weitere Erfahrungsberichte für Finnland
Land:
Finnland
Universität:
Häme University of Applied Sciences, Valkeakoski
Semester und Studiengang:
6. Semester Bachelor International Management
Aufenthalt:
summersemester 2017
Über die Universität:
Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) is located in Southern Finland and comprises seven campuses within a 100 km range, each offering specific degree programmes. The university offers an international atmosphere, as there are many foreign degree and exchange students alongside Finnish students.
As I did my Double Degree in International Management at HAMK University, I spent two semesters (nine months) in Valkeakoski, studying International Business. It's a rather small campus where only two degree progammes are offered and thus course offerings are quite limited. However, as I studied according to the Double Degree guidelines provided by both HAMK and THD, most of my courses were preset.
The autumn semester at HAMK begins on Sep 1 and usually lasts until Christmas. The semester itself is once again divided in two parts, so students get one week off at the end of October. Some courses are held the whole semester, others just in part 1 or 2.
Most of the classes are composed of group works, presentations and reports. There are just few courses with exams, depending on the professor. More often, grades are formed based on attendance, group work, presentations, reports and assignments. The courses are not as demanding as expected and studying in general is quite the different from German studies.
In Valkeakoski only a few lecturers are permanently employed or present, some courses are given by professors visiting from other campuses. In general, all lecturers and study coordinators at HAMK are very helpful and provide you with good advice. It is common to address each other by your first name and the relationship among staff and students is quite close and familiar.
At the Valkeakoski campus, the student union HAMKO assigns individual tutors to exchange students who are supposed to help in getting accustomed to Finland and HAMK.
Betreuung vor Ort:
In general, HAMK University is well organized. All staff members and lecturers are helpful and friendly. However, it can become very hard sometimes to get a hold of someone, as the Student Affairs Office is open Mon-Thu from 10am to 1pm only and closed during lunch break (ca. 11.30 to 12.15). The library is closed on Mondays as well and school is locked after 4pm, so you need a special key to enter the facilities.
As already mentioned, every exchange students is assigned a tutor who is supposed to help getting started. Unfortunately, this does not always work out quite well. Some tutors are great, others do not even reply to your messages.
On the other side, the student affairs coordinator, Annina Herala, is very helpful and friendly and can give you a hand with almost everything. Annina takes care of your accommodation and will send some general information beforehand, so you are well prepared.
In Valkeakoski, I shared a flat with another exchange student from Switzerland. The rooms are furnished and if you're lucky, there are some leftovers from previous tenants, otherwise you need to bring or buy bed linen and kitchen equipment. However, the student union offers "survival kits" that provide you with all the basic stuff. Unfortunately, there is neither a washing maschine nor Internet provided, but some regular students own a machine where you can go washing if you ask kindly and you can buy a prepaid card with unlimited data volumes for around 15-20 euros monthly.
The house is located directly at a lake. There are two supermarkets and a Lidl within a short walking distance and you can reach HAMK within 10 min. It will take you around 20 min to walk to the city centre.
Tipps:
Valkeakoski is a rather small town and there are just few possibilities for leisure time, so be prepared that it can get boring sometimes.
If you arrive in the autumn semester, there are some events organized by HAMKO and I would really recommend you to participate, as you will get to know many new people and you can visit places like Helsinki or Hämeenlinna very cheaply. As HAMK's semester structure offers lots of free time, you should seize the opportunity to travel. Finnish nature is beautiful and there are very nice cities such as Helsinki, Tampere, Porvoo and Turku as well. In addition, you should definitely travel up north and visit Santa in Lappland!
Besides, it is quite easy to visit Tallinn, Stockholm and even St. Petersburg by ferry or train, which I can highly recommend! There are also very cheap flights to Norway.
Another must-do in Finland is winter swimming and sauna. There is a place in Valkeakoski where you can give it a go and you will always meet a nice Fin there who is more than willing to explain you how to proceed correctly.
In terms of food, you should definitely try a cinnamon hot chocolate at Fazer Cafe in Helsinki, fresh salmon down at the harbour and "musta makkara" (black sausage) in Tampere's market hall.
Furthermore, you should buy a Finnish student card (46€/year). It guarantees you some great discounts and you will get 50% off bus and train tickets, which will save you lots of money!
Another must-do in Finland is winter swimming and sauna. There is a place in Valkeakoski where you can give it a go and you will always meet a nice Fin there who is more than willing to explain you how to proceed correctly.