What to bring with me for a study abroad in Finland?

lexib · Post by **lexib** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 6:37 pm

I'm an American student that is going to be studying in Turku for a year.

I've been trying to decide what to pack with me. Things like "warm clothes" are obvious, but what about the little things that I might have trouble finding over there? For example, a friend of mine who studied at Aalto university told me to bring all my make-up for the year with me, as there is an exorbitant tax on make-up in Finland.

Are there other things that would be a lot cheaper for me to bring (as opposed to buying once I'm in Finland). Or things that I take for granted in America that I won't find in Finland (how about deoderant? please tell me finland has deoderant. or peanut butter.)

Thanks ahead of time!

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interleukin · Post by **interleukin** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 7:38 pm

others are gonna add to this list but here goes:

Painkillers. they cost SO much here and you sometimes just get to buy 8 or so at a time. Bring a bucket or as much as you will need for a year. Also antihistamines or things like that if you use them. I stock up on those things when I am in the States.

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 11:57 pm

If you use contact lenses, enough of them and fluids and leave a copy of the prescription home so that someone can send you stuff if you run out, as the whole setup is "different" here - you have more stuff to worry about.

Deodorant? OMG you mean you don't know how to use the three clam shells either?

Peanut butter... heres an American opinion on it

chinchan_thexfiles · Post by **chinchan_thexfiles** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 2:50 pm

drug prescription, if you want your parents to send some. (The custom will not let you get the medicine sent by post if you have no prescription.) To be safe bring enough vital medicine with you, it's completely ok bringing with you to Finland.) However, OTC-over the counter is completely ok.

MikeD · Post by **MikeD** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 4:13 pm

I don't think there's any special tax on make-up. There's VAT (Value Added Tax) on just about everything, it's either 9%, 13% or 23% depending on the type of product but it is always included in the prices. Just about everything will cost more in Finland, but you can't bring a year's worth of everything with you... So to answer your question: bring money.

sinikala · Post by **sinikala** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 5:10 pm

lexib
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Destined to be another one-post wonder, but here goes ....

Bring a lap-top, and make sure it has a dual voltage power supply (110 / 240V). Computers and IT supplies are more expensive in Finland than in the USandA. The price in USDs will often be the price in €UROs.

Peanut butter there is a local brand which it revolting - Skippy is available sporadically at around €4.5 for a 16oz jar. I've seen another US brand in my local hypermarket at €6.5 for a 16 oz jar. You might pack 1 jar and make it last, even if you are saving €3.5 per jar, doesn't make sense to load your suitcase if each jar takes up 2% of your luggage weight allowance.

If there is an alcoholic drink you like ... Baileys / Vodka / US wine... buy it in duty free as you leave the US, alcohol is highly taxed here... there is a state monopoly on sale of anything stronger than beer.

lexib · Post by **lexib** » Sun Jul 25, 2010 9:38 am

Thanks so much for your help guys! I hadn't even thought of painkillers- that goes on the list now!

seja · Post by **seja** » Sun Jul 25, 2010 11:24 pm

Nice to see that there are going to be some more Americans in Turku, there aren't too many of us here. As for what to pack, some common mistakes are that it isn't just about dressing warm, but knowing how to dress properly. Make sure to think about packing your clothes based on layers, rather than just what is warmest. While the cold days easily drop to temperatures unheard of in many parts of the states, it is all to common that inside buildings it can get very hot, so you have to be able to adapt to temperature changes. Summers do get fairly warm, it has been in the 80's for several weeks now, so bring some warm weather clothes too. Unlike back home, they don't salt the sidewalks, rather they sprinkle tiny rocks over the ice. This will then ice over again and create a vicious cycle where the sidewalks are extremely slippery compared to what we're used to. In short, bring a good pair of boots. Make sure you have your gloves, scarf, hat, long underwear. While the winter time is dark, in the summer Finland turns to land of the midnight sun so be sure to bring eye covers with you (unless you know that your apartment has blackout shades).

Makeup is much cheaper in the states, along with clothes, luggage, electronics and most any other consumer products that you can think of so pack up on all of that. Deodorant is readily available but it is mostly roll-on, so if you're not into that then bring from home. Razors are much cheaper in the states along with shampoos and hair care products. Essentially, walk into your local Rite-Aid and look around. Plan on spending 1.5-2x the price for anything you buy in Finland and think about what you must have and bring that with you. One way to pick and choose is what is going to cost you the most and buy that stuff in America and when your bags fill up start planning on buying the cheaper stuff out here.

I missed peanut butter a lot too, and you can find decent peanut butter for as low as $4.50 for a normal sized jar. Bring some comfort food items, because you're not going to be willing to spend the money for them here. A good example is I recently saw a box of Lucky Charms for sale, the price: $17 (including tax). You'll learn to eat like the locals soon enough, but I always bring some small items like butterfingers back with me.

Bring a US/Euro plug adapter with you because our plugs don't fit. Check to see if your blow dryer takes 220v, if not it is probably cheaper to buy a new one here than to buy the voltage adapter. If your mobile phone isn't unlocked, leave it at home and just get a new one here.

Keep in mind that most airlines now only allow one bag weighing between (40-50lbs depending on the airline) free of charge. Finnair still allows two, but they are now the exception to the rule. Most airlines allow cheap check in of a second bag (usually around $50 if you pay online before your flight) so I recommend doing so to get your stuff here.

Some little things that come to mind, notebooks are very expensive out here. If you have room for one that will serve for several classes it could be a good idea, but not essential. If you like to read, bring a long book because most of the books out here that are in English in the book stores seems to be the ones you buy at the airport. If you take vitamins, bring those. I always tend to bring a large bottle of tequila from home. The stuff here isn't very good and is way overpriced.

Let me know if you have any other questions, I'm happy to help.

Tiwaz · Post by **Tiwaz** » Tue Jul 27, 2010 8:16 am

http://goscandinavia.about.com/od/finla ... inland.htm
http://www.tulli.fi/en/index.jsp

- What are the Finnish customs rules for medicines? Finland allows travelers from the European Economic Area to bring personal prescription medicines (up to a one year supply) without a customs declaration. All others can bring a 90-day supply of personal prescription drugs to Finland. A formal doctor’s note may be requested by Finland customs officials. Some types of narcotics are more highly restricted, however.

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