Thomas Barr - University of Jyvaskyla, Finland

ISEP Study Abroad programme 2022/23

“Genuinely the greatest and happiest time of my entire life.”

Experiencing Finnish university life and culture

My classes have been in multiple buildings on different campuses across the city, whilst at home all my classes are in one building. The campus in Jyvaskyla is situated within the city and in fact the city of Jyvaskyla somewhat revolves around the university. The Coleraine campus is more open but a decent distance from the nearest town.

Finnish people are quieter than people at home. Public transport is a much more enjoyable experience because the people tend to be more reserved. Finns can be social, however, and they do like to talk and drink. Finnish people are really efficient when it comes to keeping the place clean, you must always take your shoes off before entering someone's house. Recycling is a bigger deal in Finland compared to Northern Ireland. At certain restaurants it is expected that you can clear away your own dishes, all plates, cups and cutlery must be placed in certain trays after you are finished with them. The education system is less strict than back home. The classes are friendlier and you are more likely to be graded on participation in discussions more than essays/exams.

International students were kept together and this meant it was easy to meet people from many different countries. A top conversation starter was by asking someone where they were from. Events were also put on by the university and by other student organisations to help meet people. There was an international dinner where we showcased our nation's cuisine. I became close friends with people from Hong Kong, Chile, United States, Germany, Japan, France and Spain.

Memorable moments

• The abundance of lakes and forests that are within a 10 minute walk from my accommodation;
• Efficient public transport and intercity trains made travel easy and allowed me to travel from Jyvaskyla to Helsinki, Tampere and Turku;
• Weekend trip to Stockholm, Sweden to explore the historic city and go to a concert;
• Weekend trip to Tallinn, Estonia;
• Four days in Finnish Lapland - crossed the Arctic Circle, fed reindeer, went ice fishing and snowmobiling;
• Catching a glimpse of the Northern lights;
• Snow!

Challenges

The main challenge is the language but thankfully most of the people I have met can speak English. I have picked up some basic phrases to make interactions smoother. I have encountered very few challenges to be honest, it has been very easy to adapt to living here. I guess initially I was confused about how the public transport operated, but after the first few times using it I got used to it.

Advice

Talk to as many people as possible - without a group of friends to talk with you will feel very lonely. Explore as many places as possible. Of course, this depends on how much money you have but you should keep in mind that you may never get this chance again. Try new things - embrace the local culture by trying local food and local activities. Have fun!