Reviews of Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT) | Finland

Useful | 2

Jaime V

Tec de Monterrey Campus Sinaloa, Culiacán, Mexico
Management Information Systems, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Academic

Course recommendations

Maybe they are not bad but i am too biased by my home university's teaching system. I am used to more student-teacher interaction, not sitting in lectures for hours at a time. Content is not bad, but maybe the delivery of the topics could be better? Some of the teachers are really good, but others... well...

My academic experiences

Quality of courses

Variety of courses

Access to resources

Interaction with teachers

Interaction with international students

Interaction with local students

Personal comments

Well, I support the idea that student must be more involved in the learning process. But then again, maybe its just my previous university's experience that makes me think this way. Exams are not so bad.

My opinion of the university assessment

Exams at end of course

Exams throughout the course

Essays and/or projects at the end of course

Essays and/or projects throughout the course

Overall

Useful | 1

Jaime V

Tec de Monterrey Campus Sinaloa, Culiacán, Mexico
Management Information Systems, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Languages

Language of instruction: English

Local language was: Different than language of instruction

Was learning English a key decision factor?

Yes, I wanted to improve my English

Was learning the local language a key decision factor?

Yes, I wanted to improve my the local language

How much did you improve your English?

My level before: No problems in any areas (including slang)
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)

How much did you improve your the local language?

My level before: Did not speak it
My level after: Basic phrases

Language difficulties

Social

Educational

Administrative / Institutional

Overall

Personal comments

I already spoke english before i came here, so learning it or practicing it was never a factor. As for finnish, it is a very different language. The school offers a couple of Finnish for Foreigners courses, which are not bad. I took both courses just for learning something about the culture and the language but there is really no need for it, as most of the time you can get along fine with english, and also because most finns don't want to speak with you.

Useful | 8

Jaime V

Tec de Monterrey Campus Sinaloa, Culiacán, Mexico
Management Information Systems, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Overall

I wish I had known...

No, not really. Just be aware, Finns are really shy about approaching foreigners so don't be surprised if you don't meet many Finns or if they don't want to talk to you. You will meet some and even make friends but just not a lot. Most of the social functions are done within the international community.

In my opinion:

I loved it but I'm not sure everybody would.

Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important

Academic reasons

4

Culture

3

Costs

2

Activities

3

Campus life

3

Party / people

3

Weather / location

2

Personal recommendation

One semester is enough. THink twice if you plan on staying a year.

During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot

Became familiar with another culture

4

Traveled

4

Improved language skills

4

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

4

Partied a lot

4

Experienced a change in life

4

Advanced my studies & career

4

Final comments

This is not the biggest town in the world and as such has its own limitations. Travel is good but a bit expensive. Do not miss the trip to Russia, it is well worth it. The international community is great. It is not too big but not too small so you will get to know a lot of people quite well.

Useful | 0

Jaime V

Tec de Monterrey Campus Sinaloa, Culiacán, Mexico
Management Information Systems, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Expenses

Main source of funding:

Family

Other sources of funding:

Personal savings

Work opportunities:

I didn't explore any work options

Personal spending habits

Life in Finland is very expensive. Taxes are high. Alcohol is very expensive. Food is expensive if you cook yourself, so it is not a bad idea to eat at the school cafeteria, which is cheaper but is not always good.

Food, Overall, Travel, Nightlife, Housing, Telephone:

was more expensive than at home.

Accessibility of student needs

Second-hand text books

Second-hand household items

Computers / Internet

Administrative

Money from home

Personal comments

Prepare yourself, there are many expenses to be paid when you arrive: first month of rent, security deposit, student union fee (which is mandatory, something like 40 euros for semester), student card... Health care is not a problem, there are medical facilities on campus so no need to go to the hospital.

Useful | 1

Jaime V

Tec de Monterrey Campus Sinaloa, Culiacán, Mexico
Management Information Systems, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Housing

Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why?

It is the easiest and least expensive choice. But i was lucky, I was put in one of the newer buildings, but most exchange students are put in an older building which is quite far from the university, quite old, quite crowded and quite dirty.

Personal assessment

Cost

Facilities

Location

Cleanliness

Space

Personal comments

The housing foundation (LOAS) has little regard for foreign students. THere is very little communication, most of the notices given are in Finnish, although the foreigh community is quite numerous. Complaints are not promptly addressed, and like i mentioned before, not all housing sites are good.

Useful | 0

Jaime V

Tec de Monterrey Campus Sinaloa, Culiacán, Mexico
Management Information Systems, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Student life

Describe host city:

Students equally interact with the local and student community

Activities: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment

Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment

Nightlife: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment

Personal social experience

Activities

Nightlife

Travel

Overall

Personal comments

Well... they are not the best places in the world but there is really no other choice. Friday nights, Iltatähti is the place to be (near university) as most students are there. Saturdays you must go downtown to either Cannibals or Nite Train, but like i said the venues are not the best. If you are here during the autumn semester, DO NOT MISS FINNHITS PARTY, it is the BEST.

Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT)

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