5 • 2014
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Kemi • Rovaniemi • Tornio LAPLAND UNIVERSITY GUIDE OF APPLIED SCIENCES
PRACTICAL INFORMATION LAPLAND UNIVERSITY GUIDE OF APPLIED SCIENCES
Publisher Lapland University of Applied Sciences Layout Lapland UAS Communications Images Jesse Tamski, Lapland UAS Communications, The Lapland University Consortium is a unique form Labland Above Ordinary, Tornion kaupunki, Rodeo of strategic alliance in Finland, as it comprises a union Printing House Erweko, Oulu 2014 between Lapland University of Applied Sciences and Print run of 700 University of Lapland. CONTENT
INFORMATION ON AFTER ARRIVAL . . . 19 Free-time activities THE INSTITUTION: Degree students 21 in Kemi and Tornio 39 LAPLAND UAS . . . . . 3 Exchange students 21 Free-time activities in Rovaniemi 41 Academic year 5 Civil Registries 21 Finnish Friend Programme 42 Studying at Lapland After Arrival checklist 22 University of Applied Sciences 5 ABOUT FINLAND . . . 43 Finnish education system 7 LIVING IN FINLAND . 23 Where are we? 44 Lapland University of Applied Accommodation 23 What´s the time? 44 Sciences’ programmes for Accommodation international students 8 in Kemi and Tornio 25 Who are we? 44 Contact information 10 Private accommodation 26 How do we live? 46 ROTKO – student union of Accommodation in Rovaniemi 26 What do we do for a living? 47 Lapland UAS 12 Health Care Services 27 Finnish holidays 47 BEFORE COMING TO Health Care Services in Kemi and Tornio 28 SURVIVAL FINNISH . .48 ...... 13 LAPLAND Health Care Services Visa and residence permit 13 in Rovaniemi 29 LINKS WORTH Health insurance 15 Mental health 31 CHECKING ...... 49 Document Check List 16 Emergency Help 31 CONTACT Accommodation 16 Sexuality 31 INFORMATION . . . . .50 Transport connections 16 Social security for students 31 Inform about your arrival time 17 Weather and clothing 32 MAPS ...... 52 Customs 17 Money and Banking 33 Kemi 52 Before Arrival checklist 18 Communication and Media 34 Rovaniemi 53 Working in Finland 36 Tornio 54 Free-time 37
2 • Practical Information Guide INFORMATION ON THE INSTITUTION: LAPLAND UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
LAPLAND University of Applied Sciences is Lapland UAS is a multidisciplinary Lapland University of Applied Sciences has the northernmost University of Applied institution of professional education two campuses, the Rovaniemi and Kemi- Sciences in Finland and in the European offering many fields of study. There are Tornio campuses. Our premises in Union. Lapland University of Applied seven fields of studies in Lapland UAS: Rovaniemi are located in Ounasvaara, Sciences (Lapland UAS) was formed when Rantavitikka and Viirinkangas. The Kemi-Tornio University of Applied • Culture premises in Kemi and Tornio are called Sciences and Rovaniemi University of • Natural resources and the Kosmos, Terveysala and Minerva. Applied Sciences merged on 1 January environment It is our honor to provide good student 2014. Lapland UAS educational units are • Social services, health and sports services and high quality education located in three towns: Rovaniemi, Tornio • Tourism, catering and domestic leading to excellent learning outcomes. and Kemi. The institution offers a modern services An important part of our services is the and international learning environment tutoring system for international students. • Social sciences, business and with good services for students. Lapland Tutors are trained to help international administration UAS has about 5600 students who graduate students with every situation that may with versatile language skills and the • Natural sciences occur during their stay at Lapland UAS. capacity to meet the challenges of a • Technology, communication and To get familiar with our student services changing work life and international transport please visit www.pakkasraja.fi. environment. Annually there are nearly All staff members welcome you to study 600 international students, including with us here in Lapland UAS! We hope international degree programme students that you enjoy your studies and student and exchange students. life in Lapland!
3 ARCTIC VITALITY! We refine expertise and vitality from the strengths and opportunities of a changing operating environment to meet the needs of northern people and organisations.
LAPLAND UAS
Number of students 5600
Number of employees 550 ROVANIEMI Fields
7 TORNIO Culture Social sciences, business and administration Natural resources and the environment KEMI Technology, communication and transport Social services, health and sport Natural Sciences Tourism, catering and domestic services
4 • Practical Information Guide ACADEMIC YEAR goal of elective courses is to deepen and supplement student’s The academic year is divided into two semesters: the autumn professional know-how. semester and the spring semester Lectures are given from August Supervised practical training that enhances professional skills to December in autumn and from January to May in spring. The familiarizes students with the main practical tasks associated semesters are divided to two periods. There are 4 periods during with their field and the application of knowledge and skills in the academic year. Public and national holidays are included in working life. the Academic Calendar. On public holidays there are no lectures The bachelor’s thesis indicates students’ readiness to apply their and shops and banks are usually closed. knowledge and skills in specialized tasks or the development of Check the Academic Calendar from www.lapinamk.fi. working life related to their professional studies. The goal of the Master’s thesis completed in conjunction with a Master’s STUDYING AT LAPLAND UNIVERSITY OF degree programme is to develop and indicate the ability to apply APPLIED SCIENCES research data and use selected methods to outline and solve Studying at Lapland UAS includes contact studies at the school, problems in working life and readiness to work independently practical training and independent studies. Adult education is in a demanding, specialized job. mainly implemented as multi-format education which may include evening and weekend studies as well as online or virtual Credits studies. The curriculum presents the study units of the degree The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) programme and their objectives and learning outcome. Based on is a measure of the scope of studies. Study units are allotted credits the curriculum, students compile an individual study plan (ISP) according to the amount of work they require. The average of together with their teacher tutor, in which they plan the progress 1600 hours required to complete the studies of one academic year and manner of completing their studies in detail: e.g., they choose correspond to 60 ECTS credits. Therefore 27 hours of work their line-specific studies and free-choice electives. correspond to one ECTS credit. In compiling the individual study plan, credits may be given for prior learning acquired elsewhere. A transfer of credits for Assessment and prior learning acquired elsewhere must be applied for during the the grading system first semester. Assessment of students’ competence is based on the objectives and learning outcome presented in the curriculum. The The structure of studies performance requirements for study units may include A degree programme is an entity with one or more lines of study. examinations and various written and oral exercises. Students Students are accepted to study in a degree programme or a line of have two opportunities to repeat a failed study unit and one study. A study unit is a basic unit in terms of content and structure. opportunity to raise the grade of a completed study unit. Study Several study units belonging to the same subject form a study unit examinations are arranged in conjunction with the study module. units and on general examination dates. Students must sign up in Basic studies develop students’ study skills and language skills writing for examinations held on general examination dates at and provide them with basic knowledge needed in research and least two weeks in advance. The study unit performance development work. Students also become familiar with the core requirements and principles of assessment are given in the concepts and theoretical and professional principles of their curriculum. Study units are graded on a scale of: field. Professional studies familiarize students with the entities and • Excellent (5) applications of professional work and their scientific principles. • Good (3–4) Advanced professional studies in a Master’s degree programme • Satisfactory (1–2) deepen students’ application of theory in practice, as well as • Failed (0) their project leading skills, R&D skills and social skills. The
Practical Information Guide • 5 Diploma supplements and official transcripts of records to all prior learning, practical training, study Transcripts of Records exchange students. An official transcript techniques, physical, mental and social Lapland University of Applied Sciences will be sent to the international office of welfare and free time activities. Every provides a diploma supplement as an the exchange student’s home institution study group is assigned a tutor teacher, appendix to the original degree certificate. within 5 weeks from the end of each who is responsible for following the The diploma supplement is being issued in semester (January/June). study results and progress of the studies. a widely spoken European language, given Student counselors assist students in automatically and free of charge to every Academic guidance preparing their individual study plans student upon graduation. It is issued in all Academic guidance (by tutor teachers) is and in the preparation for international bachelor degree programmes and in all an ongoing process which aims to improve exchange periods. master’s degree programmes. This is in a students’ adjustment to the academic Students are responsible for accordance with the goal of the European system and to enhance her/his independent participating in education guidance Comission at improving international learning and to increase their expertise in and counseling. They are asked to give ‘transparency’ and at facilitating the their fields of study. feedback of the studies and services. academic and professional recognition of The content of the guidance consists qualifications (diplomas, degrees,of a personal study plan, recognition of certificates etc.). Lapland UAS works to provide graduates with more international opportunities either working or studying abroad by issuing an internationally recognized document. The document contains essential information about the professional and academic competence of the individual graduate in question. The transcript of records is an official document in which a student’s studies are recorded. In the transcript students will find all completed courses with credits and grades. Lapland UAS also provides
6 • Practical Information Guide PhD Licenciate The Education system 5 Master's degrees Master's degrees in Finland 4 WORK 3 EXPERIENCE Bachelor's degrees Bachelor's degrees 2 1 UNIVERSITIES OF UNIVERSITIES APPLIED SCIENCES
Higher Education Specialist vocational qualifications Matriculation Vocatinal upper examinations secondary qualifications 3 Further 2 UPPER SECONDARY UPPER SECONDARY WORK vocational 1 SCHOOLS SCHOOLS EXPERIENCE qualifications
16 10
15 9 WORK EXPERIENCE travel grants. International coordinators 14 8 and International office assist students in 13 7 applying for exchanges. 12 6 FINNISH 11 5 EDUCATION SYSTEM 10 4 9 3 The Finnish constitution guarantees the Compulsory Education 8 2 basic right for culture and education. The key aims of the Finnish education policy 7 1 BASIC EDUCATION are quality, efficiency, equality and 6 PRESCHOOL EDUCATION internationalization. Therefore, the Finnish education system offers everybody equal years School Age opportunities for education, irrespective of domicile, gender, economic situation or linguistic or cultural background. Peer guidance internationalization at home, project work The Finnish educational system The international student tutor kv-tuutori( ) and in international degree programs and consists of is usually the first person you meet when the development of joint/double degrees you arrive. He/she will help you to settle with European and international partners. • one year of voluntary pre-primary down and find your way around campus We have cooperation with universities in education, and around town. International student Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, Russia, • nine-years of basic compulsory tutors are degree students of Lapland UAS Argentina, Canada and the USA. Both education (“comprehensive school”), who are interested in the culture, customs, Finnish and international students are traditions and ways of life of people in encouraged to do their exchange periods • upper secondary education, other countries. in Europe. The length of these exchanges comprising vocational and can vary from 3 months to the whole general education, Internationalization school year. The list of exchange places can • higher education at universities and Internationalization affects all of our be found on www.lapinamk.fi. Outgoing universities of applied sciences. operations e.g. student and staff mobility, students are supported by Erasmus and
Practical Information Guide • 7 Rantavitikka, Rovaniemi Hiihtomajantie, Rovaniemi Viirikangas, Rovaniemi
LAPLAND UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES’ PROGRAMMES FOR DEGREE STUDY VENUE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS International Business Bachelor’s degrees Bachelor of Business Administration Rovaniemi Lapland UAS provides four international Nursing degree programmes that lead to a Bachelor’s Bachelor of Health Care Kemi Degree. The teaching language is English. Tourism Bachelor’s studies take 3.5-4 years to Bachelor of Hospitality Management Rovaniemi complete. They consist of basic, professional and elective studies, practical training and a Bachelor’s thesis. For more information about the programs see our web site www. abroad, they are able to work in various acquired at least 3 years of working lapinamk.fi. fields after graduating from Lapland UAS. experience. Studies aiming at a Master’s In Rovaniemi the degree programme About half of the students come from degree take about 1.5 years and the scope of in Tourism is located at the Viirinkangas Finland and the other half from abroad. the studies is 90 credits. campus (Multidimensional Tourism In addition, Lapland UAS attracts Lapland University of Applied Sciences Institute), and the degree programmes in many exchange students every semester. has one international degree programme International business and Information The internationally oriented and highly leading to a Master’s degree: International Technology are located at Rantavitikka motivated staff members are professionals Business Management (Master of Business campus. In Kemi the degree programme in in their fields who make studies even more Administration). Nursing is situated in Healthcare campus interesting. The international Bachelor’s The studies consist of on-line-studies and in Tornio Business Information degree programmes at the Lapland UAS with two seminar weeks per year in Technology programme is located in are the following: Tornio. Minerva campus. Studies take place in a modern Master’s degrees Exchange studies environment and among dozens of A Master’s degree is a good way to expand Lapland University of Applied Sciences different nationalities. No matter whether professional proficiency of those who (Lapland UAS) offers a modern, students want to stay in Finland or go already have a Bachelor’s degree and have international learning environment and
8 • Practical Information Guide Kosmos, Kemi Health Care, Kemi Minerva, Tornio
multi-cultural community for its students, staff and visitors. For incoming exchange students DEGREE PROGRAMMES ARE: Lapland UAS offers each semester an IN ROVANIEMI IN TORNIO extensive course selection in English. In addition students can participate to Forestry and Rural Industries Cultural and Media Arts courses in Finnish providing they have • Rural Industries • Media previous knowledge of Finnish language. • Forestry • Fine Arts Both Kemi-Tornio area in Southern Tourism and Hospitality Management Natural Sciences, Business and Lapland, close to the Swedish border, and • Hotel and Restaurant Management Administration the city of Rovaniemi, the home of Santa • Tourism • Business Information Technology • Business Management* Claus, offer lively, student-friendly and Social Services, Health Care and Sports safe environments for studies. • Physiotherapy IN KEMI The detailed information about • Nursing course selection in English is presented • Sports and Leisure Studies Social Services, Health Care and Sports in electronic course catalogue called • Social Services* Social Sciences, Business and SoleOPS. Course selection is updated • Geriatric Care Administration for each semester in advance, usually • Nursing* a few months before the semester • Business Management Technology starts. Exchange students can choose • International Business • Mechanical and Production Technology professional studies from one degree Technology • Electrical Engineering programme only. Although some degree • Land Surveying Engineering • Industrial Management programmes below are in Finnish, they • Civil Engineering provide courses in English for exchange • Information Technology students. * Practical training also available. You are also able to do practical training exchanges in certain programs
Practical Information Guide • 9 INFORMATION FOR INCOMING DEGREE PROGRAMME STUDENTS Admissions office Jokiväylä 11 C FI-96300 Rovaniemi, Finland Tel. 0400 830036 [email protected] During the summer please contact [email protected] CONTACT INFORMATION
Kemi-Tornio International Coordinators
International office Business and Culture, Tornio and Rovaniemi Ms Kati Kehusmaa Ms Teresa Chen Coordinator, International Relations Senior lecturer, M.A. Tel. +358 (0)40 573 2026 Tel. +358 (0)50 310 9213 Fax +358 (0)16 251 120 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Social Services, Health Care and Sports, Address: Kemi Lapland University of Applied Sciences Ms Eliisa Kursula International Relations Office Senior lecturer, M.A. P.O. Box 505, FI-94600 KEMI Tel. +358 (0)40 564 5607 FINLAND Email: [email protected] Visiting address Lumikontie 2
Information concerning accommodation in Technology, Kemi Kemi and Tornio Ms Martta Ruottu Mr Jukka Ikäläinen Senior lecturer, M.A. Accommodation officer Tel. +358 (0)40 522 6343 Tel. +358 (0)50 461 2335 Email: [email protected] Fax +358 (0)16 251 120 Email: [email protected]
10 • Practical Information Guide Rovaniemi English Degree programmes
Information for incoming exchange students: Degree Program in Tourism Lapland Institute for Tourism Research and International office Education (MTI) Ms Sanna Iivari Viirinkankaantie 1, FI-96300 Rovaniemi Coordinator, International Relations Student Affairs Officer: Tel. +358 (0)40 550 7443 Ms Seija Enbuske Ms Mari Putaansuu Tel. +358 400 896 963 Coordinator, International Relations Tel. +358 (0)40 503 7103
Email: [email protected] or Degree Program in International Business [email protected] Rantavitikka campus Address: Jokiväylä 11, FI-96300 Rovaniemi Lapland University of Applied Sciences International Relations Office Student Affairs Officer: Jokiväylä 11 C, FI-96300 Rovaniemi Ms Kirsti Mustajärvi FINLAND Tel. + 358 40 517 8872
International Coordinators
Social Services, Health Care and Sports, Degree Program in Business Information Foresty and Rural Industries & Technology Technology, Rovaniemi Minerva campus Ms Hellevi Leppiaho Kauppakatu 58, FI-95400 Tornio Senior Lecturer, MEd, RN Student Affairs Officer: Tel. +358 (0)40 539 9890 Ms Heli Hulkko Email: [email protected] Tel. + 358 40 747 9240 [email protected]
Tourism and Hospitality Management, Rovaniemi Degree Program in Nursing
Ms Pauliina Tykkyläinen Healthcare campus Coordinator, International Relations Meripuistokatu 26, FI-94100 Kemi Tel. +358 (0)40 710 6421 Student Affairs Officer: Email: [email protected] Ms Merja Jääskö Tel. + 358 40 843 0965 [email protected]
Practical Information Guide • 11 OFFICE LOCATIONS Kemi Tornio AND OPENING HOURS Kosmos, Tietokatu 1 Minerva, 1st floor Rovaniemi Open: Monday-Tuesday- (in the TOKKO office) Jokiväylä 11 Thursday Open: Wedneysday Open: Monday - Thursday 9 am - 3 pm 9 am- 3pm 10 am- 3 pm Tel. +358 40 152 8395 Tel. +358 40 152 8395 Tel. +358 40 152 8295 [email protected]
ROTKO - STUDENT UNION OF The Board of Representatives holds the Student union card LAPLAND UAS highest authority in the Student Union. As a student you are entitled to many ROTKO is the Student Union of Lapland The Board of Executives is responsible discounts and benefits. The most common University of Applied Sciences. It is here to of the everyday activities of the Student discounts for students are on the student promote the interests of students at UAS, Union. The Board of Representatives lunch at university cafeterias and discounts cities of Kemi, Rovaniemi and Tornio, and chooses the Board of Executives. on train and long-distance bus tickets. also in nationwide decision making. Everyone who is interested in the Some shops, restaurants and services offer Every member of the Student Union has Student Union and its activities are various discounts for students. In most a right to vote and run as a candidate in the warmly welcome to join! Contact the cases discounts require a student card, elections of the Board of Representatives. office or the board members! which can be obtained through the student unions. Exchange students can apply for the student card from ROTKO by filling in an online form. You’ll find the link at our website: www.lapinrotko.fi. Please do not pay the bill that you receive after order! Payments from abroad won’t register to our system. The student card will be given to the exchange student during the orientation week after paying the student card fee. Please note that doctoral Students are not entitled to the same benefits and discounts as undergraduate students.
www.lapinrotko.fi/en
12 • Practical Information Guide Confirm your study place in Lapland UAS well before deadline BEFORE COMING 29 July. More information in the acceptance package. TO LAPLAND
VISA AND RESIDENCE PERMIT permit to study in Finland. If you stay in EU/EAA citizens Finland for longer than six (6) months, As a citizen of one of the EU/EEA Citizen of the Nordic countries you are required to register personally at countries you do not need a visa As a citizen of one of the Nordic countries the local Register Officemaistraatti ( ). entering Finland. You are allowed to you do not need a visa or a residence See Contact Information on pages 51–52. study at Finnish educational institutions for three (3) months without visa or residence permit. If your studies/ practical training last longer than three (3) months you must register your right to reside in Finland. The registration takes place at the local police station and it costs about 50 Euros. To do the registration you need to have with you:
• Passport (recommended) or internationally recognized official identity card • European Health Insurance card • Letter of Acceptance or study certificate from Lapland UAS • You must be able to show that your upkeep is secured during your stay in Finland. (e.g bank statement, grant certificate) Non-EU citizens You are allowed to study at Finnish educational institutions for three (3)
Practical Information Guide • 13 CHECK LIST FOR STUDENT’S RESIDENCE PERMIT APPLICANTS
Submit your application to a Finnish Your health insurance and passport mission abroad once you have received must be valid during your entire stay in confirmation of a student place with Finland. If your studies take one year the invitation letter. Make sure before or longer, your health insurance and submitting your application that you passport must be valid for at least one have assembled all the necessary year from your date of arrival in Finland. appendices with your application. If your studies take less than one year, the validity of your insurance and months without applying for a residence Fill in application form OLE_OPI. You passport must cover your entire stay in can apply for a residence permit online Finland. permit. You can then complete your studies at https://e-asiointi.migri.fi. Sign the within the period of validity of your visa or form and include your contact details. Your livelihood must be secured. For while an agreement on the abolition of the Include all the necessary appendices a one-year residence permit you will visa is in force. If your studies last longer listed in Section E of the form. Please need to have 6,720 euros available. For than three (3) months, you need to apply note that any missing item will delay the studies taking less than a year you will for a residence permit from the Finnish processing of your application. Do not need 560 euros for each month. You add any unnecessary appendices to your must have the required sum deposited embassy or mission that represents Finland application. The Finnish Immigration in an account under your name or a in your home country before your Service will ask you to provide further certificate of a scholarship or bursary departure. clarification, if needed. Mention the granted by an official body. Sponsorship For further information visit the planned date of your arrival in Finland on guarantees given by private persons, website of the Ministry for foreign Affairs your application form. such as relatives, friends or employers in Finland formin.finland.fi (> Services > will not be accepted. Give your fingerprints at a Finnish foreign nationals arriving in Finland > embassy. An application submitted You cannot expedite the processing of Visa requirement and travel documents via e-service cannot be processed your application, for example because accepted by Finland). until you have given your fingerprints you have already purchased a flight You have to prove that you have sufficient for the biometric residence permit ticket. Applications are processed in funds to cover your living expenses in card. You also need to verify your the order in which they are received. Finland, that is, a minimum of 560 €/ identity and present the original copies You cannot expedite the processing of any supplements needed for the of your case by contacting migri by month or 6 720 €/year. After the first year application. If your documents are not in email or telephone. Please note that you must apply for the continuation of Finnish, Swedish or English, have them if you have not applied for a permit via your residence permit for each academic translated into one of these languages e-service, it takes an average of one year at the local police station. When by an authorized translator. Take the month for applications submitted at applying for a residence permit you must originals of your documents with you to diplomatic missions to reach the Finnish attach to your application details of your the embassy. Immigration Service. comprehensive health insurance cover with a reliable company or institution and when extending your residence permit, also certifications of your success in studies.
14 • Practical Information Guide Follow the progress of student application processing at the Finnish Immigration Service at http://www. migri.fi/ processing times. If you applied via e-service, you can check the status of your application online by logging in to e-services. Migri’s website will give you information and instructions if there are exceptional For local police stations see Contact • guardian of a child changes in average processing times information on page 51–52. For further under 18 years of age and if the decisions cannot be made before the studies begin. information visit the website of the • child Finnish immigration Service www. Note! Wait for the decision abroad. You migri.fi (> english > Studying) and the may not come to Finland while your website of the Finnish Police www.poliisi. If you give birth to a child in Finland the application is being processed and fi (> Licenses > Licenses and permits for child will not automatically get Finnish receive a residence permit card foreigners). citizenship. The citizenship will be here. A favorable decision on a determined by the citizenship of the residence permit cannot be delivered Family members immediately after it is made, because parents. Your child will also need a the manufacturing and posting A person who wishes to come to Finland residence permit to Finland. Residence of a residence permit card takes and live in the same household with a permit will be given to the child for the approximately three weeks. family member residing here must have a same period as parents’ residence permit If you have questions, check the residence permit. The permit can be is. Check the demands for the residence frequently asked questions on the granted on the basis of family ties. If you permit for the child. website of the Finnish Immigration want your family members to move to More information: http://www.migri. Service for possible answers. If Finland to live with you they will need fi/moving_to_finland_to_be_with_a_ you cannot find an answer to your their own residence permit. The demands family_member question, you may contact the service for the residence permit will be the same as numbers of the Finnish Immigration any other applicant. For example the Service. HEALTH INSURANCE applicant needs to prove that he/ she has the needed financial support to live in Citizens of the EU/EEA Finland. The family member who already the Finnish National Health Insurance Source: www.migri.fi is in Finland is so called sponsor. Who are plan administrated by the Social Insurance considered as family members is quite Institution (KELA) covers citizens of the narrow compared to other countries. By EU/EEA. You need to get a European the Finnish law the family members are: Health Insurance Card from your local • registered partner social security office in your home country before departure. Find out about the • cohabiting partner validity period of the card. You will be
Practical Information Guide • 15 offered the same services as Finnish citizens and your health expenses will be DOCUMENT CHECK LIST covered on the same conditions. It is still good to have a valid travel insurance which Exchange students need: Degree students need: covers the possible healthcare costs. Passport (recommended) or Passport (recommended) or Non EU/EEA citizens internationally recognized official internationally recognized official identity card; note that a passport is identity card; note that a passport is you must have a valid comprehensive necessary if you necessary if you insurance cover issued by a reliable and a) come from outside of a) come from outside of solvent company or institution. If your the Schengen area, the Schengen area, studies in Finland last less than two years, b) wish to travel outside the EU/EEA b) wish to travel outside the EU/EEA you must have private insurance which from Finland, for example to Russia from Finland, for example to Russia primarily covers the costs of medical Letter of acceptance sent to you Letter of acceptance sent to you treatment up to about 100 000€. If your from Lapland University of Applied from Lapland University of Applied studies in Finland last two years or more, Sciences Sciences you will usually have a home municipality in Finland (Kemi , Rovaniemi or Tornio) European Health Insurance card European Health Insurance card or and are entitled to municipal healthcare (EU/EAA citizens) Insurance certificate, see page 15 services. Therefore your private insurance Insurance certificate, if you come Several passport sized photographs should primarily cover the cost of outside EU see page 16 medicines up to about 30 000 €. Credit card(s) or travelers’ checks (it For further information go to the Several passport sized photographs is not advisable to carry a lot of cash) website of the Finnish immigration Service Credit card(s) or travelers’ checks (it www.migri.fi (> english > Studying) is not advisable to carry a lot of cash)
Certificate concerning your Erasmus grant or other proof of your financial support
16 • Practical Information Guide pakkaraja.fi – Lapland UAS student's Info
ACCOMMODATION airport and continue travelling on a bus recommended, because changing can be from the airport to the Haparanda bus quite tricky with lots of luggage. Notice Please make sure you have arranged your station. The bus trip takes about 3 hours. that there are very few train connections accommodation before you arrive to Tornio in Finland is situated right across from Kemi to Tornio and usually you must Finland. To read more about the border. take a bus connection from Kemi train accommodation possibilities in your town station to Tornio. check page 25 for Kemi and Tornio or page By Sea More information on www.vr.fi 26 for Rovaniemi. Travelling to Finland by sea is also possible, regardless of the time of the year. You can By Road TRANSPORT CONNECTIONS find connections from Germany, Sweden Another option is to drive a car or travel on and Estonia. The main ports of arrival are a bus. By Air Helsinki and Turku. Find out more about • Norway: Alta, Nordkapp and If you are going to fly to Finland, you will schedules and prices for ships: Tromso offer connection to Rovaniemi most likely land at Helsinki-Vantaa airport. • www.vikingline.fi (you can continue your trip to Kemi by If you have spare time, you’ll have a great • www.tallinksilja.com/en train or bus; to Tornio by bus). opportunity to tour around Finland’s • www.finnlines.com Find more at capital, Helsinki. The quickest and easiest www.eskelisen-lapinlinjat.com way to reach Kemi, Rovaniemi or Tornio is From Helsinki and Turku you can continue to take a domestic flight from Helsinki- your journey by train. • Russia: Murmansk offers Vantaa to Kemi-Tornio airport or connection to Rovaniemi Rovaniemi airport. The flight will take By Rail (you can continue your trip to Kemi about an hour. Find out more about The train is an easy way to continue by train or bus; to Tornio by bus). schedules, prices and available seats: travelling in Finland. You can find a direct Find more at www.goldline.fi bus connection from Helsinki-Vantaa • www.finnavia.fi/en • Sweden: Stockholm offers connection to airport to the railway station. If you travel • www.finnair.fi Haparanda-Tornio (you can continue from Helsinki to Rovaniemi, the trip lasts • www.norwegian.com your trip to Rovaniemi by bus). about 12 hours. Travelling to Kemi and • www.flybe.com Find more at www.tapanis.se Tornio takes a few hours less, 8-10 hours. Another air route goes through Sweden. You can take a day or night train. A You can fly via Stockholm to Luleå-Kallax connection with no train changes is
Practical Information Guide • 17 MURMANSK
Airport Taxi Taxi from the airport from the airport to Rovaniemi to Rovaniemi tel. + 358 16 362 222, tel. + 358 16 106410, about 10 euros about 15–20 euros 20–30 min. 15 min.
ROVANIEMI Travelling by car, you can arrive to Finland by driving E4 road 114 km Bus through Sweden and cross the border in Haparanda. Remember from Kemi to Tornio HAPARANDA www.matkahuolto.fi that the Finnish law makes it compulsory to wear winter tires 125 km about 6 euros between 1 December and 28 February. Usually the weather and TORNIO 30 minutes slippery roads in Lapland make people wear winter tires until LULEÅ 28 km KEMI Airport Taxi late spring. Remember to make sure you have a parking spot for from the airport your car before you arrive. to Kemi or Tornio tel. + 358 200 6800, Read more about driving a car in Finland about 20–25 euros
• www.autoliitto.fi/in_english/ • http://alk.tiehallinto.fi/alk/english • www.lvk.fi FINLAND • http://smartmotorist.com 715 km
834 km INFORM ABOUT YOUR ARRIVAL TIME Degree students
In Kemi and Tornio Inform your arrival time 2 weeks before Confirm your date of arrival at least two weeks in advance to By airplane from Helsinki to Kemi ensure that we are prepared to receive you. Send the information www.fc.fi (exact date, time and place of your arrival) by e-mail to our By train 90 minutes accommodation officer: [email protected]. www.vr.fi/eng from Helsinki to Rovaniemi about 80 euros www.norwegian.com 8 hours www.finnair.com In Rovaniemi 80 minutes Lapland UAS doesn’t organize any transportation to your HELSINKI accommodation. If you need any help for arrival, you can ask your student tutor.
18 • Practical Information Guide Exchange students Please confirm your arrival date in Medicine SoleMOVE by the deadline mentioned in Imports of medicinal products are In Kemi and Tornio the information package! controlled by the customs. When necessary, Lapland UAS organizes free pick up service the passenger must prove that the for a certain date before the orientation CUSTOMS medicinal product is intended for personal week. You will be informed of the pick-up If you are planning to bring medicinal treatment. If you intend to import service date beforehand. If you come products, food, money or alcohol beverages medicinal products to Finland you need to earlier or later than the official date, you with you in Finland, please read the have a doctor’s prescription or a medical will have to organize your own following instructions. You can find more certificate with you. transportation to your accommodation on information from Finnish Customs www. You are allowed to bring outside your own cost. tulli.fi/en/ >Publications > Passengers and EEA countries a maximum quantity Our accommodation officer jukka. removals > Import Restrictions for corresponding to three month’s use. If [email protected] will arrange the Passengers or Customs Instructions for you come from EEA country, you have pick-up service. He also arranges the Passengers. a right to bring medicine a maximum accommodation for you according to the Please proceed as follows when declaring quantity corresponding to one year use. arrival date and time you have informed passenger imports if there are channels of You are allowed to bring medicines that in SoleMOVE. different colors at the place of arrival: are classified as narcotics outside EEA Please confirm your arrival date in countries to a maximum corresponding • Choose the red channel, if you are SoleMOVE by the deadline mentioned in to 14 days’ use. For Schengen- countries the carrying goods that are subject to the information package! limit for medicines that are classified as customs clearance or declaration or if narcotics is a maximum corresponding you are not sure which regulations apply. In Rovaniemi to 30 days’ use Lapland UAS organizes free pick up service • Otherwise choose the green channel or, Please verify beforehand that you are for a certain date before the orientation when arriving from another EU Member allowed to bring your medicinal products week. You will be informed of the pick-up State, the blue channel. to Finland and what is the maximum service date beforehand. If you come amount for them. Make also sure you earlier or later than the official date, you Even a passenger who has chosen the green have all the necessary documents. will have to organize your own or blue channel may be checked. transportation to your accommodation on your own cost.
Practical Information Guide • 19 Foodstuff It is prohibited to import meat and meat products, milk and milk products and pet foods from countries outside the EU. BEFORE ARRIVAL CHECKLIST Money Confirm your study place Rovaniemi Taxi number is 060 well before deadline 030 030. Taxi from railway station A passenger arriving in or departing from to DAS accommodation costs about the EU territory has to declare their cash Residence permit, page 13 10-15 € during day time and night funds to the customs authority when time 15-20 € Insurance, page 15 carrying cash to the minimum value of Taxi from Rovaniemi airport to city 10 000 euros. Accommodation, page 25–26 center costs about 20€. A little Alcohol bit cheaper alternative is airport All necessary documents, page 16 taxi http://airporttaxirovaniemi. fi/?language=en In Finland, persons aged 20 or over are Book flights / railway tickets. If you allowed to have strong alcoholic beverages book before you’ve got your residence Kemi-Tornio taxi number is in their possession or transport them, and permit, try to book flexible tickets. 0200 68000. Taxi from the railway persons aged 18 or over alcoholic beverages station to Tornio accommodation Apply for a student card (SAMOK) to containing less than 22 per cent alcohol by costs around 50 €. Taxi drive in Kemi get student discounts, page 12 volume. city area costs around 10-15 €. The taxi prices are little bit bigger during Please proceed as follows when Check the weather of your arrival the evening/night time. declaring passenger imports if there are date. Please remember that the weather might be very cold channels of different colors at the place of Airport taxi from the Kemi-Tornio (especially in winter) and you should arrival: airport to Tornio accommodation pack warm clothes. costs 25 € and to Kemi accommodation 14-20 € depending • Choose the red channel, if you are Inform your student tutors/ on where your apartment is located. carrying goods that are subject to accommodation officer/confirm in Airport taxi must be ordered always customs clearance or declaration or SoleMOVE about your arrival date and in advance! You must mention that time. Remember to inform the student if you are not sure which regulations you want airport taxi when ordering tutors any changes in the schedule! apply. Other wis e choose the green the taxi. channel or, when arriving from Finances, international credit card, another EU Member State, the blue etc. page 33 channel.
Even a passenger who has chosen the green or blue channel may be checked.
For further information go to the website of Finnish Customs www.tulli.fi/en/(> Publications > Passengers and removals > import Restrictions for Passengers)
20 • Practical Information Guide AFTER ARRIVAL
Meal card be much more expensive than with the grants for students are always paid to a In order to eat in the student cafeteria at permanent home municipality. Finnish bank account, never in cash. student discount prices, you will have to In the registration office the students obtain meal card from the Study Affairs must remember to ASK them to mark CIVIL REGISTRIES Office. If you already have a student union the home municipality as permanent to If you want to get an Finnish identity card, it isn’t necessary to get a meal card to Kemi, Tornio or Rovaniemi. To do this, number, you will have to register at the get the discount. the student must have with them passport local Register Office in your town. and study certificate. The registration is Register… DEGREE STUDENTS free of charge. • if you intend to stay in Finland for at Register office in your town Bank least a year (a Finnish “municipality of (maistraatti) Opening the Finnish bank account, ATM residence” will be registered for you) or Degree students must get the Finnish card (Visa Electron), how to use the ATM, • if you intend to work and receive a social security number from the register paying the bill (internet bank). salary (even though your stay will last office. They also need to register their less than a year) permanent home municipality in their EXCHANGE STUDENTS • If you plan to apply to go on exchange town if they want to. The registration office during your studies or apply any grants marks automatically the home municipality Police station from the university temporarily in Kemi, Tornio or Rovaniemi. Exchange students must register in the Students who study in Finland two years or police station if there are going to stay in On the basis of registration, you will be more, they have the right to get the Finland more than 3 months. The assigned the same kind of personal identity permanent home municipality to the study registration costs 50,00 euro. You need to number as a Finnish citizen has. The locality. If the student has the permanent prepare to have with you: passport, personal identity number is used for home municipality in Kemi, Tornio or acceptance letter/ study certificate, proof of identification purposes, needed in such Rovaniemi, his/her healthcare costs will be adequate financial support for your stay places as banks, hospitals, libraries, tax the same as the local citizens in the area. and European Health Insurance Card office and the register offices of different Without the permanent home municipality authorities. You obtain your personal the student has to pay the actual healthcare Bank identity number from the local Register expenses from the treatments, which will You must open the Finnish bank account if Office after you register. you get a grant from Lapland UAS. The
Practical Information Guide • 21 AFTER ARRIVAL CHECKLIST
Participate in the orientation program. Obtain Sports Pass to enjoy sport services at low cost, Sign the tenancy agreement, see pages 37 if not done earlier (check also the The registration is free of charge. need for washing machine token/card) Visit the nearest post office and file a You have to have your passport, a valid notification of change of address residence permit and study certificate Locate student health services, with you when you register. When you page 27 Exchange students should register in the police station’s office if they are register, we advise that you mention In case you have any chronic deceases going to stay in Finland more than that you want to register as a permanent or medical allergies the school nurse 3 months. The registration costs resident in your town. Then you will recommends you to contact her as 50 euro. You need to prepare to benefit from public health care and get the soon as possible after your arrival, have with you: passport, acceptance public health care services at the same price page 28 and 29 letter/ study certificate, and proof of as local residents. adequate financial support for your Get mobile phone and/or Finnish stay, European Health Insurance Card. We advise you to take a certificate of the mobile number (prepaid). It is easier registration. This certificate costs 4,5 €. for the tutors and staff ih UAS or Degree students: register your With this certificate you can prove that practical placement people to reach permanent municipality and get social you are a permanent resident in your town you expecially needed in Social and security number in local registration when you use local health care services, Health Care. Page 34 office. for example. Get internet connection (if it’s not included to the apartment) Local Register office page 34 in Rovaniemi Hallituskatu 5 C (P.O.Box 8183), Obtain a library card 96101 Rovaniemi Obtain a student card, Tel. 029 553 9661 page 12 Fax. 029 553 9229 Open: Monday to Thursday 9 am – 3pm, Obtain the meal card from the study Friday 9 am – 4.15 pm affairs office in order to get lunch at student price, if you don’t have Local Register office appropriate student card in Kemi Familiarize yourself with your flat and Keskuspuistokatu 20-22, 3rd floor, Kemi its surroundings, the school facilities tel. 029 553 9661 and the city
Students in Tornio must visit the register office in Kemi!
22 • Practical Information Guide LIVING IN FINLAND
ACCOMMODATION of the termination of the tenancy property or is continuously acting in a agreement. Normally one month prior socially irresponsible manner. Rights and responsibilities of tenants to departure. • The rent is payable by the agreed date of Living in a rental apartment each month. Rights and responsibilities Living together with another student can of land-lords • The tenant is responsible for any be an experience. It provides you with damage to the property. This includes • The landlord is responsible for the many possibilities to learn different damage caused by visitors of the tenant. maintenance of the property but not for cultures. It is also a possibility to make the damage caused by the tenant. lifelong friendships and it can give you lots • Follow the house rules and regulations, • The landlord can terminate the tenancy of good memories from the time you spend which in blocks of flats are usually here in Finland. When you take care of placed on the wall in the vicinity of the agreement only in writing and an acceptable reason must be given for it. each other’s wishes and hopes, living main entrance. together will work out just great! Different • Tenancy agreements must be • The landlord can evict the tenant if manners and different cultures will not terminated in writing. The property the tenant has not paid the rent for the must be vacated within one month
EXAMPLE OF HOUSE RULES You cannot keep your things in the stairway. Silence between 10 pm. - 6 am. Cars and bicycles must be parked at the places reserved for Smoking in the rooms and in the stairways is forbidden. them. Trash and other garbage musts be taken to waste shelter. Outer doors have to be closed all the time because of the electric locks and safety reasons. Outer doors are usually locked The occupant must take care of the cleaning of the apartment between 9 pm. - 6 am. him/herself. You can air your bed linen in the balcony on weekdays at 7 am. - 10 am. and 5 pm. - 6 pm. Carpets must be Flat must be cleaned before moving out and they will be checked taken outside to the carpet rack. by the Housing Office. Remember to inform the Housing Office one month before you move out. The occupant must move in the stairway noiselessly. Any damages or failures must be notified to the caretaker You cannot keep your flat door open to the stairway. immediately.
Practical Information Guide • 23 create problems if you are willing to be When you move out: flexible. The regulations for living will NOTE! • Give notice to the Housing Office one guide you and your room mate. Here are You should submit a notification of month before you move out. also a couple of tips for making living more moving (muuttoilmoitus) every time you • Notify the local register office of change your accommodation in Finland. comfortable. your moving by filling in the online See civil registration on page 21. Get to know your room mate. Talk and form at www.posti.fi/changeaddress. make together some basic rules for living, You can also get the form in the register for example visitors, listening music etc. office in your town or local post office. Cleaning the common areas is every More information: tenant’s responsibility (kitchen, hall, toilet Notice of moving (muuttoilmoitus: www www.vaestorekisterikeskus.fi. and bathroom). One good way is make .posti.fi/changeaddress/) to local register cleaning shifts. After using the kitchen office (maistraatti) within one week after • Return the keys to the Housing Office and bathroom always clean it after use. your arrival to Finland. You should make or caretaker. For example, wash the dishes after use. this Notification of moving every time you • Fill in the form registering changes of Take care of the garbage also. Because of change your residence in Finland and also address in the post office. Post offices health reasons the garbage bag has to be when you move out of Finland. have free post cards which you can send taken to the waste shelter immediately It is important to notify the Post Office to your friends and family to inform of when it gets full. Garbage is not allowed (Posti) of your moving so that your mail your new address. More information: to be kept indoors, not in the flat or in the will be delivered to the right place. The www.posti.fi. stairway. This also prevents bad smells forms for notification are available at post • Remember to change the address to the and makes the flat more cozy! And please, offices, register offices and police stations. WinhaWille Student Administration respect your roommate’s property. Posti will forward all mail addressed to System of the school. Also it is a good If you do not pay your rent in time, the the old address of a person who has filed idea to inform the library and banks of housing office can terminate your rental a change of address notification for one your new address. agreement and you’ll have to move. month free of charge. Posti will send you automatically a letter where they offer you • Clean the flat before you move out. Notice of moving a service of redirection of all postal items If the Housing Office has to clean your If you stay in Finland for longer than a for 12 months. This service is subject to a flat after you move out, it will bill you month, you have to submit an official charge and it is voluntary. for the cleaning costs.
REMEMBER! • Your own property is not included in the • By the Finnish law there has to be a fire real estate insurance of the Housing Office. alarm in every flat. Check that the alarm is in • The tenant cannot let anybody else live in his/ You can ask for a home insurance in the operation. Tenant’s responsibility is to replace her flat. insurance companies. The companies require the batteries approximately once a year! • If you want to move out or change your rental the Finnish social security number when • If the occupant has caused damage to the agreement you must yourself inform the obtaining the insurance. flat, s/he is liable to compensate the damage Housing office • The tenant has to change in full. the light bulbs his/herself.
24 • Practical Information Guide Find out... • Fill in the application for lost or not returned. Remember to give • how to use the apartment key (how to accommodation and send it to your bank account information to the lock and unlock the doors). And take accommodation housing company before your departure. care of the key. If you lose the key or Officer Jukka Ikäläinen, Exchange students don’t have to pay lock yourself outside the apartment, P.O. Box 505, deposit rent in Kemi. Internet is not it costs to call the janitor to open the FI-94100 Kemi, Finland. included in the all rental apartments. If you apartment door! want to have an internet connection in The application form is attached • how the fridge is working. your apartment, you should turn to local to this guide, page 55. internet service providers. The rent • how the oven/stove works. includes water, heating and electricity. • how to use the washing machine in the The accommodation officer assists new Exchange students must pay the laundry room. students in arrival arrangements and rents for one semester at once (autumn accommodation services in Kemi and semester rents in September and spring • where are the garbage cans. Tornio. Arriving students need to be in rents in January). In Kemi the rents must And contact with him to book an be paid when student arrive to pick up the • Notice silence accommodation before arrival to Kemi or apartment key. (usually between 10 pm – 7 am) Tornio. He sends the request to the housing Degree students can pay the rent providers. monthly. Degree students pay the first ACCOMMODATION Students are responsible for paying the month rent and the rent deposit within a IN KEMI AND TORNIO rents to the housing providers. week of student’s arrival to the apartment. Students are accommodated either in Kemi After arriving you need to make a rental or Tornio depending on their study Accommodation Officer agreement with the house lord as soon as program or the location of the practical Mr Jukka Ikäläinen possible. training placement. When applying please Lumikontie 2, Kemi Contact information for Student indicate what kind of accommodation you e-mail: [email protected] housing foundation of Kemi (Kemin prefer, we try to fulfill your expectations. If tel. +358 (0)50 461 2335 opiskelija-asuntosäätiö) Service Providers you want to move in to the flat together with another person, please name the Accommodation in Kemi Student Housing Foundation of Kemi person in question. Accommodation in Kemi is located within (Kemin opiskelija-asuntosäätiö Kemi and Tornio does not have a 2.5 km radius of the Lapland UAS Keskuspuistokatu 6-8 dormitories. The apartments are rented education units. Students live mainly in FI-94100 Kemi by housing companies (Kemin opiskelija- two or three bedroom apartments. Every asuntosäätiö and Tornion Krunni Oy) student has his or her own bedroom. If you Accommodation in Tornio and private sector. want, you can also share your bedroom The accommodation is located within a 0.5 Exchange students apply the with your friend. You will share a kitchen km radius of the Lapland UAS education accommodation in Kemi or Tornio and a bathroom/shower with one or two units. You will have your own room and by filling in the application for other students. The apartments are share kitchen and a bathroom/shower with accommodation in Kemi-Tornio. You furnished. The rent is about 250 €/month/ two other students. If you want, you can need to attach the application to your student. You will have to pay a deposit rent also share your bedroom with your friend. SoleMOVE application. of one month’s rent, which will be returned The apartments are furnished. Free laundry International degree students fill inthe to you when leaving if there are no claims. facilities are available. The rent is about 250 application for accommodation in Kemi- Deposit rent covers possible accidental €/ month. Electricity, heating, water and Tornio and return it to the accommodation damage to the property, unpaid rent and internet connection are included in the officer Mr Jukka Ikäläinen. replacement of keys/locks when keys are rent. You will have to pay a deposit of 200 €
Practical Information Guide • 25 which will be returned to you when leaving of 3, 5 kilometer radius from premises of electricity) of 20 € and possibly monthly if there are no claims. Deposit covers Lapland UAS. The areas are called Kuntotie, furniture payment which varies. possible accidental damage to the property, Rovala, Asemarinne and Rantavitikka. You In the furnished apartments the rooms unpaid rent and replacement of keys/locks can find more information about DAS contain basic furniture: a bed, mattress, when keys are lost or not returned. accommodation and the housing areas at desk, ceiling lamp, wardrobe and chair. Remember to give your bank account www.das.fi The kitchen contains a kitchen table, information to the housing company All foreign and Finnish students chairs, an oven/stove and fridge/freezer. before your departure. Exchange can apply for accommodation in DAS Please note that there are no dishes, students must pay the rents for one apartments continuously. Majority cleaning equipment, cutlery, cooking semester and the deposit at once (autumn of these apartments are not utensils, curtains, pillows, blankets, semester rents in September and spring furnished. The applications are sheets or towels in the rooms. rents in January). In Tornio the rents must handled in “first come, first be paid within a week of student’s arrival to served” basis so it is highly Information about the apartment. Degree students can pay the important to apply as application process rent monthly. Degree students pay the first soon as possible. First- Exchange students month rent and the deposit within a week year students always Application for housing has to be of student’s arrival to the apartment. have priority in August in the DAS office at the latest on 23 See contact information for Tornion and September. Please June for the autumn semester, Krunni Oy Service Providers remember that in autumn DAS submitted directly to DAS office by using receives many more applications than their online application form. The spring Tornion Krunni Oy there are apartments available. semester deadline is at the latest of Lukiokatu 10 November. Please keep in mind that FI-95400 Tornio Apartments sometimes it is impossible to get housing There are three types of apartments to option you wanted and you might be ACCOMMODATION choose from: studio, family apartments offered a different kind of option. IN ROVANIEMI and shared apartments. It is highly recommended to arrange DAS has furnished apartments which Degree students accommodation before arriving to Finland. are reserved for exchange students in the The applications are stored in the order of The student housing fills up quickly at the Kuntotie and Rovala areas. Kuntotie is a arrival. Only the date matters, the time of beginning of each semester. Therefore it is larger area with two buildings whereas day is not relevant. The apartments are very important to be on time with your Rovala is smaller and accommodates assigned according to the waiting list. accommodation application. Keep in mind fewer people. There is shorter waiting list for the shared that staying at a hotel is expensive in In shared apartments you either have apartments; you might have to wait a one Finland. Please read chapters below to a single bedroom or share a double year to get a studio. Be prepared to answer learn more about accommodation options bedroom with another person. You share within deadline when you get an offer of an in Rovaniemi. the kitchen, bathroom and toilet with apartment. apartment’s other residents that are the DAS same gender as you. Domus Arctica -säätiö Domus Arctica-säätiö (DAS) is a Student The prices vary depending on the Ylikorvantie 28 A Housing Foundation that offersarea and the type of flat. For example, FI–96300 Rovaniemi, Finland accommodation in the city of Rovaniemi in Kuntotie rent varies from 87 €-320€/ for Finnish and foreign students. DAS month/ person. Keep in mind that you Open on weekdays 9 am till 3pm apartment buildings are situated in four will have to pay also utility fee (water and And the first and last working day of every different parts of the city, at approximately month 8 am till 4 pm
26 • Practical Information Guide Email: [email protected] Important HEALTH CARE SERVICES Internet: www.das.fi (online application) Please notew that every tenant must sign a In Finland the public health care services tenancy agreement with the landlord. Only are organized by the municipalities. As a Please note that these 0207-starting phone one person can live in an apartment per student you are able to use the public numbers are chargeable: tenancy agreement. The tenant has no right health care services in Finland if you have Tel. +358 20 7699 180 to let people who are not mentioned in the a municipality of residence in Finland. Fax +358 20 7699 188 tenancy agreement live in the flat without Public health care services are financed phone 8,21 snt/call + 6,9 snt/min the landlord’s (for example DAS) through tax revenue and are quit cheap for mobile 8,21 snt/call + 14,9 snt/min permission. Your friends are not allowed to customers. Source: infopankki.fi For all issues related to DAS live in your apartment. You will lose your As a student of Lapland UAS, you are accommodation, please contact DAS tenancy agreement and the right to live in entitled to use the services of the student customer service directly: [email protected] your apartment if you do not follow the health care nurse. The nurse counsels tenancy agreement. students on health issues and gives advice Other options In case of questions, always contact the in case of illness. The school nurse can It is also possible to look for an apartment housing office. write certificates of illness for a short from the city of Rovaniemi, estate agencies For more information about multicultural time. Also she will give the first aid in or the private sector. Usually the student housing in Finland, see: www. sudden emergencies. Student nurse’s apartments are unfurnished. It is possible opiskelija-asunnot.fi/en/studenthousing services are free of charge, but you are to get low price furniture from second- If you have not agreed with your charged Health Centre fee from medical hand shops. student-tutor about your arrival at doctor appointments. Private apartments rent vary depending the dormitory, it is important to make In case you have any chronic deceases on the condition of the apartment and the arrangements to get the keys to your or medical allergies the school nurse area nearby. Apartments are usually more accommodation! Be sure to contact your recommends you to contact her as soon expensive in the city centre and in the landlord well in advance so he/she knows as possible after your arrival. You may Viirinkangas-Rantavitikka area than, e.g when you will come to pick up keys. If you make an appointment via phone or email. in Ounasrinne or Korkalovaara. It is also are going to DAS accommodation, see the The school nurse has recommended that possible to rent an apartment together opening hours of the DAS housing office all students would have the following with friend or friends. to get your keys. Also remember to have vaccinations before arriving to Finland: For more information, please check all the necessary documents with you! polio, tetanus-diphteria and MMR www.vuokraovi.com and www.kas.fi. Depending on the furniture and other (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccinations. furnishings in the dormitories, it may be a You are not able to have the vaccinations PRIVATE good idea to take a sleeping bag with you. in Finland except tetanus and influenza ACCOMMODATION The first days can be quite busy, and it may vaccinations. You can also rent an apartment from a take a day or two before you have time to Take with you your recipe and English private owner. The rent for a single room go shopping. There are some second-hand descriptions if you have any regular (studio) apartment is approximately 300– shops in Rovaniemi where you can buy medication. This helps you to continue 400 €/ month and for two rooms + kitchen dishes, curtains, etc. at a lower price. Your your care in Finland. 350–500 €/month. Usually you are student-tutor will help you locate all the requested to pay a deposit of 1–3 months’ necessary shops. EU/EAA- citizens rent. If you are an EU-citizen, remember to obtain your European Health Insurance card and show it when you are using health care services. Show the card even if you are not asked.
Practical Information Guide • 27 Citizen of Nordic Countries that Health care centers are closed in the Reception without appointment evenings and weekends. Mon–Fri at 8.00–9.45. As a citizen of the Nordic countries, you At other times only by appointment. can prove your entitlement for medical School social worker treatment with identity card. You can also The school social worker (kuraattori) Technology, Business Management & obtain European Health Insurance card. encourages students in their studies and Social Services: helps them cope with big and small School nurse Ms Laura Pernu Non-EU- citizen problems in life (stress, frustration, Tel. 050 461 7224, Non-EU citizen has to have a valid health loneliness, homesickness or related e-mail: [email protected] insurance that covers for medical treatment hardships) private discussions with the Kosmos Campus in Finland. Remember that you have to social worker are strictly confidential. Tietokatu 1, First floor, room 1045 register at the local Register Office in order There are also group meetings where Reception without appointment even to get the public health care services at the students can meet their peers and exchange weeks Mon-Wed at 8–10 am and uneven same price as the locals! experiences. If you find yourself in any weeks Mon and Wed 8-10. To read more about the insurance, go to distressing situation, do not hesitate to At other times appointments only by www.migri.fi and www.kela.fi. contact the school social worker for telephone. assistance and support. You may arrange Health care centers an appointment with the school social In Tornio Health care centers are usually open from worker by e-mail or phone. Business and Culture Monday to Friday from 8 am to 4 pm. To School Nurse Ms Sini Peteri, make an appointment you should call the School Social Worker Ms Maria Sipilä Tel. 050 314 6505, health center in the morning as soon as it Student Affairs Office e-mail: [email protected] opens. When you call to the appointment Lumikontie 2, Kemi Minerva Campus desk, the nurse will make an evaluation of mobile +358 (0)40 847 4219 Urheilukatu 6 medical treatment. The nurse will ask you e-mail: [email protected] questions concerning your case and make Reception without appointment and the decision whether you need to see a Medicines calling time Mon–Fri from 8–8.30 am and doctor, a nurse or the nurse can give you medicines are sold in pharmacies. Please 10.15-11.15 and Wed 8.00-11.15 am. care instructions by phone and ask you to note that a doctor’s prescription is required If the school nurse is not available, contact them later if the situation has not for certain medicines. Some medicines are students can contact the nearest healthcare improved in couple of days. Source: sold without a prescription. centre. The school nurse can advise you infopankki.fi which is the nearest centre to you. HEALTH CARE SERVICES Doctor IN KEMI AND TORNIO Contact information for A doctor’s order is usually required if you In Kemi and Tornio there is a school nurse the health care centers are: are in need of tests or treatment in in every campus. hospitals, except in cases of an emergency. In Kemi If you need the services of a specialist, you In Kemi Open weekdays from 8.00–15.30: need to book an appointment first with a Health Care • Sauvosaari Healthcare centre general practitioner. The generalSchool nurse Ms Kati Ypyä (= Sauvosaaren terveysasema) practitioner will write you an order for a Tel. 050 314 6497, Kirkkopuistokatu 1, tel. 016 259 705 specialist. Hospital patients must pay a e-mail: [email protected] share of the costs of the treatment. Note Lapland UAS, Healthcare Campus Meripuistokatu 26, A-stairs
28 • Practical Information Guide • Karihaara Healthcare centre Emergency duty for both towns on • Karihaara dental clinic, Purolankatu 3 (= Karihaaran terveysasema) workdays after 4 pm, on midweek holidays • Syväkangas dental clinic, Kivalontie 19 Purolankatu 3, tel. 016 259 795 and during weekends is in the (Only life • Sauvosaari dental clinic, Kirkkopuistokatu 1 A 2 • Syväkangas Healthcare centre threatening situations). Tornio (= Syväkankaan terveysasema) • Länsi-Pohja central Hospital, Kivalontie 18, tel. 016 259 800 Kauppakatu 25, Kemi tel. 040 149 1340 Tornio city offers all students an opportunity to visit an oral hygienist once When you call to these numbers, you will at school nurse premises. The oral hygienist In Tornio first be connected for the evaluation of counsels students on health issues and in Reception by appointment from 8 am –4 pm: medical treatment. The nurse will ask you case you need dental care, you will be • Tornio Health care centre (= Tornion questions concerning your case and make offered an appointment for either terveyskeskus) the decision whether you need to see a inspection or treatment in municipal Sairaalakatu 1, tel. 016 432 814 doctor. dental care. Please consult first the school nurse about your district. All non-urgent matters such as time Dental care • Saarenhammas dental clinic, Uusikatu 5 reservation and lab results Weekdays 8.00- Dental care is arranged by the city of tel. 016 432 884 dentist Sisko Lahti 15.00 hrs, tel. 016 432 835. If the answering Rovaniemi and it is subject to charge. You tel. 016 432 882 dentist Tuija Tarvainen machine goes on, leave your name and can make an appointment to the dentist by tel. 016 432 881 dentist Merja Vallinmäki telephone number of on answering calling, the number is 016 322 2562. Please • Kiviranta dental clinic, Kiviranta machine after the tone. You are called back keep in mind that you may have to wait a comprehensive School, the same day. certain amount of time before getting to Tapiontie 8 the dentist, which is defined in the statutory Emergency Duty tel. 016 432 889 dentist Jarmo Lahti care guarantee. tel. 016 432 890 dentist Mikko Mäkimaa In urgent cases of sickness and accidents Dental care is available in the health you will be treated in the emergency duty. care centers and in private dental care • Pudas dental clinic, Pohjolankatu 7 Contact information to emergency clinics. Lapland University of Applied tel. 016 432 887 dentist Sirkka Vikström policlinics: Sciences students belong to the municipal tel. 016 432 886 dentist Jouko Mukka student health care system. EU-citizens tel. 016 432 888 dentist Jaana Koskimäki In Kemi must have their European Health For urgent matters (infections or accidents) Insurance cards with them when coming HEALTH CARE SERVICES the doctor is on call to dental clinics. Dental clinics charge IN ROVANIEMI • Länsi-pohjan Keskussairaala a fee for their services and the fee is Kauppakatu 25, Kemi determined by the Finnish government. The city of Rovaniemi arranges the health Emergency polyclinic Weekdays Private dental clinics are available for care services for students. 8.00–16.00 hrs everyone. Contact information for the tel. 040 149 1340 public dental care services: School public health nurse Minna Lohela, In Tornio Kemi Lapland University of Applied Sciences For urgent matters (infections or accidents) Reservations at Kemi municipal dental Ounasvaara campus the doctor is on call clinics tel. 016 259 769 Mon–Fri at 8–15.30 Rantavitikka campus • Tornio health care center, Emergency hrs at other time tel. 040 149 1340 Study Programs in English polyclinic Weekdays 8.00–16.00 hrs (joint duty) [email protected] tel. 016 432 814
Practical Information Guide • 29 NOTE!
Do not forget to cancel the dentist appointment in case you can’t go! Otherwise you’ll have to pay a fine of 33 euros.
Phone service Hospital to from http://rovaniemi.fi/International/ Monday-Thursday 8 am - 3pm In case of medical emergency or sudden English > Services > Healt Care Services Friday 8 am- 12 am illness that needs to be treated or assessed Tel. 016-322 4280 immediately, you can go to Hospital Sairaalakatu Emergency Unit. If your illness doesn’t Health Centre Address require immediate medical treatment or • Sairaalakatu 1 Pohjolankatu 2 assessment you may make an appointment Team Ounas, tel.+358 (0)16 322 4453 96100 Rovaniemi to a doctor. Hospital Emergency Unit is only Team Uitto, tel.+358 (0)16 322 4454 1. floor, B-door meant for patients who require immediate Team Kaira, tel. +358 (0)16 322 4455 medical assessment and treatment and Team Rova, tel. +358 (0)16 322 4456 Opening hours whose treatment cannot be prolonged • Pulkamontie Health Centre Monday-Thursday: 8 am- 4 pm without any significant health damage. Pulkamontie 4 Friday: 8 am – 2 pm Team Etelä, tel.+358 (0)16 322 4555 • Central Hospital of Lapland, General Doctor Team Saaren, tel.+358 (0)16 322 4575 Emergency, Ounasrinteentie 22 Team Pohjois, tel.+358 (0)16 322 4565 In case you need to see a doctor, public Emergency & accident 8.00 am – 10.00 health nurse can help you to get an pm, tel. +358 (0)16 328 2140 Health Centres are open: appointment. There is also a possibility to Night emergency duty 10.00 pm – 8.00 Mon – Thurs 8.00 am – 4.00 pm use services of public health care center am, tel. +358 (0)16 328 2100 Fri 8.00 am – 3.00 pm (terveyskeskus), hospital (sairaala) with first aid, and private clinics. Please keep in General Practitioners Healthcare fees from person over 18 years: mind that EU-citizens have to show their (GP’s) • Yearly fee 27,40€ European Heath card and non-EU citizens Each resident of Rovaniemi has his/her • Visit fee 13,70€ have to have registered in the Register own GP and treatment team based on his/ Office. her street address. By calling your Duty fee 18,80 € on working days between treatment team, you can also book an 8 am- 10pm and also on Saturdays, Sundays appointment for a pedicurist, an X-ray, an and Public Holidays between 8 am – 10 pm ultrasound examination and for laboratory Night duty fee between 10 pm – 8 am, tests. Please check which team you belong 27,40 € per visit. Not cancelled appointment 33,80 €
30 • Practical Information Guide GENERAL EMERGENCY NUMBER 112 LAPLAND POLICE SWITCHBOARD +358 71 876 0321
MENTAL HEALTH Answer all questions calmly and hang up 4th month of pregnancy. The clinic only after the emergency centre has given monitors the health of the mother and the For example difficult life situations can you a permission to do so. child. They also organize classes for provide psychological and physical mothers and fathers where you can prepare symptoms; friendships are neglected, SEXUALITY yourself for the coming of the baby and personal welfare and hygiene are learn how to take care of the new arrival. overlooked, hobbies are abandoned and a Family planning The services are free of charge for the person does not show interest towards the Help with family planning and customers of the clinic. things they have been interested in before. contraception can be obtained at the Help for mental health care problems are health care center. Contraceptives are sold Children’s Clinic available from the health care services. Ask in pharmacies, shops and newsagents. Ask Once the child has born, the doctors and for more information from school nurse or more advice from the school nurse. nurses of the children´s clinic take care of school social worker. the health and vaccinations of the child. Gynecology services Local health care center will provide EMERGENCY HELP Gynecological check-ups you can ask from you with more information on maternity In case of emergency for example life- your local health care center or contact a and infant healthcare clinics. threatening situation, accident, fire or private medical center. Women can request urgent police assistance call the emergency to have a female doctor. Pregnancy tests Sexually transmitted diseases number of the emergency response centre: can be taken at health care centers or from If you suspect you have contracted a 112. You do not need an area code when pharmacy you can buy a home test. sexually transmitted disease, contact local calling the emergency number, not even health care center or to the school nurse. from a mobile phone. Emergency calls are If you are pregnant free of charge from all phones. Do not call Maternity Clinic SOCIAL SECURITY the emergency number in the case of The task of the maternity clinic is to foster FOR STUDENTS common illnesses. When calling 112, be the health and well-being of the pregnant The Finnish social security system is built sure to mention the following things: woman, unborn and new-born child, as to ensure adequate basic security for 1. Your name. well as other family members awaiting the people in all situations in life. However the 2. What has happened? new arrival. Women should visit a students moving to Finland only for the 3. Where has it happened? maternity clinic as soon as they become purpose of studying will not be entitled to 4. Are there people in danger? pregnant or at least before the end of the Finnish social security because your
Practical Information Guide • 31 residence permit requires the adequate high in Finland, so it is recommended to in Lapland. Temperatures are most of the financial support. Also your family pack with you suitable clothing. If you’re time below zero and temperatures such as members or your children are not entitled missing some of the essentials, you can -20C and -30C are quite normal from to Finnish social security for the same purchase them from clothing shops and December to March. Sometimes it can get reasons. second-hand shops at your town. Check even colder! That is why you should really from the following chapters, what are the prepare yourself with warm clothing. You WEATHER AND CLOTHING essential pieces of clothing during your should at least have quilted jacket or Finland goes through four seasons each stay at Finland. windproof coat with warm lining, insulated year. When temperatures easily vary from shoes, a warm hat and gloves. -30C to +30C during the year, you have to Winter One good tip is to wear clothes in layers. be prepared for each season with certain Wintertime (November- April) can be very The air between the layers will help you clothing. The prices of clothes are relatively cold time of the year in Finland- especially to keep warm. For example you can wear
EXAMPLE OF DRESSING IN WINTER
First layer Head • Underwear with long sleeves and legs • Hat (wool, quilted material or fur cap) • Socks Head without cover will give off 80% of your bodyheat. Second layer Hands • Trousers • Gloves or mittens (wool, guilted material, leather with lining) • Woolen Jumper/Fleece Footwear Third layer • (Wool)socks and wintershoes (thick bottom and lining) • Winter Trousers and Jacket (quilted) • Scarf Remember that the shoes should be big enought to move your toes. Always use dry socks and shoes!
32 • Practical Information Guide underwear with long sleeves and legs and mind that summer nights in Lapland can usually subject to a fee. Please ask the bank put regular clothing on top of it. Don’t be full of light, because at the time of the for a price of a service package and list of forget your winter coat, gloves, hat and midnight sun the sun stays above the other fees (e.g. international money scarf. When it is really cold, you might horizon. transfers). Fees are usually charged for want to add insulated trousers to the list. receiving money to your account from It is always good to have wool sweater and MONEY AND BANKING abroad and sending an international warm socks, just in case the temperature money order. Fees depend on the bank and drops down. The Finnish monetary unit is the Euro (€). the form of transfer. One euro is divided into 100 cents. There You will be given an ATM card with Autumn and spring are bank notes of EUR 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, which you can withdraw money from During autumn and spring temperatures 200 and 500. The coins are 5, 10, 20 and 50 cash machines (called OTTO) throughout are usually below + 10 C but above zero. It cents and EUR 1 and 2. Credit cards like Finland. If you lose your ATM card, call can be warmer during May and August Visa and MasterCard or travelers’ checks 020 333, 24 h/day. and then you can sometimes wear trousers are the most convenient to use. With All banks have special banking and t-shirt or a long-sleeved shirt. Eurocheque cards and Visa cards you can terminals (maksuautomaatti) for paying Windproof jacket is a good piece of get money from cash machines. You can bills. You can also make your payments clothing for both seasons. Prepare yourself exchange currency in all Finnish banks at via the internet with specific personal for rain and puddles of water with the same rate but there may be differences banking codes. Self-service is much umbrella/raincoat and a pair of rain boots. in commission fees. cheaper than paying bills at a bank desk or on the banking terminals. You can get Summer Bank account banking assistance from student tutors Summertime gives you a chance to wear Banks are usually open Mon-Fri 10-16.30 and bank officials. t-shirt and shorts, because the weather is hrs but many times the cash services in usually sunny and quite warm. Naturally banks are open Mon–Fri only 10.00–13.00 Living expenses occasional rain showers and thunderstorms hrs. Students are advised to open a Finnish These are approximate prices in February may occur. Daytime temperature can often bank account as soon as they arrive. To do 2012 just to give you an idea of the price be around +20-25C and usually that you will have to show proof of your level in Finland. There are school temperatures drop down during night. identity (e.g. passport). There is no fee for restaurants in every unit where students The warmest month is July. Please keep in opening an account but other services are can buy their lunch at the student price.
Practical Information Guide • 33 COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA • www.lapinamk.fi/en It is your responsibility to be active and to STUDENTS “Student’s Info Agency”, keep yourself updated, so as not to miss Every student at Lapland UAS will be the most important source of updated important info. Though we utilize digital provided with an e-mail account by the information on studies, student life and communication channels at Lapland UAS, school: firstname.familyname@ edu. educational news. Under STUDENTS there is always the good old alternative to lapinamk.fi. The personnel’s e-mail is in you will also find the curricula for walk up and ask anyone for advice and form firstname. [email protected]. degree programs as well as course info. E-mail is an important tool for descriptions Mobile phone communication among students, lecturers • Avack and other staff. So make sure to check your An electronic bulletin board used in the There are not public phones available in the e-mail on a regular basis. education units to announce possible Lapland region, as almost everybody has a The principal channels for disseminating changes and the latest information on mobile phone. If you are planning to bring information are: class schedules and upcoming events along a mobile phone from your home • www.lapinamk.fi/en country, note that there might be some • Traditional noticeboards in the hallways The official website of Lapland difficulties to use it in Finland due to the of the education units University of Applied Sciences incompatibility with Finnish SIM cards – APPLICANTS (especially for • Virtual learning environments (especially prepaid cards). To avoid these applicants) like Moodle difficulties you might consider buying a second hand mobile phone in Finland. The
LIVING EXPENSES Student apartment in Kemi 250 €/month (includes water and electricity) Student apartment in Rovaniemi 87 -320€/ month/ person (not included furniture payment and utility fee) Internet, normal broadband connection 15–30 € / month (depending on the speed of the connection) Internet, mobile broadband connection ...... 10–30 € / month (depending on the speed of the connection) Prepaid phone card from 10 € and up Samok student card, first year ...... 22 € Lunch in student dining room 2–3 € Freshments 2–3 € Pizza in a pizzeria (lunch time) ...... 6–7 € Bowling, student price ...... 9,50–12 € Swimming, student price 3,60 € Ticket to see a band 5–25 € Bus ticket from Kemi to Tornio ...... 5,90 € Airport-Taxi from the airport to the centre of Kemi ...... 12 €/person Airport-Taxi from the airport to the centre of Tornio ...... 18 €/person
34 • Practical Information Guide GROCERIES (FEBRUARY 2012) Apple (omena) ...... 1,99 €/kg Macaroni (makaroni) 0,65 € /kg Banana (banaani) 1,25 €/kg Margarine (margariini) ...... 2,45 € / 400 g Black bread slices (hapanleipä) 1,50 € / 500 g Microwave oven pizza (mikropitsa) . . . 2,99 € / 700 g Candies (karamelli) 1,70 € / 125 g Milk (maito) 1,39 €/l Canned tuna (tonnikalapurkki) . . . . 1,29 € / 140 g Olive oil (oliiviöljy) ...... 5,32 €/l Carrot (porkkana) 0,79 €/kg Onion (sipuli) 0,89 €/kg Cheese (juusto) 8,99 €/kg Orange (appelsiini) 1,99 € / kg Chicken legs (kanankoipi) 1,99 €/kg Pork chops (porsaanlihasuikale) 5,50 € / 400 g Chocolate cookies (suklaakeksi) 2,36 € / 350g Potato (peruna) 1,19 €/kg Coca-Cola ...... 2,15 € / 1,5 l Rice crispies (riisimurot) 2,39 € / 500 g Cocoa (kaakao) 5,61 €/kg Sausage (makkara) 2,19 € / 400g Coffee, good quality (kahvi) 4,19 € / 500 g Shampoo (shampoo) 1,59 € /l Cucumber (kurkku) 2 ,49 €/kg Salt (suola) 0,69 €/kg Curry 0,99 € / 45 g Sugar (sokeri) ...... 1,00 €/kg Eggs (kananmunat) 1,59 € / 10 pcs Tea (tee), 100 teabags . . . . 3,70 € / 100 tea bags Garlic (valkosipuli) ...... 7,45 €/kg Toast (paahtoleipä) 1,19 € / 400 g Grapes (viinirypäle) 2,69 € / 500 g Toilet paper (wc-paperi) 2,99 € /10 rolls Honey (hunaja) 2,99 € / 450 g Tomato (tomaatti) ...... 4,49 € / kg Jasmine rice (jasmiiniriisi) ...... 2,15 €/kg Toothpaste (hammastahna) 2,99 € / 75 g Juice (mehu) 0,92 €/l Washing-up liquid (astianpesuaine) 1,29 € / 500 ml Laundry detergent (pyykinpesuaine) 4,29 € / 1,36 kg Yogurt (jogurtti) 0,25 € / 200 g Lemon (sitruuna) 1,38 €/kg Ketchup (ketsuppi) ...... 2 € / kg
prices for used mobile phones start from required to have a Finnish Id number and destination that is outside of the country, 5 € and new ones from 40 €. credit information or to pay a deposit of first dial the international prefix. There are The easiest way to get a mobile 300–600 € to obtain your own SIM card. several international prefixes depending phone connection is to buy a prepaid If you have an internet connection, it on the phone company you choose subscription. You can purchase prepaid may be cheaper to make international SIM cards at e.g. R-kioski and shops calls via VOIp providers like Skype or • Sonera: 990 or 99590 selling mobile phones. However, the rates VoipDiscount. • Elisa: 999 for phone calls are a bit more expensive You can get help with these matters • DNA: 99555 than if you have a monthly mobile from your student tutors. • Globetel: 992 subscription. Alternatively, you can open If you call from outside Finland you • Kolumbus: 99559 a mobile phone connection (monthly should dial the international access • Saunalahti: 991 subscription) through several GSM code (often 00), the Finnish country • Pan-European code: 00 service providers in Finland: e.g. Sonera, code 358 and then leave out the first zero Elisa, DNA, Saunalahti, TeleFinland. It is (in parenthesis). When you call within After the international prefix, dial the always worthwhile to check the services Finland, leave out the country code 358 country code, area code (the first number and fees, as they may vary a lot between and add the zero given in parenthesis. – 0 – is usually omitted) and the different operators. As a foreigner you are When you make a telephone call to a subscriber’s number.
Practical Information Guide • 35 Internet connections provides news and information in several you have right to work in Finland without You might not have Internet connection in languages at www.yle.fi/international. any restrictions, if the work is related to your dormitory or apartment in Kemi, your studies. In this case, the work is part Rovaniemi and Tornio. Prepaid internet Postal services of your practical training or making connections are very easy way to purchase You can buy stamps at post offices, kiosks diploma. Lapland University of Applied your own internet connection. You can get and some stores. A standard letter or Sciences does not offer jobs and is not help with these matters from your student postcard can be mailed at post offices or obligated to find students any jobs. All tutors. dropped into orange or blue-colored students have responsibility for themselves mailboxes (if available) in the town. If you to find a job. Please see more information International press use the orange-colored mailbox your letter below regarding working in Finland. You can find international newspapers and will be send as 1st class letter and if you use magazines in the libraries (the town blue-colored mailbox your letter will be Citizens of the Nordic Countries libraries of Kemi and Tornio and the send as 2nd class letter. The 2nd class letter A citizen of a Nordic country doesn’t need Lapland UAS libraries). Foreign language is cheaper to post but it will take two a residence permit to work, live and study papers are sold in well-stocked R-kioski´s weekdays for the letter to arrive to the in Finland. However, it is necessary to and local stores. recipient. In 1st class, it will take only one register your new address at register office weekday for the letter to reach the recipient. (Maistraatti), if your stay lasts longer than TV and Radio You can ask for more details at your nearest six (6) months. The operations of the Finnish Broadcasting post office or from the internet. Incoming Company are financed by public service mail is delivered to your address Monday EU/EEA citizens broadcasting tax collected by the Tax through Friday. There are no deliveries on As an EU/EEA citizen you have Administration. The Finnish TaxSaturdays, Sundays or on public holidays. unrestricted right to work and study in Administration’s website provides further For further information go to the website Finland for less than three (3) months. If information on the public service of the Finnish Post: www.itella.fi the stay lasts longer period of time, EU/ broadcasting tax. EEA citizen has to register for the right to For information on broadcasting tax WORKING IN FINLAND reside in Finland at the local police station. see: www.vero.fi/ en-US > Individuals > Finding a job alongside your studies can be Public broadcasting tax really challenging in Finland. Often Non-eu citizens Listening to a radio is free of charge. workers are expected to speak at least the As a non-EU citizen, you have right to The national broadcasting company YLE very basics of Finnish language. Naturally, work 25 hours a week during the academic
36 • Practical Information Guide www.outdoors.fi
term. When there is no teaching at the Travelling by bus from Kemi to Tornio 2013 the student discount percentage for institution during holidays, it is possible to or vice versa costs you 6,90 €. If you need Basic and Extra class tickets has started to work full-time. You will need to get a to take a bus daily, it is worth buying a vary between 45 to 55 per cent. What this residence permit before arriving to Finland monthly card. It is valid for 30 days from means is that students receive the highest in order to work. the date you buy the ticket within the discount for tickets with low demand, For more information about working in Kemi-Tornio transport area and costs while more popular tickets entitle to a Finland: 69 euros + a renewable card 6,50 euros lower discount. VR has convinced the • www.mol.fi (deposit). The card can be purchased at student organisations that the reform will, • www.infopankki.fi bus stations and it can be renewed on on average, make travelling by train more • www.migri.fi buses. Local buses depart from the bus affordable for students – even despite the stations in Kemi and Tornio. Timetables slight increase in the prices of the most Taxation are available at the bus stations, the popular departures. Remember to take care of your taxation, if Matkahuolto office and on buses. In You need to present your Student Union you work during your stay in Finland. You Rovaniemi the bus card at student price is membership card (SAMOK student card) can get your tax deduction card from your 31€/month and you can buy it from Osviitta or a special Matkahuolto/ VR discount local tax office. You will need it for each (located in the city hall of Rovaniemi) or card when purchasing the ticket time you work and receive salary. Matkahuolto (Lapinkävijäntie 2). Don’t Train connections in Finland: In order to learn more about taxation in forget to take Lapland UAS attendance www.vr.fi/eng Finland, visit www.vero.fi certificate and pass-port with you. If you take a bus ride to a destination Bicycles FREE-TIME of a distance of 80 km or more, you are With some good luck you may find and How to get around entitled to a special student rate. The buy a decent bicycle for a reasonable price Although in small towns like Kemi, discount is 50 % for a one-way or return from a bicycle repair shop, recycling center Rovaniemi and Tornio all the services are ticket. You need to present your Student (kierrätyskeskus), flea market kirpputori( ) in the center, within walking distance, a Union membership card (SAMOK or your fellow student. bicycle is a nice way to familiarize with the student card) or a special Matkahuolto/ When you park your bicycle always surroundings of the towns. There is also a VR discount card when purchasing the remember to lock it and preferably fasten possibility to buy a buss card and use the ticket. it to a bicycle rack or some other solid public transportation for moving around Travelling by train you are entitled to a structure to avoid anyone steeling your towns. special student rate. Beginning on June 3rd
Practical Information Guide • 37 bike. You can buy bicycle locks from well- Sweden the currency is Swedish krona, but • Vaarin Vintti, Länsiranta 13, Tornio stocked stores. in Finland the currency is Euro. • Tositori, Länsiranta 13, Tornio Please remember to also purchase a Shopping hours are generally 9 a.m. light for your bike, because the Finnish to 6 or 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and • IHA Lähetyspuoti, law demands you to have one. Light helps 9 a.m. to 2 or 3 p.m. Saturday. Stores are Kauppakatu 11, Tornio other traffic users to see you better and typically closed on Sundays, but grocery makes it easier to drive your bike when stores are usually open every day. Sports Pass it’s dark. It is also good to have a bicycle With Sports Pass you can enjoy of culture helmet. Second hand shops or sports. The provided benefits vary These shops sell used bikes and are Second-hand stores are ideal for low- depending on the town, please check located in the city centre of Rovaniemi: budget shopping. You can find many details below. You can use the same Sports • Mountain Bike Center, second-hand shops in Rovaniemi: Pass in Rovaniemi, Kemi and Tornio. Ruokasenkatu 10 Sports Pass in Kemi-Tornio area • Tuhattori, Harrikatu 2 • Tuhattori, Harrikatu 2 • Varastotien kirppis, Varastotie 8 In Kemi-Tornio area Sports Pass gives you Shopping the opportunity to participate in different Rovaniemi offers variety of shopping • Rovaniemen Kontti, Kierrätystavaratalo, kinds of cultural or sport activities with no possibilities. There are many supermarkets, Teollisuustie 13 cost at all or with a discount. With the grocery stores, home-furnishing and • Vintikki, Varastotie 2 Sports Pass you can enjoy of multiple clothing shops. In downtown you can shop exercise locations in the school premises • Toivon Tori, Lapinkävijäntie 23 in three shopping malls: Sampokeskus, and on private sector. Different group Revontulikeskus and Rinteenkulma, which There are many second-hand shops also in exercises e.g. zumba and ball games such as are only a short walking distance away Kemi and Tornio: volleyball, basketball and football have from each other. Another great place to been popular options. There are also many shop and visit is Santa Claus Village at the • Viikkotori, Keskuspuistokatu 17, Kemi opportunities to exercise for free without Arctic Circle. There are many specialty • Aseman tori, Rautatiekatu 9, Kemi the Sports Pass. You can get the card shops and souvenir shop in the center of against the payment receipt from the Kemi and Tornio, as well as a mall in • EkoCenter – EkoMyymälä, Students Affairs’ Offices. Tornio. You can also enjoy a mall and lots Karjalahdenkatu 18, Kemi of other shops in Haparanda, Sweden. In
38 • Practical Information Guide EVENTS FOR EVERY TASTE Sea Lapland area has several events throughout the year. Annual events in Kemi • In January Pakkasukko Blues & Jazz • In March Sea Lapland Ski (Lapin meren hiihto) In May Cartoon festival (Sarjakuvapäivät) • In August Satama Open Air, music festival • In August Venetsialaiset Further information on the Pass and the FREE-TIME ACTIVITIES IN Annual events payment will be given by the Instructor of KEMI AND TORNIO in Tornio-Haaparanta area Leisure Activities Mr Jukka Ikäläinen • In March Ice Fishing event [email protected] and Local Area (Suurpilkit) Several times a summer from student union ROTKO The following places are worth checking Peräpohjola Fair [email protected]. out in the Kemi-Tornio area: • In July Twin City Festivals In Sweden, Kalix and Luleå are so close Sports Pass in Rovaniemi that you can make a day trip there. On • In July Tradional Whitefish Festival in Kukkolankoski In Rovaniemi you can enjoy of the sport the Finnish side of the Torniojoki river, services intended for students with Sports as you go northward you find the town of • In November Artbazaar on the Aine Museum Pass. You can get some the services free of Ylitornio, which is home to the Aavasaksa charge or against a small fee. You can hill, from which you can see far into Tutor’s tips choose from variety of outdoor and indoor Sweden, and the town of Pello, which is Here are a few tips on how you can activities. From page 42 you can check located within the arctic circle. spend your free time in Kemi- Tornio area: some of the places that offer benefits from If you go 100 km northeast from Sports Pass in Rovaniemi. Keminmaa, you get to the city of • From pastel painting to hunting courses and everything in between Learn more about Sports Pass and the Rovaniemi, where Santa Claus has built provided by: services in Rovaniemi at: his own tourist trap. From Rovaniemi Kemin Työväenopisto you should continue on toward Ranua Marina Takalon katu 3, Kemi • www.ulapland.fi/sportservices and stop by the Ranua zoo to say hello to tel. 016 258 240 www.kemi.fi/kto/ • www.lyy.fi Jaska, a talking raven. Also not too far is Oulu, which is a little “Good selection of different For more information contact the Sports over 100 km from Kemi. Before you get kind of hobbies” coordinator Mika Vettainen. mika. to Oulu there is a stone age village in the • Tornion Kansalaisopisto Opistotalo [email protected] town of Ii. Seminaarinkatu 14, Tornio tel. 040 770 5972 There are some natural sights we www.tornio.fi/Kansalaisopisto recommend that you check out: “Lots of different courses for Between Simo and Keminmaa is everybody” the nature preserve of Martimoaava –
Practical Information Guide • 39 SPORT ACTIVITIES In Kemi In Tornio • Kemin keila- ja tennishalli • Tornio swimming hall (bowling and tennis hall) Viidankatu 22 Tervaharjunkatu 16 tel. 050 597 1256 tel. 045 279 3119 www.tornio.fi www.keminkeilajatennishalli.com “Nice, relaxing. Swimhall also has a gym.” “Room for lots of people. Good opening • Tornion naisvoimistelijat hours. Little expensive.” ”Disco-Fever (Female gymnastics) bowling.” Arvontie 10 • Bodycenter http://tornionnv.sporttisaitti.com/ Valtakatu 3, tel. 010 396 8000 and “Cheap and it’s easy for newcomers to Asemakatu 9, tel. 010 396 8003 Lumiaava – Penikat. It provides visitors hop in.” www.bodycenter.fi with hiking trails, night lodging in • Tornio-Haaparanta “Jogging route” wilderness huts, bird watching, and eating “Good and professional instructors. Nice gymnastic exercises.” “Route has signposts. Goes nicely around in lean-to shelters. the river, nice scenery.” The coastal region is home to the • Swimming hall Meripuistokatu 28, tel. 016 259 455 • Tornio bowling hall Perämeri National Park, where visitors Teollisuuskatu 8–10, “Nice swimming hall but small. Has can become familiar with the marine tel. 016 445 722 music. Quite expensive prices. Water habitat of Bothnian Bay (Perämeri) as well tornio.kemi-torniokeilailu.com. gymnastics are effective and has good as the fishing outposts and traditional instructors.” “Cheapish if you reserve a lane with a landscapes produced by the traditional group. Has music, cafeteria and disco- • Naisvoimistelijat (Female gymnastics) fever during evenings.” fishing industry. Lukkarilankatu 2, In the bird watching tower of Alkunkari tel.040 026 2400 • Vocational College Gym Downstairs of the dormitory at in Puuluoto of Tornio, visitors can watch “Affordable. Student friendly.” the lives of birds and enjoy campfire coffee Kauppakatu 35 • Kiikeli, in ruutinranta at the campfire area, which is large enough “Gym is in good shape and is free for for twenty visitors at a time. “Nice and big dogpark. student.” Empty during morning and evenings. • Hall hours for students Lappiahalli, Another place worth visiting near Lot’s of people during afternoon” Tornio is Kukkolankoski rapids, Etappitie 4 www.lappiahalli.fi “Hiking path and lean-to.” where you can watch and admire “Nice place for soccer.” • Jogging paths: Takajärvi path and living traditional fishing culture of the • Climbing wall at Kiviranta Mansikkanokka path Tornionlaakso Valley. Tapiolantie 8 On the Swedish side, the island of • Bodycenter Seskarö is famous for its great beaches. Kauppakatu 12 People in the Arctic like winter tel. 010 396 8001 swimming and ice fishing in the winter www.bodycenter.fi time. The coastal region of Kemi and “Good and professional instructors. the Torniojoki river provide excellent Nice gymnastic exercises.” opportunities for both of these activities.
40 • Practical Information Guide EVENTS FOR EVERY TASTE Sea Lapland area has several events www.outdoors.fi throughout the year. Annual events in Rovaniemi • In June: Rovakatu Market, at the town centre • In June, March and September: Rovaniemi Market (traditional market at Kauppatori) • In August: Old Market Square FREE-TIME ACTIVITIES IN few of the possibilities; there are many Carnival of Rovaniemi ROVANIEMI more activities available. Elonkorjuu Market at the town There is also a possibility to go centre, Rovakatu Simerock (Music festival) There are many possibilities to spend your explore city’s cultural life. For example spare time in Rovaniemi. Nature is not far at House of Culture, Korundi, you can • In September: Rovaniemi week (A chance to get to know city’s away from the city and it is easy to go enjoy see contemporary art, enjoy concerts services, history and architecture) it throughout the year. You can do many or attend a lecture of the current art • In December: Christmas Street outdoor activities: skiing, swimming, ice theme. You can also go see the Provincial Opening, at town centre skating, cycling, snow shoeing, hiking and Museum of Lapland in Arktikum and • In February: Arctic Design week fishing… If a rainy (or a very cold) day its exhibitions, or drop by on one of the comes by, you can always turn to the smaller art galleries downtown. You can Please note that these are just a few examples of what interesting events services that gyms and sport centers also lend a book or read papers at the Rovaniemi has to offer. provide. Gather your friends and go for library, watch a movie at the cinema or example climbing, bowling or swimming. see a play on one of the theaters. A good place for outdoor activities is To see more information about cultural Ounasvaara, which is not far away from activities check http://rovaniemi.fi/ the city. It is a recreational area that has International/English/Culture well-maintained trails with signposts Rovaniemi is a tourist destination which are ideal for hiking and skiing. and therefore it provides many exotic Ounasvaara is a hill and it gives you a things to experience. You can pay a visit chance to enjoy of amazing views and to Santa Claus or reindeers. There is also Since Rovaniemi is a student city, landscape. Be sure to visit the Ounasvaara’s a possibility to enjoy of outdoors with it has an active student life: degree observation tower because the view up husky sleigh rides or snowmobiling. You organizations, student unions and there is mesmerizing! During winter it is can find more information about these student tutors organize all kind of events possible to go snowshoeing or downhill and many other services from the local throughout the year. Other organizations and cross-country skiing. Hiking, playing safari companies. also organize many kinds of events, golf and enjoying the ride on a summer More information www.visitrovaniemi.fi lectures, shows and theme days that you bobsleigh are fun summertime activities. and www.outdoors.fi can participate in. And these mentioned activities are just
Practical Information Guide • 41 FINNISH FRIEND PROGRAMME
TIPS OF PLACES Lapland UAS and ULapland organize Sports • Fitness boxing international friend activities between (some benefits from Sports Pass) • Vesihiisi Swimming hall Lessons held at: Urheilukatu 1, 96100 international students and local people (some benefits from Sports Pass) Rovaniemi (Downstairs of Wiljami) each semester. Participation in the Nuortenkatu 11 activities is voluntary and free of charge for 96100 Rovaniemi Culture both the students and the locals, and there • Santasport Lapin Urheiluopisto • Korundi House of Culture are no limitations or obligations. Generally (some benefits from Sports Pass) Concerts, exhibitions and lectures Bowling alley, swimming hall/spa, Lapinkävijäntie 4, 96100 Rovaniemi the idea is to introduce Finland, Lapland gym etc. www.korundi.fi and Finnish culture to international Hiihtomajantie 2, 96400 Rovaniemi • Arktikum students coming to Rovaniemi. The student http://santasport.fi Museum and arctic science center and his/her local friend(s) meet according • Gym Everybody Pohjoisranta 4, 96200 Rovaniemi to their own schedules and organize (some benefits from Sports Pass) www.arktikum.fi activities together. Gym, exercise classes • Pilke Rovakatu 24, 96200 Rovaniemi Finnish Friend activities are a Science Centre, www.gymeverybody.com/ wonderful opportunity for the student focus on the northern forests • Kunnon Paikka Ounasjoentie 6, 96200 Rovaniemi to integrate into the Finnish culture (some benefits from Sports Pass) www.sciencecentre-pilke.fi and way of life while local people get Gym, exercise classes to know new cultures and enrich their • Maxim Rovaniemi, Movie theater Lähteentie 20, 96400 Rovaniemi Koskikatu 17, 96100 Rovaniemi language skills. Students can sign up for www.kunnon-paikka.com/ www.biorex.fi/ this activity during the orientation week. • Rovaniemen Vuoristoklubi Courses More information is available on the (some benefits from Sports Pass) Universities’ web pages. Offers a chance to practice climbing • Rovalan Setlementti ry Varastotie 2, 96100 Rovaniemi Rovaniemen kansalaisopisto provides rovaniemenvuoristoklubi.blogspot.fi/ variety of courses e.g. language, dance, music… Rovala 5, 96100 Rovaniemi www.rovala.fi/
42 • Practical Information Guide ABOUT FINLAND
WHERE ARE WE? Finland is located in northern Europe between the 60th and 70th parallels of latitude. One quarter of Finland’s total area lies north of the Arctic Circle (Napapiiri in Finnish). The topography of Finland is flat with the exception of the high rounded fells in Lapland, the northern part of the country. Thousands of lakes, rivers and streams as well as forests and woods dominate the Finnish landscape. The climate is marked by cold winters and warm summers. In winter, the mean temperature remains below 0 °C. In Lapland the winter usually begins in mid-October. In summer, the mean daily temperature is consistently above 10 °C. The summer usually begins in June and lasts until August. In spite of the northern
338 km2, Finland is the seventh Total area largest country in Europe
69 % forest, 10 % water, 8 % cultivated Of the total area land and 13 % other
Maximum distances 1 157 km north to south, 542 km east to west
with Sweden in the west (614 km), with Land border Norway in the north (736 km) and with Russia in the east (1 340 km)
Highest point Halti, 1 324 m
Longest river Kemijoki river, 483 km
188 000 lakes, 180 000 islands and Blue and green 35 national parks with a total area of 884 600 ha
Practical Information Guide • 43 Population 5.4 million people
Population growth 4.1 ‰
Population density 17 people per sq km
90 % Finnish (suomi), 5 % Swedish (ruotsi), 0,03 % Lappish Main languages For further information on (saame) Finland’s history visit virtual.finland.fi Main religions 78 % Lutheran, 1 % Orthodox
location, the climate in the region is still The distance from Rovaniemi to Kemi mild due to the effects of the Gulf Stream. is about 114 kilometers. Way to Tornio The average temperature in July is from takes a little bit more time, because the +15 to +18 °c and in February from -10 to distance is 125 kilometers. Railroad and -15 °C. Snow covers the area from early bus connections make the distances easier November until the end of April. to travel. Kemi and Tornio WHAT´S THE TIME? The towns of Kemi, Tornio and Haparanda Finland is two hours ahead (+2) of (Sweden) and three municipalities, Greenwich mean Time (GMT) and one Keminmaa, Simo and Tervola comprise hour ahead of central European Time (CE the Kemi-Tornio region with about 61 000 T). We set the clocks twice a year: daylight inhabitants. Saving Time (or summer time) is in effect Kemi and Tornio are located about from the last Sunday in March to the last 25 kilometres apart, but they are well Sunday of October. A 24-hour timetable is connected by regularly running buses. commonly used. For example 8.00–16.00 Due to the location on the northern coast means the same as from 8 am to 4 pm. of the Gulf of Bothnia, into which the region´s three great rivers – the Simo, WHO ARE WE? Kemi and Tornio Rivers –flow, the area is The Finns form a distinct linguistic and sometimes called Sea Lapland (Merilappi). ethnic population bearing features from both Eastern and Western Europe. The Rovaniemi Finnish language, with Estonian and Rovaniemi is a town of 61 000 inhabitants Hungarian, belongs to the Finno- Ugric and it is located on the Arctic Circle. Due group of languages. The population of to the location and the exotic experiences Finland is 5, 4 million people. Families the city offers, Rovaniemi attracts tourists with one child are the most common. The all over the world. Finland’s longest river, average life-expectancy of Finnish women The Kemi River, flows through Rovaniemi. is 83 years and of men 76.
44 • Practical Information Guide Finland’s History at a Glance
The end of the ice age Early settlers (hunters, fishermen and food gatherers) arrived in Finland following the retreat of the continental About ice-sheet. For a long time they were thought to be the first inhabitants of Finland. However, the latest archaeological findings suggest 8000 B.C that there have been settlements in Finland before the ice age, over hundred thousand years ago.
The first crusade to Finland. Led by King Eric IX of Sweden the missionaries arrived in Finland. Finland became part of the Kingdom of 1155 Sweden for 600 years.
1543 The first book in Finnish Mikael Agricola’s ABC Book, the first book written in the Finnish language, was published.
1640 The oldest institution of higher education The Royal Academy of Turku was founded. Nowadays it is known as the University of Helsinki.
The Finnish War between Sweden and Russia. Sweden surrendered Finland to Russia. The new border in the North was drawn along the 1808–1809 Tornio River.
The Autonomous Grand Duchy 1809 Czar Alexander declared Finland an autonomous Grand Duchy with himself as the constitutional monarch represented by a Governor General.
Kalevala 1835 The Finnish National Epic was published.
1862 The Finnish Markka was introduced replacing the Russian rouble as the currency of Finland
Equal and Universal Suffrage 1906 Finnish women were the first in Europe to gain the right to vote in parliamentary elections
Declaration of Independence 1917 Finland declared its independence of Russia on 6 December and became a republic.
Civil War 1918 between the Reds (leftwing) and the Whites (rightwing) ended with victory for the latter (government troops)
The Winter War 1939–1940 against the Soviet Union. In a peace treaty Finland had to surrender southeastern Finland to the Soviet Union.
The Continuation War against the Soviet Union. In addition to the areas already lost to Russia, Finland also ceded Petsamo on the Arctic 1941–1944 Ocean and was penalized with severe war reparations in the Paris Treaty in 1947.
The Lapland war against German troops present in North Finland. In the Second World War (comprising the Winter, Continuation and 1944–1945 Lapland wars) Finland was never occupied by foreign forces, but the war claimed a heavy toll: over 90 000 Finns got killed.
Treaty of Friendship, Co-operation and Mutual Assistance 1948–1992 with the Soviet Union. In 1992 Finland and Russia confirmed that the Treaty was null and void.
1952 The Olympic Games in Helsinki
1955 Member of the United Nations
1995 Member of the European Union
2000–2012 Tarja Halonen was the first female President of Finland
Arrival of the Euro 2002 Finnish Markka was replaced by the Euro To learn more visit the website of the Finnish Sauna Society www.sauna.fi
Gross Finns are curiously silent in public places and they rarely enter domestic 180 billion euros (2011) into conversation with strangers, but will converse after you take product (GDP) the initiative. Most Finns speaks English fluently except most of the elderly people. Agriculture, forestry and fishing 3%, mining and quarrying 0,5%, Manufacturing 17,9%, Finns are better at listening than at talking, and interrupting Electricity, gas, steam and air conditiong another speaker is considered impolite. A Finn does not grow supply 2,5 %, Water supply; sewerage, waste nervous if there are breaks in the conversation; silence is regarded management and remidiaton activities 0,8 %, as a part of communication. Having once got to know a stranger Construction 6,6%, Wholesale and retail trade; better, Finns are quite willing to discuss any topic; generally not even repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles religion or politics are taboo way of life visit: http://virtual.finland.fi 10%, Transportation and storage 5,3%, Accommodation and food service activities GDP by HOW DO WE LIVE? 1,7%, Information and communication 5%, industry Financial and insurance activities 2,8%, Real There is a high degree of equality between the sexes in Finland, as estate activities 11,8% Professional, scientific can be seen in the relatively high number of women holding and technical activities 4,4%, Administrative advanced positions in politics and other areas of society. and support service activities 3,4%, Public Chauvinistic or patronizing attitudes towards women are generally administration and defence; compulsory considered unacceptable. Women are usually independent social security 6,2%, Education 5,3%, Human health and social work activities 9,7%, Arts, financially and may offer to pay their share of a restaurant bill, for entertainment and recreation 1,3%, Other instance. A man may politely refuse such an offer but it is equally service activities 1,8% polite to accept it. Although a total of 5.4 million Finns, about 80 % of the Chemical industry products 21,8%, Fores population live in urban areas in the southern part of the industry products 19,6%, Metal and metal country, many people have summer cottages in the countryside. Exports products 16,2%, Machinery and equipment 13,9%, Electric and electronics industry Practically every Finnish house has a sauna of its own. There are products 13,4%, Other 15,2% public saunas in swimming halls with indoor swimming pools, water slides, water massage, Jacuzzi and so on. What do you do The Finnish monetary unit is the euro (€) which Monetary unit in a sauna? To learn more visit the website of the Finnish Sauna is divided into 100 cents Society www.sauna.fi
46 • Practical Information Guide WHAT DO WE DO FOR A LIVING? Vappu, May Day ( 1st of May) Finland belongs to the 20 wealthiest countries in the world. The May Day is for celebrating International Worker’s Day and the GDP has increased in real terms by over 50 percent over the past soon ending spring. This is a holiday for students - even the old ten years. The ratio of R&D investments to domestic output in students put their graduation hats on. People enjoy the outdoors Finland is among the highest in the world. if the weather permits and usually restaurants and bars are full of people. Goods such as sima (mead), tippaleipä (funnel cake) and FINNISH HOLIDAYS doughnuts are usually part of the celebration. Balloons and Independence Day (6th of December) serpentine are popular decorations and some people might even 6th of December is the date for celebrating the Finland’s wear fun costumes. independence that started 1917 after the declaration of independence. The day consists of parades and patriotic speeches. Juhannus Midsummer At the evening, Presidential Independence Day reception is held (Friday between 19th & 25th of June) and televised. Guests of the reception are members of the Finns usually spend midsummer at the countryside. They go to parliament and government of Finland, veterans, previous their cottages or either rent one. Typical traditions are going to presidents, diplomats, otherwise distinguished individuals and sauna and lighting a bonfire. Some might even try to do famous Finns. During the day it is a custom to remember and midsummer magic, which can e.g. help you to see your future honor veterans and those who we lost at wars. Another tradition is spouse in your dreams. Enjoying good food, company and drinks to light two candles on a window sill and turn the lights off at 6 pm. are essential parts of Finnish Midsummer.
Easter Christmas (4 day period in March- April) (from 24th to 26th of December) Easter is church holiday for celebrating the resurrection of the Christmas is a time of families and homes. People decorate with Christ. People usually make Easter cards, decorate Easter Eggs Christmas decorations, prepare traditional foods, listen to and grow decorative grass. Easter is a time of many goodies, such Christmas carols, go to sauna and enjoy the company of their as chocolate eggs and mämmi (Finnish Easter pudding). On Palm loved ones. At midday of Christmas Eve, Turku (the former capital Sunday, children dress as witches and carry decorated willow’s of Finland) declares the Christmas peace. Naturally Santa Claus sprigs. They go around houses and recite a special verse, give one can pay a visit and bring presents. of the sprigs and get a reward in return which can be chocolate, candy or a few coins.
Practical Information Guide • 47 SURVIVAL FINNISH
Useful phrases At the university Good morning! Hyvää huomenta! Academic year lukuvuosi WANT TO LEARN MORE? Good afternoon! Hyvää iltapäivää! Study guide opinto-opas CHECK OUT THESE LINKS Good night! Hyvää yötä! Semester lukukausi ► www.yle.fi/opinportti/ Hello! Hei / Terve! Assessment arviointi ► supisuomea/01/ Goodbye! Näkemiin! Lecture luento ► www.uuno.tamk.fi Excuse me / Credit opintopiste I’m sorry! Anteeksi Library kirjasto Thank you! Kiitos! Student opiskelija Here you are Ole hyvä Degree programme koulutusohjelma My name is… Minun nimeni on… Lecturer opettaja What time is it? Mitä kello on? University yliopisto It is one o’clock. Kello on yksi. University of I don’t understand. En ymmärrä. applied sciences ammattikorkeakoulu I love you! Rakastan sinua! Cheers! Kippis!
Shopping Milk maito Onion sipuli Coffee kahvi Vegetables vihannekset Tea tee Fruit hedelmä Yoghurt jogurtti Pasta pasta Butter voi Rice riisi Bread leipä Sugar sokeri Fish kala Salt suola Beef naudanliha Toothpaste hammastahna Chicken kana Toothbrush hammasharja Meat liha Shampoo shampoo
48 • Practical Information Guide LINKS WORTH CHECKING
Main website Rovaniemi Government and Administration Lapland University of Applied Sciences • www.rovaniemi.fi • Parliament of Finland: www.lapinamk.fi • www.visitrovaniemi.fi http://web.eduskunta.fi
Education in Finland Working in Finland • Finnish government: http://valtioneuvosto.fi/hallitus/en.jsp • Data on Finnish science and • Federation of Finnish Enterprises: technology: www.research.fi/en www.yrittajat.fi/en-GB • Ministry for Foreign Affairs: www.formin.finland.fi • The portal by the ministry of Education • Infopankki: www.infopankki.fi provides information about studies Finland Embassies in Finland taught in English: www.opintoluotsi.fi/en-GB • Information on politics, society, media, • formin.finland.fi history etc.: http://finland.fi (> diplomatic missions > • Information about studies, practical • Gateway to public services: Representation of foreign states in training or youth exchange in Finland: Finland) www.studyinfinland.fi www.suomi.fi • Centre for International mobility; • Basic information about the Finnish National Authorities scholarship and exchange programs EU functioning of society and • Finnish Immigration Service: education, training, culture and youth opportunities in Finland: www.migri.fi/frontpage www.infopankki.fi/en-GB/home programs: www.cimo.fi • National Finnish Employment Office • National Union of Students in Finnish • Information for tourists: pages: http://www.te-services.fi/te/en/ Universities of Applies Sciences: www.visitfinland.com index.html http://samok.fi • Statistics on Finland: • Finnish police: www.poliisi.fi www.tilastokeskus.fi/index_en • Finnish customs: www.tulli.fi/en Kemi and Tornio towns • Weather in Finland: • Finnish tax system: www.vero.fi/en-US • www.kemi.fi http://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi • www.tornio.fi • News in English by YLE, Finland’s • National register offices: national public service broadcasting www.maistraatti.fi/en company: www.yle.fi/international
Practical Information Guide • 49 CONTACT INFORMATION
Note that for your convenience the Please note that these 0207-starting phone Mobile Phone and telephone numbers here are given in numbers are chargeable: Internet Service Providers Finnish form. When you are in Finland Tel. +358 20 7699 180 • Sonera, www.sonera fi/en you can just dial the number as given. Fax +358 20 7699 188 Sonera Kauppa, Länsiranta 10 phone 8,21 cents/call + 6,9 cents/min (Rajalla shopping center), Tornio Student Accommodation mobile 8,21 cents/call + 14,9 cents/min tel. 0200 20010 In Kemi and Tornio Sonera Kauppa, Koskikatu 27 B Accommodation officer Jukka Ikäläinen Health Services (Revontuli shopping center), mobile +358 (0)50 461 2335 Check pages 27–31. Rovaniemi tel. 0200 20010 E-mail [email protected] Postal Services • Elisa, www.elisa.com/en Kemi Elisa Shopit, Valtakatu 11–13, Kemi Student Housing Foundation of Kemi tel. 010 262 0200 (Kemin opiskelija-asuntosäätiö) Main Post Office, Keskuspuistokatu 1, Elisa Shopit, Länsiranta 10 Keskuspuistokatu 6-8, FI-94100 Kemi Kemi (Rajalla shopping centre), Tornio Open Mon-Fri 9.00–18.00 tel. 010 262 0200 Tornion Krunni Oy Tornio Elisa Shopit, Koskikatu 27 Lukiokatu 10, FI-95400 Tornio (Revontuli shopping center), Main Post Office, Länsiranta 10 Rovaniemi In Rovaniemi (Rajalla shopping center), Tornio Domus Arctica -säätiö Open Mon-Fri 9.00 a.m – 6 p.m • DNA, www.dnaoy fi/en Ylikorvantie 28 A DNA Kauppa, Länsiranta 10 FI–96300 Rovaniemi, Finland Rovaniemi (Rajalla shopping centre), Tornio Main Post Office, Koskikatu 27 B tel. 0800 550 044 (sales) Open on weekdays 9 a.m. till 3 p.m. (Revontuli shopping center ), DNA Kauppa, Koskikatu 27 And the first and last working day of 96100 Rovaniemi (Revontuli shopping center) Rovaniemi every month 8 a.m. till 4 p.m. Open Mon-Fri 8 a.m.- 8 p.m., tel. 044 033 8000 Email [email protected] Sat 10 a.m – 2 p.m Internet www.das.fi (online application) www.posti.fi
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Local Register Office Tax Offices Taxi • Keskuspuistokatu 20-22, 3rd floor, Kemi • Meripuistokatu 16, Kemi • Kemi- Tornio Airport-taxi tel. 029 553 9661 tel. 020 612 000 (call at least two hours before • Hallituskatu 5 C, 96101 Rovaniemi • Suensaarenkatu 2, Tornio departure) tel. 0200 68000 tel. 029 553 9661 tel. 020 612 000 • Rovaniemi Airport-taxi (open Mon-Tue 9-15 tel. +358 16 362 222 Police Departments • Hallituskatu 3 A, Rovaniemi • Rovaniemi Taxi • Peräpohjolan poliisilaitos tel. 020 612 000 tel. 016 106410 (police department) (open Mon–Fri 9–16.15) • Kemi- Tornio area Taxi Tornio main police station www.vero.fi tel. 0200 68000 Pitkäkatu 1, Tornio tel. 071 876 6139 Transportation (foreign resident issues) Railway • Kemi police station • Railway Station, Rautatienkatu 3, Kemi Valtakatu 28, Kemi • Railway Station, Ratakatu 3, Rovaniemi tel. 071 876 6411 Timetables: (foreign resident issues) www.vr.fi/en/index/aikataulut.html • Lapland Police Department Bus Rovaniemi police station • Kemi Bus Station, Matkahuolto office Hallituskatu 1 A, Rovaniemi Asemakatu 13, Kemi tel. 071 87 60321 EMERGENCY NUMBER • Tornio Bus Station, Matkahuolto office everywhere in Finland Torikatu 10, 95400 Tornio • Rovaniemi Bus Statio, Matkahuolto 112 office Lapinkävijäntie 2, Rovaniemi
timetables: www matkahuolto fi/en
Practical Information Guide • 51 Kosmos, Tietokatu 1 Tekniikka • Technology Sosiaaliala • Social Services Kosmoskirjasto • Kosmos Library Opiskelijakunta • Student Union Compus, Tietokatu 1 Tekniikan tutkimus ja kehitys • Technology R&D Lumikko, Lumikontie 2 Opiskelijapalvelut • Student Affairs Office KV-toimisto • International Office
Terveysala, Meripuistokatu 26 Terveysala • Health Care and Nursing Terveysalan kirjasto • Library Hyvinvointipysäkki • Health and Rehabilitation Stations KEMI Urheiluopisto, Hiihtomajantie 2 Liikunta ja vapaa-aika • Sports
Matkailun tutkimus- ja koulutusinstituutti • Multidimensional Tourism Institute, Viirinkankaantie 1 Matkailu-, ravitsemis- ja talousala • Tourism and Hospitality Management Luonnonvara-ala • Forestry and Rural Industries
Rantavitikka, Jokiväylä 13 Rantavitikka, Jokiväylä 11 eOppimispalvelut • Rehtorin toimisto • Rector’s Office eLearning Services Avoin AMK • Open UAS Hakutoimisto • Admissions Office KV-toimisto • International Office Opiskelijakunta • Student Union Tekniikka ja liikenne • Technology and transport Liiketalous • Business and Administration Terveysala, fysioterapia • Health Care, physiotherapy Kirjasto • Library ROVANIEMI © Rovaniemen Kaupunki/Maankäyttö 2011 Kulleronkatu 7 LiikeAkatemia
Urheilukatu 6 Kuvataide • Visual arts studios Minerva, Kauppakatu 58 Kuvataide • Cultural & Media Arts Liiketalous ja tietojenkäsittely • Business & ICT eOppimispalvelut • eLearning Services Minervakirjasto • Minerva Library
TORNIO
APPLICATION FOR ACCOMODATION TO KEMI-TORNIO
Send application to address: Lapland University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 505, 94600 KEMI or email: [email protected]
I APPLY FOR A FLAT IN
Kemi Tornio
I want to live in one room apartment two or three room apartment
Other people moving into the flat?______
Attention: Before the signing of the rental agreement (contract), the deposit (explanation on the reverse side) of one month rent amount should be paid.
PERSONAL DATA OF THE APPLICANT
Family name ______First name ______Date of birth ______Sex Female Male Street address______Home town ______Postal Code______Country______e-mail address______
Student status Degree student 1st year 2nd year 3rd year 4th year
Exchange student estimated exchange period (months):
Practical Trainee estimated training period (months):
Educational unit: Business (BM and BIT) Technology Social services
Health Care Culture and Media
Date of arrival: ____/____.20___ (day/month.year)
Further information ______
Date ____/____.20__ (day/month.year) Signature ______Please send this application form for accommodation. E-mail: [email protected] or postal address: Lapland University of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 505, 94600 Kemi, Finland.
Some advice for fulfilling the application for accommodation
Students are accommodated either in Kemi or in Tornio depending on their study program or the location of the placement. When applying please indicate what kind of accommodation you prefer, we try to fulfil your expectations. If you want to move into the flat together with another person, please name the person.
Living in Kemi: In Kemi students live mainly in two or three bedroom apartments. In the apartments a student have an own bedroom (sometimes a room must be shared with a room mate). Students share with their room mates the kitchen, bathroom and hall. In two bedrooms apartment can live minimum two persons, maximum four persons. In a three bedroom apartment can live minimum three persons, maximum six persons. The apartments have tables, beds, chairs, oven, etc.
The rent is about 250 euros a month per student. Students have to pay all the rents for one semester at once (autumn semester rents in August/September and spring semester rents in January).
Living in Tornio: In Tornio students live in two or three bedroom apartments. In the apartments a student has an own bedroom. They share with their room mates the kitchen, bathroom and hall. The apartments have tables, beds, chairs, oven, etc.
The rent is 235 euros a month. In Tornio exchange students must pay the rents for one semester at once (autumn semester rents in August/September and spring semester rents in January). The rents must be paied within a week of student’s arrival to the apartment. Degree students can pay the rent monthly + deposit money (150 euros) when they arrive included to the first rent.
Rent deposit: Rent deposit is paid to the landlord on the first week of your arrival. Deposit covers possible accidental damage to the property, unpaid rent and replacement of keys/locks when keys are lost or not returned. The deposit will be paid back to your account few weeks after departure if any of the mentioned above have not happened. Remember to give your bank account information to the housing office before your departure.
Personal Data of the applicant: Please fulfil your personal data on block letters.
Host Institution: Please write the educational unit you are going to follow during your studies.
5 • 2014
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Kemi • Rovaniemi • Tornio LAPLAND UNIVERSITY GUIDE OF APPLIED SCIENCES