Amanda: Hello everybody! And welcome to listen Lapland University's podcast about student life. My name is Amanda Hekkala, and I will be your host today. I study political science and sociology here in Lapland University. Today I'll be discussing about exchange, and I have two incoming students as my guests. You will hear what it's like to study in Lapland as an exchange student and why to apply here. Welcome to listen. My guests today are from Italy and Germany. Would you like to introduce yourselves, guys?

Arianna: Sure. Hello everybody. My name is Arianna and I'm 22 years old. I come from a little village in the Alps in Italy, and I study in Turin, the University of Turin, and my main area of study is called international sciences for development and coordination. And actually here I study a little bit of different subjects within the social sciences area.

Maja: Hello! I'm Maja, I'm 20 and I'm from Hamburg in Germany. I study in the Netherlands. International and European law. And here at University of Lapland I take different law classes.

Amanda: Good to have you here, mates. Now that you have introduced yourselves, I would like to ask a few questions about exchange here in Lapland. Maja, what was your first opinion about Rovaniemi when you first arrived here?

Maja: Well, I already knew that it would be pretty small. Because I looked it up on Google Maps before coming. But I was still surprised at how small the downtown area is. But at the same time, there seemed to be a lot of cafés and bars and restaurants still. So, I didn't think it was that bad. But I was a bit disappointed by how it looked. It was not very pretty.

Amanda: That's true. Rovaniemi is not the most beautiful city, but it definitely has its pros and cons. One of the cons is probably that it's not the prettiest city. But Arianna, how about you? What was your first opinion about the city when you arrived here?

Arianna: As soon as I came here, actually I saw the city from the airplane. And the weird thing for me is not seeing any mountains at the horizon. And that was a little bit destabilising. I don't know if it's the correct word. But it was weird to me. But also I saw a lot of nature and I love it. So, actually I really appreciate the fact that everything here is just like nature and lakes. It's a small city. And that's not so great for me because I'm so used to just walking and seeing a lot of people in the streets and bars, cafés and a lot of life. But actually, I feel it's okay because I met a lot of people and I can organise things to do with them as well. It's a small city and not so much to do, but actually if you look at just like more deeply you'll find things to do.

Amanda: True. You already told a few pros and cons about Lapland. But would you like to tell pros and cons of the Lapland University? Do you wanna start, Arianna?

Arianna: It's very different from my university in Turin. Here the courses maybe last just one or two weeks. And then you have the exam straight away. It's maybe like reading essays. And I feel like it's less pressure because you have to study a lot too much before the exam. You don't have to dive on the books before the exam. But at the same time, one thing I don't really like is not being able to deepen the subject too much before the exam. I would like to have more time to prepare myself, to read more, and to be sure that what I know I'm going to know it for a long time and then take the exam a little bit later with more time.

Amanda: So, in your home university the periods are longer?

Arianna: Yeah. The courses are like two months long. A lot of lectures. And then exam is maybe after one month. We have like a whole big exam. Some books they have to study. And I feel like it's more theoretical. And here it's more practical. I'm not too sure that the theoretical way of examining students is better because sometimes you just learn things and that's it. And here you can also practice and there's a lot of group work. And that's actually something I like about the way they examine students here. It's 50/50 I would say.

Amanda: How about you, Maja? Do you have pros and cons about studying in Lapland University?

Maja: I agree that it's a lot less work, at least than in my home university. But at the same time, it takes a lot of self organisation. Because at my home university you just have the classes. You do pretty much what the professors ask you to. And then at the end you have the exam. And here, there's a lot more freedom to choose essay topics, courses. And then you have to see for yourself that the schedule works out, that you don't have too many overlaps, that you don't have all your courses at the same time and things like that. So, again, pros and cons. And then sometimes I find it problematic when the professors don't tell you properly what they expect or how the schedule's going to be. Because then the self organisation becomes very difficult.

Amanda: Would you say there's way more freedom here, but then again it's too much freedom? That you don't know what to pick for example for your essay topic.

Maja: A little. In the beginning it was difficult for me. I got the first essay and it was so vague that I was afraid to do it wrong. But I sort of found out that there is no wrong way as long as you stick to the few criteria that they do give. So, it was very difficult for me. Because usually we get three pages of very specific information and a very specific topic that we need to research. I actually do really like that part. Just sometimes when it's not clear or when the professor expects something that they don't explicitly say, it's more difficult.

Amanda: How is it like to be international student here? Like, your free time. What do you do during your free time here?

Arianna: Now that I don't have a bike anymore, I live like 40 minutes walk from university. I spend a lot of time just walking to university and enjoying the nature. But apart from this, this period I got a lot of work to do. A lot of things to write down and stuff. So, I just do like home university, university home. But there's something that I really love about studying here, and it's the whole university environment.

Amanda: With the campus.

Arianna: Yeah. It's so comfortable. A lot of restaurants and small space. That's amazing. And I love the study areas, the common areas. And I actually spend a lot of time there, like hours. I think I spend more time there than in my actual apartment. And then sometimes we go to Kansa bar, I think it's called. That's a must do.

Amanda: For sure.

Arianna: Just like normal student life. But also I really appreciate the fact that we've got some free time and we can organise journeys. For example, we both went to Lofoten. And we went to national park in Lapland. It was really good. And you can just like travel. Rent a car and go anywhere. I really like it.

Amanda: It's easy to go for example to Norway or Sweden from here. Because it's so close to border.

Arianna: I don't even know if I'll be able to do it again.

Amanda: Why not do it now that you're here. How about you, Maja? What's your free time like?

Maja: I also really like the library here. It's nice to study just sometimes. I also live 40 minutes away. So, sometimes I'm too lazy to come here. But I try. And there's also a nice library in the city centre, that I really like. Other than that, I have the wellness pass which allows you to do different sports. There's open hours and I usually go to badminton once a week. And sometimes I go on trips. Sometimes we go out, have dinner somewhere. But it's pretty expensive so it's more of a rare thing.

Amanda: So, you are roommates, right?

Maja: Yeah, we are.

Amanda: So, that's why you both have the same walk time distance from the uni to home. You mentioned that you spend time with your friends and maybe use the wellness pass together. How did you make friends now that this is new city and new country here?

Arianna: Because it's quite a small university, there are just a few international students. 140, which is a lot, but compared to other universities it's rather a small number. And we actually were in a group chat even before coming here. So, we already had the opportunity ot talk to each other. So, we kind of knew each other a little bit already before the experience. And then when we came here, there was this orientation week that was organised by the university. And it was really useful. And also, we got the opportunity to meet face to face. And start new relationships. I feel like that was a really good thing because we didn't really have to work hard to make friends. And then there is a lot of opportunities here and student organisations that just involve us as international students. So, it's not really hard to make friends here. I really appreciate it. Because sometimes I feel like if you go to big cities and you are an Erasmus student, you have to work your own way to survive there and have like a social life. Whereas here it was pretty easy.

Amanda: How about you, Maja? Do you have any tips for new incoming students? How to make new friends.

Maja: I would definitely recommend living in DAS apartments. Not just because it's fairly cheap. But also because you automatically get to know people, you meet them in the sauna, in the laundry room. We have a group chat with our house. In the beginning we did the barbecue together and things like that. So, it's definitely worth it. I did find it difficult to get to know Finnish students. Because most of the time they're quite reserved, they stick to themselves. Especially with the badminton, I did get to know some. Because I usually go alone, because I don't know any international students that brought the racket with them. It's a bit awkward because you have to always ask to participate with other people. Nobody ever offers. But then when I do ask, everyone is really nice and open. 

Amanda: You have to make the first move.

Maja: Exactly.

Amanda: If you go play badminton and you're listening these maybe… is somebody there, but doesn't have a friend to play with. When you applied here, what did you know beforehand about Rovaniemi? And did it turn out to be true?

Arianna: I think that there is pretty much what everybody knows about Rovaniemi. It's the city of Santa Claus. The city of Christmas. So, I always pictured Rovaniemi as a winter city. And I didn't really know how it would look like in summer. So, I don't know how it will look in winter. I've already seen snow and some Christmas trees. And it's starting to feel like closer to the image I portrayed myself of winter in Rovaniemi. But I was very surprised when I came here and it was summer. It was a pretty hot weather. It was super sunny all the time. It was in August. It was still sunny and there was a lot of light hours until midnight still, and then the sun would rise at four. I like Rovaniemi also during summer. I was surprised about it.

Amanda: Usually people think that it's always cold and dark here. Which is not true. It's quite a lot of light and pretty warm during summer. But when it comes to winter, that image is true. Did you have any expectations about Rovaniemi when you came here, Maja?

Maja: I would say that I expected pretty much as it turned out to be in terms of landscape and the city itself. I was surprised by the university. Like I already said, because it has a very different format. And I was very surprised by the culture. I knew it would be different, but I didn't really have a specific expectation of how. I didn't feel it that much because most of my interactions are with internationals. Or they're very brief, like at a restaurant or with professors. Who are also used to international students. But still, especially in the beginning, it was quite surprising.

Amanda: But now you have gotten used to it.

Maja: Yes. I would say. 

Amanda: When you came here, what did you have to consider before leaving? Like, visa, money, apartment application, things.

Arianna: In terms of visa, because we are from E.U we didn't really have to do much. We just needed our identity card, passport, and then we don't even need health insurance because we have the E.U card. I don't know what to call it, but it's something that works everywhere in the E.U. So, we didn't need health insurance. 

Amanda: The hospital card.

Arianna: Yeah. And then, we didn't even have to ask for a resident permit, for example. So, it was pretty easy in terms of documentation and everything. I don't know how it works for being nominated in the Erasmus programme. But after the nomination, you basically have to get the confirmation from the host university. And then when everything is done, you need to send your application form. It's quite complicated. You have to provide a motivation letter and then this learning agreement which is an agreed plan of the courses you will attend and it has to be agreed and signed by your home university, yourself and the host university. And then you have to provide other information and at the end of the process you're in. Hopefully. And this is how it happens. So, we're both here. It was a little bit long. I feel like for me the longest part was actually to look for universities where to go. Because you have to basically do everything by yourself. Look up the courses and you need to, for example, you have to find courses that look like the courses that you would attend in your home university, and they have to be related very closely. It's a little bit difficult.

Amanda: So, you find those courses here. But I think that process is same pretty much everywhere. Because it's the same, the Erasmus, in Europe. People go through Erasmus. So, it's the same process for everybody.

Arianna: I think it's pretty much the same everywhere. But sometimes some universities are less tricked than others in the requirements. But yeah, pretty much the same I guess.

Amanda: How about Maja? Did you have to do anything with money or apartment or consider anything else before you came here?

Maja: Maybe I can just add to what Arianna already said. For me, it was actually easier with the course selection because I didn't have to take any specific courses. Just because exchange is a mandatory part of my programme in the Netherlands. So, they just block off a whole half year for you to take 30 law credits somewhere else and you can completely choose which ones.

Amanda: So, you have to do exchange?

Maja: Yes. And they have a database with I think several hundred universities where you can choose from. So, for me, also I think the part that took the most time was looking for everything and choosing something. Applying for the DAS apartment is really easy. You just fill out an online form and then within a few days you get feedback and you get an apartment. I think also Erasmus students have a priority over Finnish students. So, that's also really nice. And you do get a grant from Erasmus. It depends on where you go and where you come from. So, that also really helps in terms of money. Since a lot of things are more expensive here. This year we had to consider the corona restrictions. I had to take a test after coming here.

Amanda: You didn't have to quarantine, did you?

Maja: Well, you have to quarantine three days, but it's recommended. So, they don't enforce it. And then you take the test.

Amanda: But not anymore. So, if you come here, the corona should be over, hopefully. What would you like to say to a person who is considering applying here? Someone who is going through the same process that you just described to us.

Arianna: This is weird because actually there is a person from my degree in Italy that will come here next semester. She always texts me to ask me what should she do and what to expect. I was like, I think you're gonna love it here because it's quite chilled. And there's different types of examining people, students, but something that you're really gonna love is how students are treated. This is my impression, but I think it's true. They're treated as equals to professors. And that's not actually quite the case in other countries. They get a lot of voice and they are regarded as important people that have creativity and can propose a lot of projects and etcetera. So, I told her that she will really like this. And then, pretty much I told her, get prepared for the cold. If you are a person that likes hot, summer, maybe it's not the right place for you.

Amanda: At least we don't have our courses during summer. Maybe then if you are a person who is looking for some place where it's warm, then Finland is not the right place for you. But if people wanna spend the summer here, if they come here for the spring semester, then they can stay for summer. Or if they come here for the autumn semester, they can come here beforehand and spend the summer here. Which is warm, but it's not the warmest obviously. Because we're in the North. But, Maja, do you have any tips that you would say to a person who is considering applying here?

Maja: I agree that it would depend on the person whether it's the right place. You do have to be prepared for the cold and the dark. And for the city to be relatively small. So, for a person that always needs a lot of action, a lot of things going on, that might not be the right place. But if you want something calm and focused on people, where you can have really good friends and be treated really well at the university as well, this is definitely a great place. And also for nature. But I would say it's more a calm place to do things with friends. And not so much for partying a lot because there's not that many options. We do party sometimes, but you get bored going to the same place every time. So, that, I definitely enjoy it here.

Amanda: Well, now it's time for random tips. If you have anything you would like to tip for a person who is already here as a student, or who is coming here, what you would recommend to do here or consider before coming here. Like restaurants, partying or places you like to go. Please, tell me.

Arianna: I can't really say much about restaurants because I haven't gone to any yet. We went together to this burger/pizza place and it's also like a small art gallery. And I really liked it. I think I'll go again. But apart from that, I haven't gone to eat out yet. Maybe when my parents come, I'll ask them to pay for me. That's the right time to go, have a dinner out. I would definitely say, enjoy the nature and try the sauna. There is a sauna by the lake. It's open in summer. It's a bar and a sauna and the lake. It's really nice. Then, I would recommend to go on hikes. Because the landscape is really nice. And go berry picking. For people that will come here, and don't wanna spend too much money on fruit, just go berry picking and maybe you can sell it. I don't have anything in mind right now. So, you can go, Maja, and maybe if I have more things then...

Maja: Go to the Arktikum for northern lights. We go there a lot. Well, less now because it's so cold. But especially in August and September we went a lot. And it's very nice. Check the course description before coming because some courses are self-study. And I was a bit disappointed with some of them because I didn't talk to anyone, any professor, any student. It was just me reading a book or watching lectures and then writing an essay or exam about it. And I think it's okay for some courses, when you like the topic and you just want to do research about it or learn about it. But maybe for an exchange semester, you don't want that with the majority of your courses.

Arianna: I've got one other thing. First of all, shame on me, because I didn't remember about the northern lights. Second, to new students, join the student union because basically you pay 30 euros a semester or something. Or even less. And then you eat almost for free. A lot of food is like 2,70 euros for a whole meal. I always imagine if I had to cook that myself, I would spend a lot more each time. If I had to go the supermarket to buy the same ingredients, that would cost me much more. 

Amanda: Eating here at university restaurants is cheap. So, it's not true that every restaurant here is really expensive. The university restaurants are really cheap. And it's quite often good food. Thank you so much for coming here today. And if you're listening to this and considering applying to Lapland University, welcome here. And maybe we'll see next semester. But thank you Arianna and Maja.

Maja: Thank you.

Arianna: No problem.