Welcome on exchange to the University of Oulu

Welcome on exchange to the University of Oulu! Jani Haapakoski

In 2007 we had 442 exchange students from OULU USA 24 Canada 6 Mexico 8 Russia 13 South Korea 21 Europe 362, most from • Germany 69 • France 55 and • Spain 50 China 4 Japan 4 India 4 Argentina 1 Algeria 1 Namibia 4 South Africa 3 Zambia 1 Sri Lanka 1 Hong Kong, 3 Singapore 1 Australia 6

Oulu? Where? • Oulu – – – • • up North: 600 km i. e. a 60 -minute flight from the Finnish capital, Helsinki 600 km from the northernmost Finnish village Nuorgam comfortable size, tranquil surroundings and Scandinavian ambience University of Oulu – – – Second largest university in Finland Multidisciplinary Focus areas ICT, Biotechnology and Northern and Environmental Issues Finland Nuorgam OULU Finland – – A European Union member in Northern Europe A quarter of the total area falls north of the Arctic Circle Neighbouring countries Sweden, Norway, Russia and Estonia 5, 2 Million inhabitants Helsinki

University of Oulu - Northern Exposure to Knowledge • 6 Faculties – – – • • • Technology Science Economics and Business Administration Medicine Humanities Education 17 000 students around 450 exchange students per year Two campuses: – Linnanmaa main campus (all faculties but Medicine) – Medicine: Kontinkangas campus

Studies in English • • All departments offer courses in English; for more information please contact the international coordinator at the department Short term programmes for exchange students – – – – • As an exchange student, you may be eligible to take studies from Master’s Programmes in English – – – • Scandinavian Studies (Sept-Dec) Northern Cultures and Societies (Jan-May) Modern Nordic Architecture (Oct-Febr) Nordic Design (Sept-Dec) Northern Nature and Environment (Sept-Dec, Jan-May, also summer) Managing Business Relationships (Sept-Dec) Early Childhood Education (Jan-May) Master of Education, International Programme Master’s Programme in Education and Globalisation FMA, International Master’s Programme in Financial and Management Accounting MSc in Protein Science and Biotechnology Master’s Programme in Circumpolar Health and Wellbeing Finnish language courses are offered by the Language Center from a survival course to courses on advanced level

Academic Calendar Two semesters: – – Autumn (September-December) Sping semester (January-May) Autumn semester • Exchange Student Official Arrival Date in the beginning of September • Orientation for international students takes place during the first week • Independence Day December 6 (national holiday) • Semester ends mid-December Spring Semester • Official Arrival Date in the beginning of January • Orientation for international students takes place during the first week • Epiphany January 6 (national holiday) • Easter holiday • Ascension Day May 25 (national holiday) • Semester ends May 31

What does it cost? • Student union fee EUR 37, 50 per semester • Personal living costs about EUR 500 a month including room and board • VISA/Residence permit

How to apply? • Contact the International Relations office at your university • Fill in the Exchange Student Application Form • Deadlines for applications – May 31 for Autumn Semester (April 30 for Medicine and Architecture students) – October 15 for Spring Semester – For Architecture students only one annual deadline on April 30 • Early applications are recommended to guarantee housing!

Once you have applied… • Your application arrives and is forwarded to the department in question, which makes the decision on the acceptance • Once accepted, you receive an information package • The acceptance process takes usually a few weeks

Once in Oulu… • Your student tutor, kummi, will meet you when you arrive and bring you to your flat – Your kummi will also inform you about how to get started: bring you to the department, go with you to the bank to open a bank account etc. • Orientation week takes place right in the beginning of the semester. • Finnish (and other) language courses start. The language center also offers for example tandem language courses, Cafe Lingua and Language Games.

Extra curricular • You can participate in the Kummi Family Programme™, which gives you a chance to experience Finnish culture and everyday life – • • 150 families, about 60% of exchange students have a Kummi Family ESN (Erasmus Student Network): As part of the student union, ESN welcomes all students, Finns and intenational, in student events and their planning. Activities include museum visits, parties, pulla baking and trips to Lapland. University Sports offering is extensive ranging from ballet to rugby and anything in between Each academic major has their own Student Guild that deals with both academic and freetime issues. Once you have arrived, your fellow Finnish students are happy to guide your way to the Guild activities As a student in Finland, you are entitled to numerous discounts, which makes for example travelling rather affordable.

Useful Addresses and Contacts International relations: http: //www. oulu. fi/intl/ Departmental coordinators: http: //www. oulu. fi/intl/lomakkeet/erasmusinfosheet. pdf Courses in English: http: //www. oulu. fi/intl/exchange_students/studies_courses. htm Faculty of Education: Jani Haapakoski: jani. haapakoski@oulu, fi Courses in english: http: //www. oulu. fi/ktk/kasope/inenglish/studies/pdffiles/courses. pdf