- Name
- Indiana and Sophie
- Study Programme
- IMUK
- Semester
- 6th Semester
- Host Institution
- Oulu UoAS (OAMK)
- Location
- Oulu, Finland
- Period
- August to December 2023
What was your main motivation to go abroad?
We have always had the desire to study abroad for a short period to have a diverse university experience and to get to know different educational systems. The idea of exploring new cities and meeting people from all over the world fascinated us. In the end, we chose a Scandinavian destination because we hoped to experience a completely different winter than in Germany and get to know a different culture.
We experienced and saw MUCH more than we had expected and were able to gather incredibly unique memories.
What were your biggest concerns?
When we left Germany for an extended period, we initially had concerns about making friends and adapting to the new university life. Moreover, we didn't know what to expect in terms of upcoming experiences, travel and language. However, these worries quickly dissipated. We made friends abroad quickly and met nice people. As a result, we settled in much faster than expected and the many trips around Oulu turned into wonderful experiences.
Would you recommend a stay abroad? Why?
Absolutely! We would recommend a study abroad experience to anyone looking for new adventures, with the destination being somewhat secondary. However, Finland was particularly intriguing to us because it allowed us to immerse ourselves in an entirely new culture. In such a short time, we saw and experienced so much that probably wouldn't have been possible anywhere else. If we had the choice again, we would definitely make the same decision, especially because we had the opportunity to see incredible northern lights and other natural wonders during our extended time there. Also, the university was excellent, the courses were interesting and the professors were always friendly. If we needed assistance, we could reach out to them at any time and they were also very considerate of our circumstances as exchange students. That's why travelling during the semester was not a problem at all.
Fun Fact
The Finns love their sauna. No matter where we travelled, there was always the opportunity to go to the sauna. Even our student dormitory had one.
What did you learn from your stay abroad?
From our study abroad experience, we brought back a wealth of new experiences and insights. We not only improved our intercultural skills but also gained a deeper understanding of a different culture. Building friendships with people from all over the world and the ability to adapt to different environments are invaluable souvenirs. Academic and personal challenges enhanced our independence and helped us to develop personally. The many memories of our experiences, the sights and the cultural insights will always leave a lasting impression on us.
Were your expectations met?
Our expectations were even exceeded. We experienced and saw MUCH more than we had expected and were able to gather incredibly unique memories. The time spent abroad and at the university was very pleasant and we were able to learn a lot and gain a new perspective. All in all, it was a fantastic time.
Is there anything you would like to highlight about your experience abroad?
The student culture is noticeably more intense than in Germany. There are numerous associations that students can participate in, which leads to many shared events and experiences. Virtually all students have an overall that matches the colour of their faculty or area. These overalls are embroidered with patches, which you can either buy or win at events.
Impressions of Finland
