Vaasa, Finland

[imbasit995]

Might be moving to Vaasa soon and I have a few questions.
1.Anyone here currently living in Vaasa?
2.Are there many foreign students in Vaasa?
3.Is it a big city?
4.Any important things to know about Vaasa?

[eshupa]

Yeap, quite open place..alot of immigrants students..so dont worry.there are even couple of african shops there I live in kokkola and is about 120km to Vaasa...is an awesome place to be and to live..Cheers

[imbasit995]

Yeap, quite open place..alot of immigrants students..so dont worry.there are even couple of african shops there I live in kokkola and is about 120km to Vaasa...is an awesome place to be and to live..Cheers

Cool btw im fron pakistan , but its gonna be my first time moving alone so just a bit nervous.

[Flossy1978]

I lived in Mustasaari, 15km from Vaasa at one point in my life. I travelled into Vaasa everyday during the week.

There are plenty of foreigners there.

And it's also got a huge Swedish speaking population. The village I lived in, comprised of 400 people. All used Swedish as their mother tongue.

I assume since it's been a very long time since I've lived there, that the place has gotten bigger and whatnot. Since it seems all the cities are getting bigger and the country towns smaller these days.

The winters can be a killer. I remember the wind was awful and it's so dark and dark and dark...... Much more than down in the south.

But the people were so much nicer and friendlier than down in Helsinki. I had so many friends and they talk and it's just more pleasant in general. I don't know why. But then I am an Australian, and I was quite an exotic foreigner to meet back in those days.....

It's a nice place. You'll find everything you need there. Except of course maybe for the foods you would make at home in Pakistan.

[imbasit995]

I lived in Mustasaari, 15km from Vaasa at one point in my life. I travelled into Vaasa everyday during the week.

There are plenty of foreigners there.

And it's also got a huge Swedish speaking population. The village I lived in, comprised of 400 people. All used Swedish as their mother tongue.

I assume since it's been a very long time since I've lived there, that the place has gotten bigger and whatnot. Since it seems all the cities are getting bigger and the country towns smaller these days.

The winters can be a killer. I remember the wind was awful and it's so dark and dark and dark...... Much more than down in the south.

But the people were so much nicer and friendlier than down in Helsinki. I had so many friends and they talk and it's just more pleasant in general. I don't know why. But then I am an Australian, and I was quite an exotic foreigner to meet back in those days.....

It's a nice place. You'll find everything you need there. Except of course maybe for the foods you would make at home in Pakistan.

sounds nice, but Im a bit worried about the winter, havent seen snow in like almost 10 years it'll be a bit hard to manage I guess

[Flossy1978]

Why are you worried?

It's just winter. You just dress warm and you'll be fine.

And keep yourself busy! Don't just go to school and then sit at home alone. Keeping yourself busy with activities and friends is really important and will help with the long dark winters. Autumn I believe is the hardest time. When it's dark and miserable. Once the snow sets it, it seems to be a bit easier. You could take up ice skating or skiing to help. That will get you out of the house. And walking on the sea is always nice too.

The darkness can lead to depression. So it's a good idea to start taking Vitamin D tablets when the darkness sets in. I can sometimes help. I think it's the hardest thing for foreigners who come from 'sunny' places have to deal with when they come to Finland. You might cope for a year or two and then the SAD depression could set in one dark Autumn. Or happen the first Autumn you experience the long dark winters. A doctor told me it's quite common amongst foreigners. More than Fins who are use to it.

[Pursuivant]

What is a "big city"? Helsinki has 500 000 population and its a "metropolis", GHA maybe one million. Vaasa has about 65 000 people - and thats not the "city area " but the whole county. So yes - in Finland it is a city - somewhere else it would be a village.

[imbasit995]

Why are you worried?

It's just winter. You just dress warm and you'll be fine.

And keep yourself busy! Don't just go to school and then sit at home alone. Keeping yourself busy with activities and friends is really important and will help with the long dark winters. Autumn I believe is the hardest time. When it's dark and miserable. Once the snow sets it, it seems to be a bit easier. You could take up ice skating or skiing to help. That will get you out of the house. And walking on the sea is always nice too.

The darkness can lead to depression. So it's a good idea to start taking Vitamin D tablets when the darkness sets in. I can sometimes help. I think it's the hardest thing for foreigners who come from 'sunny' places have to deal with when they come to Finland. You might cope for a year or two and then the SAD depression could set in one dark Autumn. Or happen the first Autumn you experience the long dark winters. A doctor told me it's quite common amongst foreigners. More than Fins who are use to it.

Yeah im not a indoor type of guy, I cant wait to go ice skating, skiing and snowboarding. Although i've never done them i've always wanted too, im open to play any sports basically I just like being outside. And I keep reading the Fins are reserved people and it takes a while to become friends with them, I dont usually have trouble making friends but I cant live without any.

[imbasit995]

What is a "big city"? Helsinki has 500 000 population and its a "metropolis", GHA maybe one million. Vaasa has about 65 000 people - and thats not the "city area " but the whole county. So yes - in Finland it is a city - somewhere else it would be a village.

oh right

[Flossy1978]

Yes, Fins are reserved. The older you are when you are here, the harder it is to make friends, I believe.

Since you are going to study. I am assuming there's going to be a lot of other foreigners and it'll be easy for you to make friends with them, because they're all in the same situation as you. Younger Fins are in general more open to making friendships, but it's usually you, the foreigner who has to work at the friendship. I've found after living here for 13 years.

See, a lot of Fins grow up in the one area. Go to the same school with the same kids etc. So they have all their friends. Many keep their friends all their lives.

But you never know. You could end up making one or two good Finnish friends. Just depends.

[imbasit995]

Yes, Fins are reserved. The older you are when you are here, the harder it is to make friends, I believe.

Since you are going to study. I am assuming there's going to be a lot of other foreigners and it'll be easy for you to make friends with them, because they're all in the same situation as you. Younger Fins are in general more open to making friendships, but it's usually you, the foreigner who has to work at the friendship. I've found after living here for 13 years.

See, a lot of Fins grow up in the one area. Go to the same school with the same kids etc. So they have all their friends. Many keep their friends all their lives.

But you never know. You could end up making one or two good Finnish friends. Just depends.

Hmm sounds about right ive moved to alot of different countrys and most of my friends have known eachother since kindergarten. Btw I have a question about VOAS the vaasa student housing, when you apply for a house with like 3 rooms do you get put with random students or how does that work?

[Julkka]

Might be moving to Vaasa soon and I have a few questions.
1.Anyone here currently living in Vaasa?
2.Are there many foreign students in Vaasa?
3.Is it a big city?
4.Any important things to know about Vaasa?

If you're applying for accomodation, it might be wise to avoid Suviboksi and Olympia-kortteli, they have a bad reputation in this town. Other places are ok.
Many students favor Palosaari, it's close to both the campus and downtown, a bit expensive though.

[imbasit995]

If you apply for a 3 room apartment then that's exactly what you get but naturally it means you have a lot of money. Unless you specify you want a shared apartment then you won't be put in one. If you're single, you will eventually opt for the shared apartments because of the low rent. Some of them have a shared bathroom others don't. In all cases the kitchen is shared.

sry not a 3 room apartment meant a shared one, I found it to be the cheapest too

[imbasit995]

Might be moving to Vaasa soon and I have a few questions.
1.Anyone here currently living in Vaasa?
2.Are there many foreign students in Vaasa?
3.Is it a big city?
4.Any important things to know about Vaasa?

If you're applying for accomodation, it might be wise to avoid Suviboksi and Olympia-kortteli, they have a bad reputation in this town. Other places are ok.
Many students favor Palosaari, it's close to both the campus and downtown, a bit expensive though.

Thanks for the heads up man, I actually thought Olympia seemed like the best choice for me but now gonna go for Loftis. Hows that place?

[imbasit995]

Btw whens the best time to apply for housing because I read that rent agreements with VOAS is for a whole semester and cant be terminated.