264 reviews
4.08 / 5 based on 264 reviews
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1
Patrick M
St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Canada
Business Studies, Undergraduate, University Agreement
Languages
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction
Was learning English a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't.
Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my the local language
How much did you improve your the local language?
My level before: Did not speak it
My level after: Basic phrases
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
Finnish is a very difficult language! I was disappointed that the school did not require we study finnish in the school. I would have liked to learn the basics. However, it was not neccesary as most people in Finland speak English, and one could get by quite easily without speaking any Finnish.
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1
Patrick M
St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Canada
Business Studies, Undergraduate, University Agreement
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Personal savings
Other sources of funding:
An ERASMUS grant
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
Food is much more expensive than in Canada. Pretty much everything was more expensive, plus the exchange rate. This was the biggest difference. Nightlife is more expensive, a beer at a club cost 4-5 euros, entrace anywhere from 3-10 euros, and a mixed drink anywhere from 4-8 euros. In a store, a beer costs one euro, bottle of vodka around 10-20 euros (700 mL). I also travelled quite alot, which is why i spent so much more money.
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Overall, Food, Travel, Nightlife:
was more expensive than at home.
Housing, Telephone:
was the same price as at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
Expect to pay alot for just about everything here. Taxes are high on all items, and the exchange rate makes it even more expensive. To save money try to shop for groceries outside the city center, it will be difficult to transport without a car, but if you have access to one take advantage of the opportunity
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2
Patrick M
St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Canada
Business Studies, Undergraduate, University Agreement
Overall
I wish I had known...
In my opinion:
Most people loved it.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
This is really a great place if you are a social person. The other exchange students were like family here, you really depend on each other. It is a very small city, and a small school, so you will be seeing the same people every day! I enjoyed this aspect, as I developed very good friendships with a number of people, where in a larger school i might meet more people but not know these people as well.
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
Travelling from Finland is not so convenient. There are not so many low cost airlines. However there are interesting places which the average tourist would not see such as Russia, Estonia, Latvia, and Lapaland.
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2
Patrick M
St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Canada
Business Studies, Undergraduate, University Agreement
Academic
Course recommendations
Courses here run in three week modules, so you only take one course at a time. This means they move fast, however you will find that most professors will end up cutting down the amount of work because it is impossible to accomplish a full course in three weeks. Each course really depends on the professor, all professors are visiting from around the world. This can be very rewarding or very fustrating. Grading is typically much easier than in Canada, however it will again depend on the professor.
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
Personal comments
I really enjoyed the team atmosphere of the school. Most grading is comprised of projects, papers, and presentations which are mostly done in groups. My presentation skills have developed alot, and also I have benefitted from the different backgrounds of group members. So I would suggest they continue what they are doing!
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My opinion of the university assessment
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
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1
Patrick M
St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Canada
Business Studies, Undergraduate, University Agreement
Housing
Type of housing: Apartment/House
Arranged by: Host university
If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House
Why?
The student housing association provided very large, clean, well equipped apartments for reasonable prices. Also they were very flexible on arrival/departure times so if you had to stay longer or leave early it was possible to cancel your contract without penalty
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Personal comments
Housing is not provided by the university but rather my the student housing organization. In Mikkeli where i studied, this was provided by MOAS (http://www.moas.fi)
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Useful |
1
Patrick M
St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Canada
Business Studies, Undergraduate, University Agreement
Student life
Describe host city:
Student life dominates the city
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Activities, Travel: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment
Nightlife: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
Nightlife in Mikkeli is fairly entertaining despite the small size of the city. There is not many clubs in the city, however it is nice because there are rarely any lineups. The small size of the city means you need only to take a taxi when it is very cold, otherwise it is only a fifteen minute walk to any of the clubs. There are some events which you must do while studying here. First of all is the cruise to Stockholm. It is very cheap, there is cheap beer in the tax free shop, and Stockholm is a beautiful city to visit. Other places of interest are Tallinn, St. Petersburg, and Lapaland.
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