Turku, as seen by Piltit

It comes without a saying that Turku is an amazing city to live in. I have had the pleasure of growing up only a short car drive away in a lovely little town called Paimio (love <3) and you’d think that Turku was a familiar place for me when I moved here last summer, that I knew the street names, the best bars and where the University was located In reality, I knew none of these things I was as lost as Jack Sparrow without his compass. But I managed to sail through the uncharted waters of Aurajoki and a year later, I can proudly say that I know at least 2 streets and the location of our University building My own experiences got me thinking, how were the experiences of my fellow freshmen. So I set out on a journey to find out, and interviewed a handful of freshers. Here’s what I gathered:

Eveliina Markkula

Where have you migrated from?

Teuva, Etelä-Pohojammaa

One year in, how would you rate Turku and why? 4/5, it's a beautiful city especially in the summer, everything is close (and it's the true capital of Finland in my opinion), -1 for the Turku dialect and shitty winter

Weirdest thing about Turku? The existence of posankka

Have you been stuck in the Funikulaari? No, I have kept my distance

Konsta Kuusrainen

Where have you migrated from?

Säkylä

One year in, how would you rate Turku and why?

Amazing. People at the uni are wonderful, getting from one place to another is quite easy here and it's especially pretty here during the summer.

Weirdest thing about Turku?

The lack of having to use public transportation as one can get pretty far here by just walking to places.

Täl puol or tois pual jokke?

Tois pual

Our cast of freshmen also include people from the faraway region of Oulu. This year we have three freshers who have completed the long journey along the western coast to find Turku. Let’s see what kind of culture shocks they have endured here in the south!

LILLI HOLMA, HENNA SILVENTOINEN & EMMI HATULA

Where have you migrated from?

Lilli: Kempele (next to Oulu)

Henna: Oulu <3

Emmi: Oulu

One year in, how would you rate Turku and why?

Lilli: I’d rate it 9/10 because it's a beautiful city with everything you need close by but there's no proper winter here

Henna: I’d rate turku a solid 8/10! It’s a pretty city with all kinds of cool people, plus it’s a great place for studying. I gotta deduct a few points for the lack of actual winter, though that might just be the Oulu in me talking…

Emmi: Hmm I have to say a solid 8,5, overall pretty good (but pska se on tämäki kaupunni)

Weirdest thing about Turku?

Lilli: People using ”ketä” instead of ”kuka”…

Henna: Insanely long red lights in traffic.

Emmi: It has been weird to see how different the seasons and weather is here It didn't (still doesn't) feel like time was passing since the weather didn't chance the same (Also people will casually try to run you over with their car and despite that people walk through red lights)

Is it piispanmunkki or berliininmunkki?

Lilli: *Berliininmunkki all the way

Henna: *Berliininmunkki 100%

Emmi: *Berliininmunkki

Everyone has their own experiences and first impressions when it comes to Turku. Let’s hope our love for this city keeps on growing! My goal for the next year is to learn how to navigate Turku without Google Maps. Tune in to Baccanalia 2024 to find out how I did!

Bella Lozano

Where have you migrated from?

From Espoo

One year in, how would you rate Turku and why?

8.5, big city energy but on a smaller scale. Weirdest thing about Turku?

Posankka

Explain Posankka to a non-Turkuan. A pig duck with a big butt.

Vili Marttila

Where have you migrated from?

From Forssa

One year in, how would you rate Turku and why?

Turku is a decent place. It’s pretty and there are lots of services here. However, I think the place needs more bicycle lanes

Weirdest thing about Turku? found the ”at this or that side of the river” thing quite confusing in the beginning. How would you rate FÖLI?

Föli deserves a six Overall, it works fine but there are some inconveniences, such as constant delays and difficulties regarding the student benefits.