Abdul Aziz Ahmed
Nursing, 3rd Year
2018/2019 Spring Semester
Erasmus Student
Turku University of Applied Sciences
Finland
THE CITY OF TURKU
With a population of around 180,000, Turku is a lively city with an international atmosphere. Although it is one of Finland's largest cities, Turku is still small enough for you to walk or cycle almost anywhere. Turku offers endless opportunities both for studying and for your free time. As is known in this Scandinavian country, the people are a little reserved, but they are sincere and very helpful. They respect everyone regardless of religion, race or colour. Since Turku is a port city, you can travel to neighbouring countries more cheaply. Yes, it is cold, but the climate is one of the most pleasant. Let us also not forget that Finland is an expensive country.
EDUCATION SYSTEM
There are two types of university system in Finland: universities offering purely academic education, and applied ones, that is, Universities of Applied Sciences, which, as the name suggests, are always oriented towards working life. Turku University of Applied Sciences (TUAS) is an applied university that has gained worldwide renown in fields such as international trade, business administration, health sciences and computer engineering. Teaching at TUAS is based on innovation pedagogy, which links professional expertise with theoretical research. In addition to lectures, learning at universities of applied sciences revolves largely around projects and teamwork and also includes independent study. Finland's education system is truly one that everyone should go and experience.
TURKU UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
The opportunities the university offers its students are too many to count; both its physical environment and the new technologies that support education are outstanding. The instructors, too, love what they do, and they are good at solving students' problems as if they were their own. The university's international students may not be as numerous as at Zaim, but you will not be left alone 😊. At the end of the year there is usually an international conference, so you can also strengthen your network. Since the courses are in English, everyone takes part together. There is a Finnish language class specially for Erasmus students.
ACCOMMODATION
I recommend that you apply for accommodation as soon as you are accepted to study or do an internship at TUAS. In general, the quality of student housing in Finland is good. It is not a dormitory system but a shared apartment system for two or three people. A private room with a shared kitchen and bathroom. Everything is usually included (electricity, water, heating, internet and sauna). The average housing charge in Turku is between €300 and €600. There are two most reliable organisations (The Student Village Foundation of Turku (TYS) and Retrodorm. For TYS housing, www.tys.fi/en/exchange-students and www.retrodorm.fi are where you can apply.
Note: Do not forget to take an ethernet cable with you. There may be no Wi-Fi in the apartment. You can connect it to the modem and share the internet from your computer. Since it is not a dormitory, you cook your own meals. Do your shopping at Lidl; it is cheaper. If you stay in Varissuo, the Arab grocery store is 5 minutes away.
TRANSPORT
After enrolling at the university, you obtain a Finnish identity number from the immigration office; as soon as you have it, a student travel card is issued at the local transport office. You take out a monthly subscription for €32. Otherwise you pay €3 for every bus ride. With this card you can also use the public bicycles. Do not worry about getting the card, because your student adviser will explain the necessary steps. Your home may even be within walking distance, in which case there is no need for a card.
THE SIGN THAT INTERESTED ME MOST
One day, on my way back from my part-time job, I could not believe my eyes when a friend showed me a sign. It was a very striking text. It was a sign a Syrian had written in his shop: WE SPEAK TURKISH. In my opinion this is a virtue. As I learned, he had once lived in Istanbul for two years. He wrote it because he felt this was the only way he could be of use to these people. The wording may not be perfect, but its meaning is profound. At my workplace, because I could speak Turkish, they never let me feel lonely.
VISA - RESIDENCE PERMIT
If you have the opportunity to study or do an internship in Finland and will stay longer than 90 days, that is, three months, please note that you must apply for a student residence permit rather than a visa. The process may take up to two months. Therefore, you should submit your residence permit application as soon as you receive the acceptance letter from the host institution. You can log in to apply via this link https://enterfinland.fi/eServices. You can find out about the application steps at this https://migri.fi/en/studying-in-finland link. You cannot travel to Finland without obtaining this residence permit.
Note: As stated on the official website, every student who will stay longer than 90 days must have insurance coverage of €120,000. You cannot find this insurance limit in Türkiye. Because I did not know this, I went through no end of trouble. In the end we took out three €50,000 policies at Allianz and combined them. We waited more than a month and my residence permit never came through; it turned out they were not approving it because of my health insurance. Finally, with the help of Ali Kamer Bey and others, we learned from the Finnish Immigration Service that we needed to take out a new international insurance policy. We took out the insurance again through the Swiss insurance company Swisscare - ESI Finland plan (www.swisscare-student.com) . Because of this I arrived a month late. When taking it out, use this site, because I can say that it is affiliated with the Finnish Immigration Service.
I would love to exchange ideas with everyone about the Finnish education system, but that is a matter of good fortune. If you have managed to catch this opportunity, seize it without looking back.
If you have any further questions, you can ask me by e-mail.
I wish you success in your educational life.
Abdul Aziz Ahmed