- Name
- Simone and Lisa
- Study Programme
- IMUK
- Semester
- 7th Semester
- Host Institution
- Oulu University of Applied Sciences (OAMK)
- Location
- Oulu, Finland
- Period
- August to December 2022
Funding
Erasmus+ (opens in a new window) & Deutschlandstipendium & Study with deepened practice
What was your main motivation to go abroad?
Our main motivation for a semester abroad was to simply want to take advantage of this unique opportunity. We can't imagine ever emigrating, but we still wanted to experience life in another country for a fixed period of time - and not just as tourists on vacation. A longer stay abroad is never as easy to plan for later in your working life as it is during your studies. In addition, you receive a lot of valuable support from the staff in the International Offices of both universities.
We can't imagine ever emigrating, but we still wanted to experience life in another country for a fixed period of time - and not just as tourists on vacation.
What were your biggest concerns?
We didn't really have any concerns at any point. We were aware from the start that we would miss our loved ones at home and that we would look forward to coming home again after the semester - and that's exactly what happened. 😊 Since we already knew a few semesters beforehand that we would like to go abroad before our bachelor's thesis, the decision was made quite a long time before the concrete planning started.
Would you recommend a stay abroad? Why?
We would definitely recommend a stay abroad - especially not to miss the already mentioned unique opportunity. We had a really great time as exchange students: We had interesting courses with nevertheless manageable workload, so we also had time to travel and experience. We made new friends and just got to know a bit of the country and its people. We see such a stay abroad simply as a special experience that you should not miss and that you will certainly always look back on with pleasure - maybe even at the "reunion meeting" with your group of friends there. 😊
What did you learn from your stay abroad?
We definitely took away a bit more flexibility and consideration from our time abroad. As exchange students, you usually live together in a dormitory, like in a small "surrogate family" - and there these qualities are very advantageous. In addition, since our semester abroad, we have a much more relaxed approach to conversations in English: At some point, it simply becomes part of everyday life to talk in English, and you automatically and almost unnoticeably simply shed your inner inhibitions. Our love for the northern European countries has also increased again during this time. 😊
Were your expectations met?
From our first impulse, we would say: Yes, absolutely! But when we think about it, we couldn't really imagine what it would be like to study abroad for a semester and accordingly had no concrete expectations. Looking back, however, we are simply thrilled: The university and the campus are great, there is always something going on. All our lecturers were super nice, helpful and always approachable for us exchange students. In the city of Oulu, very different events take place extremely often, so you can always have a full calendar if you want. And shortly before the end of the semester, we noticed once: It feels a bit like a "second home" - when you slowly know your way around everywhere, a kind of everyday life has set in and you have somehow simply arrived.
Is there anything you would like to highlight about your experience abroad?
As a student in Finland, you have to be prepared to download a lot of apps, sign up for a lot of memberships, and have a lot of cards in your wallet. 😊
Fun Fact
In Finland, riding the bus is a bit different than in Germany: You have to wave to the bus driver in order for the bus to stop at the bus stop. During the bus ride it is usually very quiet - unless there are exchange students on the bus. 😊 When you get off the bus, you wave briefly to the bus driver through the rearview mirror and thank him or her - he or she usually waves back as well.
Impressions of Finland
