484 reviews
3.90 / 5 based on 484 reviews
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fraserm
Student life
Describe host city:
Students equally interact with the local and student community
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Activities: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment
Travel, Nightlife: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
There are no really big clubs in Oulu but 45 Special is a really good rock club. Almost every other club plays the same commercial music, though Giggling Marlin is usually a good night out and you can avoid the cheesy techno that the Finns love so much ! Avoid Cuba and Loop.
Oulu dosent attract many good live bands but has a number of good Jam sessions, notably in Never Grow Old and 45 Special.
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fraserm
Housing
Type of housing: On campus
Arranged by: Host university
If returning, I would choose: On campus
Why?
Cheap, lots of exchange students staying with you, good atmosphere.
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Personal comments
The accomodation is cheap (120€ per month) but you need to share a small two bedroom flat with three other people. Finnish residents in accomodation will complain about any noise you make.
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fraserm
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Government assistance
Other sources of funding:
An ERASMUS grant
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
Housing is more as I live with family at home. Food is slightly more expensive in Finland than in Scotland. Alcohol is very expensive in Finland but most people drink at home before they go out. Save money by making your own wine !
You can travel everywhere in town by bike. If you dont want to use a bike though the bus is very expensive unless you buy a pass.
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Housing, Food:
was more expensive than at home.
Overall, Travel, Nightlife, Telephone:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
Alcohol is expensive, but you can make your own ! The polytechnic lunches are very good value and pizza in Oulu is cheap too.
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fraserm
Academic
My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
My opinion of the university assessment
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
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fraserm
Overall
I wish I had known...
Dont expect the locals to smile unless they are drunk !
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In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
It is a good university but if you want any problems (e.g with your timetable) sorted you really need to do it yourself !
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
When coming to Finland use Finnair to get a standby ticket to fly from Helsinki to Oulu. You need to be under 25 though.
Put money aside to travel to Russia and Estonia.
Dont worry about the weather. It does get to -30 at times but its not usually too bad ! Also, it really isnt dark all the time here in the winter, if you are from a northern European country it isnt too different.
The sausages here are awful. Really awful.
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fraserm
Languages
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction
Was learning English a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't.
Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my the local language
How much did you improve your the local language?
My level before: Did not speak it
My level after: Basic phrases
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
Almost everyone in Finland speaks at least basic English. If you try to speak Finnish to a local you will usually get a reply in English. Not easy to learn the language but you dont really need to !
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