Question about Kemi

scourge · Post by **scourge** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 5:18 pm

Hello everyone!

My name is Viet and I am from Vietnam.

I got accepted in Kemi-Tornio UAS and I will start my academic year this late August. I was wondering if there is anybody here that had studied in K-T and would be kind enough to give me some advice when I get here. Things like student life, important "to-do" things when I get there, study tips etc...

Also, I am a bit concerned about the fact that some people on this forum does not like this University, um, at all! Quote: "I know people who have studied in Kemi-Tornio UAS and they went crazy there...." from this topic: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=33243&start=0 . So...why are people going crazy there? Is there something about Kemi should I know about? I have already sent my confirmation letter so theres no going back now...

Please shed some light on this!

Thank you!

**Sponsor:**

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 7:05 pm

scourge wrote: Please shed some light on this!

The light is shed there now. In winter there is no light.

maurine · Post by **maurine** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:10 pm

its in the middle of nowhere.

Karhunkoski · Post by **Karhunkoski** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:15 pm

scourge wrote:So...why are people going crazy there? Is there something about Kemi should I know about?

Well it's quite small town, smaller than I would have liked when I was a student. Just checked and the population is an impressive 22,651.

Last time I was there it stank, badly, and I was pleased to leave.

Mark I. · Post by **Mark I.** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:34 pm

Kemi is a really small town in south-west of Lapland, very much characterized by big paper (pulp) factories near by. I don't know how it is today, but those factories really used to smell. Otherwise, it's considerer one the dullest places on earth. No wonder some unprepared foreigners get really depressed. (If someone says in Rovaniemi he/she is from Kemi, the reaction is like "oh my, I'm *so* sorry....".)

(Now I'm waiting to someone giving a lecture about how great Kemi is: Close to Tornio & Sweden, by a great river and by the sea, winter snow castles, icebreakers...)

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:54 pm

And a nice new refugee centre with the asylum seekers enriching the culture.

Rip · Post by **Rip** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:16 pm

I guess you can search the internet for climate and length of day issues, but basically for somebody from Vietnam, even on a mild winter it must be incredibly cold for you, and in midwinter it is pretty much continuous night with no day in between.

Vesper · Post by **Vesper** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 11:58 pm

I'm suprised Kemi-Tornio didn't make it on the 'additional application' list. Though, I also noticed Rovaniemi hasn't offered it's International Business program since 2008. When I lived in Finland, I meet several Finns who grew up somewheres in Lapland, and moved to southern Finalnd to attend a University. I got the impression, they had absolutely no desire to move back to Lapland. Only to visit Lapland for a vacation. People say Finland is rural, but Lapand is extremely rural & extremely cold. It's pretty much boring there. You will have to entertain yourself, like the '4 dudes from the Arctic circle' to stay sane.

scourge · Post by **scourge** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 5:59 am

Mark I. wrote:I don't know how it is today, but those factories really used to smell. Otherwise, it's considerer one the dullest places on earth

Interesting facts. Well I hope my apartment won't stink of wood pulp, but that is not too much of my concern. It can't get any worse, right?

One more thing, save all of the dull social life and solitude, is Kemi-Tornio UAS a recognized University? I mean will my degree get me anywhere?

Anyways thanks guys for giving me heads up on what to expect in Kemi...

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 8:42 am

If it wasnt recognized you wouldn't be getting a residence permit.

sammy · Post by **sammy** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 9:52 am

scourge wrote:is Kemi-Tornio UAS a recognized University? I mean will my degree get me anywhere?

It's quite difficult to quarantee instant career success

But as far as "official recognition" goes the issue is simple.

Recognised polytechnics/UAS's are listed here.

Recognised universities are listed here.

In case the higher education institution is situated in Finland, but does not feature on those lists, you might as well forget it.

pörri · Post by **pörri** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 11:28 am

weeeell Kemi is not that bad after all. I live here and of course it has also lot of good sides. But anyway Im fully convinced that it depends a lot on the person and the way he/she manages to adapt; its possible to live happily here in the same way that its possible to be bored as hell in a big town if you dont manage to get friends or things to do. And its not that small

dapsycool4life · Post by **dapsycool4life** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 7:32 am

voi voi (whatever it means)

you are coming to a boring city. I'm also studying BIT, so you may see me when you arrive.There is a good international program for BIT students here if you are good, that is, you can get a dual degree. One from a US university and another from what some Finns here call nowheremaki institution in Finland

At least the former will be more valuable

estar preparado para el aburrimiento

Nos reuniremos en Kemi

jouhikainen · Post by **jouhikainen** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 12:05 am

scourge wrote:Hello everyone!

My name is Viet and I am from Vietnam.

I got accepted in Kemi-Tornio UAS and I will start my academic year this late August. I was wondering if there is anybody here that had studied in K-T and would be kind enough to give me some advice when I get here. Things like student life, important "to-do" things when I get there, study tips etc...

Also, I am a bit concerned about the fact that some people on this forum does not like this University, um, at all! Quote: "I know people who have studied in Kemi-Tornio UAS and they went crazy there...." from this topic: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=33243&start=0 . So...why are people going crazy there? Is there something about Kemi should I know about? I have already sent my confirmation letter so theres no going back now...

Please shed some light on this!

Thank you!

Kemi is pretty small town, work places are scarce and not much opportunities for free time except the pubs. If you can't survive without an active social life with excitement then you probably won't survive there for long. If you just want to study the degree and then head for better places, and you can cope with the cultural/social/environmental differences (which are probably going to be huge since you are from Vietnam) then you will be okayish.

kalusam · Post by **kalusam** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:57 pm

Hello Viet,
My Advice is for you to go there to study(That is if you are not already there now), and probably apply for transfer to other UAS in the larger helsinki area after one year of your studies in Kemi.
Kalu

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