How about Erasmus?

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Satiro
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How about Erasmus?

Post by Satiro » Sat Feb 14, 2004 7:18 pm

Hello all!
First of all, just say the forum is great, congratulations to the masters.
I would like to know about somebody who has been in Finland studying an Erasmus year, how is the experience..., and also if is neccesary to speak finnish (how much). As far as I know finnish universities are really good, that´s true?
Kiitos.


Aut tace aut loquere miliora silentio

How about Erasmus?

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Sara
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Post by Sara » Sat Feb 14, 2004 9:23 pm

I orginally came with them in '98 for 3 months as a exchange student to Joensuu University.

Are you thinking of coming for a full year? To which university.

It really is worth doing, there is so much here waiting to be experienced. I had a fantastic time. Loved every minute of it. You will probably join up with other foreign students as well so youre not going to be alone.

You will probably be offered a beginners Finnish course - take it! If you only learn how to say hello, bye and thankyou its something. You can easily get by without any Finnish here, so many speak English. But its always nice to try as much as you can :D

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Hank W.
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Post by Hank W. » Sun Feb 15, 2004 10:14 am

Cheers, Hank W.
sitting here like a lemon looking for a gin.

dusty_bin
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Post by dusty_bin » Sun Feb 15, 2004 11:58 am

I did Erasmus!

Great scheme. Paid holiday for a year. If you take language lessons in countries with 'minority' languages then you get paid extra. I came to Oulu to study Finnish, got paid a little under 1500Euro for the months and then on to a year in Helsinki, for which I got about 3700Euro. This was back in 1999/2000. I never returned to my old university.

I understand that Oulu only did the language course for just one year, but it did continue in Helsinki.
It was in Oulu that I met my first Estonian girl, one of the teaching staff. I and, I think, all my colleagues fell in love with her. Perhpas she is why I am here now...

Apart from porn movies and prostitution, it is about the only oportunity you will have to get paid to have sex...

gavin

Post by gavin » Sun Feb 15, 2004 12:06 pm

I can honestly say Erasmus changed my life completely.

In 1995 went to Joensuu on a 3 month exchange, ended up staying for 6. They had to drag me kicking and screaming back to Scotland to finish my degree.

During the first months in Finland, I met Mari, and since then we have been working and travelling about together, with a common 'return to Finland' instinct. Out of 9 years we've spent a couple of summers and winters in Finland, but been 'living here' for about 3 years now.

I don't know anyone who has had a bad experience, so you have nothing to lose!

Cheers
Gavin

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Ivan
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Post by Ivan » Sun Feb 15, 2004 3:49 pm

Hei

I am probably the most recent post-Erasmus student on the board? maybe not.
But anyhow I studied in a Polytechnic in Vantaa and lived in Helsinki for one academic year. I can honestly say that it was the best experience of my life so far. I met some great people from all over the world, people that I am still in contact with and who I will visit in their home country soon, as they have already visited mine!
I found the level of education to be excellent, the support and facilities A1. I have nothing negative to say about Finland or its people. I went on my own, which i think is the best way to travel, as you get involved more and meet more people.
I loved Finland so much that I wanted to return this year to work for 6 months, but findind a job (internship) has proved too difficult so unfortunately I will have to give up on that idea :-(
Ah well I guess it was not meant to be!

All I can say is if you want to go on Erasmus, you won't find a better place than Finland!
Ivan
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"I choose my friends for their good looks, my acquaintances for their good characters, and my enemies for their good intellects. A man cannot be too careful in the choice of his enemies"

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Satiro
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Post by Satiro » Mon Feb 16, 2004 2:52 am

Well... I always have liked Finland, but this summer I met a finnish friend so I became more interested. Some Erasmus students in bigger countries don't find the "national character", I guess Finland has to be really different to France or UK(for instance), in the way it has a lot to get used to, and that makes it interesting as place to know. Am I right?
Also finnish seems to be difficult, but worth to be learn. I gonna study economics this september, Is it a good idea to study the last year abroad? I think that gives one a double career.
Finally, about how liveable is Finland with 1500€ monthly? Is it so expensive (for a student life cost) as everybody says? :?

Has anybody any bad exchange? It seems even nicer than what I thought
Aut tace aut loquere miliora silentio

dusty_bin
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Post by dusty_bin » Mon Feb 16, 2004 3:05 am

With so much money, if you are in student housing, you wil be able to feel rich. I am sure there are plenty here who would be envious of such after-tax wealth!

Are you male or female and can we go out on a date when you arrive no matter what gender! ;)

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Satiro
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Post by Satiro » Tue Feb 17, 2004 3:41 am

Yeah! 1500€ would be really good! I heard Erasmus means 4100 FIM (700€) i have to check it. Anyway , I´m a male, I guess you too, dusty_bin. I may (I hope so) do Erasmus in 05/06, meanwhile finnishschool.com it's a good start!
Thank you.
Aut tace aut loquere miliora silentio

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michellebarrett
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Post by michellebarrett » Fri Feb 27, 2004 5:38 pm

I did a year in Helsinki as an Erasmus student during the academic year of 2001-2002. It was my year of industrial placement that was mandatory for my degree course in Coventry.

I had a fantastic time as I got to experience not only the life as a scientific researcher, but also the life in Finland. Everyone was welcoming, friendly and helpful and the department I was working in at the University of Helsinki was clean and modern. I got to meet many other Erasmus students from other countries, as well as some brilliant Finns.

Although nearly everyone spoke English, I took a Basic Finnish for Foreigners course at the University. I took the opportunity to use some Finnish in the laboratory when I was working with some of the technicians. They seemed to appreciate the effort of trying to speak their language.

All I can say is that my year in Helsinki was the best year of my degree course. I was even asked to write for the university paper on my experience, so that prospective students coming to Coventry could see what was on offer as part of the degree.

Would recommend anyone to take the opportunity if it's offered. :)
'I love the male body... it's better designed than the male mind.'
(Andrea Newman, b. 1938)


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