Reviews of Saimaa University of Applied Sciences (SAIMAAN AMMATTIKORKEAKOULU) | Finland

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Miikkatja

University of Applied Sciences, Schmalkalden, Schmalkalden, Germany
Business Studies, Undergraduate, Erasmus

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: Did not speak it
My level after: Basic phrases

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

The communication was in english so it was easy to talk to people. I was impressed about the excellent English language skills of Finish people.

Useful | 0

Miikkatja

University of Applied Sciences, Schmalkalden, Schmalkalden, Germany
Business Studies, Undergraduate, Erasmus

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

I was calling my family from time to time and therefore I was buying phonecards - the food is little bit more expensive than in Germany - especially vegetables.

Telephone, Food:

was more expensive than at home.

Travel, Overall, Nightlife, Housing:

was the same price as at home.

Accessibility of student needs

Second-hand text books

Second-hand household items

Computers / Internet

Administrative

Money from home

Personal comments

none

Useful | 0

Miikkatja

University of Applied Sciences, Schmalkalden, Schmalkalden, Germany
Business Studies, Undergraduate, Erasmus

Overall

I wish I had known...

I wish somebody had told me something about Finish culture and lifestyle.

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

3

Culture

4

Costs

3

Activities

2

Campus life

2

Party / people

2

Weather / location

4

Personal recommendation

South Carelia Polytechnic is trying to make the studies more international and that is a big plus!

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

Became familiar with another culture

4

Traveled

4

Improved language skills

2

Met people from other countries

3

Became more independent

4

Partied a lot

4

Experienced a change in life

4

Advanced my studies & career

4

Final comments

It is very easy and relatively cheap to travel to other countries next to Finland - for example I went to Sweden by ship, I went to Estonia and it is also cheap to travel to Russia. I liked to see Lappland in wintertime. This is the perfect place to get into christmas mood!

Useful | 0

Miikkatja

University of Applied Sciences, Schmalkalden, Schmalkalden, Germany
Business Studies, Undergraduate, Erasmus

Academic

Course recommendations

Our lectures were held in english by international teachers and finish teachers. It was focused on lots of group projects and related to many business cases like Nokia for example.

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

I was very disappointed that the Finish language course did not lead to any improvements of my language skills. The rest of this international program was okay.

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 | 0

Miikkatja

University of Applied Sciences, Schmalkalden, Schmalkalden, Germany
Business Studies, Undergraduate, Erasmus

Student life

Describe host city:

Students interact with the local community without much university involvement

Travel, Activities: 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

In Lappeenranta you can go to cinema - or you can go to bars - they are pretty small but you can get to know the people there quite easily. There is the diso "night train" or "cannibals". To enter "Cannibals" you have to be 21 at least.

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