New exchange students come from 29 countries. A substantial proportion arrives from European countries through the Erasmus exchange programme. The biggest numbers of new exchange students come from Germany, Spain and France. In addition, an approximate fifth of the students are from outside Europe; they come from Japan, China, Russia, Canada, the United States, Brazil, Columbia, Botswana, Ghana, Israel, and Turkey.

“The University of Lapland has had a higher number of incoming exchange students than outgoing students already for a long time. There are several reasons for this: the university has relative small group sizes in class, a clear profile, a considerable amount of teaching given in English, and good support services. The good word has truly been put forward: students come every year from the same partner universities”, states Outi Snellman, the Director of International Relations at the University of Lapland.

“Interest in the University of Lapland is supported by Lapland and Rovaniemi being seen as a different destination. Moreover, Arctic issues have been more and more widely discussed internationally. The Arctic Studies Programme that focuses on Arctic issues was now chosen by 20 students: the amount doubled compared to the previous academic year”, notes Snellman.

The students internationalise the university and Rovaniemi significantly. In addition to exchange students, 45 new international degree students have been selected for the Master’s Programmes taught in English. Furthermore, it has been estimated that 70–80 new exchange students will arrive in January for the spring term.

As more and more international students arrive to Rovaniemi, more local people are also encouraged to take part in the Finnish Friend Programme. The programme is organised together by the University of Lapland and Rovaniemi University of Applied Sciences, and its purpose is to offer an opportunity for local people to get to know people from other countries and familiarise them with the everyday life in Finland. More information about the Friend Family Programme.

For more information:
Director of International Relations Outi Snellman, tel. +358 40 501 0209, outi.snellman(at)ulapland.fi

ULapland/Communications/SV