1 and TV2 are run by the Finnish Broadcasting
Company YLE, MTV3 and Channel Four (Nelonen) are commercial channels.
TV programmes originating abroad are shown in the original language with
subtitles in Finnish or Swedish. There are also a number of cable channels and
satellite channels, mostly international. The morning programme on YLE/TV1
includes a news bulletin in English, which can also be viewed on the internet.
Making local friends will always make your stay anywhere more interesting
and enjoyable. It will require some effort to meet people when you first arrive.
However, meeting people and making friends can reduce the impact of cultural
transition and ease you into academic life.
Student Family Friend Programme
Aalto University Alumni Relations connects alumni and international students
through the Student Family Friend Program. If you are interested in meeting
with Aalto University alumni and having a possibility to get acquainted with
Finnish families, homes and everyday life, apply to the programme. For further
information, please contact [email protected].
Orientation(s)
It is important that you go to orientation and orientation-related events. Not just
for the information that you will get about your new institution but also because
of the people you will meet. This is also the time to check with the Student Union
to see if there are any clubs or sports teams that you may be interested in joining.
The sooner you join, the sooner you will begin to make friends!
Community groups
These groups will generally not be affiliated with the university but they will
be a connection to home through the people who already live in Finland from
your home country. They will probably also have members that are Finns and
are interested in your home country. This is a great opportunity to connect
with people outside the university and possibly make some good community
connections. To find these, just do various internet searches for Finnish – (your
country here) societies or associations. There are many groups that are country
or nationality based.
DVDs in Finland are Region 2 (therefore it is generally not possible to watch
DVDs from other regions from standard players unless they have been
‘unlocked’).
22
23
Getting involved
in campus life
A lot of campus involvement for students in Finland is based on what the Student
Union (AYY) does. Through them you can get involved in various committees,
boards, and clubs. Find out about current information and events through AYY’s
weekly newsletter (available in English) and also sign up to receive it by email.
See AYY’s website: Student Union > Communications.
AYY representative involvement
The Representative Council is the highest decision-making body of AYY.
It is elected by the members of the Student Union. All members, including
international students, can vote and run as candidates. The Council then selects
a Board that takes care of the day-to-day running of the Union. The operational
heart of AYY is the Secretariat, where the Board, the staff and volunteers work
to maintain services and benefits and campaign for more, publish the student
newspaper Aino, arrange parties and events and support the various clubs and
associations. The Secretariat is located in Lämpömiehenkuja 2 in Otaniemi.
These elected members also represent students in different decision-making
bodies of the university, and promote their interests in society. Through student
representatives, selected by AYY, students influence the decisions made at
the University. The international affairs sector of AYY works hard to promote
international students’ well-being in Aalto.
International associations
By joining international associations you will get to know other international
students as well as Finnish students who are interested in international
activities. You can take part in events and trips, have fun and get to know Finnish
culture as well as share experiences with your peers. International associations
are listed on the ayy.fi website and the Facebook page International AYY.
Guilds (Technical schools of Aalto)
Attached to each Department of the schools on the Otaniemi Campus is a “Guild”.
As a member of AYY, you have the opportunity to become a member of the guild
of your degree programme. The fee for the guild (€6 in year 2008–2009) can be
paid together with the AYY fee. Guilds have a multitude of social activities and
provide you a host of useful benefits. Typically guilds organise sauna evenings
and sitsit-dinner parties, provide information on prospective employers, publish
a guild magazine and have their own sports teams. Joining the activities of your
guild is one of the best ways to get to know Finns. Each guild has an international
officer to take care of your happiness at the guild. You can find more information
on the homepages of the Guilds. (Unfortunately, not all guilds have web pages in
English.)
AYY associations and student culture
There are around 200 clubs connected to AYY. From sports to culture and
politics to international affairs, there is something for everyone. In addition to
clubs, taking part in dozens of fun activities every year is an essential part of
studying in Finland. Make sure you won’t miss the highlights of the year, such as
May Day festivities, anniversary balls, Shrove Tuesday sledging and many others.
AYY’s international volunteer groups such as Mosaic and ESN Aalto organise
awesome events in English throughout the year.
AYY International Section consists of the persons in charge of international
affairs in the different student guilds. The section organises parties and other
recreational activities for international students. You can find more information
on the Facebook page Events by the International Section of the Aalto University
Student Union.
The International Degree Students’ Committee (IDSC) is an advisory body of
AYY that discusses matters related to international degree students in Aalto
and helps AYY promote better study and living circumstances for international
students. To join IDSC, contact: [email protected].
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25
TOKYO Association
Primarily for students at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture, the
TOKYO association welcomes you! It organises all sorts of annual events, such
as the ‘Maskerade’ costume ball in the end of October, and opportunities such as
student sales in the winter and spring. Register as a member and you will receive
updates also in English. Visit their office located next to Kipsari.
KY Association
Business students are encouraged to join the KY association. Becoming a
member will get you into their parties and events. In addition to upholding
traditions and organising plenty of free time activities, KY offers many services
and fosters business relations. See their website english.kyweb.fi.
Sports
The first place to look for any kind of sporting activity is from the Student Union.
They should have all the information about what a student is eligible for in
terms of university associated sports activities. There is also more information
available on the AYY website.
UniSport is the sport facility provider at the university. Aalto University and
Helsinki University share all the UniSport facilities and there are various
locations that offer gym facilities and more. At the time of writing the basic
fee for Aalto students is €89/year. The basic fee includes the possibility to join
fitness classes, sport club practices, and of course access to the sauna. Also a
range of more specialized activities are available for a reasonable added fee, such
as wall climbing, dance and other courses.
Off-campus
exploring
Culture is found all around, with accessible options including institutions
such as museums, art and music centres, almost all offering significant student
discounts, and even some free entry nights. It is good check the Visit Helsinki
website to see what is on offer on any given day.
Cinema
It is easy for a foreigner to go to movies, because all films shown are in the
original language (frequently this is English) with subtitles in Finnish and
Swedish. There are two large cinemas in Helsinki: Tennispalatsi and Kinopalatsi.
Tickets cost about €10. Helsinki also has a number of smaller art cinemas,
such as Bio Rex and Kino Engel, where tickets are a bit cheaper. Some show the
mainstream films and some show more independent films. Many interesting
international film festivals are also organized in Finland.
Day trips from Helsinki
Porvoo is a well-preserved town with many wooden houses. See the
red warehouses on the riverbank, the beautiful medieval cathedral and
delightful little shops and artisans’ workshops.
Turku is the oldest city (almost 800 years old) in Finland with a lovely
cathedral and a medieval castle. It is easily reached by train and only two
hours away from Helsinki.
Tallinn is known for its medieval city centre and is easily accessible even
as a day trip. Tallinn represents 700 years of uninterrupted architectural
history, all within a short walk.
Student-Alumni Mentoring Programme
Alumni Relations is piloting international student mentoring as part of the
new Aalto University Mentoring Programme. Mentoring promotes the career
development and employment of international degree students at Aalto. It aims
to build students’ professional networks, self-awareness and confidence, explore
new ideas and areas of interest and gain exposure to career options. The heart of
mentoring is in one-to-one meetings; however small, themed group meetings and
corporate visits play a strong role in the program. The annual application period
is from 15 March to 15 May. The programme lasts from September to May. For
further information, please contact [email protected].
26
Hanko is the southernmost spot in Finland, 140 km west of Helsinki.
This town of less than 10,000 people is famous for its summer activities,
including sailing, tennis, art, theatre, etc.
Tampere is the birthplace of Finnish industry, boasting one of the last
Lenin museums left in the world as well as a spy museum- 180 km north of
Helsinki, one hour 30 min to two hours by train.
27
Getting outdoors
Religion and places of worship
Outdoor activity possibilities are plentiful in the Helsinki Metropolitan Region,
from paths through the city maintained for walking, jogging, cycling and skiing,
to a nearby national park (Nuuksio) for hiking and camping, accessible by
public transport. In the winter there are plenty of outdoor activities like crosscountry skiing, ice skating, and snow-shoeing. If you’re looking for winter
sports equipment to borrow, free of charge, the Helsinki City Library loans out
ice skates, skis, snowshoes, and Nordic walking sticks! Search in the library
catalogue, for example lumikengät (snowshoes). Please note that the names of
the equipment in the database are only in Finnish (a chance for practice!), but
the rest of the holding information is given in English.
Finland is a secular country, but many cultural traditions in Finland have their
origin in the Lutheran Church. Religion and worship are mostly seen as very
private matters and Finnish law entitles everyone to the freedom of religion.
Most Finns, about 85% of the population, are Lutheran and 1% belongs to the
Russian Orthodox Church. These are the two official religions in Finland. There
are also Catholic, Jewish and Islamic congregations as well as numerous smaller
religious communities.
Museums
There are over 100 museums in the capital region. They range from the Museum
of Natural History to Modern Art and Farmsteads. Many museums are closed on
Mondays. Often they have a time when entry is free:
Examples of free entry times in 2012:
National Museum - Fridays from 4-6 pm
Ateneum Art Museum - Wed 5-8 pm, on 7.11
Kiasma Contemporary Art Museum –
First Friday of the month from 5-10 pm
The City of Helsinki’s City Museums are always free
Mark your calendar: 18.5 is International Museum Day,
when many offer free entry
Restaurants, bars/pubs and cafés
The Finnish restaurant scene is lively and varied, with something for every taste
and every budget, from gourmet restaurants to small bars and cafés. Serving
alcohol is forbidden to those under 18. If asked, you will need to show some
identification. Note that the age of 18 is the legal limit, bars and night clubs have
the right to set higher age limits for their clients and many do so. Closing times
in bars and discos vary normally between 01.00 and 04.00. About half an hour
before closing they flash the lights (valomerkk) for last orders and then stop
serving. To find out more information about places to eat and drink, you can
check out eat.fi.
Music
Summer festivals
Most popular venues include Hartwall Arena (major artists), Tavastia (Pop, rock,
heavy metal), Nosturi and Vanha Ylioppilastalo. Tickets can be bought from
lippupalvelu. For classical music, try Finlandia Hall , the new Helsinki Music
Centre, Espoo Cultural Centre or the opera house. Although all these venues
offer significant student discounts, a tip for an even more accessible option is
the Sibelius Academy. It regularly organises student concerts, many with free
admission (siba.fi/en). Main jazz venues are Storyville and Umo Jazz House.
See the Typical Finnish Festivals previous entry.
Public libraries
All towns and municipalities have public libraries and both municipal libraries
and university libraries are open to all citizens. Students use public libraries,
university libraries, research libraries and libraries at educational institutions
side by side. The Finnish libraries offer a great variety of services and make an
extensive use of information and communications technology and information
networks. Finnish public libraries are in fact world leaders among libraries as
online access providers. In addition to books almost all of the libraries lend for
example DVD’s and music CD’s and have available a great variety of newspapers
and magazines as well as computers connected to the Internet.
28
The Helsinki region congregations of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran
Church have assigned specific university chaplains for the use of the campus
communities. This is a common practice in Finland and is entirely optional for
the members of the campus community. Taking part in the activities or using the
services offered is completely extra-curricular and available to those interested,
regardless of your religious views.
Theatres
Helsinki offers various theatre experiences and features quite traditional
performances as well as contemporary avant-garde shows. Visitors to Helsinki
are usually interested in both these types of theatrical activities. The opera and
ballet fans can visit the more traditional Finnish National Opera and Alexander
Theatre but those who prefer contemporary performances and unusual
experiments will be more interested in visiting the Savoy Theatre. For more
information on theatres, visit the Helsinki Tourist Office or visit their website.
29
Learning
Finnish
(or Swedish)
in Finland
There are many reasons to learn some Finnish or Swedish while you study in
Finland. It can help to get you settled in to your new country and trips to the
grocery stores will become easier as will other daily tasks. It will also help you to
understand Finns better. And if you intend to stay in Finland after your studies, it
will definitely help you in your job search to know one of the two local languages.
In order to truly give yourself an edge in the post-graduation Finnish job market
you should be serious about your language studies. Because Finland does not
have English as a national language, working life is generally conducted in
Finnish or Swedish (the other official language) – but primarily in Finnish.
Swedish-speaking Finns make up 5.5% of the population, and concentrated
Swedish speaking areas are mostly in the west coast and on the Åland islands.
Learning Finnish
All levels of Finnish language courses can be taken from the Language Centre at
the Aalto University School of Science. Look also for shorter intensive courses
in the late spring and summer, outside regular study periods, for example at the
Helsinki Summer University (Helsingin seudun kesäyliopisto), but do be aware
that they usually fill up quickly!
Also remember that learning Finnish does not occur only inside the walls of the
classroom, self-study is a way to learn at your own pace, for which many userfriendly options are available on the internet:
• Uuno – made especially for foreign students in a very visual style
• Easyfinnish – an online starter course made by YLE, Finland’s national public
broadcasting service
• Tavataan taas! – Finnish for foreigners created by the University of Helsinki
Language Centre, including also information about Finland
• Supisuomea – also by YLE, a series of videos produced for language study,
with supporting material online
• FSI Language Courses – a conversational Finnish course in audio file format
• LinguHouse – language learning geared towards travellers
• ‘Uusi kielemme’ blog – a collection of grammar, vocabulary and more, also in
Spanish
• For a more independent way of learning there are also flashcards, for example:
ankisrs.net
Learning Swedish
The Language Centre at Aalto University provides a few basic Swedish courses
for international students. Courses in Swedish for foreigners are also offered at
the University of Helsinki Language Centre, for which a course fee is charged.
You do not need to be enrolled as a student at the University of Helsinki to
participate, but you will obtain academic credits for a completed course, which
can be counted towards your degree. Course details will be available on their
internet site from August. Other Finnish universities organise Open University
courses for all, including Swedish language instruction. For more information,
see the Open University website. Adult Education Institutes in the Helsinki area
may organise Swedish language courses for immigrants. Usually enrolment is in
the end of August and January. But you will not earn credit for it.
30
31
Finnish festivities and food
How Finns
celebrate
Itsenäisyyspäivä (Independence Day)
Juhannus (Midsummer)
Finland declared independence on December 6th, 1917. The country’s
Independence Day celebrations on this date are traditionally quite solemn.
Students, for example, organise torchlight processions. In the evening, many
people watch the live TV broadcast from the presidential palace showing
festivities attended by distinguished guests from Finland and around the world.
Celebrated throughout Scandinavia, Midsummer’s Eve is the celebration of the
Summer Solstice which marks the longest day of the year. The major midsummer
festivities in Finland and Sweden take place on Midsummer’s Eve, the Friday
preceding the Midsummer Day. The Midsummer’s Eve is a public holiday; only
stores are open part of the day. Many Finns like to spend midsummer in the
countryside. People head for their cottages and summer cabins, leaving towns
and cities deserted. On Midsummer night typically the sauna is heated and
family and friends are invited to bathe and to barbeque. Swedish-speaking Finns
often celebrate by erecting a maypole.
Joulu/uusivuosi (Christmas/New year)
In the Nordic countries, the most important Christmas celebration takes place
on Christmas Eve. Finnish traditions include the Christmas sauna, a visit to
the cemetery, and the preparation of Christmas dinner, which includes timehonored delicacies such as pickled herring, smoked salmon, roe, casseroles of
potato, carrot and turnip, Christmas ham, a cold dessert of puréed plums, and
cinnamon biscuits.
The highlight of the evening comes when Santa knocks on the door. His words
are always the same: “Are there any well-behaved children here?” Naturally, in
every home there are only good children and they all receive presents. Christmas
Day is a time for rest and relaxation and eating food left over from Christmas Eve.
People wait until St. Stephen’s Day (Boxing Day), December 26, to pay visits to
friends and relatives.
Pääsiäinen (Easter)
Easter is a 4-day long weekend in either March or April. Finnish families plant
grass in small pots and it is common to bring home a few birch twigs a week or
two before Easter, so that by Easter time, the birch twigs are budding. Another
Easter tradition in Finland you might see is children walking between houses
dressed as “Easter witches” and handing out decorated willow branches asking
for treats or a few coins in exchange. A traditional Easter dessert is “mämmi”.
Mämmi is usually served with cream and sprinkled with sugar. Easter Friday and
Easter Monday are days when shops will be closed so make sure you stock up on
all necessities.
Vappu (May Day)
The Vappu celebration is typically centred on plentiful sparkling wine and other
alcoholic beverages. One tradition is drinking homemade sima (mead) (whose
alcohol content varies) along with freshly cooked donuts. The festivities also
include a picnic on May 1, which is sometimes prepared in a lavish manner,
particularly in Ullanlinnanmäki – and Kaisaniemi for the Swedish-speaking
population – in Helsinki city. For most, the picnic is enjoyed with friends on a
blanket with good food and sparkling wine.
32
Summer festivals and competitions
Finland has many summer music festivals ranging from Rock and Pop to Jazz
and Classical music. There are also a few film festivals such as the Midnight
Sun Film Festival in Sodankylä in June. Many quirky competitions are held
in Finland during the summer such as the Wife Carrying Championships,
the Air Guitar World Championships, the Mobile Phone Throwing World
Championships and the World Sauna Championships. You can find out more
information about these from the Finnish Tourist Board.
Public holidays 2012–2013
5 Nov All Saints Day
6 Dec Independence Day
24 Dec Christmas Eve
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec St. Stephen’s Day (Boxing Day)
1 Jan (2013) New Year’s Day
6 Jan Epiphany
6 Apr Good Friday*
8 Apr Easter Day*
9 Apr Easter Monday*
1 May May Day
17 May Ascension Day*
27 May Whit Sunday (Pentecost)*
23 Jun Midsummer Eve*
3 Nov All Saint’s Day*
* Date varies yearly
33
Finnish Food
34
In Finland you will easily find ‘international’ cuisine, fruit and vegetable
selection and food products. However characteristic ‘Finnish’ and local regional
cuisine, specialties are worth trying, even if only to find it’s not your favourite –
but then you never know, you may be happily surprised.
In many situations in Finland a visit or a break will include cup of coffee (kahvia)
and sweet bread (pulla), of which there are many varieties, almost all containing
the spice cardamom. One common variety is the cinnamon bun (korvapuusti)
which literally translates as ‘slap on the ear’.
Finnish regional food shares many similarities, features such as being mild,
largely meat and fish based, with quite basic fresh ingredients and is heavy on
the dairy products. Relating to the abundance of forests and lakes, hunting and
fishing have been and still are ways of life for many, and up north this includes
reindeer herding. All over Finland, even in urban areas, picking mushrooms
and berries is a popular pastime, in the late summer and fall mostly, they are
also available in the markets. Farming is limited to a short but intense growing
season, although greenhouses provide Finnish produce year-round.
Then you have foods and drinks that appear only on special occasions. For
example in winter comes Runeberg’s torte (Runebergintorttu), a cylindrical
confection with almond and a signature topping, named after the famous
Finnish-Swedish poet in association with the celebration of his birthday in
February. Come Spring, mämmi arrives on the table for Easter, a dark puddinglike dessert, made with among other ingredients, malt and rye, typically eaten
with cream and sugar. An interesting note, this traditional food was historically
cooked and served in birch bark.
One could go on a mission to taste the many regional dishes of Finland, and have
extensive adventures in eating. For example, if you like fish, Finnish salmon
soup (lohikeitto), originally from Lapland, might be for you, along with rye bread,
rye being a staple grain in the Finnish diet. Another example is ‘Karelian pies’.
The name associates it with ‘Karelia’ (Karjala), an area with a distinct dialect in
Eastern Finland. This ‘pie’ is savoury, fits in the palm of your hand, and is usually
made with a rye crust and rice pudding type filling. Nowadays available in most
food shops and many cafés, they are best enjoyed warm with butter or ‘egg butter’
(munavoi), which is simply boiled egg and butter mixed together. Pea soup
(hernekeitto) is common on Thursdays, offered in many student restaurants and
served with an oven-baked ‘pancake’ (pannukakku) and jam.
Finns are serious about their candy. All you have to do is visit a grocery store
to see the wall of selection! But one particular favourite is salmiakki, salty black
licorice – it comes in many forms, even as an ice-cream flavor. Other widely
enjoyed sweets include sweet black licorice and chocolate, of which there are
many locally produced options.
35
Shops and shopping
Most shops are open Monday–Friday from 9 or 10am to 5 or 6pm, Saturday until
about 4pm, and Sunday from 12–6pm. Some shops (especially grocery stores)
and department stores stay open later, till 8 or 9pm on weekdays and 6pm on
Saturdays and Sundays. These times may change depending on whether it is
summer or winter. Small items, sweets, magazines etc. can be bought in kiosks
or convenience stores, which stay open later in the evenings. Please note that the
cash payments in Euros are rounded off to the nearest 5 cents.
Second-hand shops and flea markets
Valtteri flea market, Aleksis Kiven katu 17, Helsinki
UFF has various shops in Helsinki area. See their website for exact locations.
Fida has various shops in Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa. See their website for exact
locations
Buying alcohol
In some shops you will have to take a number and wait in a queue until it is
your turn to be served. Look for a machine that dispenses pieces of paper with a
number. These will typically be pharmacies (for prescriptions only), fresh meat
and fish counters in the supermarket, banks, doctor’s office, hospital emergency
and some post offices.
Alko, the State Alcohol Company, has a monopoly on the sale of wines and
spirits. Opening hours may vary depending on the shop. Alko shops are closed
on public holidays. Medium-strength beer and low-alcohol wine is also sold in
supermarkets and other shops, but full-strength beer is only available at Alko
shops. The age limit for the purchase of beer and wine is 18, and for stronger
drinks 20. Note that driving under the influence of alcohol is strictly forbidden.
Shopping centres
Household items
Helsinki Center: Kamppi, Forum, Kluuvi, Kämp galleria, Itäkeskus (Eastern
Helsinki), Kauppakeskus Ruoholahti
Vantaa: Jumbo
Espoo: Heikintori, Sello, Iso Omena
You may need to buy some household items when you arrive. You can try at
Citymarket, Prisma, or IKEA. IKEA also provides four free bus services from
four different locations in Helsinki and Espoo. Check their website for more info.
Supermarkets
There are two main chain supermarkets in Finland. The K-market chain
denotes the size of the supermarket with four different classifications: K-Extra,
K-Market, K-Supermarket and K-Citymarket (listed from smallest to largest).
The S-group has different chain stores such as Prisma, S-market, Alepa and Sale.
Pharmacies
Medicines are sold only at pharmacies (apteekki/apotek) this includes overthe-counter items such as cold remedies and aspirin or paracetamol. Most
pharmacies display a notice giving the address of the nearest pharmacy on night
duty. (Also see the Medical assistance chapter for information on pharmacies)
Department stores
The biggest department stores are: Sokos and Stockmann.
Bookstores
There are two main bookstores in Finland: Suomalainen Kirjakauppa (literally
Finnish Bookstore) and Akateeminen Kirjakauppa (literally Academic
Bookstore). There are also many smaller bookstores around.
36
37
Wellness
Well-being
is important
for academic
success
Staying well is a top priority when you arrive in a new environment, adjust to
life at Aalto University, and begin your academic program. Research indicates
that mental wellbeing and physical health are significant predictors of academic
success. For example, it is known that depression affects brain function, making
it more difficult to learn. Therefore maintaining mental wellbeing and physical
health it is important.
• Take care of yourself physically by exercising regularly, eating nutritiously,
getting enough sleep, and seeing a doctor promptly if health concerns arise.
• Maintain your social wellbeing by staying connected to friends and family at
home and becoming involved on campus to make new friends at Aalto. We all
need friends and activities that provide relaxation and fun.
• Care for yourself emotionally. Transitioning to a new campus community can
be stressful and you may have feelings and worries that you don’t normally
experience. It is important to be aware of your feelings and reactions, as you
begin life in Finland and at Aalto and reach out for support early on if you feel
that you are having difficulty coping. Speaking with the student health care
centre or the Psychology Service at the university can be very helpful as a
starting point.
• Set yourself up for academic success by establishing both academic and
personal goals and priorities, learning effective time management strategies
and strengthening your study skills. There are a number of resources at Aalto
that can assist you with this.
Transition to a new country, culture and academic institution is very demanding.
Untreated health problems can further challenge students and can jeopardize
academic success. It is important to take this into consideration in any academic
decisions you make at this time.
Cultural
transitions
The process of adjusting to a new culture takes many people by surprise.
Adapting to your new life at Aalto may take some adjustment. Many students
go through a period of being frustrated or disenchanted with their new
environment, sometimes called cultural transition or “culture shock.” This is
a normal part of adjusting to a new place. If you feel “lost in translation,” just
remember that you are not alone – many other international students have had
and will have similar experiences. Although each person’s experience will be
different and will depend on the individual, the following are typical stages of
cultural transition.
Hostility stage
In the second or third month, you may begin to notice annoying details about
your new environment. It may seem as if people here don’t understand you,
or you may have difficulty understanding them. You may feel frustrated or
depressed, angry, or powerless when you have trouble communicating or getting
things done, or seemingly for no reason at all. You might wish things could
be as they are at home – or you might wish you were at home! Don’t despair.
These feelings usually fade as you gain persist in getting to know your new
environment.
Acceptance stage
After some weeks or months, you may start appreciating the differences between
your home country and your new environment. You may regain a sense of
humour and feel more balanced. The mistakes and misunderstandings that
would have frustrated you before may now just make you laugh.
Adaptation stage
Eventually, you may begin to feel at home in your new environment and find
greater satisfaction, both personally and academically.
Tips for managing cultural transitions
• Give yourself time to adjust to your new environment.
• Attend a club or activity that meets regularly so that you meet new people and
make friends faster. Try to introduce yourself to at least one person each time
you go. Write letters, send emails, or make phone calls to friends and family
back home. These relationships can help keep you grounded.
• Manage your stress by staying healthy: eat well, get enough sleep, and stay
physically active.
• Talk with other students about your cultural transition – you will be surprised
by how many of them have had similar experiences.
• If you are having difficulty with the transition, talk to the student health care
centre (YTHS/FSHS) or the Psychology Service at the university. In Finland,
talking to professionals is an accepted way of dealing with problems.
Honeymoon stage
When you first arrive, you may experience exhilaration, anticipation,
nervousness, and excitement. Remember that settling in takes a significant
amount of time and energy. This stage can last from a few days or weeks to
several months, depending on your circumstances.
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Medical assistance
In Finland there is a health care system for students provided by Finnish Student
Health Services (YTHS in Finnish) and students can also use municipal or
private health care. The right to use different health services depends on the
student’s status (degree student or exchange/free mover/guest student), country
of origin (EU/EEA citizen or non-EU/EEA citizen) and membership in the
student union.
Using student
health care
Bachelor’s and Master’s level students who are members of the student union
(mandatory for degree-seeking students and optional for others) are entitled to
all FSHS services after paying the student union membership fee. Exchange/
free mover/guest students who are not members of the student union cannot use
the Finnish Student Health Services. However, if they decide to join the student
union, they can also use the services of FSHS.
Getting an appointment
FSHS is open weekdays during the day (depending on the centre) from about
8am–3pm. To get an appointment you call the closest YTHS office to you- to get
the phone numbers and fees, please visit their website. For a dental appointment
it may take 2–3 months unless it is an emergency. There is the possibility you
may be able to see a nurse the same day, if you call early in the morning. For a
doctor’s appointment you can generally get one the same week. When the FSHS
health centre is closed, in case of sudden illness requiring urgent treatment,
please contact the health centre of your municipality of residence or call the
public health consultation 09 10023. Most of FSHS services are for free but some
appointments cost between €4.00–9.00.
Otaniemi, Otakaari 12, 02150 Espoo
•Open Mon–Thu, 8:00–15:00 and Fri 8:00–14:00
Töölö, Töölönkatu 37 A, 00260 Helsinki
Students studying in Mikkeli or Pori Campus should turn to their own
guides, which can be found at:
Pori: porinyliopistokeskus.fi/opiskelijanopas/
Mikkeli: into.aalto.fi/display/enbscba/Student+Health+Care
Student health care: FSHS
The FSHS has health centers in 15 cities. Students can use the services of any of
the FSHS health centers. FSHS provides health and medical care, mental health
as well as dental care services for students enrolled at universities and tertiarylevel science and art schools who are members of the Student Union. Once you
have paid your Student Union membership fee, you are entitled to use the full
range of FSHS services. The FSHS services include all basic health care services
required by students, with the exceptions of hospital care, the services provided
by maternity, child or family clinics and night time and weekend duty services.
The Student Union pays an insurance-like health care fee for each member. This
service does not replace any private medical insurance that you had to take out
prior to coming to Finland.
Doctoral (post-graduate) level students are not entitled to FSHS services (even if
they are members of the Student Union).
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•Open Mon–Thu, 8:00–15:00 and Fri 8:00–14:00
Viikki, Viikinkaari 11 (1st floor, room 110 C), 00790 Helsinki
•Open Wednesdays, 8:00–15:00
When coming for an appointment, you need to provide a student card or other
evidence of the payment of the student union fee.
FSHS charges reminder fees if they need to request unpaid charges through
reminders €5. For an appointment missed without cancellation, FSHS charges
the counselling fee €15 + €4.00.
Duration of entitlement to the services
Even after graduation, students are entitled to the FSHS services as long as they
are members of the Student Union, i.e. as the student card label shows; either
until the end of the term or until the end of the academic year (for example, 20092010 until the end of July 2010).
The general emergency number is 112
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Confidential advisors
Firstly check if there is a counsellor available at your School. If not, or if you want
to speak to someone outside the School, you can call FSHS.
Homesickness and mental health issues
When living abroad you have to cope with a new culture, new people and
new habits, which, along with studying or training can at times be a burden.
Separation from your family and friends can itself make you feel lonely and
homesick. Don’t feel ashamed of it, it’s natural. Remember you can contact your
teachers or study advisors to talk about personal problems, but don’t hesitate
to get professional help as well. The most important thing is that you talk with
someone as soon as possible about the things that are troubling you, so you don’t
have to cope with them on your own.
University Psychology Service
The Psychology Service at Aalto University is available free of charge for the
students of the university. They offer counselling and support for learning,
motivation, self-regulation, study skills and coping with stress. If you have more
general problems with psychological well-being, you can also contact FSHS. For
more information about the University services go to the student portal INTO
and “Psychology Service”.
Contact details for health appointments can be found on www.fshs.fi
Using municipal
health care
Degree-seeking students who have been granted permanent home municipality
when registering at the local register office (Maistraatti) are entitled to use the
services of municipal health centres (MHC) the same way as the local residents.
Also exchange students from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland have right to
use the municipal health care (but not exchange students from non-EU/EEA
countries). Students from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland should present
their European Health Insurance Card (which was obtained in their home
country) to prove that they are entitled to municipal health care services while
staying in Finland. The normal fee is €13.80.
Outside
municipal health
centre hours and
emergencies
Please note that you need to have the European health insurance card (EU/EEA
citizens) or private health insurance to cover the expenses!
Espoo: Jorvi Hospital
Turuntie 150, Mon–Fri 16–08, Sat-Sun 24h, tel. 09 4711
Helsinki:
Inhabitants of the Eastern, South-eastern, North-eastern and Northern Districts
• Maria Hospital, Lapinlahdenkatu 16, building 15 C, inner yard
• Emergency Health Center Mon–Fri 16–22 & Sat–Sun 8–22,
tel. 09 310 67468
• Emergency Department Mon–Sun 22–8, tel. 09 310 67204
Inhabitants of the Southern, Central and Western Districts
• Haartman Hospital, Haartmaninkatu 4, Building 12,
• Emergency Health Center Mon–Fri 16–22 & Sat–Sun 8–22,
tel. 09 310 63231 or 09 310 5018
• Emergency Department Mon–Sun 22–8,
tel. 09 310 34361 or 09 5018 (switchboard)
Vantaa:
• Peijas Hospital, Sairaalakatu 1, 01400 Vantaa, tel. 09 471 67060
Call 09 10023 (24h) to find out your nearest health care centre or hospital
Note that you should mainly seek the emergency hospital in your home town,
but all residents from Helsinki/Espoo/Vantaa/Kauniainen with acute need for
medical attention can also seek emergency care from any emergency hospital in
the area.
All MHCs are open at least from Monday to Friday 8–16. If you need to use the
services of a MHC, you should go to your local health centre. All residents in
any municipality or city belong to one of the service areas on the basis of their
home address. Call 09 10023 (24h) to find out your nearest health care centre
and hospital or see the webpage of the city of Helsinki or Espoo. You can also call
0910023 if you want to talk to a nurse to see if your illness is bad enough to go to
the hospital.
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43
Getting around
Pharmacies
Otaniemi campus: There is a pharmacy in the Otaniemi shopping centre (open
Mon–Fri 9.00–17.00), also two pharmacies in Tapiola (near Otaniemi).
Arabia/Töölö Campuses: In Arabia the nearest pharmacy is in the Arabia
shopping centre (Hämeentie 111). In Töölö the nearest pharmacy is in
Runeberginkatu 32 or in the Kamppi shopping centre.
In addition, many pharmacies can be found throughout Helsinki, Espoo and
Vantaa. The Yliopiston Apteekki pharmacy at Mannerheimintie 96, Helsinki, is
open 24 hours a day.
Local
transportation
Local transportation and the Travel Card
The public transport is well organised in Finland. The Helsinki region has buses,
trams, local trains and a metro organised by HSL (Helsinki Region Transport).
All of the information can be supplemented by going to their website. If you use
public transportation often it is cheaper to use an electronic travel card (see
below). You can use the card on buses, trams, metro and local trains in the whole
metropolitan area.
Single/day tickets
If you do not travel often, it is probably best to buy single tickets. Single tickets
available from ticket machines, bus and tram drivers, as well as conductors on
commuter trains are suitable for occasional public transport users. You can
transfer from one vehicle to another with a single ticket within the validity of
the ticket (time dependent). Tram tickets are valid only on trams. In Helsinki, it
is also possible to buy a single ticket with your mobile phone. Day tickets can be
bought from R-kiosks or ticket machines. A single ticket (bought from the bus
driver) within one municipality costs approx. €2.50 and a regional single ticket
approx. €4.
Electronic travel card
You can use the card on buses, trams, metro and local trains in the whole
metropolitan area. You can put either time or cash on your card. If you don’t
travel every day, it’s probably best to load value on your card but if you use public
transportation quite often, buying “time” (period, e.g. 30 days) is the best option.
You can choose between two options: multi-user travel card or personal travel
card. Multi-user card you can buy for example at R-kioski. This card anyone can
use (you can share it with your friends, for example) and is quite expensive.
A personal electronic travel card is the option that many students prefer to have.
In order to purchase a personal travel card you need to have a certain document
with you. You can get this document when you enroll at the university. The
personal travel card may be bought from HSL’s service points: for example at the
central Railway station in Helsinki (Metro station “Rautatientori”) or in Kamppi
Shopping Center. You can find other service points from their website listed
above.
How to get the student discount
To get the student discount when buying a personal travel card requires
certain documents. You will get the required document from the university.
However, degree students must also have their home municipality registered (at
Maistraatti) first, only degrees students who have home municipality at the
metropolitan area are entitled to 50% student discount.
Please note that doctoral level students are not entitled to any discounts.
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45
Long distance
Bicycle
Travelling to neighbouring countries
Facilities for cycling are very good in Helsinki Metropolitan Area. A
comprehensive map of city cycle ways is available at the City Tourist Office. For
planning your journey by bike, the cycling and walking route planner is a useful
online tool pk.hsl.fi/en/. If you want to buy a bike check the bike shops for cheap
second-hand bikes. When cycling remember your helmet!
Finland’s northern location next to Sweden, Norway, Russia and Estonia offers
excellent and exciting travel opportunities. There are good air connections to all
the neighbouring countries, daily ferry connection to Sweden and Estonia as well
as to Russia in summertime. Russia can also be reached by coach and by train.
Remember to check the visa and other possible permit requirements before
travelling.
In Finland timetables are reliable, and trains and coaches do leave on time.
Timetables vary slightly on public holidays, weekends and during the summer.
Driving
Bus and train travel in Finland
Licence holders from countries that have joined the Road Traffic Convention
(Geneva 1949 or Vienna 1968) may drive in Finland on their national driving
licence for one year from the date of entry into the country. After six months,
you are eligible for a Finnish licence. It is recommended that you obtain an
International Driver’s License from your home country to make it easier. In
Finland, you drive on the right and overtake on the left. Main roads are in good
condition throughout the year. Headlights are used even during the day. Wearing
seatbelts is compulsory, front and back.
There is a nationwide network of train and bus services. This transit service is
well thought out and runs on time. The trains and buses are clean and modern.
• Winter driving: Snow tyres are compulsory in Finland from 1 January to
Air
In the past couple of years the domestic air travel sector has opened up quite a
bit. Not only do Finnair and Blue 1 fly domestically but so do the discount airlines
Norwegian and FlyBe. Check their individual websites to book tickets.
Matkahuolto and Expressbus are the two biggest coach companies in Finland.
The long distance coach network in Finland is one of the densest on Europe and
the buses are modern and comfortable. With a valid student card you can get a
student discount (50%) also for bus tickets if the trip covers at least 80 km.
When purchasing and using student tickets, you must be prepared to show your
valid student card (the receipt of the paid student union fee is not accepted).
Unfortunately, doctoral students are not entitled to the discount.
28/29 February. Studded tyres may be used 1 November to 31 March or when
weather conditions require it.
• Drinking and driving: Note that driving under the influence of alcohol is
strictly forbidden. The maximum permitted blood alcohol level is 0.05%.
Breaking this law nearly always results in a penalty in the form of a fine or
imprisonment. Blood alcohol levels in excess of 0.12% incur heavier penalties.
• Mobile phones and driving: If a mobile phone is used when driving, the use of
a hands-free device is obligatory.
Train
VR’s (Finnish State Railways) timetables, route information and bookings can
be done online. VR grants a 50% student discount for both one-way and return
tickets for students with an official student card. When purchasing and using
the ticket, you must always be prepared to show your official student card (the
receipt of the paid student union fee is not accepted). Unfortunately, doctoral
students are not entitled for the discount. It is good to remember also that a
passenger without a valid ticket will be fined (€80) plus the price of the ticket.
Smoking is allowed only in special compartments.
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Working in Finland
Official
regulations
International exchange and degree students are allowed to work with certain
restrictions. The restrictions have to do with the nationality (EU/EEA or nonEU/EEA) and the nature of employment. In addition, the regulations for studyrelated work, compulsory training or employment having to do with thesis work
tend to be more relaxed. For postgraduate research work, the regulations are
vaguer and must be checked from the local employment office.
Finding work
If you are a Nordic or EU/EEA national, you do not need any special permits for
working in Finland during your studies. There are no restrictions on how many
hours per week you are allowed to work, but you should take care that work does
not get in the way of your study progress.
Non-EU students can work within certain limits on a student residence permit if
the work is practical training included in the degree or if the amount of part-time
work does not exceed 25 hours a week. There are no limits in terms of hours on
full-time work outside term times (summer and Christmas holidays specifically).
For general regulations, see Ministry of Employment and the Economy’s
Working in Finland website.
Finnish job
market
Remember however that it is not necessarily easy to find a part-time job,
especially if you do not have Finnish language skills (or Swedish language skills,
in some areas of Finland). In order to start learning Finnish see the Learning
Finnish section of this guide.
Many jobs, however, are not announced publicly; instead, vacancies may be filled
through unofficial channels. Your chances may improve if you keep it in mind
that your own initiative is one of the key factors. Although employment and
career services or job recruitment agencies can assist you, they cannot arrange a
job for you on your behalf, you need to be active yourself.
In addition to contacting potential employers, you are advised to:
• Exchange information and experiences with your fellow students
• Use your social networks
• Get acquainted with the ‘Finnish customs’ of job searching (how to present
yourself to a potential employer, how to write your cv, and so on)
• Remember that few students get lucky first time – do not be too discouraged if
you are not immediately successful in your quest for a part-time job.
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Aalto University offers students at each campus Careers Services. This should
be the first stop for any student looking for a job. Although Careers Services do
not act as a part-time job recruitment agency, you might contact them for advice
on possible local part-time employment opportunities, and general tips on job
hunting in Finland. The Careers Service has now implemented the CareerWeb
system that helps employers to recruit students.
You can also contact the Employment Offices in the Helsinki region: see Ministry
of Labor’s web pages (mol.fi). Here you can also find a listing of job openings.
The search is in Finnish or Swedish but with a little help (or a little language
knowledge) you can find what you are looking for.
Taxation
Finnish personal number (henkilötunnus)
You definitely need one of these to work in Finland. See the ‘Welcome’ section.
Taxation policy
If you work in Finland, you have to pay taxes on your income. The taxation
policy depends on how long you stay in Finland - less than six months or over
six months – and on the type of your employment. International tax agreements
sometimes allow tax deductions for students. In most cases, you can get
deduction only if your work in Finland is directly related to your studies at home.
Check the Finnish Tax Administration’s website (tax.fi) for details.
Tax Card
Once you are employed in Finland, foreigners who reside in Finland for more
than 6 months must request a tax card (verokortti) from a tax office. The original
tax card should then be presented to their employer so that tax can be withheld.
When applying for a tax card you need to give an estimate of how much you will
earn in the calendar year (January to December), so that the tax office can assign
you a tax percentage – remember, the higher your predicted income, the higher
the tax percentage you will pay. You will also need the Finnish personal number
that can be obtained from local register offices (Maistraatti).
Tax returns
The Finnish taxation year is the calendar year. The Tax Administration
distributes the pre-completed tax return each year in March or April. The form is
sent to all individual taxpayers. If you have kept your documentation, including
receipts for any tax-deductible purchases, you will save time when you go over
the pre-filled information. The last date for sending back your corrections is
shown on the first page (sometime in May). If the form is correct (i.e. you have no
deductions or extra income to add to it) you don’t need to return it.
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Diversity and equality
All members of the Aalto community are expected to conduct themselves
in accordance with the Aalto Equality Plan. This document prohibits
discrimination and harassment. Discrimination and harassment on any of the
grounds stated in the Plan are taken very seriously.
To summarise (if you plan to work)
• Contact the tax office once you have obtained a personal number.
• Estimate the income you will earn this calendar year (don’t over-estimate).
• Once you get your tax card in the mail, take a photocopy for your records and
then give the tax card to your employer.
• Check your income tax return by the middle of May after you receive it (which
will be sent automatically to the address you provide).
• The taxes owed and tax refunds are due at the beginning of December each
year.
For more information you can also visit the In To Finland service point in
Kamppi. In To is the service point of the Finnish Tax Administration and the
Social Institution of Finland (Kela). For contact information and opening hours
please see the In To website.
What is
discrimination?
Discrimination involves treating individuals and groups unfairly or differently
because of prejudice, ignorance, fear, or stereotype. It denies people
opportunities and excludes, hurts, or isolates them for reasons that are unrelated
to their academic or employment performance.
Examples of discrimination include:
• Refusing to allow a student into a class because of that person’s ethnic origin.
• Denying appropriate accommodations to persons with medically certified
“invisible” disabilities, because of doubt that the disability really exists.
Career planning
Career Services help students prepare for working life by enhancing their job
hunting skills and facilitating their employment in relevant jobs. Our services
range from individual career counseling and mediation of vacant jobs to
organising career fairs. Our aim is to be there for our students from the very
beginning of their studies until graduation. All Aalto students have access
to an extensive Job Hunting Guide which has been updated to give detailed
information to Aalto students for the different recruiting process stages. Some of
the most important services offered are career advice and counselling, personal
career counseling, trainings in different aspects of job hunting and working in
Finland, and CV-clinics.
When you have graduated, you may decide that you would like to find full-time
employment in Finland. It is normally a good idea to prepare yourself in advance
for the actual job hunting, already before graduation. Bear in mind that if you
manage to find a part-time job in your field while you are still studying, this may
act as a springboard to full-time employment.
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Documents
What is
harassment?
Harassment, a form of discrimination, involves a wide range of unwelcome
comments or behaviours that humiliate, intimidate, exclude, or isolate an
individual or group, and are based on one of the stated grounds. Harassment can
be either a single, serious incident or a pattern of related, repeated incidents. It
hurts and undermines the self-esteem of an individual or group and has negative
consequences.
Harassment is defined by the impact of the behaviour on the person being
harassed, rather than by the intent of the harasser. It is not necessary for
the target of the harassment to object to the offensive behaviour to make it
harassment, for the harasser should know whether or not the behaviour is
welcome.
Document copies
It is highly recommended that you make copies of all your important documents
(passport, residence permit card, university admission letter, etc.). This will
make it easier to replace them if they are lost or stolen at any point. It may also be
a good idea to leave a copy of these with someone in your home country in case
you lose them on a return trip home.
Change of name
If you change your name (for example because of marriage) while studying in
Finland, once your passort has been changed, it is recommended that you also
apply for a new residence permit card.
Examples of harassment include:
• Making racist, sexist, or homophobic jokes or remarks.
• Touching another person in a sexual manner without that person’s consent.
• Making repeated advances on a person after that person has indicated a lack
of interest.
• Ooffering or being offered rewards or compensation in exchange for sexual
favours or being threatened with some sort of punishment for not complying
with sexual advances.
In Finland, women and men have the same rights, and no one has to tolerate any
form of unwelcome or uninvited sexual advances.
What should I do if I’m being harassed?
AYY (the Student Union) has two Harassment Contact Persons. AYY defends its
members’ welfare not only in studies-related matters but in other issues as well.
Discriminating talk, sexist jokes, racial slurs and sexual harassment are not to be
tolerated.
If you experience sexual harassment, bullying or other unacceptable behaviour
at the university, do not hesitate to contact AYY’s harassment contact persons
(check their website to see who these contacts are currently).
If your passport is lost or stolen
Lost/stolen
• Report your lost or stolen passport to the nearest police department. Keep any
passport or
file numbers or documents they provide as proof that you contacted them.
residence permit
Contact your country’s embassy or consulate in Finland (or the nearest) and
•
cards
ask for instructions on how to apply for a new passport. You can find your
country’s nearest embassy or consulate by doing an Internet search using the
phrase “foreign embassies and consulates in Finland”.
If you lose your residence permit card
A person who has lost the valid residence permit must apply for a residence
permit card at the police station. If the passport and the residence permit have
been lost abroad, a student (after getting a new passport) should contact the
Finnish embassy and apply for a visa to Finland. If the visa will be issued, a
residence permit card must be applied at the police once in Finland. Please
notice that Finnish embassies cannot issue residence permit cards. If a student
hasn’t lost the valid residence permit card but only the passport, a new card does
not need to be applied for.
It is also wise to keep records of your experience(s). Do not rely on your memory.
Carefully record the details of the harassment as soon as it occurs. Record any
attempts to tell the person that the behaviour is unwelcome. Keep as evidence
all harassing letters, gifts, emails, answering machine messages, etc., that you
receive.
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Your 2nd year
Health insurance
and your 2nd year
Before you applied for your residence permit, you had to purchase health
insurance. It will be no different when you apply for your 2nd year extension.
You will need to provide the police with various pieces of information and valid
health insurance is one of them. During 2011 Aalto University headed a national
group to get the best health insurance deal for international students coming
to Finland. What we ended up with was a very comprehensive and affordable
insurance that meets all the requirements of the Finnish authorities. For more
detailed information, please visit www.sipinsurance.eu.
Renewing your
residence permit
You must renew your residence permit annually if you are staying longer than
one year in Finland. Your residence in Finland is regarded as temporary and
the residence permits issued to international students are granted usually for
one year at the most. An application for extending your residence permit must
be submitted to the local police in person before your current residence permit
expires. To be able to renew your residence permit, the student must fulfil certain
requirements (see below).
When applying to extend your residence permit, take with you:
• Certificate of attendance (for next academic year)
• Appropriate form (OLE_OPI)
• Transcript of records (about 45 credits / academic year)*
• Information on your means of support (proof of availability of €6 000 in your
bank account, etc.)
• Two new photographs (see the police website for more guidelines)
• Passport
• Fee for the new residence permit (check the police website for more
information)
• Proof of your valid health insurance
* Please remember that to be able to renew your residence permit, you have
proceeded in studies as planned, in other words you must have obtained enough
credits during the academic year.
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Alumni Relations
Aalto University’s AlumniNET
Staying after
your studies have
ended
You may be granted a residence permit for looking for employment after
graduation. You must apply for that permit during the time that your permit
granted for studies in Finland is still valid. The permit is granted once for a
period of six months. Once this permit has expired, if you have not found work,
you must leave the country but if you have employment, then you can proceed to
apply for a residence permit on the basis of employment.
AlumniNET is a network for all Aalto alumni throughout the world. By joining
our alumni network you become a member of a community of almost 30,000
experts and friends. You will gain access to the AlumniNET portal and receive
invitations to various events where you can improve your knowledge base and
develop your networks both within Finland and internationally. Our newsletters
keep you updated about latest conversations and headlines in Aalto. All
international degree and exchange students are encouraged to join. Register at
alumninet.aalto.fi.
There are special circumstances if you have completed a degree in Finland. If you
have studied and completed a degree or other qualifications in Finland, you may
apply for a new residence permit from the police or the embassy on the grounds
of work after you have found a job. If you were already working when you had a
student’s residence permit, you may continue working or start in a new job until
a decision has been made on your new residence permit application.
The permit may be granted only if your employment contract is in accordance
with the collective labour agreement for the field. If there is no applicable
collective labour agreement, your employment contract must be based on the
same terms that are applied to employees performing similar duties in the labour
market.
No limit has been set for the time that may lapse between the date you complete
a degree and the date you apply for a permit on the grounds of a job. Even if you
have completed your degree in Finland several years ago, you have the right to
apply for a permit on the grounds of a job.
55
Useful links
Common expressions
Maybe Finnish is not the easiest language in the world but Finns are positively
surprised if you know even a few words of Finnish. Not all Finns are fully used to
Finnish with a foreign accent, so be patient. Here is a list of a few simple and very
common expressions:
56
In English
In Finnish
Pronunciation (with intonation)
Good day
Hyvää päivää
HUU-vaa PIE-vaa
Hello (informal)
Moi
Hei
Terve
MOI
HAY
TEHR-veh
Good morning
Hyvää huomenta
HUU-vaa HU-oh-mehn-tah
Good evening
Hyvää iltaa
HUU-vaa EEL-tah
Good night
Hyvää yötä
HUU-vaa UU-eu-ta
Goodbye (informal)
Hei hei
Moi moi
HAY-hay
MOI-moi
Thank you
Kiitos
KEE-toss
Yes
Kyllä
Joo
KUUL-la
yoh
No
Ei
ay
I don’t understand.
En ymmärrä
EN UUM-mar-ra
How are you?
Mitä kuuluu?
MEE-ta KOO-loo?
Fine, thank you.
Kiitos, hyvää
KEE-toss, HUU-vaa
Excuse me (getting attention and
apologising) or I’m sorry
Anteeksi
AHN-tehk-see
I can’t speak Finnish.
En puhu suomea
EN POO-hoo SOO-oh-meh-ah
Do you speak English?
Puhutko englantia?
POO-hoot-koh EHNG-lahn-teeah?
Help!
Apua!
AH-poo-ah!
Finnish
authorities
Living in Finland
Finnish Customs: www.tulli.fi/en/
Finnish Police: www.poliisi.fi
Local register office: www.maistraatti.fi
Traffic Safety in Finland: www.liikenneturva.fi
Accommodation: www.ayy.fi, www.hoas.fi, into.aalto.fi
Banks: www.nordea.fi, www.sampo.fi, www.osuuspankki.fi
Concert tickets: www.lippupalvelu.fi or www.tiketti.fi
Espoo City: www.espoo.fi/en-US
Finnish Tourist Board: www.visitfinland.com
Health insurance: www.sipinsurance.eu
Helsinki City: www.hel.fi/en
Helsinki City Library: www.lib.hel.fi/en-GB/
Helsinki Tourism: www.visithelsinki.fi
In To services for immigrants (Tax office and KELA): www.intofinland.fi
Kassi second hand forum: aalto.kassi.eu/
Money Exchange: www.forex.fi
Movie Theater: www.finnkino.fi
Outdoor activities: www.outdoors.fi
Post office: www.posti.fi
Public Library Electronic Search: www.helmet.fi
Recycled Clothes Shops: www.kierratyskeskus.fi/in_english/shops
Religion:
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland: www.evl.fi
Orthodox Church of Finland: www.ort.fi (only in Finnish)
Jewish Community of Helsinki: www.jchelsinki.fi
Catholic Church in Finland: www.catholic.fi
Islamic Society of Finland: www.rabita.fi
Restaurant search: www.eat.fi
Sibelius Academy: www.siba.fi/en
Student cafeterias: www.unicafe.fi/en
Student Health Service: www.fshs.fi
57
KEHÄ I
TUUSULANTIE
MÄKKYLÄ
ÄYLÄ
ANV
LINN
EEN
HÄM
IE
NT
DI
VIH
LEPPÄVAARA
LASSILA
To Helsinki-Vantaan Airport
OULUNKYLÄ
PITÄJÄNMÄKI
LÄ
VÄY
DEN
VALIMO
LAH
KÄPYLÄ
HUOPALAHTI
To Helsinki-Vantaan Airport
Via Tuusulantie
News in Finland
Helsingin Sanomat (newspaper): www.hs.fi/english
Helsinki Times: www.helsinkitimes.fi
Virtual Finland: virtual.finland.fi/news
YLE news: www.yle.fi/news
Arabia Campus
Otaniemi Campus
Transportation
in Finland
Cycling directions: pk.hsl.fi/en/
ExpressBus: www.expressbus.fi
Finnish Railways: www.vr.fi
Helsinki Public Transportation: www.hsl.fi/EN
Matkahuolto: www.matkahuolto.fi/en/
School of Art and Design
ILMALA
School of Engineering
School of Chemical Technology
School of Science
School of Electrical Engineering
TURUNVÄYLÄ
PASILA
506
40 min
M
I
NE
HÄ
KE
N
MA
SÖRNÄINEN
M
IE
INT
EIM
RH
KALASATAMA
Language
learning
Adult Education Institutes: www.ilmonet.fi
Easyfinnish: oppiminen.yle.fi/easyfinnish
Finnish flashcards: ankisrs.net/
Finnish for foreigners - Tavataan taas!:
donnerwetter.kielikeskus.helsinki.fi/finnishforforeigners/
FSI Language Courses: fsi-language-courses.org/Content.php?page=Finnish
Helsinki Summer University: www.kesayliopistohki.fi
Language Centre at the Aalto University: kielikeskus.aalto.fi/en
LinguHouse: www.linguhouse.com/
Open University: www.avoinyliopisto.fi
Supisuomea: yle.fi/vintti/yle.fi/supisuomea/index.html
University of Helsinki Language Centre:
www.helsinki.fi/kksc/language.services/english/index.html
Uuno: www.uuno.tamk.fi
‘Uusi kielemme’ blog: www.uusikielemme.fi/
M
8 20 min
Metsähovi Radio Observatory
Metsähovintie 114, 02540 Kylmälä
Traffic
Bus
Tram
M Metro Station
Train Station
RAUTATIENTORI
KAMPPI
ÄYLÄ
LÄNSIV
M
M
HAKANIEMI
KAISANIEMI
Rautatientori
HELSINKI RAILWAY STATION
Kamppi Bus Station
Kanava Terminal
102 103
15 min
M
RUOHOLAHTI
102T 103T
20 min
M
Elielinaukio
Töölö Campus
School of Economics
Technopolis
Katajanokka Terminal
Makasiini Terminal
Olympia Terminal
West Harbour
Services
AYY
Student Cafeteria
FSHS Health Center
AYY Office
P
1 km
Helsinki Region Campuses
Otaniemi campus
Töölö campus
Arabia campus
School of Engineering
School of Economics
School of Art and Design
School of Chemical Technology
School of Science
School of Electrical Engineering
58
ITÄVÄ
YLÄ
20 min 6
YTHS
Töölö
59
studies.aalto.fi/en
Aalto University International Relations
April 2012