From arrival to belonging: What international students can do

Being an international student at the University of Turku has been the experience of a lifetime for me. The student culture in Turku is vibrant, and there is always some fun event happening at or around the university. As an international student, though, I cannot help but notice the glaring absence of other international students from most of these events.

From Spain to Finland: what two years in Turku taught me about myself

When I was choosing a master’s programme, my biggest fear was this: what if I study something for two years and it turns out to be purely theoretical? What if I graduate and still don’t really know what I’m capable of? I moved from Spain to Turku two years ago with that question in my head. I didn’t expect Finland to answer it, but it did, and in ways I never anticipated.

Beyond Finland: How I Landed an Erasmus Internship Abroad

Have you ever struggled to find an internship that truly fits your expectations? You are not alone. Many of us plan and hope to secure an internship in Finland, but this may not work out for everyone. However, not finding an internship in Finland doesn’t mean the opportunity is gone. As a student at the University of Turku, you also have the opportunity to apply for exchange studies or an exchange internship abroad.

Loimaa on Voimaa: A short spring trip to an under-explored destination

Recently, a group of us took a recreational trip to Loimaa, a town in Southwestern Finland. In this post, we go further than the playful rhyme and explore how Loimaa can be a source of voimaa (“strength”). We reflect on the value of stepping away from research for a moment to recharge, connect with colleagues and enjoy a sustainable trip. Ultimately, we hope to inspire you to rediscover your own sense of strength and energy.

Beyond deadlines and grades: 5 lessons about studying in Finland 

You’ve packed up your life and moved to Finland, or you’re planning to, maybe from thousands of miles away. It’s natural to arrive with certain expectations, imagining it to be similar to what you’ve experienced before. But what is it really like? In this blog post, I share my first-hand experience as an international student discovering the reality of studying in Finland.