UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI ISEW 2015 SURVIVAL GUIDE INTERNATIONAL STAFF EXCHANGE WEEK 2015 2 INTERNATIONAL STAFF EXCHANGE WEEK 2015 SURVIVAL GUIDE 2015 INTERNATIONAL STAFF EXCHANGE WEEK UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI Cover photo: Dreamstime 3 Updated: September 2015 INTERNATIONAL STAFF EXCHANGE WEEK 2015 ACCOMMODATION Accommodation is arranged at Töölö Towers, Pohjoinen Hesperiankatu 23. Unless separately agreed with the ISEW team, each participant has a reservation for a single room. The cost for a single room is 329 euro / week (minimum charge). Any additional stay after the week cost 47 euro / day. Please pay for your stay when you check out. The participants will be picked up every day from the Töölö Towers and escorted to the first site of the day. It is possible to go ice skating at the Ice Park next to the central railway station. Photo: Susanna Kesänen/Visit Helsinki 4 INTERNATIONAL STAFF EXCHANGE WEEK 2015 CHECKLIST ATM’s: ATM’s are available throughout Taxis: A taxi from the airport to the the city - look for the sign Otto. city centre costs around 40 euro. In Helsinki you can either order the taxi by Contact information: The contact calling 0100 0700 or going directly to a information for your ISEW host team is taxi-stand. available in the Participants booklet. Transportation: Dress code: Then general dress code From the airport for ISEW is casual. From the Helsinki International Airport it is possible to take either a train, a bus Getting to know one another: or a taxi to the city centre. The train, i.e. Personal introductions will take place the Ring Rail Line, operates every 10-20 at the beginning of the week . We do minutes. The trains are marked with I not require a presentation of your or P and both take you to the Central university. railway station in the city centre. As the name suggests, the trains run in a circle, Internet access: All main sites of so it doesn’t matter which one you take. the University of Helsinki as well Töölö The train ticket is 5 euro one-way. Tower rooms are covered with Wi-Fi Also the Finnair Airport Bus or broadband connection. In central offers a service from the airport to the Helsinki there is also a huge availability central railway station. It runs every 20 of other Wi-Fi Hotspots. It is also minutes and the one-way fare is 6,30 possible to use the Eduroam service euro. The Finnair Airport Bus also while in Helsinki. comes to the Central railway stations. Getting to Töölö Towers Medical assistance: Should From the Central railway station you you need a doctor or other medical can take tram nr 2 to Töölö Towers. assistance, there is a private clinic and The tram stop for Töölö Towers is called hospital, Mehiläinen Töölö, located just “Apollonkatu”. For more detailed across the street from Töölö Towers. information on public transportation Mehiläinen Töölö has a 24/7 service in the Helsinki Metropolitan Region, and operates also in English. See http:// please see the Journey Planner (http:// en.mehilainen.fi/personalcustomers/ www.reittiopas.fi/en/). clinics-and-hospitals for further information. Weather: The weather in November is likely to be variable, i.e. sunshine, rain Pharmacy: In case you need to visit or even snow. The average temperature the pharmacy (apteekki in Finnish), will probably be around -0,5 °C, please you’ll find several in the city center - make sure that you have some wind- and look for the green cross sign. rainproof clothing and suitable footwear. 5 INTERNATIONAL STAFF EXCHANGE WEEK 2015 6 Photo: Krista Keltanen/Visit Helsinki INTERNATIONAL STAFF EXCHANGE WEEK 2015 GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT HELSINKI Helsinki, the capital of the Republic of Finland, is a modern city with over half a million residents. MEETING POINT OF EASTERN AND WESTERN CULTURES Helsinki is situated on the Baltic Sea, surrounded by the archipelago with hundreds of tiny islands. The lifestyle in the second-most northern capital city in the world is full of contrasts and activities in the form of hundreds of events and friendly people. Helsinki’s identity has been formed by cultural influences from both the East and West. Over 450 years of history, several architectural layers and the impact of different periods can be clearly seen in Helsinki. Finnish design has also made the country’s capital city world famous and Helsinki was appointed the World Design Capital for 2012. The beauty of the surrounding nature blends seamlessly together with high-tech achievements, while old traditions mix with the latest contemporary trends. The city centre has many beautiful parks, and the nearby forests offer an ideal setting for peaceful and quiet walks. Helsinki’s rhythm is laid back yet at the same time refreshingly active in terms of both the number and quality of restaurants and nightclubs. Everything is nearby – Helsinki is a pocket-sized metropolis that is ideal for visitors! TIPS FOR FREE TIME The City of Helsinki and the whole metropolitan area offers various ways to spend your free time ranging from sports to cultural events. The city also offers lots of free activities as the museums operated by the City of Helsinki carry no entrance fees. Many museums operated by the state also offer free entrance usually once a week. One of the nicest and most popular ways to discover the City of Helsinki is to take the tramline 2, which basically goes around central Helsinki in a circle shaped route. You can hop on and off when you want to. Read more: http://www.visithelsinki.fi/en/whats-on/sightseeing-trips-and-guidances 7 INTERNATIONAL STAFF EXCHANGE WEEK 2015 MUSEUMS MUSEUMS WITH FREE ENTRANCE Helsinki City Museum, Sofiankatu 4. Hours: Mon-Fri 9–17, Thu 9–19, Sat-Sun 11–17. Hakasalmi Villa, Mannerheimintie 13b. Hours: Wed-Sun 11–17, Thu 9–19. Tram Museum, Töölönkatu 51 A. Hours: Daily 11-17. OTHER MUSEUMS The National Museum of Finland, Mannerheimintie 34. Hours: Tue-Sun 11-18, Mon closed. Kiasma - Museum of Modern Art, Mannerheiminaukio 2. Hours: Tue 10-17, Wed-Fri 10-20.30, Sat 10-18, Sun 10-17, Mon closed. Ateneum – Finnish National Gallery, Kaivokatu 2. Hours: Tue, Fri 10-18, Wed, Thu 10-20, Sat-Sun 11-17, Mon closed. The Sports Museum of Finland, Olympic Stadium, Paavo Nurmentie 1. Hours: Mon-Fri 11-17, Sat-Sun 12-16. Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, There is free access to the Seurasaari island, the museum is open only during the summer months. Design Museum, Korkeavuorenkatu 23 Hours: Tue 11-20, Wed-Sun 11:-18, Mon closed. 8 INTERNATIONAL STAFF EXCHANGE WEEK 2015 SHOPPING POPULAR FINNISH BRANDS TO TAKE HOME Aarikka, Angry Birds, Arabia, Fazer, Finlandia Vodka, Fiskars, Globe Hope, Iittala, Ivana Helsinki, Kalevalakoru, Lumi bags, Marimekko, Marttiini, Moomin, Rapala, Salmiakki candy, Supercell, Suunto, Wild berry liqueurs (cloudberry, cranberry, lingonberry) SHOPPING PLACES Forum Shopping Mall, Kamppi Shopping Mall, Anttila Department Store, Sokos Department Store, Stockmann Department Store, Galleria Esplanad, Markets and Market Halls in Helsinki, Itis shopping center (15 min with the Metro to Itäkeskus), Souvenires and hand made products: Taito Shop, Anne’s Shop, Artisaani, Hakaniemen kauppahalli OTHER INTERESTING SITES Temppeliaukio Church, Lutherinkatu 3. Open according to activities. Free entrance. Markets and market halls, open-air markets and stalls in the Market Square sell traditional foods and treats, as well as handicrafts and souvenirs. Hakaniemi Market Hall, Hours: Mon-Fri 8-18, Sat 8-16. Swimming and saunas, Helsinki offers you many possibilities to enjoy a relaxing swim or sauna. Read more: http://www.visithelsinki.fi/en/see-and-experience/ activities-in-helsinki/swimming-and-saunas 9 Photo: Visit Helsinki/Satu_m_n Photo: Paul Williams/Visit Helsinki INTERNATIONALStairwell at the Main STAFF Library EXCHANGE of the UniversityWEEK 2015 of Helsinki. 10 Photo: Veikko Somerpuro VENUES IN THE CITY CENTRE INTERNATIONAL STAFF EXCHANGE WEEK 2015 1. University Main building, Fabianinkatu 33 2. University of Helsinki Main Library - Kaisa 3. Banquet Rooms, Unioninkatu 33 4. Restaurant Bryggeri, Sofiankatu 2 5. Central railway station 11 HELSINKI.FI/INTERNATIONAL-STAFF-EXCHANGE TWITTER.COM/UH_ISEW HELSINKI.FI/EN FACEBOOK.COM/HELSINKIUNIVERSITY TWITTER.COM/HELSINKIUNI YOUTUBE.COM/UNIVERSITYOFHELSINKI INSTAGRAM.COM /UNIVERSITYOFHELSINKI.