Finland has 35 universities, including the University of Helsinki and Abo Akademi University. For an international student, the first term is usually about settling into study routines, finding housing, and getting used to daily life in Finnish or Swedish.
Finland’s academic year is set by each institution, so students should check dates with their university before arrival. The country has 35 universities, including research universities and universities of applied sciences, such as Central Ostrobothnia University of Applied Sciences and Diaconia University of Applied Sciences.
Housing is one of the first practical tasks after arrival. New students usually need to arrange accommodation early and be ready to move quickly once they have a place to study and a Student Residence Permit.
Daily life can involve Finnish or Swedish, depending on the area and institution. International students should expect to hear both in different parts of the country, with English often used in university settings but not always in everyday life.
The first term is often a period of adjustment to local routines, the permit process, and the pace of study. Finland’s price level was 94% of the US in 2023, and the country’s GDP per capita was $56,790 PPP, which gives a sense of the wider cost environment students may experience.
