Text by Emily Kellogg / Illustration by Veera Tolvanen

The stories of how international students arrive in Finland are usually complicated. A matter of chance or a series of coincidences seem to bring students on a journey from their home countries to study in Finland. The following comments come from a group of students surveyed from Aalto University.

“Why I came to Finland? That’s not an easy question,” explains one student from Croatia, “I wanted to leave my home country. People look more at themselves there — PhD students in my home university do what they’re told to by the professors — or else.”

“I was planning to do a PhD abroad,” explains another student from Turkey, “It was kind of destiny. I applied to three universities in the U.S., and one other university in Europe, and TKK was the fastest to accept me.”

“Living here in the summer is a bit of a trick,” complains the student from Croatia, “What you see in the summer is not exactly what you see in the winter!”

It’s a popular option to pursue a PhD in Finland, but students face many challenges, as well.
“It’s hard to get to know people here,” comments one student from China, “But, I work very hard on my studies, so I don’t really notice.”

“I really liked the philosophy of living here when I first arrived,” comments the Croatian student, “Be concerned with your own business. But, it can also get frustrating and lonely. I have to say though my colleagues are excellent, but work is the driving force behind my stay. I’m not planning on staying here; I think I’d like to go somewhere warmer! But, who knows, I could fall in love, and end up staying here for many more years.”

Students were pretty unanimous in their belief that the educational experience in Finland was pretty good overall, but there were mixed reviews on traditional Finnish activities.

“They are much more formal here, but the Sauna is great!” explains the Turkish student, “It almost reminds me of the Turkish bath houses”. “I’m not sure if I understand why people hit each other with branches, but it is a good place to talk,” says the Chinese student.

“I think that I might not understand the Sauna, because I’m from a place that already has such a hot climate!” says the Croatian student, “Although, I did get whipped with the birch once or twice—that was definitely a new experience.”

“I’ve also tried reindeer,” he continues, “I don’t understand it, I think that beef is tastier.”

“I think that Sauna is just a good way to understand culture,” says the Chinese student, “There is a lot of work at the university, I don’t have time to experience the people. But there are a lot of opportunities here, and so it makes it worth it.”

“Advice for making friends?” laughs the Turkish student, “Actually, I need some advice in that department. Luckily our research group is large, and so I have enough friends in that department. But I definitely find that in Finland, I spend a lot of time alone.”

“My favorite part of Finland is definitely the nature,” he continues, “I love seeing all of the green. It’s also a good country to get in shape, and play tennis—I don’t always have a partner.”

“I haven’t written to Santa,” says the Chinese student, “Maybe I will in the winter. I haven’t even seen any reindeer—though, I’m planning on visiting Lapland in the fall.”

“Sure, the winter is really dark and dreary, but that almost helps me to focus. If it were sunny all of the time I wouldn’t be able to work anyway,” says the Croatian student, “I think that I’m really going to achieve a lot of research, and that was the goal of doing my PhD to begin with, so even though it can be hard, cold and lonely, it’s worth it.”

“I’ve learned to enjoy going to pubs alone, with a book and a beer,” says the Turkish student, “It’s completely different from Turkey where people are always interested in newcomers….”

“I don’t really have advice,” says the Chinese student, “Except, take advantage of the education. There are a lot of opportunities. It’s hard, but good.”