Swedish School of Economics and Business Administration, Helsinki (SHH)

Well, Finnish language is really hard to cope with. if you only to go Finland for one semester, do not expect to learn Finnish! Forget it! However, in Helsinki, most people have a very good English level. So, there is no problem to communicate with Finnish people. Even if, it is harder to get to know local people without speaking their language. At last, all student exchange speak English. So noimportant communication problem. But you have to know that it is sometimes frustrating to speak another language because it prevents you from expressing yourself completely. (for instance, at the beginning, it is hard to make jokes)

i was able to improve my written english and my understanding of academic texts. concerning my finnish i was a bit disappointed that i was not in the position to improve it. but i will establish a proper "sisu" and at some time succeed in improving my finnish language skills. i got used to the pronounciation and intonation a bit more. i had to work a lot for the university so i could not dedicate time for additional language studies.

The language of instruction in the programme was English which is my native language.Since English is mostly spoken in the host country and the unversity (third language after Finnish and Swedish)communication wasnot a problem to me. Learning the nationallanguage was quite interesting to me.

I made a lot of improvement;the international atmosphere, friendly environment and academic freedom help me progressively develop my overall language and communication,which make me from a shy person to easy-going and communicative one.

As go can´t get around of speaking English, you of course improve it, but I fear you also pick up many mistakes from other exchange students.

MY UNIVERSITY WAS SWEDISH, WHICH IS A MINORITY IN THE COUNTRY. I REGRET NOT HAVING TAKEN SWEDISH COURSES NOW. FINNISH IS TOO DIFFICULT!