Student Life and Living in Helsinki

Have you been thinking about studying in Finland or searching for a beautiful country to complete the next stages of your studies? Look no further than Helsinki, Finland! We will highlight some of the practicalities and amazing reasons to live and study in Finland and discuss what student life at the University of Helsinki is like.

Firstly, let’s go through one of the most important factors when moving to a new country – a roof over your head and a new place to call home! Living in Finland’s capital, Helsinki, may not be the cheapest of places but there are many different options available to you. Student housing is available through HOAS, the foundation for student housing in the Helsinki region and is definitely the most affordable housing on offer with student-friendly pricing. There are many different types of housing on offer from studios to shared room housing across the three largest cities in the metropolitan region. You can easily filter through the different types of housing available to you or apply for housing through the HOAS website.

On the other hand, if you’re looking to branch out a little, there is always the option of renting from the private market. This option may be a little pricier, but it may provide you with more versatile options in different locations. Although it may be nice to have an apartment to yourself, renting a private room in a shared flat will definitely be a cheaper alternative. While the campuses are located in Helsinki, the surrounding cities of Vantaa and Espoo also offer great accommodation alternatives with their own little city centres and Helsinki is just a short trip away.

Now that we’ve covered the living situation, let’s talk a little bit about how to get around. The Helsinki metropolitan area is covered by an extensive public transportation network which includes bus, ferry, metro, train and tram. HSL is the authority that manages the public transportation system in the Helsinki region, and you can easily travel between the different cities within the metropolitan area using the same network, ticket and payment system. In addition to the public transport system being very efficient and effective, it makes travelling around a breeze and full-time students can also receive a 45% discount on season tickets when purchasing tickets through the HSL app!

Although the costs associated with living in Finland is typically not the cheapest compared to the rest of Europe and depending on where you are coming from, it all comes down to how and where you spend your money at the end of the day which can vary significantly from person to person. As a general guide to monthly living costs this can range from 700 to 1,000 euros a month to cover basic living expenses such as food, rent and transportation. If you would like to explore more about the living costs, Numbeo provides a great breakdown of the different costs of products, services and amenities which you will likely need.

Living in Helsinki can be quite friendly to students and a range of discounts are offered at different shops and restaurants in addition to the public transportation. The Frank student card app has a wide variety of discounts for students from services to restaurants and general shopping discounts which are always a great way to save some money. Although you should always be prepared and have enough savings or a financial plan to study and live in Finland, students are also able to work part time during the study periods.

There are two official languages, Finnish and Swedish. Fear not if you do not speak either of those languages as English is very widely used especially in Helsinki and you can definitely get by with only English. However, if you’re interested in entering a love-hate relationship with the beautiful language of Finnish or perhaps just want to learn some of the basics, the University of Helsinki offers a range of different courses from beginners to those with prior knowledge. Finnish language courses are available to students at the university free of charge through the language centre and is a great activity to pick up on the side of your studies and excellent way to meet new people.

Now to one of the most important aspects of living and studying in a new place – exploring the city! Meeting new people is very easy especially through the university where there are many student organisations or hobby activities which you can take up. There is usually events and activities occurring in the city to keep you busy and you are never too far from nature. The city has an abundance of parks and forests which can be easily accessed as well as two large national parks a short trip away. On the weekends or study breaks, it is easy to explore the many other beautiful Finnish cities or perhaps take a trip to Lapland, all locations are easily accessible by a short flight or long-distance train and buses. In addition, you will also quickly learn about the importance of sauna and how seriously the sauna culture is taken in Finland. There is no better place to have your first sauna experience than right here in Finland! In terms of the weather, there is four very distinct seasons in Finland – so something for all! If you’re searching for a country to have your first snow and proper winter experience this is definitely the place. On the contrary, the summertime in Finland is also filled with long endless summer days and midnight sun, a truly mesmerising sight. The weather in Finland is certainly something that will keep you on your toes!