Finland holds a higher standard on education. For foreign students, studying and training in Finland is a perfect way to gain academic and professional experience, as well as personal growth. As a student living in one of the world's most peaceful, sustainable and innovative nations, you are bound to get a lot of the entire experience.
Non-EU students moving to Finland are given the same opportunities as those native to the country or EU- nationals. Finland tries to remain all-encompassing with their higher education programs. Enrolling at a university in the nation is similar to enrolling in a university in the states. Unless you have a scholarship, you will be expected to pay tuition fees as well as meet all the other requirements set by the university you would like to attend. Typically this means you will need the certain documentation and proof including a residence permit.
Student Residence Permit
As a student seeking residency you’ll need the right permit. To gain residency as a student or for study in Finland, you are given as a long-term temporary residence permit that is usually granted for one year at a time. If you come to Finland for a student exchange period exceeding 3 months, or if you have been admitted to a full degree program, then you need to apply for a student residence permit.
To apply for a student residence permit, you need to have a valid passport and an official admission letter from a Finnish university or UAS. You are also required to show enough funding at your disposal (means of support to cover your living costs, including a clarification on tuition fee or scholarship, if applicable), and that you have valid insurance. You can find detailed information on these requirements through the Finnish Immigration Service Migri. Make sure you are fully prepared as a student entering a foreign country for study.
After You Earn Your Residence Permit as a Student- Prepare for the Move
After you have gained your residence permit as a student, start preparing for your move to the nation. You will have a lot to do in little time so it’s best to get started right away. By hiring professionals such as international movers and migration agents, you will have a much easier, less stressful experience.
Find Student Housing
Finland is very accomodating to its students. In fact, there are student housing foundations and other communities that welcome expats there for study. The average monthly rent for a single room in a shared student flat ranges from approximately 160€ to 380€. Take advantage of these housing options if possible. Otherwise, finding housing for rent around the campuses, is relatively easy and inexpensive if you choose to find a place to live without government assistance. You will notice that most rental places around the campuses are one room flats designed for student living.
Get Your Living Expenses in Order
Managing your expenses as a student in a foreign country won’t be easy even with the lesser cost of living in Finland. One of the biggest obstacles for students is the foreign currency system and not having a better understanding of it. Make sure you understand the difference between U.S. and Finnish currency and have all your money converted before you arrive in the country.
With the language barrier and the employers’ desire to hire natives over expats, finding a job may prove difficult. The greatest places to look for jobs hiring include career boards, online and local publications. You can find many jobs where very little experience is necessary, but natives usually get hired first. Your best bet is to search for jobs around the campus of the university you are attending. Try to outshine your competition by being fully prepared with your resume, cover letter, CV and any certifications, degrees and licenses you may have.
The cost of food, transport, entertainment and housing in Finland is relatively cheaper than it is in the United States. Try to come over to the nation with at least enough money to cover 3 months of your stay in Finland as a student. If you don’t plan on working as you continue your education in the country, make sure you have sufficient funds available.
Arranging to Ship Your Things
If you are going to Finland on a scholarship, see what all is included. Some scholarships will pay for moving services, housing, tuition fees, and more. If you plan on shipping some of your belongings over, the relief in expenses will prove helpful. Nevertheless, international moving services are inexpensive and a great deal of assistance. Just make sure you ship over as little as possible, sticking to just the necessities. This will keep your moving service bill lower. You must also make sure that you comply with Finland’s import policies or your stuff may not be allowed to enter the nation.
Written By:
Joe Webster
Joe Webster began his journey in the auto transport field by attending the University of Southern California (USC), where he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Marketing.
After college, he started his career in the auto transport industry from the bottom up and has done virtually every job there is to do at A-1 Auto Transport, including but not limited to: Truck Driver, Dispatch, Sales, PR, Bookkeeping, Transport Planner, Transport Manager, International Transport Manager, Brokering, Customer Service, and Marketing. Working with his mentor Tony Taylor, Joe Webster has learned the ins and outs of this industry which is largely misunderstood.
With over 30 years experience in the industry, we've been helping people ship their vehicles, motorcycles, RV's, heavy equipment, household goods and more across the country or overseas without a hitch. Ask us anything.
