Stories

Alina Witt and Judith Huebner, Germany

From Germany to the North of Finland – Alina and Judith experienced during their exchange studies at the University of Lapland challenges but even more unique and enjoyable moments with fellow students, Finnish sauna and ice-swimming tradition and even their studies at ULapland!

Alina Witt and Judith Huebner, Germany

Alina Korotovskaia ”There and Back Again”

Dreams about northern lights, picturesque fells and Nordic Design became true when Alina spent her exchange semester of Autumn 2016 in Finnish Lapland. Inspired by Finnish culture she found that Finnish education suited her goals. Later she applied to a Master’s degree program in Arctic Art and Design and continued her journey in Lapland.

Denisa Souza, Slovakia

For Denisa, exchange studies at the University of Lapland offered an advantage when looking for work after graduation. Now she is a Ph.D. Candidate at the Faculty of Law who loves the nature in Lapland and likes to spend time with friends by the fire.

Denisa Souza, Slovakia

Marcelo, Arctic Art and Design MA student in the University of Lapland

Marcelo Souza de Araujo, Brazil

Marcelo found freedom, peace and a wife during his exchange at the University of Lapland and decided to come back to continue his studies in Arctic Art and Design Master´s degree programme. Now he creates amazing visuals with camera and video.

Marcelo Souza de Araujo, Brazil

Stevie Hunter, The United States of America

Stevie has enjoyed having an education with a different set of eyes. Weather conditions similar to back home haven´t required much adjusting, so she has had time to concentrate on comparing European and American views the world and running the English speaking group in Café Lingua.

Nhất Ngọc Trịnh, Vietnam

Read about Nhất’s crazy ice swimming experience, his special nickname Cookie, and how escaping from a big city to Lapland brought peace to his life.

Nhất Ngọc Trịnh, Vietnam

Beatrice Lima, Brazil

You have a chance to have a good education while you are living a very nice experience - Beatrice Lima from Brazil, talks about her studies in Lapland, about being out of her comfort zone and finding the snow to be magical.

Beatrice Lima, Brazil

Thao Trinh Phuong, Vietnam

Thao Trinh Phuong from Vietnam, a degree student of International and Comparative Law, learned how to ski, how to get lost and how to find her way again in Lapland. Read more on how the Arctic light felt right for our dear Thao.

Thao Trinh Phuong, Vietnam

Shari-Michelle Noss, Germany

Shari Noss came to Finland as a stranger and visited the North Cape with another one. In a jumble of people from all around the world she encountered challenges, reindeer wandering the hills and learned that it’s no joke that Finns, they sure love karaoke.

Shari-Michelle Noss, Germany

Heidi Heikkonen, Exchange student in Ireland

Heidi Heikkonen arrived in Dublin in spring. Studying social work at the University of Lapland, she decided to pack her bags and see the world on a whim. She reminisces on seeing the tide for the first time, meeting sheep in the mountains, and stirring up a hornet's nest at an Irish party.

Angela Khalashte, Trainee at UArctic

Activities around the theme “Internationalization at the home university” have drawn law student Angela, 24, into working for UArctic as an intern, steering a Soviet tank, and guiding a group of Yakut schoolchildren through Room Escape Rovaniemi. Where would you end up in?

Angela Khalashte, Trainee at UArctic

Yingke Yu, China

In the winter skies of Lapland something was moving, shining and exploding. Let Yingke Yu, management and administration student from Beijing, China, tell you how he met a luminous celebrity in the twilight of Lapland.

Yingke Yu, China

Tess van den Brink, Netherlands

How did Dutch city girl Tess van den Brink, a Master’s degree student in the Tourism, Culture and International Management programme, end up moving to Lapland? She may still be wearing clogs, but next year she’ll have some big boots to fill as an international tutor.

Tess van den Brink, Netherlands

Ivan Fesenko, Uzbekistan

Ivan Fesenko, a degree student of Tourism, Culture and International Management, has encountered feelings of both belonging and challenge on the icy highways of the north. After a year in Lapland, what remains is a craving for freedom, independence and sautéed reindeer meat with lingonberry jam.

Ivan Fesenko, Uzbekistan

Luisa Lucio, Brazil

A pool party in the Arctic? Sounds like a stretch, huh? Luisa Lucio from Brazil, an exchange student of international relations, tells you how it feels taking a dip on the top of the world.

Luisa Lucio, Brazil