Moving to Finland to study as a foreign student might at first seem like an overwhelming task. The excitement will keep you focused, though.
The largest aspect of studying abroad is the financial impact. Have you secured a bursary, or scholarship, or a grant to study at a particular university in Finland? Do you have a fellowship? Work out the necessary budget for your stay in Finland. You’ll need to include your tuition fees (if they’re not covered by your grant or subsidy), your living expenses such as transport, groceries, rent, and more. Consider opening a local bank account in Finland – you can even begin the process from your home before you arrive in Finland.
By reading the insights and experiences of actual customers on peer review websites such as Suomiarvostelut.fi, you’ll be able to learn about companies that you could use as a local bank in Finland, their various financial products, customer services, and policies so that you can make a better-informed decision.
Once you have been accepted by a Finnish university of your choosing, you must use your letter of acceptance to use to apply for a student visa or residence permit for your stay in Finland. This is not the most exciting part of your move to Finland, but without these papers, you can’t get into the country. You can apply for a student visa and residence permit via the Finnish government’s website and through their embassy in your local country. Ask your Finnish place of study to assist you with the necessary documents – they’ll likely be well-versed in this process already. Reading the experiences of education specialists, students, parents, and businesses, you will gain a deeper understanding, such as when looking up a company like Adlibris.
You’ll need a shopping list of must-haves to take to Finland. The first thing you should look into is winter-ready clothing if you don’t already have any. Finland gets very cold in the winter; pack all the jackets you have, gloves, scarves, hats, and thermals. If you can’t afford to buy any new, remember that Finland has plenty of second-hand stores – nearly as many as there are pubs in cities. You’ll find great second-hand clothes at affordable prices in Finland.
Have you settled your accommodation needs yet? As with any student experience, there are a variety of accommodation types to suit your needs. Houseshare, apartment share, rent a room, or your own apartment or house: take a look at places for rent on websites and weigh up your options with your budget considerations in mind too.
Travel and health insurance is also vitally important. We recommend you look into travel and health insurance options as soon as possible to find one that suits your needs best.
Once you’re in Finland and on campus, you can also subscribe to the Student Union. Your membership entitles you access to the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS), for preventative care and medical care and dental hygiene care. Fees are reasonable and consultations are usually covered in full by your Student Union membership.