Pine trees and Santa Claus are two of the most common associations with Finland, but increasingly for those students interested in Studying Abroad, it has become associated with English Language higher education. To most non-Finns this often comes as a surprise, but the fact that English is the most widely studied foreign language in the country, has meant that Finnish universities and polytechnics can offer a number of programmes in languages other than Finnish and Swedish.

Higher Education in Finland

Having a dense network of educational institutions (made up of 20 universities and 33 polytechnics as well as vocational institutions), has provided such establishments with the opportunity to offer students an interesting array of specialisations from which to choose. Universities offer degrees at Bachelor, Master, Licenntiate, and Doctorate level, whilst degree education in polytechnics emphasises business and industry needs and hence has a very practical orientation. Institutions also offer a number of professional development programmes, that are ideal for experienced managers or technicians who wish to update their skills.

The development of international programmes, by both universities and polytechnics, has evolved naturally from the high level of co-operation that exists between these institutions and their counterparts throughout the world. Therefore it is not unusual to find situations, such as Mikkeli Polytechnic, where the student body in the institution is drawn from over 36 countries. Apart from contacting institutions directly, prospective students may contact CIMO, the Centre for International Mobility, who can provide information about international programmes in Finland. Their telephone number is +358 9 7747 7067, and details may also be obtained from their website address at http://www.cimo.fi

Living in Finland

As a Nordic country, Finland obviously has a great variation in temperature throughout the year. Given its huge land mass, part of which lies within the Arctic circle, temperatures of -20 degrees Celsius are not unusual in Winter, depending upon where you live! However, the summers are also very warm and beautiful, affording many opportunities to swim and sail on Finland’s 188,000 lakes. Finn’s are very close to nature and have a well developed sense of the need for environmental protection, so woe betide the foreigner who throws their rubbish in the wrong disposal bin!

Though Finn’s have a reputation for being reserved, like all generalisations, there are many exceptions to the rule. Once you get to know a Finnish person, you discover their sense of humour, honesty and easy going approach to life. Summertime in Finland is a very lively place to be, as every town and city hosts festivals of one kind or another, which are well attended by locals and tourists alike. And in the wintertime skiing and skating are the popular activities out-of-doors. For those with a more sedate approach to life, a stroll through the country’s many forests can be refreshing enough!

Opportunities to Travel

Finland has developed an extensive air, boat, train and bus network within the country, as well as with its neighbouring countries. Therefore, foreign students like to take the opportunity to visit Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Estonia and Russia, all of which are easily accessed from any part of Finland. Finnair, as with other major airlines, also has direct flights from Helsinki to many key cities around the world. For those students with deep pockets to satisfy their travel plans, Finland is a great place to start from, and of course to come back to!

A Scandinavian Experience

Though slightly more reserved than its Scandinavian counterparts, Finland nonetheless also displays a finely developed sense of equality and concern for those less fortunate in society. It also has a culture that is as distinct as its language, which for those students who are interested in learning more about cross-cultural interactions, makes it an ideal place to study. Finn’s have a great sense of their past and the need to be an active participant in the global economy to ensure a prosperous future. Education is seen to be a key part of this process, which is why this Scandinavian country, with a population of approximately 5 million people, currently has 143,000 students enrolled in university with almost a further 75,000 polytechnic enrolments. For the thousands of foreign students who each year experience this education for themselves, studying in Finland has provided them with the opportunity to lay the foundation for their future careers.

The Author: Caroline Egan, International Centre, Mikkeli Polytechnic

This article first appeared in Studying Abroad magazine