Finland: Satakunta University of Applied Sciences

Pori, Rauma and Kankaanpää, Finland

University: Satakunta University of Applied Sciences

Exchange Program: Magellan Exchange

Application Deadline: March 10 for Summer & Fall Semester, October 10 for Spring Semester

VISA Application Information: Embassy of Finland

Finland: Rovaniemi Polytechnic

Rovaniemi, Finland

University: Rovaniemi Polytechnic

Exchange Program: Magellan Exchange

Application Deadline: March 10 for Summer & Fall Semester, October 10 for Spring Semester

VISA Application Information: Embassy of Finland

General Information:

Location: Finland is located in Northern Europe, and is part of the Nordic countries.  It neighbors Sweden, Norway, Estonia and Russia, and is considered to be a geographical "bridge" between east and west.  Satakunta Polytechnic's Rauma location is located on the Baltic sea shore.  The coast faces Sweden.  Pori is a harbor town north of Rauma.  Kankaanpää is located slightly more into the interior of Finland.  Rovaniemi is located in the far north, right on the Arctic Circle.  The population of Finland is approximately 5.1 million.

Climate: Finland is located between the 60th and 70th latitudes, but the Gulf Stream has a warming effect, so that the average annual temperature is 42.8 higher than elsewhere at the same latitude.  Average temperatures are about 62 F in the summer and 21 F in the winter.  During winter there is snow, and it remains on the ground for the season.

Currency: The basic unit of currency in Finland is the Euro.

Transportation: Public transportation is very reasonable.  Students get a 50% discount on bus and train fare.  Airfare into Helsinki may be purchased for $600 to $700.

 Living Arrangements: Living arrangements are most likely taken care of by the school.  The students do not live in a campus area, only in private apartments or the houses on a block of flats.  International students in Rauma live in dorm apartments about 1.5 miles from the school.  These apartments usually include 3 people, each having their own bedroom.  There is a common kitchen in these apartments.  This type of housing costs approximately $150 to $250 per month.  Private housing in Pori generally ranges from $225 to $425.  Dorm rooms in Rovaniemi range from $125 to $275 per month.

Food:Food in Finland is basically very simple.  Potatoes are very commonly used in the Finnish kitchen.  Other typical foods are roast beef, vegetables, various kinds of soups and pastas, even pizza.  Finnish people also eat many kinds of bread, both dark and light.  Finnish home cooking does not normally include hamburgers or Mexican food.  When eating out, you can expect to find a fair variety of foods.

Social Activities: Kankaanpää has developed a reputation as an artist's town.  With the art program at Satakunta here, as well as no less that 3 art galleries and the town museum, art abounds here.  It is also a haven for hikers, with a celebrated illuminated nature trail, bird watchers, as the area is a major migratory stop, canoers, as one of the last homes of the European Beaver, fishermen, with streams well-stocked with Brown Trout, and shoppers, due to the outlet malls. 

Pori is known for jazz, and plays host to an annual international jazz festival.  Year round, jazz can be found in one of Pori's many music venues or restaurants.  Pori has its share of elegant and old architecture to marvel over, and also has well-preserved wetlands to bird-watch in.  The beaches in Pori are some of the best in Finland.  Museums abound in Pori, with collections ranging from art to coins to weapons. 

Rauma has a wide variety of boutiques for shoppers, but is famous for its historical and architectural significance.  Tourists flock to this city, whose wooden buildings are protected and are on the UNESCO world heritage list.  There is also a cinema and a theatre in Rauma, as well as concerts and festivals such as the Midsummer's Festival and the Lace Week.  In keeping with Finns love of music, there is also an annual blues festival. 

Rovaniemi is an outdoors man's paradise, with wildlife parks and the Rauma Zoo easily accessible.  Museums have collections ranging from art to forestry.  The local Sámi, a northern people who speak their own language and make their living from the reindeer herds, have their culture featured prominently in the towns' museums.  Winter sports, such as skiing, snow baseball, skating and ice golf, and the famed aurora borealis also draw many tourists, as does the town's gaudy Santa Claus village.  Rovaniemi has proclaimed itself the official home of Santa Claus and has built this claim into a profitable tourist industry.  Finland itself is famous for its saunas, and students would be remiss to miss out on them.

Student Services: SAMMKKO is the student-run service organization for Satakunta Polytechnic.  They arrange for basic services such as student discounts and photocopying, but also organize parties and sporting events.  They are also in charge of field trips like organizing Baltic Sea cruises.  The International Relations office at Rovaniemi Polytechnic is quite thorough and will maintain contact with incoming students, including sending them packets on Rovaniemi before they arrive.  Any problems or questions that should arise they will be quite able to deal with.