International Student Guide 2012-2013

International Student Guide

university of JYVÄSKYLÄ 2012 – 2013 • UNiversity of jyväskylä • finland

University of Jyväskylä

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT GUIDE Academic year 2012-2013

Editor: Cover: Photos:

Laura Laamanen PIGME Petteri Kivimäki, Solja Ryhänen, Tuukka Rönkkö, Antti Soini, Marja Tepponen

ISSN 1796-5896 Fram 2012

CONTENTS 1. THIS IS FINLAND................................................................................................................................................ 5 2. THIS IS JYVÄSKYLÄ .......................................................................................................................................... 8 3. UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ ........................................................................................................................... 9

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5.

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7.

8.

3.1. Faculties and Departments ............................................................................................................................................... 9 3.2. International Cooperation in Education............................................................................................................................. 10 3.3 Academic Calendar............................................................................................................................................................ 10 3.4. System of Studies ............................................................................................................................................................. 10 3.5. Registration ....................................................................................................................................................................... 14 3.6. Student Card ..................................................................................................................................................................... 16 3.7. Study Counselling ............................................................................................................................................................. 17 3.8. Certificates and Transcipts ............................................................................................................................................... 17 3.9. Services Provided by the University ................................................................................................................................. 17 3.10. Students with Special Needs……………………………………………………………………………………………….…….20 3.11. International Office .......................................................................................................................................................... 20 3.12. The Student Union (JYY) ................................................................................................................................................ 21 3.13. Subject Associations ....................................................................................................................................................... 22 3.14. Alumni Activities .............................................................................................................................................................. 22 HOW TO GET TO JYVÄSKYLÄ .......................................................................................................................... 23 LIVING EXPENSES AND HOUSING .................................................................................................................. 25 5.1. Cost of Living .................................................................................................................................................................... 25 5.2. Housing ............................................................................................................................................................................. 26 FINNISH STATE REGULATIONS ........................................................................................................................................... 30 6.1. Visa and Residence Permit .............................................................................................................................................. 30 6.2. Work Permit ...................................................................................................................................................................... 31 6.3. Taxation ............................................................................................................................................................................ 32 TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION ............................................................................................................. 33 7.1. Railways ........................................................................................................................................................................... 33 7.2. Long-Distance Coaches and Buses ................................................................................................................................. 34 7.3. Local Buses ...................................................................................................................................................................... 35 7.4. On Foot and by Bike ......................................................................................................................................................... 35 7.5. Taking a Taxi .................................................................................................................................................................... 36 7.6. By Car in Finland .............................................................................................................................................................. 36 7.7. Travelling Abroad.............................................................................................................................................................. 37 7.8. Telephones ....................................................................................................................................................................... 37 7.9. Post & Post Offices ........................................................................................................................................................... 38 7.10. Money & Banks............................................................................................................................................................... 39 7.11. Lost &Found ................................................................................................................................................................... 40 7.12. TV and Radio Programmes ............................................................................................................................................ 40 HEALTH CARE AND OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES............................................................................................ 41 8.1. YTHS—The Finnish Student Health Service .................................................................................................................... 41

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8.2. Pharmacies....................................................................................................................................................................... 43 8.3. Emergency Cases ............................................................................................................................................................ 43 8.4. Emergency Telephone Numbers...................................................................................................................................... 44 8.5. In Case of Crisis ............................................................................................................................................................... 44 8.6. Insurance .......................................................................................................................................................................... 45 8.7. Drugs ................................................................................................................................................................................ 45 9. SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND LEISURE TIME ........................................................................................................ 46 9.1. Sports ............................................................................................................................................................................... 46 9.2. Sauna ............................................................................................................................................................................... 46 9.3. Movies .............................................................................................................................................................................. 47 9.4. Theatres ........................................................................................................................................................................... 47 9.5. Art, Museums and Exhibitions .......................................................................................................................................... 48 9.6. Libraries ............................................................................................................................................................................ 48 9.7. Live Music and Concerts .................................................................................................................................................. 49 9.8. Hungry, Thirsty, Feel like Dancing? ................................................................................................................................. 50 9.9. Religious Communities..................................................................................................................................................... 50 9.10. Associations and Clubs .................................................................................................................................................. 51 10. USEFUL FACTS ABOUT LIVING IN FINLAND .................................................................................................. 52 10.1. Holidays .......................................................................................................................................................................... 52 10.2. Time Zone ...................................................................................................................................................................... 53 10.3. Electricity ........................................................................................................................................................................ 53 10.4. Weights and Measures................................................................................................................................................... 53 11. TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND ADDRESSES .................................................................................................... 54 11.1. Embassies and Consulates ............................................................................................................................................ 54 11.2. Other Useful Addresses ................................................................................................................................................. 55 11.3. Some Useful Web Sites ................................................................................................................................................. 56 12. THE FINNISH EXPERIENCE .............................................................................................................................. 57 12.1. The Way We Are ............................................................................................................................................................ 57 12.2. A Few Common Expressions ......................................................................................................................................... 57 12.3. Snowbound..................................................................................................................................................................... 58

GENERAL UNIVERSITY TERMINOLOGY: ENGLISH-FINNISH .............................................................................. 59 CHECKLISTS ............................................................................................................................................................ 61

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WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ Welcome to the University of Jyväskylä! We are very pleased that you have chosen our university as your study abroad destination. You will be pleased to know that it is one of the most distinguished and fastest-growing institutions of higher education in Finland and provides a genuinely supportive and enjoyable environment for studying. By entering our university you will join a community of 15 000 students from approximatrly 90 countries. We believe that interaction with people from different cultures and backgrounds is an essential part of academic studies and the university experience. We are therefore committed to promoting international cooperation.

It is not always easy to adapt to the way of life in a foreign country. This booklet has been designed to help you settle in.

It would be impossible to make an exhaustive guide covering all possible situations that could arise during a study abroad period - instead, our aim is to give you an idea of what kind of a university, city and country you are about to enter and to help you avoid some common misunderstandings.

We encourage you to work hard and to make the most of your stay in academic terms, but also to try out new things with an open mind and to enjoy yourself. In that way your stay in Jyväskylä will grow into a rewarding experience, both professionally and personally. It is our aim to give you all the support we possibly can, so please do not hesitate to turn to us with any questions you may have.

The staff of the International Office is looking forward to meeting you in Jyväskylä!

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1. THIS IS FINLAND

Finland is bounded by the Baltic Sea, the Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland, and the neighbouring countries are Sweden, Norway, Estonia and Russia. St. Petersburg is only a three hour train trip away from Helsinki.

The republic of Finland is one of the Nordic countries and - in terms of area - the seventh largest in Europe. It is a modern welfare state with a high standard of living, a small and educated population of five million and pioneering high tech know-how. Finns are proud of their advanced welfare system, the high level of education, and Finnish design and architecture. The country and its people have been moulded by the location between East and West.

From the 13th century Finland was part of the kingdom of Sweden. In 1809 it became an autonomous Grand Duchy within Imperial Russia and finally, in 1917, declared itself independent. During World War II Finland retained its independence and has since then pursued a policy of neutrality and military non alliance. Finland joined the European Union in January 1995. The head of state is the President, currently Mr Sauli Niinistรถ (since 2012).

Languages The Finnish language belongs to the Finno-Ugric family.

There are two official languages in Finland: Finnish and Swedish, the latter of which is spoken by 5.5% of the population. The most widely spoken foreign language is English. You will be able to deal with all your official business in English.

Religion About eighty percent of Finns are Christians. Most Finns belong to the Lutheran Church of Finland. About one percent of the population belong to the Orthodox Church.

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Climate

epic that includes creation stories and the fight between good and evil and is based on ancient Karelian folklore.

The writer credited with being the founder of modern Finnish literature is Aleksis Kivi, whose classic epic, Seven Brothers, is a realistic description of rural life in Finland in the 19th century. Väinö Linna, Mika Waltari and the Nobel prize winner Frans Emil Sillanpää represent Finnish literature from the early 20th century. One of the most widely translated Finnish authors is Tove Jansson, whose Moomin-trolls have an international reputation. Among our most modern composers is Kaija Saariaho, famous for her computer music. Finland has had more than its share of internationally known conductors, such as Esa-Pekka Salonen and Jukka-Pekka Saraste. Finland also enjoys a strong operatic tradition, and singers like Karita Mattila, Soile Isokoski and Matti Salminen have established international careers.

Finland is the northernmost country in the world after Iceland, but the climate is not as cold as that might suggest. Owing to the warming influence of the Gulf Stream, Finland enjoys a temperate climate. The mean temperature in the warmest summer months may exceed 20 degrees centigrade and in winter the temperature may fall to 30 degrees centigrade below zero. However, due to the dry climate, it feels warmer than the thermometer actually indicates at all times of the year. Also, as a result of climate change, the winters are becoming warmer. If you are going to stay in Finland during the winter months, you will need a good pair of warm, insulated shoes or boots, a warm winter coat as well as woollen sweaters and long underwear.

The year in Finland is divided into four distinct seasons: winter, spring, summer and autumn. Southern and central Finland are covered with snow for an average of four-five months, from November/December until April. Nature is in many ways part of everyday life here. With the vast forests, about 188,000 lakes, and the unspoiled countryside Finland has often been described as “one great national park”. The archipelago to the south and south west of the country, containing around 30 000 islands, is one of the most beautiful marine areas in the world.

Economy Before World War II Finland was predominantly an agricultural country with a rather narrow industrial sector; exports came only from the wood-processing industry. The subsequent development into a complex market economy took place very rapidly. Today, the main export sectors are electronics and other metal industry products as well as timber, paper and chemical industries. Finland is also one of the leading European countries in biotechnology and high tech.

Culture

Education system

Nature has always been an endless source of inspiration for Finnish artists. Jean Sibelius, one of the greatest modern composers, wrote recognisably Finnish music glorifying his people and the Finnish landscapes. Along with the nationalistic painter Akseli Gallén-Kallela, Sibelius fell under the spell of the Kalevala, the Finnish national

The Finnish education system is comprised of a comprehensive school system, post compulsory general and vocational education, higher education and adult education. Most of Finland’s six-year-olds attend voluntary pre-school education in day care centres or special 6

classes. Comprehensive school provides a nine-year educational programme for all school aged children beginning at the age of seven. After completing their compulsory education students may go on to the upper secondary school (three years, ending in a national matriculation examination), which qualifies students for higher education, or to vocational institutions (two-three years, leading to basic vocational qualification).

Finland has one of the most comprehensive university networks in Europe with 16 universities, all of which carry out research and confer doctorates. Ten of these universities are of the traditional multidisciplinary type, and six focus on specific fields. Finnish university degrees correspond to Bachelor’s (kandidaatti in most fields), Master’s (maisteri in most fields) and Doctor’s degrees (tohtori). In most fields students can also take a Licentiate’s degree (lisensiaatti) before a Doctorate. Nonuniversity higher education is provided by 25 universities of applied sciences; multi-field institutes of professional higher education emphasising close contacts with business, industry and services. Universities of applied sciences have been formed by upgrading and merging specialised institutions which offered vocational higher education.

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2. THIS IS JYVÄSKYLÄ

stadium, an indoor sports centre with squash courts, training halls, football pitches, tennis and badminton courts and a swimming hall, all within walking distance of the main campus.

“A small city with a big feel” accurately describes Jyväskylä, located in the lake district of Finland some 270 kilometres north of Helsinki. It has the advantages of a small town being comfortable, compact and safe, and at the same time it is a bustling modern centre of industry and learning. Out of the 160 000 inhabitants in the Jyväskylä region almost one fourth are students. The buildings designed by world famous architect, Alvar Aalto, add their own flavour to the cityscape.

The city plays host to a variety of international sports and cultural events, such as the Neste Rally Finland, the Alvar Aalto Symposium, Graphica Creativa and the annual Jyväskylä Arts Festival. A versatile cultural programme including theatre performances, concerts by choirs, orchestras and rock bands, art exhibitions, literary matinees and handicraft events, is offered throughout the year. During the past few years Jyväskylä has become a centre of specialist know-how in important worldwide growth areas, such as energy, information technology and environmental technology. Entrepreneurship based on these areas of expertise is nurtured at the Jyväskylä Technology Centre. As one of Finland’s busiest congress

Surrounded by lakes, ridges and forests, Jyväskylä is a place of great natural beauty. In summer there are numerous attractive beaches in the city, and the lakes can be used for fishing all year round. In winter, there are dozens of miles of cross-country skiing tracks and slalom slopes near the winter sports centre in Laajavuori. The Hippos Sports Centre includes, for example, an indoor ice 8

3.1. Faculties and Departments

cities, Jyväskylä is also developing a strong reputation as an international congress and exhibition centre.

The University is comprised of seven faculties. The faculties and departments are listed below.

3. UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ

EDUCATION: Education Teacher Education

The University of Jyväskylä has played a significant role in Finnish cultural history. It was established as the first Finnish-language teacher training college in the 1860’s and was granted the status of an institution of higher education in 1934. Today it is a top-ranked and dynamic university with a wide range of disciplines, good contacts with local businesses and active international cooperation.

The faculties and departments are mainly located on three campuses: the Main Campus area near the city centre as well as Mattilanniemi and Ylistönrinne Campuses on opposite shores of Lake Jyväsjärvi, united by a bridge, some 10 minutes walk from the Main Campus area.

HUMANITIES: Art and Culture Studies Communication History & Ethnology Languages Music

The University offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, teacher training programmes and over 120 subject area disciplines within the Faculties of Education, Humanities, Information Technology, Mathematics and Science, Social Sciences, and Sport and Health Sciences, and Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics. Separate institutes include the Agora Center, the Open University, the University Language Centre, the Institute for Educational Research, the Institute for Environmental Research, and the Centre for Applied Language Studies. The University of Jyväskylä has received national and international recognition carried out in its core fields of research and education, which include human centred sciences, natural sciences, sport and health sciences and teacher education.

MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE: Biological and Environmental Science Chemistry Mathematics and Statistics Physics SOCIAL SCIENCES: Psychology Social Sciences and Philosophy INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: Computer Science and Information Systems Mathematical Information Technology

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• recommended arrival date:

SPORT AND HEALTH SCIENCES: Sport Sciences Biology of Physical Activity Health Sciences

3 September

• orientation programme: 4-7 September

• classes

begin on 3 September (with some variation between departments) and end by 21 December

JYVÄSKYLÄ UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS

Spring semester 2013:

• recommended arrival date: 2 January • orientation programme: 3 - 4 & 7 January • classes begin on 7 January and end by 17 May • Easter Break: 25-29 March

3.2. International Cooperation in Education We aim to offer our students good opportunities for studying abroad and for internationalisation at home.

Therefore, the University of Jyväskylä is active in a variety of international programmes, such as the Lifelong Learning Programme (Erasmus), Nordplus, North-SouthSouth Higher Education Exchange, FIRST and ISEP. We have also concluded bilateral agreements on student exchange with 35 universities around the world.

Altogether, the University is involved in student exchanges with more than 360 universities worldwide.

3.4. System of Studies The system of studies in Finnish universities may differ considerably from that of your home institution. The following sections briefly introduce the Finnish structure of studies, the academic regulations at the University of Jyväskylä, the forms of instruction, the system of grading, and the language requirements as well as describe the academic culture in Finland. See also the degree regulations of the University of Jyväskylä at https://www.jyu.fi/opiskelu/degreereg.

3.3. Academic Calendar The academic year at the University of Jyväskylä is divided into two semesters: the autumn semester from 1 September to 31 December and the spring semester from 1 January to 31 May. The lectures usually finish before the end of the semester to allow for an examination period. In addition to the Christmas vacation, most departments have an Easter break.

Student Status International students studying at the University of Jyväskylä can be registered as degree students or nondegree students. Degree students are studying towards either an undergraduate Bachelor’s, graduate Master’s or postgraduate Licentiate or Doctor’s degree. By nondegree students we refer to both exchange students, whose admission is based on student exchange

Autumn semester 2012:

• Intensive

Summer Course in Finnish: 6 - 29 August (registration by 15 June) 10

programmes or agreements between universities, and visiting students who apply for entry independently, outside the aforementioned programmes or agreements.

Non-degree students are full-time students of a university or college who will join classes at our university for one semester or academic year and have the right to complete selected parts of the syllabus to be submitted for recognition at the home university.

catalogues. ECTS credits are a value allocated to course units which describe the workload required to complete a given course/module. In ECTS, 60 credits normally represent the workload of a year of full time studies, 30 credits a semester, and 20 credits a term (in a three term system).

Studies are classified, with respect to their contents and their position in the curriculum, into the following types: general studies, basic studies, subject studies and advanced studies (yleisopinnot, perusopinnot, aineopinnot, syventävät opinnot). General studies familiarise the student with the basic principles of scientific thought and research. In basic and subject studies students learn the concepts, theories, methods, problems and results of the chosen disciplines. The advanced studies concentrate on some central, scientifically relevant problem within the degree programme. Research work and the writing of the Master’s thesis take up a large part of the advanced studies.

Scope and Structure of Studies A two-cycle degree system, consisting of a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree, was adopted by Finnish universities in August 2005. A Bachelor’s degree, kandidaatin tutkinto in Finnish, is composed of 180 ECTS credits and can be completed in three years. A Master’s degree, maisterin tutkinto, comprises of 120 ECTS credits and can be obtained in two years. Within a degree programme students take one or two minor subjects to complement the studies in their major subject. Please note that in Finnish universities the term postgraduate refers to a student holding a Master’s degree or equivalent.

• Basic studies • Subject studies • Advanced studies

Degrees, courses and studies in general are measured in ECTS credits (opintopiste in Finnish). One year of studies refers to an input of 1600 hours of work and corresponds to 60 ECTS credits. It includes lecture hours, exercises, seminars as well as compulsory reading and examinations. In practice, the workload required for obtaining one ECTS credit varies according to the level of study and between disciplines.

at least 25 ECTS credits at least 35 ECTS credits 60 ECTS credits + Master’s Thesis 20-40 ECTS credits

Time Frame for Completion of Studies for Master’s Degree Students The law on the limitation of the study time came into effect in Finland on 1 August 2005. According to the law, the standard completion time for Master’s degrees is two academic years. A student admitted to a Master’s degree has the right to complete the degree at the latest within two additional years of the designated study time. It is

The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), which was developed by the European Commission to provide common procedures to guarantee the full transferability of credits for university studies abroad, is used throughout the University in transcripts, faculty guides and course 11

possible for the student to register as absent for a maximum of four university terms, and this time is not included in the designated study time.

or you can - after starting your studies - apply for the right to study a particular subject as a minor. There are different regulations in different faculties concerning free minors.

For detailed information, please do not hesitate to turn to the Head of Academic Affairs of your own faculty.

If the student fails to complete his/her degree within the designated time, the university may grant the student more time in which to complete the degree. This additional time can be granted only after the student presents a purposeful and realistic study plan. If this requirement is not met, the student will lose his/her study right. If the student wants to continue her/his studies at a later date, she/he will have to make a new application for the right to study at the university.

Non-degree students If you are an exchange student or a visiting student, you can choose courses from the curriculum of your host department and/or from the international study programmes arranged at the University of Jyväskylä.

However, there are some restrictions that you have to take into consideration: some of the courses may be targeted at students of the department/faculty in question only, require pre-enrolment (especially courses including seminars, workshops, laboratory work or other work in small groups) and have some prerequisites that the participants must fulfil. Please note that, as a rule, the Department of Communication and the English Section of the Department of Languages offer courses for those students only who come in the framework of their own exchange agreements. Participation in the courses of the School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences and Department of Teacher Education is also restricted. The international programmes are presented on the web pages of the International Office at https://www.jyu.fi/study

What Subjects Can You Study Degree students An individual study plan will be prepared for all degree students who start their studies at the University of Jyväskylä. This will help you determine which subjects to take in order to take a degree. The individual study plan for students accepted to one of the two-year international Master’s programmes (conducted totally in English) will be made according to the instructions given by the programme coordinators at the beginning of the studies. In addition to the core study modules, the study plan will include optional advance-level studies, depending on the student’s major and previous studies.

Courses, Examinations and Grading

Please note that students who are not studying in two-year international Master’s programmes must be prepared to study more than one subject if they wish to take a degree.

In most subject area disciplines the basic studies are open to all students of the university. You can choose your minor subjects from these subjects (called “free minors”),

The most usual form of instruction is a lecture course with a final examination at the end. You have to pass the examination after attending the lectures in order to receive credit for your work. The lecturer usually announces the time and place of an examination during the last couple of lectures. A re-examination is arranged, if students so 12

require. If you fail an examination or cannot participate in it, you can have at least one more try. Exchange and visiting students should notice however that examinations can only be taken during the time for which s/he has been accepted. After the exchange period has ended, i.e. after the end of December or May, it is no longer possible to take examinations. Please note also that in some faculties and/or departments it is also required to register separately to a lecture course exam.

your identity by showing your student card or another identity card. You may only take the objects that you need for writing and erasing to the examination. Other items, such as mobile phones, bags, books, handouts etc., are not allowed. You are expected to be silent from the moment you enter the examination room to the moment you leave it. If you have any questions, raise your hand and one of the proctors will help you. Please note that speaking to other students during the examination is also considered cheating. Students with disturbing behaviour can be expelled from the examination room. A student who is caught cheating in an examination will fail the examination and, in some cases, the home university will be notified. Also note that it is not allowed to look at the examination papers before the proctors have given permission to do this. Please see the examination regulations at the end of this guide for further information.

Another common type of a course is a reading course (also known as a book exam): you read literature specifically agreed on with the lecturer/professor, write essays and/or take a written examination after completing the necessary readings. In addition to lecture and reading courses, departments organise seminars (instruction given in small groups introducing students to independent research), laboratory work in natural sciences, as well as other kinds of practical course and written assignments.

A grading scale from 1 to 5, with 1 as the lowest and 5 as the highest grade is used at the University of Jyväskylä as of 1 August 2005. These grades correspond to the ECTS scale as follows:

Every faculty has at least one general examination day (yleinen tenttipäivä) per month. The required preregistration to an examination varies from faculty to faculty and, in some cases, from department to department. In some faculties and departments you are required to complete a registration envelope and submit it at the department in question at least one week prior to the examination. In many departments and/or faculties, the registration is done in the Korppi web-based registration environment at least one week prior to the examination.

Please visit the website of the department or ask your departmental coordinator for more information. To find out about the dates and times of general examinations, please consult the faculty web sites.

University of Jyväskylä scale

ECTS grading scale

excellent (E) very good (K) good (H) satisfactory (T) sufficient (V) fail

A B C D E FX, F

5 4 3 2 1 0

At the University of Jyväskylä, each student is graded on his/her individual performance and there is no rule as to how big a proportion of the course participants can be given a certain grade. In this respect, the University of

From time to time the identity of students will be checked in the examinations. You should always be able to prove 13

Jyväskylä grading is not comparable to the ECTS grading system.

In addition to the studies in your major and minor subjects, both the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees include compulsory language and communication studies. Please see the website of your faculty or programme for more information. The compulsory language and communication studies will also be included in the individual study plan prepared at the beginning of your studies.

The following grades can also be used:

• pass — fail • excellent (erinomainen)

(hyväksytty) - fail (hylätty)

- good (hyvä) - pass

To find out if your English skills are sufficient to cope with studies in English, the International Office suggests that you take a DIALANG test available at http://www.dialang.org/. If your academic English skills need brushing up, we highly recommend that you take part in the course “Academic Study Skills”, which is offered after the Orientation Programme, or in the English courses available throughout the year at the Language Centre.

• erinomaiset

tiedot (5) – hyvät tiedot (3) – tyydyttävät tiedot (2) – hylätty (0)

• laudatur – eximia cum laude approbatur – magna cum

laude approbatur – cum laude approbatur – non sine laude approbatur – lubenter approbatur – approbatur – improbatur

Language Requirements The language of instruction at the University of Jyväskylä is mostly Finnish, except for the Master’s degree programmes which are conducted in English and the courses in the Department of Languages. There are also a variety of international programmes in English which are listed on the International Office web pages and in the handouts available at the beginning of each semester (with detailed information on the course times, places, etc.). In addition to the international programmes, most of the departments offer a few courses and seminars in English every year.

Academic Culture The relationship between students and teachers in Finland is quite informal. Both students and teachers like to consider one another as equals. You are always encouraged to ask questions both in and out of the classroom and to express your opinion on the themes discussed during the courses. The informal atmosphere does not imply, however, that an overly relaxed attitude towards the studies would be accepted. On the contrary, the independent nature of university studies in Finland presupposes that students show initiative and take responsibility in the planning of their studies and in keeping to their own schedules.

Those studying in other than international Master’s degree programmes will eventually need a working knowledge of Finnish (i.e. they should be able to understand spoken and written Finnish) to be able to complete the degree programme.

3.5. Registration Prior to starting your studies you have to enrol at the University. The registration instructions have been sent to 14

you together with the letter of admission. Please read them carefully. If you taken care of the registration according to the instructions sent with the letter of admission, a student number will be sent to you by e-mail by 15 August or 15 December. Please use your number when applying for a student card online at http://www.lyyra.fi. Please see below for further information on how to order the card (3.6. Student Card).

register to the university as full-time students while they are abroad. Students starting their exchange or practical training period in the autumn should register by filling in the ‘Form for out-going exchange students’ (‘Ulkomaille opiskelemaan lähtevien lomake’) at the Admission and Student Services. Those leaving for the spring semester should register normally at a bank in the autumn by using their personal reference number. Before departure, they should also fill in the ‘Form for out-going exchange students’ so that the Student Register is informed of their study period abroad. There is no need to pay the Student Union membership fee during the semester while you are abroad unless you plan to study or carry out exams at the University of Jyväskylä during your studies/training abroad and unless you wish to use the services of the Finnish Student Health Service (YTHS) or other benefits (reduced prices, right of residency in Kortepohja etc.) brought by the membership of the Student Union. The old sticker will be valid until the end of September (as for YTHS until the end of August).

Degree students Please return the registration documents (a registration form and a copy of the Student Union membership fee payment) to your faculty.

After the first year, all regular students are required to register annually. The Student Union membership fee € 94.50 must be paid before 15 September by quoting the personal reference number which is included on your student card. Registration for attendance will appear automatically in the student register in a couple of days after the payment has been made. The registration via bank using the personal reference number is possible only until 15 September. If you fail to register by that time, you are automatically removed from the University register.

You may, however, continue your studies after reregistration (the re-registration fee is € 35). There is a separate reference number for those who register late, so please do not use the personal reference number. Details on the payment can be found on the International Office website. Should you wish to postpone your studies for one or two semesters, you may register for non-attendance and still remain enrolled. Please note that PhD students should register to the university annually as well.

Exchange and visiting students Exchange students take care of the registration as part of their Mobility Online application procedure. Visiting students are sent the registration instructions together with the letter of admission.

Students arriving in the framework of ISEP, FIRST, UNCEP, North-South-South or the university-level bilateral agreements (Alberta, Asian Institute of Technology, Baylor, Beijing (Foreign Studies University), Beihua, Bonn, Chiao Tung, Chile, Debrecen, EWHA Womans University, Hiroshima, Hong Kong Baptist, Jaroslavl, Kanazawa, Kanda, Kyoto Sangyo, Macquarie, Montevideo, Mississippi, National Chiao Tung, National Yang-Ming, Northern Iowa, Osnabrück, Saint Mary’s, Wisconsin-

Those taking part in student exchange or practical training abroad during their studies at Jyväskylä should also 15

Whitewater, Pittsburg State, Prince Edward Island, Santiago de Compostela, Regina, Simon Fraser, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Toronto, Xi’an Jiaotong, Victoria and Youngstown State) are exempted from the student union membership fee.

NORDPLUS, NORDLYS, visiting and ERASMUS students will have to pay the fee themselves.

can apply for the student card online at http://www.lyyra.fi after you have taken care of the registration and received your JyU student number by e-mail. Please read the instructions on the Lyyra website carefully. Also, remember to use your name as it appears on your passport. Otherwise the system does not recognize it.

Please do not use special characters, such as accents, in the application. Your JyU student number and a digital photo are required for the card application. You can choose either a Lyyra Card (€ 14,60) or a Lyyra ISIC Card (€ 36,60).

Exchange students and visiting students are registered as full-time non-degree students for a maximum of one academic year. If you are interested in continuing your studies at the University of Jyväskylä after your exchange period has ended, please consider applying to one of the degree programmes of the University of Jyväskylä. The deadline for most international Master’s programmes is in January-February . Please consult the following websites for more information: https://www.jyu.fi/studywithus and http://www.universityadmissions.fi/

Your student card application will be processed after you have paid for the card. If you come from an EU/EEA country, you are requested to pay for the card already before arriving in Finland, after you have filled in the online application for the card. Instructions for paying the card are presented in the online form. You will receive an email when the card is ready. You can pick up the card from the Student Union Office (Building Y1, next to the student restaurant Ilokivi).

Doctoral students and visiting doctoral students Doctoral students and visiting doctoral students may join the Student Union and apply for a PhD student card if they wish. By paying the Student Union fee one gets the right to rent an apartment at the Kortepohja Student Village.

Doctoral students are unfortunately not entitled to reductions on trains and buses nor to the services of the Finnish Student Health Service (YTHS). Doctoral students get a small discount in student cafeterias by presenting a certificate of registration or a PhD student card.

3.6. Student Card

If you come from a non-EU/EEA country, you are requested to fill in the online application for the student card as soon as you receive your JyU student number, but you should pay the card only after your arrival in Finland.

When you arrive in Finland, your student tutor will take you to the Student Union Office (Building Y1, next to the student restaurant Ilokivi) to pay for the card. The card will be ready in 2-3 weeks after you have paid for it. You will receive an email when the card is ready, and you can then pick it up from the Student Union Office.

In order to utilise the services available to members of the Student Union (for example discounts offered by the railways, buses and airlines, campus cafeterias, theatres, exhibitions etc.), you should obtain a student card. You

Degree students may validate the card for each subsequent academic year in the Admission and Student Services or in the Student Union Office after they have paid the Student Union membership fee with the personal 16

reference number. If you would like to collect the sticker for the student card, the student calendar and the study guides immediately after having paid the fee, remember to take the receipt of the payment with you.

Before leaving Jyväskylä, every exchange student is requested to fill in a departure information as part of the Mobility Online application system. A complete ECTS transcript will then be mailed to exchange students at their home address. Students can also request an additional transcript of records to be sent directly to the home university.

3.7. Study Counselling You can always turn to the university staff with your questions and problems concerning your studies. The Head of Academic Affairs of the faculty or the international relations coordinator of your department/faculty will assist you in academic matters. You can find the contact information of the Heads of Academic Affairs at https://www.jyu.fi/en/contacts and the contact information of the departmental international relations coordinators at http://www.jyu.fi/en/study/contact_us/coordinators.

3.9. Services Provided by the University The University of Jyväskylä offers a wide range of services for international students. These include an arrival service, student tutors (mentors), an orientation programme, a friendship family programme, and the loan of a basic domestic item kits (so called ’survival kits’, exchange students only). Below is a brief introduction to the different services available.

3.8. Certificates and Transcripts

Student tutor (mentor)

Registration certificates are available at the customer service counter of the Admission and Student Services.

Registration certificates are required, for example, when you apply for an extension to your residence permit.

Before you get your student card you will need a temporary student discount card from VR or Matkahuolto to get student discounts on trains and long-distance coaches. A registration certificate is needed for this.

The International Office employs tutors (senior students) for each faculty. Their task is to acquaint new international students with the system of studies and campus life in Jyväskylä and to help them with practical questions, such as planning a timetable for studies and finding the way around the campus and the city centre. Student tutors are available for students arriving at the beginning of the semesters.

A transcript of records in English, containing the information of all the courses completed and the credits and grades received, can be obtained from the Admission and Student Services and the Information Management Centre. You can also check your credits in the Korppi course registration environment. Furthermore, an unofficial transcript of credits can be ordered to your e-mail every time you pass a course. The order can be placed in the Korppi environment.

Arrival Service This service is provided by the University in order to make your arrival in Jyväskylä more comfortable. If you have informed your student tutor of the exact time of your arrival at least one week before your arrival, you will be met by a student tutor at Jyväskylä Travel Centre (railway and bus 17

station). S/he will then take you to your student apartment.

If your travel plans change, please keep your tutor informed of them. Your tutor will contact you a few weeks before your arrival. Please note that the tutor and the arrival service are usually available only in the beginning of each semester or a few days before it.

14) 60 7213, mobile: +358 50 325 2963, e-mail: kylasihteeri@jyy.fi. Her office hours are: Mon-Thu 15 - 17, Fri 13 - 15.

Friendship Family Programme The purpose of the friendship family programme is to give international students a chance to have first-hand experience of the Finnish culture and way of life in a Finnish family, in addition to life on campus. Through meeting international students, the families also get an opportunity to learn about the students’ home countries and cultures. It is up to the student and the family to decide how often they meet and how they will spend their time together. If you study in Jyväskylä for at least one full semester you can apply to the programme. Please note that the programme does not include accommodation with families. Due to the limited number of families, the programme cannot be offered to all incoming international students. Application forms are available at: www.jyu.fi/en/study/services/friendshipfamily

Orientation programme This three- to four-day programme, organised in the beginning of both semesters, is designed to help new international students settle in by introducing them to the University and its support services, to Jyväskylä and – last but not least – to fellow students. The programme includes guided tours and visits to different offices, lectures and social events. The working language of the programme is English.

Survival Kits The student dormitories have basic furniture but there are no sheets, blankets or kitchenware. Exchange and visiting students as well as those visiting doctoral students who have joined the Student Union can borrow basic domestics items, so called “survival kits”, against a partly refundable deposit, from the Secretary of Kortepohja Student Village. The survival kit includes a blanket, pillow, bed linen, 3 plates, fork, knife, table spoon, tea spoon, pot with lid, ladle, mug and glass. All the items are secondhand. The deposit for such a package is € 60, of which 40 € will be refunded if the kit is returned in good and clean condition! If you would like to have the kit, please inform your tutor about it. In most cases, your tutor will pick up the kit for you in advance. Please visit the office of the Secretary of Kortepohja Student Village to pay for the kit. The Secretary of Kortepohja Student Village is on duty in the Kortepohja C building, Taitoniekantie 9, tel. (+358

University Library (yliopiston kirjasto) The University Library is the central academic library in Finland in the fields of education, psychology and physical education. It provides literature and other material required in research, teaching and studying at the university, and takes care of other library and information service tasks.

You can use your student card to borrow books from the University Library (Main Campus, building B) as well as from the department libraries on the Main Campus and other campuses. For more information on libraries, see chapter 9.6. You can also find out more about the University Library by browsing through the “Library Skills Tutorial” on the Library’s website at http://kirjasto.jyu.fi/.

18

Borrowing books is free of charge. There are, however, some fees for specific services, such as interlibrary loans, and fines for returning books and other material after the due date.

An intensive Finnish 1 summer course is arranged on 4 30 August 2011. A pre-registration by 15 June is required for the summer course. Erasmus students can also apply for an Erasmus Intensive Language Course (EILC). The University of Jyväskylä does not organise an EILC during the summer 2012, but Erasmus students can apply to EILCs organised at other universities in Finland.

Applications for the EILC should be submitted electronically to your home institution, which will be responsible for forwarding the application to the EILC organising institution. More information on the Erasmus Intensive Language Courses can be found on the European Commission website at http://ec.europa.eu/education/erasmus/doc902_en.htm.

Language Centre (kielikeskus) The University Language Centre offers a wide variety of courses as well as excellent self-study facilities in the Oppio Building. At the learning centre, which is intended for self-directed learning, educational technology, interactive studios, computer laboratories as well as wide variety of material are available for students. Furthermore, the Language Centre also provides study counselling and training in language learning. In addition to Finnish and English courses for international students, we recommend the Each One Teach One programme, in which students – counselled by a teacher – teach one another either their own native language or their language of education. For more information on language courses, please visit the Language Centre web pages at http://kielikeskus.jyu.fi/.

Computers at the University Most departments have a computer room for their students. In addition to these, there are computers for public use at the University Library (Building B on the Main Campus), at the Information Management Centre (Building D in Mattilanniemi) and in the Agora Building. All international students gain access to the multi-user computing facilities via their user accounts, which are given during the Orientation Programme.

Finnish Language Courses The University Language Centre arranges Finnish language courses for international students mainly during the academic year. The courses range from intensive survival courses to advanced special courses. The Survival Finnish course is targeted at students who stay only one semester in Finland, or who do not plan to continue their Finnish studies during the following semester. The aim of the course is to learn basic phrases, vocabulary and grammar for coping with the most common everyday situations in Finnish. Finnish 1 is designed for students who stay in Finland for at least two semesters and plan to continue their Finnish studies on the Finnish 2 course or equivalent.

Recreation and Athletic Facilities The University of Jyväskylä offers one of the most diverse and exciting sport and recreational programmes in the country for students and staff alike. The sports opportunities range from spinning, wall climbing and snow boarding to the more traditional skiing, aerobics, squash, tennis and different ball games. You can either participate by coming along to one of the supervised groups or by forming a team with your fellow students. There are also instructional courses available in a wide variety of sports, 19

3.10. Students with Special Needs

such as downhill skiing, afro dance, body pump, and fitness boxing. The university also offers an optional credit course that aims at familiarising students with the different sport facilities in Jyväskylä and with the sports of their choice (2- 4 ECTS cr.). During the academic year 20112012, the fees for the activities were the following:

The University of Jyväskylä aims at ensuring that the needs of students with special needs are accommodated as well as possible.

Universities or municipalities in Finland do not provide any special services for foreign students with special needs (for example interpreting or a personal assistant). Services for special needs are provided only for students who have permanent Finnish citizenship and are registered at their home municipality.

• supervised exercise: € 50/academic year, € 30/autumn semester, € 35/spring semester

• unsupervised exercise: free of charge (a few exceptions)

• courses: the fee varies from € 10 to € 80

Some student exchange programmes (for instance Erasmus and Nordplus) include a possibility of obtaining extra funding for costs caused by special needs. Please contact the Erasmus / Nordplus coordinator of your home university for further information.

The fees are possibly a little higher for the academic year 2012-2013. The Sports Programme is available at www.jyu.fi/hallintokeskus/koulutuspalvelut/yliopistoliikunta.

For further information, please visit the Sports Coordinator’s Office in building X, room 148, Main Campus, (Mon-Fri 9-12), e-mail: yo-liikunta@jyu.fi.

Students with special needs can turn to the International Office with any questions they may have about studying at the University of Jyväskylä or living in Jyväskylä.

Student Cafeterias There are eight student cafeterias on the University premises: Lozzi, Ilokivi, Musica, and Syke (closed during the academic year 2011-2012) on the Main Campus, Wilhelmiina and Piato in Mattilanniemi and Kvarkki and Ylistö at Ylistönrinne. In these cafeterias undergraduate students receive a discount on the price of a lunch by showing their student cards. The student price for a reasonably ample lunch is around € 2.50. All the cafes on the campuses give student discounts.

For further information, please https://www.jyu.fi/en/study/services/special_needs

see:

3.11 International Office The International Office is one of the first places you should visit after you have arrived in Jyväskylä. The Office has eight employees:

• Tuija

Koponen, Head of International Office, coordinates international cooperation programmes, exchanges and agreements at the University; room T205, tel. (+358 40) 805 4343;

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• Marita

3.12. The Student Union (JYY)

Ekman, International Liaison, coordinates visits of foreign delegations, and is a contact person for Fulbright and DAAD scholarship affairs, room T107, tel. (+358 40) 805 4344;

The Student Union of the University of Jyväskylä (JYY, http://www.jyy.fi) is the students’ own organisation. Every degree and exchange student is a member of JYY. The Student Union represents its members and guards their interests and rights in society. It helps in questions concerning studies, accommodation, and getting along financially. JYY also offers a wide range of services and free time activities related to culture and sports as well as international matters. We encourage you to participate in the activities organised by the Student Union. More information: http://jyy.fi

• Elina Isännäinen, Foreign Student Adviser, coordinates the application procedure of international degree students, recruits and counsels degree students; room T203A, tel. (+358 40) 805 4341;

• Laura

Laamanen, International Coordinator, responsible for the application procedure and counselling of incoming Erasmus and visiting students as well as for the accommodation and the Friendship Family Programme; room T208, tel. (+358 40) 805 4337;

• Solja Ryhänen, International Coordinator, NORDPLUS,

NORDLYS and ISEP programmes; room T204, tel. (+358 40) 805 4333;

The Student Union maintains, for example, the following services for the benefit of students:

• Anita

Saari, International Affairs Assistant, financial matters of the Office, contact person for teacher mobility; room T206, tel. (+358 40) 805 4335;

• student cafeteria Ilokivi in the Student Union Building,

Keskussairaalantie 2, open Mon-Fri 11.00-16.00, check menu at http://jyy.fi/en/food-menus/

• Tiina

Savela, Student Exchange Coordinator, coordinates bilateral student exchanges and the FIRST and North-South-South programmes; room T203B, tel. (+358 40) 805 4342;

• Kampus

Kino, Ilokivi, Keskussairaalantie 2. Show time every Tuesday at 7pm, doors open at 6.30pm. Tickets: students 5 €, others 6 €, http://jyy.fi/opiskelijalle/kulttuuri/kampus-kino/

• Kazimiera Väisänen, International Liaison, tel. +358 14 260 1034.

• computer

shop Kampus Data and bookshop Kampus Kirja, Gummeruksenkatu 6, open Mon-Fri 10.00-17.30 and Sat 10.00-14.00

The Office also employs student trainees (tel. +358 40 805 4345). In addition to the phone numbers listed above, you may contact the Office by e-mail: intl@jyu.fi or by fax: (+358 14) 617 314. The office hours of the Student Exchange Coordinator, International Coordinators, and Foreign Student Adviser are from Monday to Wednesday at 13-15, and on Thursdays at 10-12.

The main benefits for members of the Student Union include inexpensive health care at the Finnish Student Health Service (YTHS), student apartments, survival kits for exchange and visiting students and discounts at student restaurants, on public transport, in museums, theatres etc. The Student Union edits a student newspaper Jyväskylän ylioppilaslehti (“Jylkkäri”), which is available in several locations and on the Internet at http://www.jylkkari.fi/.

The International Office works in close cooperation with the Secretary of International Affairs of the Student Union, (Student Union Building, Y1), room 126, Keskussairaalantie 2, tel. +358 10 423 4503, e-mail: kvsihteeri@jyy.fi.

21

JYY organises various social and free time activities, such as movie nights, concerts, club nights, flea markets, theme weeks and sports events. Subcommittees, which are open to all students, discuss issues and plan activities related to different fields of interest, such as international, academic, social, cultural, sports, development cooperation and environmental affairs.

If you would like to know more about SIA or ESN and their activities, please contact the Secretary of International Affairs, kv-sihteeri@jyy.fi, or visit http://jyy.fi/en/forstudents/international-affairs/.

3.13. Subject Associations Subject associations are for students who share a particular subject as a major. The associations organise various free time activities ranging from cultural events to parties and sports events. The subject associations also represent their members in the faculty administration.

Getting actively involved in your own subject association is an easy way to get in touch with Finnish students! For more information about your own subject association, please contact your host department or see http://jyy.fi/jarjestolle/ainejarjestot-jaharrastusryhmat/ainejarjestot.

Erasmus Student Network Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is an easy way for an international student to get involved in the work of the Student Union. ESN is a pan-European student organization which helps all international students – not only Erasmus students – integrate into their host country.

ESN organises multicultural activities, such as parties, trips and events aimed at all students who are interested in getting to know students from around the world. The regular activities organised by ESN include Café Lingua for language learning, Stammtisch international gettogethers and the Buddy Programme. For more information, please visit the ESN JYY website at http://esn.jyy.fi or join the ESN JYY Facebook group.

3.14. Alumni Activities In English, the word ‘alumnus’ (plural ’alumni’) has come to be used for the former students and staff members of a university or a higher education institution. For more information on the alumni activities of the University of Jyväskylä, please visit http://alumninet.jyu.fi/. International exchange students, graduates and former staff members of the University of Jyväskylä are also welcome to join the Alumni Association of the University of Jyväskylä (JYKYS). To join, fill in the registration form at http://alumninet.jyu.fi/.

Subcommittee for International Affairs (SIA) The Subcommittee for International Affairs (SIA) is a discussion forum for all students who are interested in international issues at the University of Jyväskylä. SIA aims at improving the contact between Finnish and international students and at promoting respect for all cultures. In addition, SIA supports international students when it comes to studying, living, and the possibilities to influence one's affairs in Finland. SIA also arranges different events and activities, such as the international degree students' come together and the conversation group for International Students.

More information: Alumni Coordinator: asta.ruodemaki@jyu.fi Secretary of the Alumni Association JYKYS: pirjo.heikkinen@jyu.fi 22

4. HOW TO GET TO JYVÄSKYLÄ

will arrive at Jyväskylä (Tikkakoski) airport some 40 minutes after take-off. The airport is located about 20 km from the centre of Jyväskylä. An airport bus takes passengers from the Tikkakoski airport to the centre of Jyväskylä (Travel Centre) after each incoming flight. The bus fare is € 5 and has to be paid in cash. However, it is yet uncertain whether this service will be available during the academic year 2012-2013. For further information, please see: http://www.finavia.fi/airports/airport_jyvaskyla.

The city of Jyväskylä is located in Central Finland, some 270 km north of Helsinki, and can easily be reached by plane, train or coach. The connections are relatively frequent and the journey from Helsinki to Jyväskylä takes 3 - 3½ hours by train.

By plane:

You can also take a taxi from the airport to the centre of Jyväskylä. The taxi journey from the airport to Jyväskylä takes 15-20 minutes and costs € 35-40. You can either book the taxi in advance (recommended by the taxi service) or use the free telephone inside the building to call for a taxi. The advance booking payment is 6.40 € / booking. Call +358 100 6900 to book the taxi. If you do not book the taxi in advance, be prepared to wait for it for a

Most of the flights to Finland arrive at Helsinki-Vantaa airport (about 20 km from the centre of Helsinki). It is also possible to arrive by ferry via Stockholm, Tallinn, Rostock and Travemünde.

From Helsinki-Vantaa airport you may continue by plane or bus to Jyväskylä. Should you continue by plane, you 23

little while. For more information, please http://www.finavia.fi/airports/airport_jyvaskyla.

see

journey to Jyväskylä takes 3½-4 hours. The train fare (one way) varies from € 50 - € 62 (depending on the time of travel and when the booking has been made).

Unfortunately, you do not get a student discount on trains with the ISIC card (International Student Identity Card).

After having registered at a Finnish university and paid the Student Union membership fee, you will be entitled to receive a 50% student discount on trains and longdistance coaches. Please note that the registration is not valid before the beginning of the semester and you are also not entitled to student discounts before this. Please visit http://www.vr.fi for the latest train timetables in Finland.

If you arrive at Tampere-Pirkkala airport, take a bus or taxi to the centre of Tampere (the trip will take about 40 minutes). From the centre, you can continue your journey to Jyväskylä by train or coach. For more information on the connections to and from Tampere-Pirkkala airport, please see http://www.finavia.fi/airports/airport_tamperepirkkala .

By coach: There is also a direct bus connection from Helsinki-Vantaa airport to Jyväskylä. The trip takes about 4 -5 hours and costs approximately € 47 without the student discount.

Unfortunately, you do not get a student discount on trains with the ISIC card (International Student Identity Card).

You will receive your Finnish student card only after your arrival in Jyväskylä. For the coach timetables, please see http://www.matkahuolto.com.

From Helsinki-Vantaa airport you may also catch a local bus number 61 to Tikkurila (it takes about 15-20 minutes) and take the train to Jyväskylä from there. Catching the train at Tikkurila cuts down the time of travel to Jyväskylä a little.

For the timetables, please see http://www.vr.fi

By train: If you choose to travel by train, you should first catch a bus which stops in front of the terminal building of Helsinki-Vantaa airport. The fare of the Finnair city bus is approximately € 6.20. There is also a local bus connection, number 615 (platform 21, stop 5351), to the railway station (bus fare € 4.50, night fare € 6.00). It will take 35-40 minutes to get to the railway station, where you can catch the train to Jyväskylä. For the timetables, please see: http://www.helsinki-vantaa.fi/to-and-from/bus-andtaxi-service.

There are direct connections to Jyväskylä, but in some cases you will have to change trains at Tampere. The 24

5. LIVING EXPENSES AND HOUSING

Depending on your personal spending habits (food, social life, hobbies, travelling, books and other study materials, sports equipment, etc.) you should plan to supplement your budget by € 100-300 monthly. Besides, there are always unanticipated expenses for any international traveller, especially if you want to see and experience as much as possible during your stay. Remember that with a student card you will get meals and other services at a student price as well as reductions for transport and cultural and recreational activities (only partly applicable to doctoral students).

5.1. Cost of Living Finland used to be among the most expensive countries in the world, but the situation changed to some extent after Finland joined the European Union. However, Finland cannot be regarded as a ‘cheap’ country yet. The cost of living in Finland is, on average, comparable to the rest of Europe.

The total monthly living expenses of a single student average around EUR 700 and will roughly be spent in the following way: Rent in a student apartment Food Transport, leisure and other costs

Please note that there will be some initial expenses, such as the housing deposit (€ 250), deposit for the ’survival kit’ (€ 60, only applicable to exchange students), and the Student Union membership fee (€ 94.50/year, € 48/autumn semester, € 50/ spring semester). The cost of course literature is not very high, since most of the course books can be borrowed from the University Library.

€ 200 – 300 € 200 – 250 € 150 – 200 25

• Seppälän kirpputorimarket, Laukaantie 3 • SPR-Kirppis, Ahjokatu 10 • SPR-Kirppis, Keskussairaalantie 1

The University of Jyväskylä cannot offer financial aid to international students. Thus, you must be able to cover all the expenses during your stay yourself.

Below are some examples of what things cost in Jyväskylä:

Please see: www.kirpputorihaku.com/kirpputori/jyvaskyla.

5.2. Housing

• lunch in a student cafeteria – about € 2.50 • pizza or a meal in one of the cheaper restaurants € 6-15 • glass of wine or a beer € 4-6 • movie ticket € 7—13 • bus ticket on a local bus € 3.00 • one-month bus pass in the downtown area € 44 • 40-trip bus pass in the downtown area € 47

Student housing in Jyväskylä is provided by KOAS (The Student Housing Foundation of Central Finland) and Kortepohja Student Village. The student apartments are located about 2.5 - 4 kilometres from the University main campus and the city centre.

Student apartments can be rented from the first working day of the month during which you plan to arrive and the rent has to be paid from that month onwards. Please note that if you arrive in Jyväskylä before the first working day of the month, you may have to stay in a hotel or a hostel.

Please note that there are also several second-hand shops in Jyväskylä, for example:

Please apply for accommodation no later than :

• Centrum Kirpputori, Ilmarisenkatu 2 • EkoCenter, Gummeruksenkatu 13 • EkoCenter, Hakkutie 9 • EkoCenter, Kankitie 10 • Estheco Secondhand, Kauppakatu 4 • Fida lähetystori, Tapionkatu 12 • Kierukka, Taitoniekantie 9, Building C • Kirpputori Silinteri, Laajavuorentie 2 • KM-Kirpputori, Isännäntie 1 G • Kumppanuuskirppari, Vapaudenkatu 4

• 1 June if accommodation is needed from the beginning of August, September or October

•1

November if accommodation is needed from the beginning of January, February or March

• At

other times, the application for accommodation should be submitted at least two months prior to arrival.

If you would like to share an apartment with a friend (both having your own rooms), please state the name of the friend in the application.

If the accommodation office is able to place you in a student apartment, a housing offer will be sent to you by email approximately a month before the accommodation is needed. The offer should be confirmed or refused by the 26

time given on the offer. When confirming a housing offer, a deposit of € 250 (€ 400/KOAS and € 500/Kortepohja for families) must be paid to KOAS’s account. The payment should be made without charges to the beneficiary.

Unconfirmed reservations will be cancelled automatically and the room offered to another applicant. The confirmation is legally binding. The deposit will be refunded if no damage or loss is detected in the apartment during the departure check-up.

Roninmäki and Myllyjärvi. Laundry rooms, saunas and store rooms, as well as hobby rooms, are available in the buildings. All KOAS apartments have an Internet connection. The price for a furnished single studybedroom with a shared kitchen and bathroom varies from € 200 to € 300 per month.

Tenancy agreements made until further notice should be terminated at least one calendar month in advance, e.g. by 30 April if you wish to move out at the end of May.

Mon Tue-Thu Fri

When moving out, the apartment should be left in clean condition. Otherwise, it will be cleaned at your expense and the cleaning fee deducted from your deposit. Both your own room and the common areas (kitchen, bathroom and hallway) must be cleaned.

Tel. (+358) 10 820 4444 , Fax (+358) 10 850 4411 E-mail: asiakaspalvelu@koas.fi http://www.koas.fi

Bear in mind that not only the front door of the apartment but also the door to your room has a lock in it. When you leave your room to go to the kitchen or bathroom, be careful not to lock yourself out. In case that happens, you can borrow a spare key from the Accommodation office.

Outside office hours, call the maintenance men. They charge approximately € 10 (8 – 16) or € 20 (16 – 8, weekends) for opening the door.

Kortepohja Student Village is owned by the Student Union of the University of Jyväskylä. Kortepohja, located about 2.5 kilometres from the main campus and city centre, houses approximately 1700 students. The Accommodation Office of the Student Village is at Vehkakuja 2 B. The rent for a single study-bedroom with a shared kitchen and bathroom ranges from € 205 to € 270 per month.

The Student Housing Foundation of Central Finland, KOAS

Saunas with separate bathing times for men and women are warming up every night in the Student Village.

Incoming mail is delivered to the mailboxes on the ground floor of your building - the mailbox can be opened with your apartment key.

The KOAS Accommodation Office is located at Kauppakatu 11 A, 2nd floor. Opening hours are: 9.00-17.00 9.00-15.00 10.00-15.00

Kortepohja Student Village

KOAS offers ca. 3900 apartments all around the Jyväskylä town area. The apartment buildings are located in the suburbs of Jyväskylä and offer an excellent opportunity to integrate with people outside the University. International students are usually placed in the furnished apartments in

The Student Village offers all the basic services: there is a small shopping centre, a party room to rent, a piano room 27

Internet connections through Kortex networks

and several sports facilities. Contact the Secretary of Kortepohja Student Village, kylasihteeri@jyy.fi, to find more about the use of the recreational facilities in Kortepohja.

All apartments in the Kortepohja Student Village are connected to the Kortex network, and using the network is free of charge. You need your own computer and a cable (RJ-45 CAT 5 or better) for using the network. Wi-fi connection is not available in the Kortepohja Student Village apartments. A contract for network use (between the Computing Centre and the tenant) is included in your tenancy agreement. Instructions for installing the network are available at http.//www.kortex.jyu.fi/en/. In case you need help with installing the network or have other computer-related problems, please contact the volunteer helpers at atkapu@lists.jyu.fi.

Most of the rooms in Kortepohja are rented unfurnished.

Some furnished rooms are available, and for unfurnished rooms you can find some basic furniture in storage rooms.

When moving out, please check from the accommodation office if you are able to leave the furniture in the apartment. If the next tenant needs the furniture, you may leave it in the apartment. Otherwise, the furniture should be taken to the storage rooms in the P and D buildings.

Please note that you must always ask for a permission to leave the furniture in the apartment. If you leave the furniture in the apartment without the permission of the accommodation office, a fee will be deducted from your deposit.

Home insurance All Student Union members living in the Kortepohja Student village have a basic home insurance through the Student Union. This insurance covers the personal property of all Student village tenants with certain limitations. More information on the insurance and its coverage: the insurance broker Alansa Partner Oy (Ltd.), Jukka-Pekka Nieminen, jukka-pekka.nieminen@finser.fi.

Visiting address: Väinönkatu 28 A 8, 40100 Jyväskylä.

The Kortepohja Accommodation Office is located at Vehkakuja 2 B. The opening hours are: Mon–Thu Fri

13–15 8–12

Every first and last working day of the month: 8–15

Students living in a KOAS apartment are advised to check from their insurance broker in their home country, whether their home insurance is valid also during their stay in Finland. If not, you are strongly advised to take a home insurance from Finland or a travel insurance which covers all personal belongings.

Telephone hours: Mon-Thu Fri

10–15 8–12

Tel. +358 14 60 7201 Fax +358 14 311 1174 E-mail: asunnot@jyy.fi

Storage If your student apartment is not big enough to store all your belongings or if you need storage space while you 28

if you leave anything, e.g. furniture you have purchased, in the apartment.

are away, you can rent storage room from for example K o r t e p o h j a s t u d e n t v i l l a g e (http://www.kortepohja.fi/english/, Cityvarasto (http://www.cityvarasto.fi) or Jyväskylän pienvarastot (http://www.pienvarastot.fi).

• Disturbing

neighbours in the apartments must be avoided. Night-time silence at KOAS lasts from 23.00 (11 pm) to 6.00 on Fridays and Saturdays and from 22.00 (10 pm) to 6.00 at other times.

• There

is silence in the Kortepohja Student Village between 23 (11 pm) - 07 am.

Rules and guidelines for living in a student apartment

• When

living in a student apartment, you cannot get away from your neighbours and therefore some extra tolerance and respect towards others come in handy.

Keeping common areas clean and avoiding making too much noise are ways to ensure that not only you but also your neighbours can enjoy living in the Student Village/KOAS. The official quiet hours are given above, but it is good to mind your neighbours during the daytime as well.

We hope you feel at home in your student apartment. At the same time, however, please take the other tenants into consideration and follow the rules and guidelines of the student housing foundation. Bear in mind that :

• you

and your flat mate together are responsible for keeping the apartment clean. All tenants must do their share of cleaning the kitchen (including the refrigerator and stove), bathroom and other common areas.

Cleaning supplies can be rented from the Secretary of the Kortepohja Student Village (Kortepohja) or borrowed from the tenant committee (KOAS).

• Failure

to comply with the rules and regulations may lead to liability for damages or cancellation/termination of the rental agreement. Full compensation is required from the person responsible for damaging of constructions or furniture or for neglecting cleaning. The residents are responsible for ensuring that their visitors also observe these rules and regulations.

• you should take the garbage out regularly. Take turns if necessary.

• although the kitchen and bathroom are in common use,

each tenant takes care of his/her own things and also uses only his/her own things, unless of course you have agreed otherwise with your flat mate(s).

• you should respect the people who are trying to study.

Have parties in the club rooms, not in your own room!

Further information on the club room and saunas from the accommodation office (KOAS) and the Secretary of the Kortepohja Student Village (Kortepohja).

• When moving out, make sure you leave the apartment

in clean and tidy condition. Please note that both your room and the common areas (kitchen including the stove and the refrigerator, bathroom and hallway) must be cleaned. If the apartment is not in a proper condition, it will be cleaned at your expense and the cleaning fee (approx. € 30/hour) deducted from your housing deposit or charged from you. Also, when moving out, do not leave any personal belongings in the apartment. A fee will be charged and deducted from your housing deposit 29

6. FINNISH STATE REGULATIONS

mania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom) and citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland do not need a residence permit, but they must register their right to reside in Finland if they stay in Finland continuously for longer than three months. This should be done at the local police station (in Jyväskylä: Urhonkatu 2, tel. +358 71 874 0521, office hours: Mon & Wed 8-16.15, Tue & Fri 8-15, Thu 8-17.30) within three months after entering the country. For registration you need:

6.1. Visa and Residence Permit Students from the EU (European Union) and EEA (European Economic Area) countries do not need a visa to enter the country. If you are a citizen of any other country you must apply for an entry visa at the nearest Finnish Embassy or Consulate.

• EU registration form (available at www.poliisi.fi) • valid passport or another valid travel document (that is,

Residence permit: EU and EEA nationals Whether a residence permit is required depends on the country you come from and on the duration of your stay.

European Union citizens (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Ro-

for EU and EEA citizens, an identity card approved as a valid travel document)

• certificate of your registration at the University of Jyväskylä or Finnish student card

30

• proof of adequate health insurance cover (i.e. a European

The applicant must remain abroad while waiting for the decision on the residence permit application. The residence permit is issued by the Finnish Immigration Service which • account on the applicant’s means of support receives the application from the Finnish Embassy or Registering the right of residence costs € 47 for citizens of Consulate. the EU and EEA countries. More information can be found at www.migri.fi and www.poliisi.fi.

Extending the residence permit Health Insurance card)

Citizens of the Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland) should register at the local Register Office, if their stay exceeds six months, by presenting an Inter-Nordic Migration Form (Registration Office, Yliopistonkatu 28, tel. +358 71 874 0331, office hours: Mon-Fri 9.0016.15).

Residence permit: other nationals Citizens of non-EU or non-EEA countries who wish to stay in Finland for more than three months must be in possession of a residence permit when entering the country. An application for the permit should be submitted to the Finnish Embassy or Consulate in the student’s country of origin in good time before arrival in Finland. Further information on the application process and the application forms can be found at www.migri.fi.

A residence permit for study obtained before coming to Finland is usually valid for one year. After this, the permit can be extended at the local police station at the beginning of each new academic year for one year at a time. To obtain a new residence permit, a bank statement of the required funds (€ 500 per month or € 6000 per year) is required. Also a transcript of studies has to be enclosed with the residence permit application form. An extension of the permit requires that the student is still registered at the educational institution, is a full-time student and has completed the required courses in the institution’s study programme. If the student has poor study performance, an extension of the residence permit may be denied. The application forms are available at the passport office of the police station.

6.2. Work Permit

The following documents are required for the residence An EU citizen can work while studying in Finland and does permit application: not need to acquire a special work permit to do so. Students from non-EU or non-EEA countries have the right to • letter of admission work part-time (25 hours/week) without a work permit during the academic semesters and full-time during holidays • details of comprehensive health insurance cover when the university does not arrange teaching as such.

• proof of means of support This right is stamped in your passport in conjunction with initial granting of your residence permit. A student may • If necessary, a statement of the applicant’s previous stu- the also work within certain limits on a residence permit granted dies and language skills. for study purposes if the work is practical training included in the degree.

31

Students from non-EU or non-EEA countries need a separate work permit if they intend to work more than the stipulated hours during the academic term. To obtain a work permit, you need to get a certificate of employment from your prospective employer detailing:

tax at source on the wages of those foreign employees who stay in Finland for a maximum of six months. The tax rate is the same for all amounts of income. If you earn no more than € 510 per month or € 17 per day, no tax is collected from the amount. To obtain this benefit, you must give your employer a tax at source card (lähdeverokortti).

If you stay in Finland for over six months, your income is taxed at a progressive rate. You can obtain the tax at source card or the tax card from the Tax Office - do not forget to bring along evidence of the duration of your studies (a registration certificate). Once employed you must give your employer the tax at source card (if you are working less than 6 months) or tax card (if you are working more than 6 months. This is crucial, because your employer cannot pay your salary before having received the card.

• employer’s name, address and telephone number • your name in full and your identity number • nature of the work • total length of your period of work • salary The required form can be obtained from the Employment Office. You may also have to supply a certificate of registration from the University.

Work requests can be made at:

If you stay in Finland for less than six months, you are not required to file an income tax return. Those staying in Finland for more than six months must file an income tax return in Finland. The deadline for tax returns is the following April after the calendar year concerned. The final tax will be calculated on the basis of the tax return form and the information given on it. When leaving the country, please remember to inform the Tax Office of Jyväskylä about the change of your address.

Employment and Economic Development Office Vapaudenkatu 58 A Office hours: Mon-Fri 9.00-15.45 www.mol.fi Unfortunately due to a high unemployment rate in Central Finland it is not easy to find work in the Jyväskylä region, especially if you do not speak any Finnish. Therefore, you should not count on finding a job to finance your stay.

Jyväskylä Tax Office (Jyväskylän verotoimisto) Vapaudenkatu 58 A, 40100 Jyväskylä http://vero.fi Office hours: Mon-Fri 9.00-16.15

6.3. Taxation If you are paid for the work you do in Finland, you usually have to pay income tax in Finland. The taxes payable are determined in accordance with the provisions of the Income and Property Statutes. Treaties ratified between Finland and your home country will also determine your net tax liability. You can consult the Tax Office for information on taxation. Finnish employers collect a 35% 32

7. TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION

7.1. Railways

departure of the train. Note that it is not possible to use Visa Electron, Maestro or similar cards when purchasing a ticket on the train. You may choose from a range of trains featuring different travel standards and prices.

Throughout the year, the Finnish State Railways (VR) grants a 50% student discount for both one-way and return tickets. When purchasing and using the ticket you must always submit your Finnish student card, valid for the academic term. If you have not received your Finnish student card yet, you can collect a VR student card at the railway station (€ 8). For that you need a photograph and a VR certificate from the Admission and Student Services or from the International Office.

Please note that if you want to break your journey, you must purchase separate tickets for each part of your trip.

In other words, if you are travelling, for instance, from Jyväskylä to Helsinki, and you want to break your journey in Tampere to visit a friend for a few days, you must buy two tickets: one to cover the trip from Jyväskylä to Tampere and another from Tampere to Helsinki. Of course, if you only need to change trains in Tampere, one ticket (Jyväskylä-Helsinki) will do.

Railway tickets are sold online and at railway stations.

The earlier you purchase the ticket online, the cheaper it is. Tickets can also be bought on trains, but the price is € 5 higher than elsewhere if the ticket office is open at the

One-way and return tickets are also sold for groups. A reduction of 15% (20% if purchased online) is granted for a group consisting of 6 to 20 persons (6-10 persons if 33

purchased online). For further information, please see www.vr.fi.

need a photograph and a certificate from the Office for Student Affairs or the International Office.

It is worth remembering that a passenger without a duly stamped ticket will be charged an inspection fee (€ 80) and the price of the ticket. Also note that you are not allowed to take your luggage to the dining car. Smoking is allowed only in special compartments marked with a sign.

The Coach Office (Matkahuolto), an organisation owned by the Finnish Coach Operators Association, maintains bus stations in the cities and municipalities around the country. Tickets are sold at these stations and they also provide information about the schedules and services. The coach tickets sold at bus stations are valid on all Finnish coaches and buses, except for municipal buses of some cities. Also travel agencies sell coach tickets.

Jyväskylä Travel Centre (railway and bus station) is located at Hannikaisenkatu 20. The opening hours of the ticket office are Mon– Thu Sat

7.00 – 19.30 9.45 – 16.45

Sun

9.45 – 19.50

Tickets can be bought before the trip or on the coach.

Both one way and return tickets are valid for 30 days if they are bought beforehand. Seat reservations are recommended during peak periods. The reservation can be bought separately or it can be included in the coach ticket.

Further information on VR, timetables and different kinds of tickets is available at http://www.vr.fi.

The express coaches carry a small surcharge. All coaches carry skis, bicycles, and pieces of luggage (an extra fee may be charged). If you need to send a large or heavy package quickly, an express coach is a good and cheap alternative to the post. Packages are delivered from one bus station to another or to a bus stop within Finland. You can use this service by taking the package to the local coach office (Matkahuolto) at the bus station, giving the destination and paying the charge. The name of the person who will collect the package must be written on the package. Matkahuolto takes care of the rest. Packages can also be sent so that the receiver pays for the transportation.

7.2. Long-Distance Coaches and Buses Long-distance coaches are a good alternative to trains.

The long distance coach network in Finland is one of the densest in Europe, and the coaches are modern and comfortable. There are two types of long distance coaches: the ordinary coaches (vakiovuoro) stopping at all the bus stops if needed, and express coaches (pikavuoro) which usually drive longer distances and stop only at the places indicated in the schedule.

Students are granted a 50% discount for coach tickets if the trip covers at least 80 km. When purchasing and using student tickets you must show your Finnish student card, valid for the academic term. If you have not received your student card yet, you can collect a VR/Matkahuolto student card from the Travel Centre (€ 8). For that you

Please note that smoking is strictly prohibited on all Finnish buses and coaches. The ExpressBus coaches usually have a lavatory (toilet) and some magazines.

34

in Jyväskylä for at least 2 years. More information on page 45).

A long distance bus stop sign is blue with a white bus on it.

The text “PIKAVUORO” indicates that express coaches stop there. It is necessary to signal for the bus to stop.

• 40-trip card at € 49 (available for students who have the

right to domicile in Jyväskylä, i.e. students who are in Jyväskylä for at least 2 years). Valid for 180 days.

The 10– and 40-trip cards can be reloaded when all the trips have been used.

Jyväskylä Travel Centre (railway and bus station) is located at Hannikaisenkatu 20. The opening hours of the ticket office are: Mon – Thu Fri Sat Sun

When purchasing a season ticket (called a smart card) for the first time, you must pay an additional € 3 for the card itself. It may be a good idea to buy a one-day travel card for the local buses if you are planning to make several trips in one day (€ 7.50 sold at Jyväskylä Travel Centre, Sokos, and Tourist Information). For more information on all the tickets, please contact Jyväskylän Liikenne.

8.00 – 17.00 8.00 – 18.00 closed 11.00 – 18.00

Further information and timetables are available at http://www.matkahuolto.fi/.

It is good to know that the buses in Finland arrive almost exactly according to the schedule. A few minutes’ delay might occur in wintertime due to bad weather.

7.3. Local Buses Jyväskylän Liikenne Oy, tel. +358 207 425 800, provides local transport. The prices of single tickets, bought in cash on the bus, depend on the length of your journey. The lowest single fare is € 3.20 and after 23.00 the price goes up to € 6.00. Tickets of all kinds are sold at Jyväskylä Travel Centre, at the information desk of Sokos Department Store (1st floor) at Kauppakatu 24, at Jyväskylä Regional Tourist Information at Asemakatu 6, and on the buses.

7.4. On Foot and by Bike Most student apartments are more or less within walking distance from the University and city centre. As in any other city, in Jyväskylä there are some restless spots in the downtown area during weekend nights. It is therefore wise to be careful and to avoid walking out alone at night, especially if you are a woman.

The next cheapest way to move around is probably by bike (pyörä or polkupyörä). Bikes are sold in department stores and stores selling sports equipment. There are also stores that specialise in bikes. New bikes, even the very simple ones, are quite expensive, from € 250 upwards.

If you use local buses regularly, you save money by purchasing a season ticket:

• 10-trip card at € 23.50 (available for all students) • 30-day-ticket at € 56 (available for all students) • 30-day-ticket at € 46 (available for students who have

If you do not know anybody who could lend or sell his/her bike to you, you can try, for instance, the lost property auction (löytötavaroiden huutokauppa) at the Police

the right to domicile in Jyväskylä, i.e. students who are

35

When riding a bike you should use the bicycle paths marked with a sign. In places where there is no special bicycle path, please use the right side of the roadway, not the sidewalk. You should follow the same traffic rules as motorists. Also, remember to use lights on the bicycle when driving in the dark. Furthermore, we strongly recommend that you wear a helmet.

Station. The auction takes place in the autumn and it is announced in the local newspaper (Keskisuomalainen) about one week earlier. The bikes on sale range from very old to brand new ones and the prices vary accordingly. For more information, please contact the Police Station, Lost Property Office (löytötavaratoimisto), tel. +358 71 874 8801, email: loytotavara.keski-suomi@poliisi.fi.

You can also try to find a bike though the internet market place of the University at http://www.jyu.fi/tori. Flea markets and recycling centres may also sell used bicycles.

7.5. Taking a Taxi Taxi fares are quite expensive in Finland and taking a taxi is not as common as in some other countries. There are only a few taxi stations in the city centre; for example at the Travel Centre (railway and bus station) in Hannikaisenkatu, the old bus station (next to the market square), and in Kauppakatu next to the Church Park (Kirkkopuisto). It is usually easier to get a taxi by phone (tel. 0100 6900, € 1.49 + local call charge; from abroad +358 0100 6900). On top of the basic fare and the kilometre fare there is a small extra charge in the evenings, at night and during weekends. A taxi ride from the city centre to the student apartments costs about € 10 – 15. The taxi drivers do not expect you to give them a tip.

The following stores and repair workshops sell new and/or used bikes:

• Biltema, Seppäläntie 16 • Polkypyörätori, Minna Canthin katu 22 B • Tekevä Pyöräkorjaamo, Pajatie 3 • Huoltopilotti, Vapaaherrantie 2 • Pekan rysä, Cygnaeuksenkatu 2 • Polkupyöräkorjaamo Rikman, Ilmarisenkatu 7-9 • Jyväspyörä, Yliopistonkatu 30 • Bike Planet, Vasarakatu 9 • Intersport Megastore Tourula, Vapaaherrantie 2

7.6. By Car in Finland Driving licences issued in other EU or EEA countries are equally valid in Finland. Licences granted in one of the signatory countries to the Geneva or Vienna International Road Traffic Convention are valid in Finland for one year.

For more information, please see http://www.poliisi.fi or contact the Police Station at Urhonkatu 1-2, tel. +358 71 874 0521.

The following firms rent out bikes for a couple of days or weeks:

• Rent

@ Bike, Travel Centre, Hannikaisenkatu 20, email: vexi.virtanen@kolumbus.fi

• Polkupyörätori, Minna Canthin katu 22 B.

Driving a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating drugs is a crime in Finland. The penalty for drunken driving is confiscation of the driving licence, a fine 36

and a ban on driving for a certain period. Those guilty of gross drunken driving are usually sentenced to prison for 3 months. The police set up roadblocks from time to time to carry out spot checks on drivers.

right of way at zebra crossings. You should always stop before the crossing, not on it.

The price of petrol was â‚Ź 1.579 - 1.699 / litre (95 E10) in February 2012.

Seatbelts are compulsory by law both in the front and the back seats. Children must be seated in the back, unless there is a special safety seat. Headlights must always be used.

7.7. Travelling Abroad It is an experience to travel by one of the big ferries to Sweden, Germany, Estonia or Russia. To get to Central Europe, it is the fastest and easiest to fly. You can also take a train through Sweden and Denmark. What is more, St. Petersburg is only a three-hour train trip away from Helsinki.

In Finland all cars must use winter tyres in December, January and February. Foreign-registered cars must also use winter tyres (or all-season tyres) in Finland. The tread groove of winter tyres must be at least 3 millimetres.

Studded winter tyres may be used between the beginning of November and the end of March (or the Monday following Easter Monday if this is later than the end of March). At other times, they may be used only if the weather conditions so require. The period during which studded winter tyres may be used is restricted because they wear down the road surface.

When abroad, the International Student Identity Card (ISIC) may help you save money on airline tickets, railpasses, accommodation, entrance fees to museums and cultural events etc. The card costs â‚Ź 12 and you will need one passport photo for it. You can apply for the card for example at http://kilroytravels.fi.

Also note that winter conditions require a different kind of driving. You may loose control of your vehicle if your speed is too high, you brake suddenly, you accelerate too rapidly or you do not turn the steering wheel smoothly.

Overtaking also requires special care in slippery winter conditions. If you plan on driving in Finland in the winter, please read more about winter driving at http://www.mintc.fi/.

7.8. Telephones If you would like to make an overseas phone call from Finland, dial: 1. + (or 00) 2. country code

Please remember that in Finland the car coming from the right has the right of way! There are GIVE WAY signs on some crossings, but it is best to be cautious and always check if there is somebody coming from the right.

According to the law, one must give way to buses when they are setting off from a bus stop. Pedestrians have the

3. area code leaving out the first number 4. number of your contact An example: calling from Finland to Stockholm, Sweden, phone # 123456: 37

you need to dial +46 8 123456.

Opening a normal mobile phone line is often free of charge, but foreigners who do not reside in Finland permanently are usually required to pay a deposit. The monthly fee and the prices of phone calls vary according to the operator and the connection.

If you want to make a phone call to Finland from abroad, dial: 1. +

4. number of your contact

If you have an Internet connection, you can also stay in touch with your friends and family free of charge by making use of for example the Skype (http://skype.org) or other peer-to-peer Internet telephony networks.

An example: calling from Italy to Jyväskylä, phone # 123456:

7.9. Post & Post Offices

2. 358 (Finland’s country code) 3. area code leaving out the first 0

The Main Post Office is located at Vapaudenkatu 61 and it is open from Mondays to Fridays at 8.00-20.00. The post office nearest to Kortepohja Student Village is at Vehkakatu 5. It is open from Monday to Friday at 9.0020.00 and on Saturdays at 10.00-14.00.

you need to dial +358 14 123456.

For national phone number inquiries, please dial e.g. 118 or 020202 (the price depends on the operator and the time of the day the phone call is made).

Stamps are available at post offices, some book shops, Rkiosks and stamp machines. Mailboxes, as well as stamp machines, are blue (1st class mail) and orange (2nd class mail. If only an orange mailbox is available, it can be used for both 1st and 2nd class mail) in colour. The postal rates (€ ) for first class postcards and letters of 20 g, 50 g and 100 g are (February 2012): 20g 50 g 100 g Finland € 0.75 € 0.75 € 1.05 Europe € 0.75 € 1.05 € 1.50 Outside Europe € 0.75 € 1.70 € 3.50

Most students in Finland have a mobile phone because they are relatively inexpensive to use. Mobile phones are often also the only way of reaching people in Finland as it is nowadays rare to have a landline and as pay phones have become almost extinct. A basic mobile phone costs from € 50–150.

There are several mobile phone operators in Finland. The biggest nation-wide operators include dna, Elisa, Saunalahti and Sonera. A simple way to open a line is to acquire a pre-paid card (e.g. dna Prepaid, GoMobile Prepaid, Saunalahti Prepaid, Sonera Easy, Tele Finland).

The cards are rechargeable and can be purchased at Rkiosks and/or mobile phone shops and/or online. During the orientation programme, ESN JYY (Erasmus Student Network) gives out free pre-paid cards as part of their welcome package.

For further information, please visit http://www.posti.fi.

38

from such a dispenser only if you are a client of the bank in question. Make sure to memorise your secret code number - it enables you to use the card. If you do not trust your memory and want to write it down on a piece of paper, please note that you should never keep the number in your wallet or anywhere near the cash card.

7.10. Money & Banks Finland uses the European single currency, EURO. EURO (€) is made up of 100 cents. The denominations in circulation are: Notes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 euros Coins: 2 and 1 euros, and 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.

You have to pay service fees in the banks for almost all services, for example, every time you want to cash a traveller’s cheque. The service fees vary between different banks. Therefore, it is a good idea to compare the prices and choose the bank which offers the cheapest price for the services you need. Generally, you are well advised to use the Internet bank services or automatic cash dispensers for paying your bills and checking your balance. If you would like to use the Internet for your banking, ask your tutor which banks offer Internet banking.

The bank will then provide you with more information on the different services and charges. There is usually an additional charge when bills are paid at automatic cash dispensers. If you would like to pay your bills at a bank cashier, be prepared to pay a service fee of 4 – 8 euros.

Different banking groups in Finland offer services, which are rather similar to each other, and it is up to you which bank (pankki) you choose. Most banks have branch offices throughout the country. No matter at which office you have your account, you can make a deposit, withdraw money, and pay bills at any other office of that bank nationwide. Almost all banks can arrange for deposits or payment of bills to foreign banks by electronic transfers or through certified checks of foreign banks with which they are affiliated. Banks are open from Monday to Friday usually 9.30-16.30.

Money can be exchanged at practically every bank in Finland. Upon proper identification (passport) they will honour, for example, traveller’s checks and bona fide letters of credit.

Visa and Mastercard credit cards are widely accepted in Finland. Other credit cards, such as Eurocard, Diners Club ja American Express, may not be accepted in all the shops. Automatic cash dispensers accept American Express, Cirrus, Diner’s Club, Mastercard and Visa.

Traveller’s checks are bought and sold in all banks.

Foreign personal checks are not accepted in stores, and cashing them in a bank may involve a lengthy and expensive procedure. Foreigners may bring in unlimited amounts of any currency, and freely retransfer it.

When opening a bank account, take your passport and the student card/certificate of registration with you. Most banks only accept a passport as a proof of identification. It is therefore advisable to bring your passport with you even if you can enter the country with an ID only. Ask for an Internet banking service and a cash card (automaattikortti) at the bank. With the cash card, you can withdraw cash from any cash dispenser throughout Finland marked with the logo: otto, 24 hours a day. Cash dispensers that do not have the logo described above are not in public use but belong to a particular bank. You may withdraw money

The names and addresses of the largest banks in Jyväskylä are:

39

Handelsbanken, Kauppakatu 27 www.handelsbanken.fi Keski-Suomen Osuuspankki, Kauppakatu 22 www.op.fi Nordea, Kauppakatu 18 www.nordea.fi

Please note that if you have a television set, you are required to pay a television fee for using it. The fee can be paid in one-month (€ 21.80), three-month (€ 64.20), sixmonth (€ 126.95) or twelve-month (€ 252.25) instalments.

Please visit the website of the Television Fee Administration at http://www.tv-maksu.fi for more information.

Kiuruveden osuuspankki, Väinönkatu 34 www.paikallisosuuspankit.fi Sampo, Kauppakatu 37 www.sampopankki.fi Säästöpankki Optia, Kauppakatu 23

There are several radio stations for you to listen to in Jyväskylä: YLE X 87.6 MHz YLE Radio 1 89.9 MHz Järviradio 91.3 MHz YLE Radio Puhe 92.5 MHz Radio Dei 94.1 MHz Suomi Pop 95.1 MHz Rondo Classic 96.2 MHz NRJ 97.3 MHz Radio Rock 97.7 MHz YLE Radio Keski-Suomi 99.3 MHz Basso 99.7 MHz Radio Aalto 101.0 MHz The Voice 101.6 MHz Radio Jyväskylä 102.5 MHz Radio Vega 103.5 MHz Groove FM 104.5 MHz Radio Nova 105.8 MHz Spin FM 107.8 MHz

www.optia.fi 7.11. Lost & Found If you loose something, you can enquire for it from the two lost & found offices in Jyväskylä. The Lost Property Office of the Police station is located at Urhonkatu 1, tel. 071 874 8801 and the other Lost & Found office in Vapaudenkatu 85 (open: Mon 11-18, Tue-Fri 11-17, Sat-Sun closed).

Also, If you find something that does not belong to you, please take it to the Police Lost Property Office.

7.12. TV and Radio Programmes All television broadcasts in Finland are digital. In order to watch television one should be in possession of a DVB receiver (set top box) or an integrated digital receiver (digital television). Basic set top boxes cost around € 100.

When buying a set top box, bear in mind that cable subscribers and those living in antenna households should buy different models. If you live in a KOAS or Kortepohja student apartment, you should buy a cable set top box.

For the latest news, please see for example http://www.yle.fi/news/ or http://www.hs.fi/english/.

40

8. HEALTH CARE AND OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES

Puistokatu 4. For more information, please visit http://www.yths.fi/.

8.1. YTHS - The Finnish Student Health Service

You should bear in mind that the services provided by YTHS are available during office hours only: there are no services available in the evenings or during weekends. Also, please note that the Student Union fee (including the mandatory health care fee) is not a payment for any kind of insurance policy. Because of this, you are strongly advised to take out insurance before your arrival.

Students from countries within the European Union should have the European Health Insurance Card with them.

Students from outside the EU or EEA should take a private medical insurance against possible illnesses or accidents. It is important to know that outside the YHTS heath care centre (for example, at municipal health centres or at city hospitals) the cost for treatment may total several thousands of euros.

The Finnish Student Health Service (generally referred to as YTHS) provides health and medical care for university students. The Student Union membership fee (€ 94.50/year), which is compulsory for all undergraduate students, includes a health service fee (€ 44.00), entitling you to use the services offered by YTHS. When you go to a YTHS health care centre, you have to show your Finnish student card or the receipt showing that you have paid the Student Union membership fee. There are altogether 17 YTHS health care centres around the country, and students are entitled to use the services of any of them.

YTHS’s main facilities in Jyväskylä are located at

41

Please note that PhD students and visiting PhD students are not entitled to the services of YTHS.

referral, these services are free of charge. Health care services are located at Pitkäkatu 1 on the first floor.

Health care

Mental Health

In order to make an appointment with a public health nurse or a doctor, please call +358 46 710 1068 Mon-Thu 8-15 and Fri 8-14. In urgent cases, please call +358 46 710 1068 in the morning between 8.00 and 9.00. The public health nurses of YTHS will assess your need for treatment, give treatment instructions or make an appointment with a public health nurse or general practioner.

YTHS provides preventive mental health care, counselling, mental health examinations, and psychotherapy. The staff includes psychologists and psychiatrists and the consultation costs € 4 or € 6 respectively. For appointments and cancellations, the phone number is +358 46 710 1073. Telephone consultation hours for are Mon-Thu 9.00-11.00 or 12.00-14.00.

Dental care

You can also get advice over the phone by calling a public health nurse at +358 46 710 1068 Mon-Thu 8-15 and Fri 8-14.

A dental appointment costs between 4.50 and 22.50 euros depending on the procedure. Acute cases are normally treated immediately.

You can get the basic vaccinations (tetanus and difteria) free of charge. If you think you need other vaccinations, please consult the nurses. Make an appointment by calling +358 46 710 1068 .

Appointments and cancellations can be made on Mon-Thu 8.00-15.00 and Fri 8-14, tel. +358 46 710 1070.

Cancellations can also be made outside office hours by leaving a message on the answering machine, tel. +358 46 710 1070 or by using an online form available at http://www.fshs.fi -> cancelling. Please note that if you do not show up for your appointment and you have not cancelled it, you will have to pay a penalty fee of € 25. Dental care is located at Pitkäkatu 1 on the second floor.

Cancellations should be made by 12.00 noon on the previous working day. If you fail to cancel your appointment, you must pay a penalty fee of € 25.

Cancellations can be made by using an online cancellation form on the YTHS website or by calling +358 46 710 1069 (Mon-Fri 13-8, Sat-Sun around the clock).

Consultation with a general practitioner is free of charge, whereas consulting specialists costs € 6-18. You must see a doctor if you want a referral to such services as individual physiotherapy, tel. +358 46 710 6613.

Moreover, for the laboratory and x-rays you need a referral from one of the doctors or nurses of YTHS. With a

Pregnancy and Contraception You can take a pregnancy test at YTHS free of charge.

You should first consult the nurses who will then give you a referral to the laboratory and provide you with further

42

information. Information on the various means of contraception is also provided.

must be able to prove with a doctor’s prescription or a medical certificate that the prescribed medicine is intended for your own use. Note also, that a medicine you use may not be available in Finland and that it is strictly forbidden to send medicines to Finland by mail! For more information, please see www.tulli.fi.

Please note that YTHS does not offer maternity services.

If you are pregnant and need maternity services, please contact the Social and Health Services of the City of Jyväskylä, the Central Hospital and/or the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (KELA) for more information on the price and availability of the care.

8.3. Emergency Cases If you become ill and need urgent medical attention when YTHS is closed (in the evenings and during weekends), you should contact the Central Hospital (Keski-Suomen Keskussairaala). The address is Keskussairaalantie 19 and phone number (0100 84 884). In urgent cases, please dial 112.

8.2. Pharmacies Pharmacies are usually open until 17.00 or 18.00. The University Pharmacy (Yliopiston apteekki) at Kauppakatu 39 (tel. +358 300 20200) is an exception - it is open every day 8.00-23.00. Below is a list of pharmacies in Jyväskylä.

The Central Hospital charges an initial fee of € 27.50.

There may also be an additional service fee, depending on the treatment. Please note that non-permanent citizens, apart from the EU and EEA citizens and those who have domicile in Jyväskylä (see chapter 8.6 for further information), must pay for all treatments themselves and claim for a refund from their insurance company. The hospital fees may run high if you are not a citizen of the EU or EEA or do not have domicile in Jyväskylä . Thus, if you come from a country outside the EU or EEA it is absolutely vital that you obtain a private medical insurance to cover unexpected emergencies.

Vanha Apteekki, Asemakatu 7 Uusi Apteekki, Yliopistonkatu 32 Hoviapteekki, Kauppakatu 35 Jyväs-Apteekki, Keskussairaalantie 20 Voionmaan Apteekki, Voionmaankatu 9 Yliopiston Apteekki, Kauppakatu 39 Yliopiston Apteekki, Puistokatu 4 Keljon Apteekki, Kylmälahdentie 6, Citymarket Seppälän Apteekki, Ahjokatu 7, Prisma Kuokkalan Apteekki, Polttolinja 7

While studying in another member state, citizens of EU and EEA countries are entitled to the same benefits in case of an emergency (medical care required by the state of health, accident, sudden illness etc.) as the local population. The European Health Insurance Card certifies that you are entitled to these benefits. The card is standardized throughout the European Union and can be

Please note that you are allowed to bring a maximum of one year’s use of legally acquired prescribed and self-cure medicine from a EU and EEA country and a maximum of three month’s use of legally acquired prescribed and selfcure medicine from a non-EU and non-EEA country. You 43

SOS Crisis Center/

obtained from the social security institutions of the country where you are insured. To speed up your claim for benefits, present this card in the hospital or at the health centre.

Tel. (09) 4135 0510, telephone hours: Mon-Fri 9.00 – 15.00 (local or mobile phone charges) Maistraatinportti 4 A, 4th floor.

00100 Helsinki

8.4. Emergency Telephone Numbers General emergency

112

Ambulance Fire station Police Pharmacies on call

112 112 112 118

The SOS center helps foreigners and their family members living in Finland in different crisis of life. The help is short-term therapeutic conversation help. A client can tell about his / her own life situation in his / her mother tongue with the help of an interpreter, or in English, Finnish or Swedish. The principle of the center is to give help as soon and flexibly as possible. You can also get help anonymously. The help is cost-free for the client. It is not necessary to have a referral to the center, but it is important to make an appointment beforehand.

These numbers (except 118) are free of charge also when the call is made from a phone booth.

HIV /AIDS Telephone Service

Jyväskylä Police Station is located in two addresses: Urhonkatu 1 and 2, close to the Travel Centre +358 71 874 0521.

If you would like to get more information on HIV or AIDS or need support or guidance, please call HIV/AIDS telephone service tel. 0207 465 705, Mon-Fri 10 – 15.30 (maintained by the Aids Council) or tel. 020 327 000, Mon – Thu 17.00 – 20.00 (maintained by Finnish Red Cross).

Toxicological emergency number (for the whole of Finland): (+358 9) 4711.

8.5. In Case of Crisis

Tukinainen – Rape Crisis Centre

Mobile Crisis Centre provides help around the clock for all people in the Jyväskylä region in acute personal and family crisis situations, for instance related to substance abuse, domestic violence or mental health. Mobile provides customer-centred support services in cooperation with local health and social services free of charge. No appointments are necessary. You can contact Mobile by phone (+358 14) 266 7150 or simply by visiting the office at Asemakatu 2, 2nd floor.

Tel. 0800 – 97899 (free of charge), telephone hours: MonFri 9.00 - 15.00, Sat-Sun, on holidays and holiday eves, 15.00 – 21.00. Confidential conversation and information about sexual abuse and violence. More information can be found at http://www.tukinainen.fi/.

44

8.6. Insurance

You are required to have insurance cover when applying for a residence permit. The residence permit cannot be granted without the insurance.

Citizens of EU and EEA countries are covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme administered by the Social Insurance Institution (Kansaneläkelaitos, KELA).

To be eligible for these benefits, you need to bring with you an European Health Insurance Card from the local social security office in your home country.

For more information on insurances, please contact your local insurance company or consider obtaining your insurance through the Student Insurance Program (SIP).

Student Insurance Program (SIP) is the insurance option the Finnish institutions of higher education have negotiated for their international students. More information is available at www.marsh.be/SIP. When buying this insurance for studies at the University of Jyväskylä, the SIP Collective Policy Number BEBSTA00937 should be used.

In general, the full benefits of KELA are available to those, who have permanent residence in Finland. Those residing in Finland because of their studies, and their family members, are, as a rule, not considered to be permanent residents.

Students coming from the Nordic countries have the same benefits as Finns. Some EU and EEA countries have concluded social insurance agreements with Finland, which may concern you. You should check this before your departure.

Students studying in Finland for at least two years are entitled to domicile (home municipality) in Jyväskylä.

Domicile is granted by the Registry Office (Maistraatti, Yliopistonkatu 28, open Mon-Fri 9-16.15) to students who have a valid residence permit and certificate stating a study period of two years or more. The right to domicile entitles students to the municipal health care services at the same prices as the local population (excluding medicine. Please see above for more information on insurance requirements).

Further information: KELA (Kansaneläkelaitos) Vapaudenkatu 40-42 40100 Jyväskylä http://www.kela.fi Mon 9.00-16.00, Tue 9.00-17.00, and Wed-Fri 9.00-16.00.

8.7. Drugs

If you come from outside the EU or EEA, you are required to have private medical insurance as follows:

Drug dealing is strictly forbidden in Finland, and also the use and possession of drugs is against the law. Anyone in possession of drugs, including hash, runs the risk of being arrested and expelled from the country or imprisoned.

Drug dealing carries very heavy penalties. Please note that the Finnish customs regularly checks mail deliveries from abroad, and a person receiving a postal delivery including any kind of drugs (including medicines) runs the risk of a penalty.

• For studies of less than two years, a student must have

private insurance which primarily covers the costs of medical treatment up to 100,000 euros.

• If the duration of studies is two years or more, a student

will usually have a home municipality in Finland and is therefore entitled to municipal health care services. In such cases, it is sufficient for the insurance to primarily cover the cost of medicines up to 30,000 euros.

45

9. SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND LEISURE TIME

courts, cycling, jogging tracks, Laajavuori Winter Sports Centre, outdoor recreation areas, Killerjärvi Equestrian Sports Centre. Student discounts on tickets for sporting events vary. If you want to know more about sports facilities in the city of Jyväskylä (other than University sports), contact the Sports and Physical Activity Services tel. (+358 14) 266 4257or e-mail liikunta.info@jkl.fi.

9.1. Sports As you might have heard, Finns are great sport enthusiasts, with a particular passion for winter sports such as ice-hockey, cross-country skiing and ski-jumping.

Finns also excel internationally in athletics, swimming, wrestling, and motor sports. Most Finns learn to ski at a very early age. One speciality during the summer is the Finnish version of baseball (pesäpallo) which is also an example of how Finns have adopted foreign sports.

9.2. Sauna In Finland, there are five million inhabitants and one and a half million saunas! For Finns sauna is much more than just a place for washing: it is a place for physical and spiritual relaxation, and truly a part of the Finnish way of life. An old Finnish proverb proclaims the effectiveness of the sauna stating that ‘if sauna, liquor and tar don’t help, the disease must be fatal’.

If you like sports, Jyväskylä is the place to be! The University has a Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, which is unique in Finland. The following is a list of some of the sports facilities in Jyväskylä: fitness and aerobics clubs, swimming, spas, squash, badminton and tennis 46

What do you do in a sauna? First, having undressed, you take a shower. Then you enter the dimly lit sauna room and sit on wooden benches. The stones on top of the stove in the corner are very hot and when you throw water on them, a humid cloud of steam suddenly fills the small room. Your face gently burns and your body sweats. You can also try the sauna whisk (vasta or vihta) - a bunch of young, leafy birch twigs. Dip it into warm water and then gently beat yourself all over with it - it feels better than it sounds! If the sauna is by a lake and it is summer you can take a swim to cool yourself. During the winter many Finns make a hole in the ice and enjoy dipping themselves into the icy water or rolling in the snow - both are worth trying! However, usually you only take a shower.

theatres at Kauppakatu 32. Tickets can be reserved online at www.finnkino.fi. Ask for possible student discounts.

There is also a small movie theatre, Kampus Kino, on the main campus in the Student Union Building (Keskussairaalantie 2). For information on the programme, please visit http://jyy.fi/opiskelijalle/kulttuuri/kampus-kino.

9.4. Theatres The variety of theatre performances on offer in the Jyväskylä region is impressive. In addition to the City Theatre, more than dozen amateur drama companies serve audiences of all ages. There are, for example, the following theatres:

Please note that it is not customary for men and women to go to the sauna together, unless they are members of the same family or particularly close friends.

• Jyväskylä

City Theatre, Vapaudenkatu http://www.jyvaskyla.fi/kaupunginteatteri

36,

• Huoneteatteri

(The Room Theatre), Sammonkatu 4, http://www.huoneteatteri.fi/

In Kortepohja Student Village, each apartment building has its own sauna with separate times scheduled for men and women. Also KOAS apartment buildings have saunas.

Having tried a Finnish sauna once, you will wonder how you ever managed without it!

• Jyväskylä

University Student Theatre, Student Union Building, Keskussairaalantie 2, www.jyt.fi

• Jyväskylän kansannäyttämö, Sammonkatu 7 • AdAstra Theatre, Koskenharjuntie 8 • Teatterikone, Köhniönkatu 31 • Jyväskylänn teatteriyhdistys Kulissi, Siltakatu 25 • Improvisaatioteatteri Ässiä Hatusta, University Campus,

9.3. Movies Films in Finland are shown in their original language with Finnish and Swedish subtitles. A cinema ticket costs around 9 euros depending on the day and time of the show. You will find the weekly programme in the local newspaper. The programme is usually changed on Fridays.

Y-building, Keskussairaalantie 2

The student prices in theatres vary. Do not hesitate to ask for a discount and always take your student card with you.

For information on current programmes, see the websites of the theatres and the local newspapers.

The biggest cinema, called Fantasia, is located in the Jyväskeskus Shopping Centre. Fantasia includes six 47

9.5. Art, Museums and Exhibitions

• Data

If you are interested in art and museums, information on current exhibitions and activities can be found in the local newspapers, Keskisuomalainen and Suur-Jyväskylän Lehti, under the entry for galleries (Galleriat) .The following museums and art galleries can be found in Jyväskylä or in the Jyväskylä region:

Ask for a student discount in the museums and galleries!

Admission is free for all on Fridays to Jyväskylä Art Museum, Craft Museum of Finland and Museum of Central Finland.

• Jyväskylä

9.6. Libraries

Art Museum, www.jyvaskyla.fi/taidemuseo

Processing Museum (Tietojenkäsittelymuseo), Agora Building in Mattilanniemi and IT-Dynamo building Piippukatu 2, http://suomentietokonemuseo.fi

Kauppakatu

23,

You can borrow books from the University Main Library, department libraries, Jyväskylä City Library and JAMK University of Applied Sciences Library. Most of the library services are free of charge. However, if the books are not returned in time, a fine will be charged. When borrowing books from the University Library please remember that the course books can be borrowed for two weeks at a time and other books for four weeks. Overnight and weekend loans are also possible, with a few exceptions (e.g. if items belong to the reference collection). There is a great demand for some of the course literature, so be sure to return your books by due date.

• Museum

of Central Finland, Alvar Aallon katu 7, www.jyvaskyla.fi/ksmuseo

• Home of the Artist Family Heiska, guided tours Fri 1314, departure from the Museum of Central Finland

• Alvar

Aalto Museum, www.alvaraalto.fi

Alvar

Aallon

katu

7,

• Craft

Museum of Finland and The National Costume Centre of Finland, Kauppakatu 25, www.craftmuseum.fi

• Jyväskylä G)

University Museum (Main Campus, building

• Natural

History Museum of Central Finland, Water Tower, Ihantolantie 5

On your first visit to the City Library or to any of its branch libraries, you will receive a library card. Remember to bring your ID. You must have your library card with you every time you want to borrow something. In the University libraries you can borrow books with your student card. In the City Library you can also borrow, for example, CDs, LPs and audio and video tapes.

• Jyväskylä Centre for Printmaking and Galleria

Harmonia, Hannikaisenkatu 39 (opposite the railway station), www.jyvaskyla.fi/taidemuseo/grafiikkakeskus

• Kivikäs

Centre for Prehistoric Art, Riihimäentie 3, www.arkeo.net/kivikas

• Galleria

Becker (gallery and art leasing), Seminaarinkatu 28, www.jkltaiteilijaseura.net

An Adult Education Institute (Jyväskylän seudun kansalaisopisto) (tel. (+358 14) 266 4071, http://www.jyvaskylanseutu.fi/kansalaisopisto) is also located on the premises of the City Library. The Institute provides evening classes covering a wide variety of fields,

• Aviation

Museum of Central Finland (Keski-Suomen Ilmailumuseo), Tikkakoskentie 125, Tikkakoski, www.ksilmailumuseo.fi

48

the changes. Please check the summer opening hours at https://kirjasto.jyu.fi/.

Other libraries at the University:

such as languages - from beginners’ level to more advanced studies, painting, music and handicrafts. There is also another adult education institute in Jyväskylä called Jyvälän kansalaisopisto (address: Kortesuonkatu 52-54, tel. (+358 14) 217 202, e-mail: jyvala@jyvala.fi, www.jyvala.fi). The programme of the two adult education institutes also includes courses that are particularly targeted at foreigners (e.g. Finnish language courses).

• Mattilanniemi

Library (Social Sciences and Mathematics), Mattilanniemi Campus, building A, open: Mon-Thu 10-18 (service 10-16), Fri 10-16

• Ylistönrinne

Library (Physics and Chemistry) on the Ylistönrinne Campus, Survontie 9, open Mon-Thu 10-18 (service 10-16), Fri 10-16

Libraries: JAMK University of Applied Sciences Library and Information Services

Jyväskylä City Library (Kaupunginkirjasto/Maakuntakirjasto) Vapaudenkatu 39-41 Tel. (+358 14) 266 4104

• Main

Library, Rajakatu 35, open Mon-Thu 9-18, Fri 916 and Sat 9-14

• Lutakko

Library, Piippukatu 2, open Mon-Wed, Fri 916, Thu 9-17

http://www.jkl.fi/kirjasto Open: Mon-Fri 10.00-20.00, Sat 11.00-16.00 The reading room for magazines and newspapers has slightly different opening hours: Mon-Fri 10.00-20.00, Sat 10.00-16.00, Sun 11.00-17.00

• Music Library, Pitkäkatu 18-22, Mon-Fri 10-16 • Institute of Natural Resources Library, Tuumalantie

Kortepohja Branch Library (Kortepohjan lähikirjasto) Isännäntie 3 Tel. (+358 14) 266 4136 Open: Mon-Thu 13.00-19.00, Fri 10.00-16.00

9.7. Live Music and Concerts

17, Tarvaala, Saarijärvi, Mon-Thu 9-16, Fri 9-15

Various kinds of music from classical to opera, jazz to rock & pop, folk music to the Finnish tango are appreciated in Finland. Some examples of the latest Finnish musical exports are the metal band Nightwish, “love metal” band HIM and the cello-plying rock band Apocalyptica. Due to the wide-ranging devotion to music in Jyväskylä and to the good variety of local music institutions, musical entertainment is offered almost every day of the year. For instance, Jyväskylä Symphony Orchestra, University Symphony, Polytechnic Symphony and a good many local choirs give concerts frequently. And at night you can enjoy live jazz, rock or dance music in numerous restaurants.

University Main Library (yliopiston pääkirjasto), on the Main Campus, https://kirjasto.jyu.fi/ Opening hours during the autumn and spring semesters: Mon-Thu 8-20 (customer service 10-18), Fri 8-18 (customer service 10-18), Sat 9-16 (customer service 1116), Sun 9-16 (first floor only, no service). During Christmas and other public holidays the opening hours can be different. The library informs its customers about 49

• A 20-year-old can buy all alcoholic beverages • Sales staff cannot sell alcohol if they have

The following list contains some examples of where to go for different styles of music: Jazz lovers:

Poppari Puistokatu 2-4

Live music:

Bra, Kauppakatu 35 London, Puistokatu 2 Ilokivi, (Student Union Keskussairaalantie 2

reason to assume that an alcoholic beverage will be illegally passed on to an under aged person

• Alcoholic beverages cannot be sold to a person who is acting in an disorderly manner or is clearly intoxicated

• You

must be prepared to present a valid photo ID. A passport, an official identity card or a drivers licence issued by a police authority are accepted as a proof of identification. Student cards are not accepted.

Building),

Going out for a drink with friends is very popular. On Fridays and Saturdays you may see people queuing in front of the most popular pubs and clubs. The pubs do not have admission fees, whereas the discos/night clubs charge € 4 - 8, especially during weekends. Tipping is not compulsory. Most pubs have a doorman who lets people in and who also has the right to remove anybody who is disturbing other clients.

Hemingway’s, Kauppakatu 3 Old Brick’s Inn, Kauppakatu 41 Parnell’s Irish Bar, Gummeruksenkatu 7, Väinönkatu 3 Sohwi, Vaasankatu 21 Tanssisali Lutakko, Schaumaninkatu 3 Vakiopaine, Kauppakatu 6 Ylä-Ruth, Seminaarinkatu 19

9.9. Religious Communities

To see what is on offer, keep an eye on advertisements in Keskisuomalainen and Suur-Jyväskylän Lehti and on University notice boards.

The majority of Finns (80 %) are Lutherans. The Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Jyväskylä has nine churches in Jyväskylä. One of them is located next to the Kortepohja student village (Isännäntie 4). Sunday services in English are held in the Old Vicarage (Vapaudenkatu 26) every second Sunday at 5 pm. If you would like to get more information on the activities of the congregation, please get in touch with pastor Harri Vähäjylkkä (e-mail harri.vahajylkka@evl.fi) or join the “Christian Fellowship in Jyväskylä” Facebook group.

9.8. Hungry, Thirsty, Feel Like Dancing?

In Finland alcohol is sold only in liquor stores (ALKO - the State Alcohol Monopoly of Finland) and in restaurants, bars and pubs, but you can purchase medium strength beer and cider in supermarkets and grocery stores. Bear in mind the following ground rules for purchasing alcohol in Alko.

There are five Christian organisations for students in Jyväskylä. More information about their activities can be found on notice boards, in the student newspaper and in the Student Union calendar.

• An 18-19-year-old can buy alcoholic beverages with a maximum of 22% alcohol content

50

Churches and religious communities:

AIESEC Association Internationale des Etudiantes en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales; International Association of Economic, Computer Science and Business Students.

The Orthodox Church of Resurrection, Rajakatu 39, next to JAMK University of Applied Sciences. The Divine Liturgy in church Slavonic is celebrated five times a year and twice a year in English. More information: http://www.ort.fi

AIESEC is the world’s largest student driven organization.

The purpose is to provide university students with an international arena, where young people can try out their skills in practice and develop themselves. This is done by running a global Work Abroad-program and organizing national and international seminars and various local events around this theme. Further information: http://www.aiesec-jkl.fi

Saint Olaf’s Roman Catholic Church (Mass also held in English) Yrjönkatu 36, olavi@catholic.fi, http://olavi.catholic.fi/ Mormon Church (Myöhempien aikojen pyhien Jeesuksen Kristuksen kirkko), Sammonkatu 9, http://www.mormonit.fi/

Amnesty International Further information: http://www.amnesty.fi

Free Evangelical Church (Vapaaseurakunta), P u u t a r h a k a t u 1 6 , http://www.jyvaskylanvapaaseurakunta.fi/

Pentecostal Church (Helluntaiseurakunta), Lyseonkatu 3, http://www.jklhelluntaisrk.fi/

Jyväskylän opiskelijakamerat (Camera Club) See the student newspaper for announcements about meetings once a month - membership entitles you to use the labs in Kortepohja and the Student Union Building, and to get discounts in photo shops. For more information please send e-mail to info@jopka.net or visit www.jopka.net

Jyväskylä City Church (Jyväskylän Cityseurakunta), Kauppakatu 1, info@jyvaskylancityseurakunta.org www.jklcitysrk.org

Kehitysmaayhdistys (Third World Association) Maailmankauppa Mango, Kauppakatu 5, www.maailmankauppamango.net

The Islamic Community of Central Finland, Vaasankatu 4 a, tel. +358 40 535 2010 (prayers every Friday at noon).

SETA Jyväskylä SETA or “Seksuaalinen tasavertaisuus” (Sexual Equality) is a human rights organisation in the field of legal equality and social justice for sexual and gender minorities such as lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and trans-people in Finland.

SETA Jyväskylä is located at Vapaudenkatu 4 and organizes various activities. More information: http://www.jklseta.fi/

Adventist Church, Ilmarisenkatu http://jyvaskyla.adventtikirkko.fi

18,

9.10. Associations and Clubs The following associations have local groups in Jyväskylä:

51

10. USEFUL FACTS ABOUT LIVING IN FINLAND

10.1. Holidays The following public and national holidays are celebrated annually in Finland. On these holidays shops and banks are usually closed, and even on the previous day there can be some changes in office hours. Please note that the dates of some of the holidays vary from year to year. Below are the public holidays and other celebrations (*) in the academic year 2012-2013.

November 3

All Saints Day (pyhäinpäivä)

November 11 December 6 December 24-25 December 26

Father’s Day (isänpäivä) Independence Day (Itsenäisyyspäivä), since 1917 Christmas Eve & Day (jouluaatto & -päivä) Boxing Day (tapaninpäivä)

January 1 January 6 February 5 February 14 February 12

New Years Day (uudenvuodenpäivä) Epiphany (loppiainen) Runeberg’s Day* (Runebergin päivä): He was our national poet. Taste the special cake!

Valentine’s Day* (ystävänpäivä) Shrove Tuesday* (laskiaistiistai): Finns eat peasoup and special buns, and head for the slopes for sledding Good Friday (pitkäperjantai) Easter (pääsiäinen) May Day Eve* & May Day (vappuaatto & päivä) Mother’s Day (äitienpäivä) Ascension Day (helatorstai) Whitsun (helluntai):’If you don’t have a girl/boy friend by Whitsun you won’t have one the whole summer’ (a Finnish proverb)

March 29 March 31-April 1 April 30-May1 May 12 May 9 May 19 June 21-22

Midsummer Eve & Day (juhannusaatto & -päivä)

* not a public holiday

52

10.3. Electricity

10.2. Time Zone

The voltage in Finland is 230 AC (50 Hz), and the plugs are two-pin continental size plugs. Adapters are available in some department stores and in the shops for electrical equipment. You are well advised not to bring incompatible electrical appliances with you to Finland, unless absolutely necessary.

Finnish time is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

‘Daylight saving time’ or summer time (kesäaika) is used from the last Sunday of March to the last Sunday of October.

10.4. Weights and Measures Kilometres

Miles

Centigrade

Fahrenheit

1 1.6 10 50 120

0.6 1 65 30 72

100 20 0 -5 -18

212 68 32 23 0

Metres 0.01 1.0 2.0 0.30 0.915

Inches 0.39 39.37 78.74 1 foot 1 yard

Litres 1 5 10 30 50

Gallons 0.26 1.32 2.6 7.9 13.2

Kilos 0.454 1 5

Pounds 1 pound 2.2 pounds 11 pounds 53

11. TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND ADDRESSES

11.1. Embassies and Consulates You may want to contact the embassy or consulate of your home country while in Finland. Below is a list of addresses of some embassies; all embassies and consulates are located in Helsinki, except those of Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Ghana and Nigeria.

Australia Austria

Museokatu 25 B, http://www.dfat.gov.au/missions/countries/fi.html Unioninkatu 22, http://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/embassy/helsinki.html

Bangladesh Belgium Britain Canada

Anderstorpsvägen 12, 1st floor 171 54 Solna, Sweden, http://www.bangladoot.se Kalliolinnantie 5, http://www.diplomatie.be/helsinki Itäinen Puistotie 17, http://ukinfinland.fco.gov.uk/en Pohjoisesplanadi 25 B, thttp://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/finland-finlande

China Vanha Kelkkamäki 9-11, http://www.chinaembassy-fi.org/eng Czech Republic Armfeltintie 14, http://www.mzv.cz/helsinki Denmark Mannerheimintie 8, http://denmark.visahq.com/embassy/Finland Estonia Itäinen Puistotie 10, http://www.estemb.fi/eng Ethiopia Löjtnantsgatan 17, 10055 Stockholm, Sweden, http://www.ethemb.se France Itäinen Puistotie 13, http://www.ambafrance-fi.org Germany Krogiuksentie 4B, http://www.helsinki.diplo.de Ghana Egebjerj Alle 13, 2900 Hellerup, Copenhagen, Denmark, tel. (+45 39) 62 8222 Greece Maneesikatu 2 A 4, http://www.greekembassy.fi/ Hungary Kuusisaarenkuja 6, http://www.mfa.gov.hu/kulkepviselet/FI/en/ Iceland Pohjoisesplanadi 27 C, http://www.iceland.is/iceland-abroad/fi/english India Kulosaarentie 32, http://www.indianembassy.fi Ireland Erottajankatu 7 A, http://www.irishembassy.fi Italy Itäinen Puistotie 4 A, http://www.italia.fi Iran Kulosaarentie 9, http://www.helsinki.ir/ 54

Japan Unioninkatu 20-22, http://www.fi.emb-japan.go.jp Latvia Armfeltintie 10 http://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/helsinki The Netherlands Erottajankatu 19 B, http://finland.nlembassy.org Nigeria Tyrgatan 8, Stockholm, Sweden, tel. +46 8 24 63 90 Norway Rehbinderintie 17, http://www.norja.fi/Embassy Morocco Unioninkatu 15A, tel. (+358 9) 612 2480 Poland Armas Lindgrenintie 21, http://www.helsinki.polemb.net Portugal Unioninkatu 22, tel. (+358 9) 682 4370 Republic of Korea Erottajankatu 7, http://fin.mofat.go.kr/english/eu/fin/main/index.jsp Romania Stenb채ckinkatu 24, http://helsinki.mae.ro Russia Tehtaankatu 1 B, http://www.rusembassy.fi Slovakia Annankatu 25 tel. (+358 9) 6811 7810 Spain Kalliolinnantie 6, http://www.maec.es/subwebs/Embajadas/Helsinki South Africa Rahapajankatu 1 A 5, http://www.southafricanembassy.fi Sweden Pohjoisesplanadi 7 B, http://www.swedenabroad.com/Start____8735.aspx Turkey Puistokatu 1 b A 3, http://helsinki.emb.mfa.gov.tr United States It채inen Puistotie 14 A, http://finland.usembassy.gov

Gloria Centre for Multiculturalism Kauppakatu 18 C 35 Gloria provides information on foreign cultures to Finns and information on the Finnish culture to foreigners. The Centre also aims at preventing racism and racial prejudice. www.monikulttuurikeskus-gloria.fi

11.2. Other Useful Addresses Immigrant Services Puistokatu 2 C The Office for Foreigners helps immigrants in their adjustment to Finnish society and supports the preservation of their own cultural identity. It also seeks to promote the development of our society into a multicultural community accepting diversity. http://www.jkl.fi/sote/maahanmuuttajat/maahanmuuttajapal velut/immigrantservices

FINFO information service You can ask questions about education, employment, health and social issues in Finland in your own language

55

11.3. Some Useful Web Sites

on the telephone or by e-mail. Tel. +358 207 40 1160, email: info@finfonet.fi. More information: www.finfonet.fi.

FINFO Advice Services http://www.finfonet.fi/

Finnish Immigration Service Lautatarhankatu 10, Helsinki (Postal address: P.O.Box 18, FI- 00581 Helsinki) maahanmuuttovirasto@migri.fi http://www.migri.fi

Information on FInnish higher education http://www.studyinfinland.fi/ The Finnish Student Health Service (YTHS) http://www.yths.fi/

Centre for International Mobility CIMO

Things you should and shouldn’t know about Finland http://finland.fi/

Hakaniemenranta 6, Helsinki E-mail: cimoinfo@cimo.fi www.studyinfinland.fi

Travelling in Finland http://www.visitfinland.com/

CIMO is a Finnish governmental agency operating in the field of international mobility. Please contact CIMO also to find information about Finnish courses arranged in different towns in Finland.

Finnish weather http://www.fmi.fi/en/ http://www.foreca.com

National Board of Education Hakaniemenranta 6, Helsinki http://www.oph.fi/

City of Jyväskylä http://www.jkl.fi/lang Jyväskylä Regional Tourist Information http://jyvaskylanseutu.fi/travel/jsm

Ministry for Foreign Affairs Merikasarminkatu 5 F, Laivastokatu 22 A, Helsinki +358 9 160 05 http://formin.finland.fi/

56

12. THE FINNISH EXPERIENCE

problems and provide you with information. If you get a negative answer to your request it is not likely to change by asking the same question over and over again or by trying to get a different answer from someone else in the same office. Persistence in such cases is considered rude and annoying, and might have quite the opposite effect to what you want.

12.1. The Way We Are It usually takes some time to adapt to a culture that is different from one’s own, but after a while, you will probably notice that despite our national characteristics we are not so very different after all.

Please keep in mind, though, that these are all generalisations. On the other hand, taking the differences between conversation styles into consideration is useful.

Due to the process of internationalisation in various fields, the typical stereotype of a silent Finn is slowly but surely breaking and the Finns are becoming more and more international. Whether this leads to drastic changes in our national character remains to be seen. It certainly takes a lot of sisu (= ‘guts’) to transform Finns into anything. You will find supplementary information about Finns and Finnish culture on the internet, at and http://www.kulttuuri.net.

The foreign language skills of Finns could be described by saying that people know more than they show. Most Finns have learnt the basic skills of at least one foreign language at school, the most common language being English, with German and French following not that far behind (as mentioned before, Swedish is not a foreign language in Finland). Thus, English is quite widely spoken and understood among us and you will be able to deal with your official business in English. However, you may notice that some Finns are a bit shy to use a foreign language, especially in a group conversation.

12.2. A Few Common Expressions

One thing that might strike you as a bit peculiar is our great tolerance of silence in conversation. A Finn may talk with you excitedly for several minutes and then suddenly there is a long pause - for no apparent reason. Generally, Finns speak up when they feel that there is something significant to say and silence is sometimes tolerated, and even preferred to empty phrases. Indeed, there is a Finnish saying that goes, ‘speech is silver, but silence is gold’. When a Finn says something, he/she usually means it, too. So, if a Finn suggests that you could have lunch together sometime you are usually to consider this as a real invitation, not just small talk.

Finnish is not among the easiest languages in the world, but you need not worry - as mentioned above, you can usually manage quite well by using English. However, Finns are always very pleased and positively surprised if a foreigner knows even a few words of Finnish. Below is a list of a few simple, very common expressions. hello see you good morning cheers! good night maybe

In any office, be it at the university or outside, the personnel will usually be willing to help you with your 57

hei/terve/moi hei/moi hyvää huomenta kippis! hyvää yötä ehkä

How do you do thank you see you you’re welcome yes How are you?

päivää kiitos hei/moi ole hyvä kyllä Mitä kuuluu?

no excuse me I don’t understand good night Can you help me?

ei anteeksi en ymmärrä Hyvää yötä Voitko auttaa minua?

but occasionally it gets colder, even down to -30 C°.

Fortunately, Finnish houses are equipped with tripleglazed windows and central heating, so you will have no reason to worry. However, when you go out of doors in cold weather, it is always wise to be wary of frostbite - that is best done by wearing appropriate clothing. But do not let this discourage you from going out, since very cold days have an atmosphere of their own which you should not miss!

After the winter solstice in December, the amount of light slowly but steadily increases again. However, you need to wait until the end of March until the day once more outlasts the night (spring equinox). The day becomes longer and longer and although it might still snow a little occasionally, the snow gradually melts away. Spring is slowly but surely on its way again.

12.3. Snowbound Those of you who have not experienced a Nordic winter before may have a lot of questions in mind. To help you come to terms with the winter season, we suggest that you think of it as a sequence of several distinct phases, each of which has an atmosphere of its own, rather than a long period of coldness. By accepting it as it comes, you will find the winter in Jyväskylä a rewarding experience.

Typically, Finns themselves complain about the weather more than the visitors.

As a first sign of winter the streets are filled with slush every now and then, but eventually everything is covered in real snow. The months from December to February are a time of stillness. There is no kaamos in this part of Finland - that is, the sun always rises above the horizon but the light hours are not that many during mid-winter. As for the temperature, a typical mid-winter reading in Jyväskylä would be something between -5 C° and -15 C°, 58

GENERAL UNIVERSITY TERMINOLOGY: ENGLISH FINNISH

to enrol......................................................kirjoittautua essay...................................................essee, tutkielma exam..........................................tentti, koe, kuulustelu examination results..................................tenttitulokset exercises....................................................harjoitukset faculty..........................................................tiedekunta foreign student.......................ulkomaalainen opiskelija form..................................................................lomake general studies..........................................yleisopinnot grade..............................................................arvosana to graduate.....................suoririttaa tutkinto, valmistua health (care) service.............................terveydenhoito international..........................................kansainvälinen Language Centre.........................................kielikeskus language studies........................................kieliopinnot lecture.......................................……………….luento lecturer.......................................................luennoitsija lecture room.................................................luentosali licentiate......................................................lisensiaatti main building...........................................päärakennus main / major subject........................................pääaine mark.............................................................arvosana Master of.........................................................maisteri Master’s programme...........................maisteriohjelma membership fee……….............................jäsenmaksu minor subject....................................................sivuaine Office…............................................................toimisto optional……...............................................valinnainen postgraduate degree...................................jatkotutkinto

academic year…………………………….lukuvuosi administration building......................hallintorakennus advanced studies............................syventävät opinnot amanuensis...............................................amanuenssi assistentti.......................................................assistant attendance......................................................läsnäolo autumn semester...................................syyslukukausi Bachelor of..................................................kandidaatti basic degree............................................perustutkinto basic studies...........................................perusopinnot bureau...................................toimisto, virasto, kanslia cafe...................................................................kahvila cafeteria............................................................ruokala certificate.........................................................todistus certificate of registration.....................opiskelutodistus to charge a fee..........................................periä maksu compulsory..................................................pakollinen computer.......................................................tietokone Computing Centre.....................................ATK-keskus consultation hours...............................vastaanottoaika course..........................kurssi, opintojakso, oppimäärä credit, credit unit.......................................opintoviikko degree.............................................tutkinto,oppiarvod egree programme...............................koulutusohjelma department..........................................................laitos docent.............................................................dosentti Doctor................................................................tohtori 59

professor.......................................................professori to register...............................ilmoittautua, kirjoittautua registration certificate..........................opiskelutodistus residence permit.........................................oleskelulupa seminar...........................................................seminaari spring semester......................................kevätlukukausi student............................................................opiskelija student card............................................opiskelijakortti Student Union........................................ylioppilaskunta to study............................................................opiskella Study Counsellor.....................................opinto-ohjaaja subject.....................................................aine, oppiaine subject studies............................................aineopinnot teacher...............................................................opettaja transcript..........................opinto-ote, opintorekisteriote tuition fee..............................................lukukausimaksu undergraduate degree‌‌.......................perustutkinto university..........................................................yliopisto University Library...............................yliopiston kirjasto

60

CHECKLISTS Before arrival

 Remember to apply for accommodation no later than 1 June (if you are arriving in September) or 1 November (if you are arriving in January).

 Citizens

of non-EU/EEA countries should apply for a residence permit well in advance. Remember to obtain appropriate health insurance and attach details of it to your residence permit application. Further information: http://www.migri.fi

 Follow the registration instructions which have been sent to you together with the letter of admission (degree and visiting students) or as part of the Mobility Online application procedure (exchange students).

 Apply for a student card at http://www.lyyra.fi/eng/.  Inform your student tutor of your exact time of arrival in Jyväskylä  Write down the mobile phone number of your tutor and take it with you. Call him/her if you do not find each other or if your travel plans change the last minute.

 Bring your passport and the letter of admission with you. You will need them for example when opening a bank account.

 Bring

enough money to pay for the rent (€ 200-300 per month), Survival Kit (€ 60; optional, exchange/visiting students only) and the Student Union membership fee (€94.50year, € 48/autumn semester, € 50 spring semester) (if you have not taken care of the fee beforehand)

 If you are an EU or EEA citizen, obtain a European Health Insurance Card from the local social security office in your home country and/or acquire private medical insurance

 If you come from a country outside the EU or EEA, obtain private medical insurance Your first days in Jyväskylä:

 Sign your lease  Open a bank account if necessary (your tutor will help you with this)  Pay the student union membership fee (if you have not done so in advance)  Register at the university and apply for the Finnish student card (if you have not done so in advance)  Contact your host department  Take part in the orientation programme 61

 If you come from an EU or EEA country, register at the police station after you have registered at the university (that is, if your stay in Finland exceeds 3 months and you are not a citizen of a Nordic country). Fee 47 euros.

 Submit your personal identity data to the Population Information System for registration, if you stay in Finland for

longer than one year. This should be done in writing. Forms are available at the Registration Office (Maistraatti), post office and Social Insurance Institution (KELA)

 If you study in Finland for at least two years, apply for domicile (home municipality) at the Registry Office (Maistraatti, Yliopistonkatu 28, open Mon-Fri 9-16.15)

 Check out the courses you would like to take and enrol in them  Join the foreign students’ mailing list at http://lists.jyu.fi/mailman/listinfo/fs-news Before going home:

 Give notice in writing to end your lease at least one calendar month before you intend to move  Arrange a moving out inspection time at the accommodation office  Give your account number and the address of your bank in your home country to the accommodation office in order to receive the housing deposit back

 Return all the library books you have borrowed  Return your Survival Kit to the Secretary of the Kortepohja Student Village. Remember to make an appointment beforehand (kylasihteeri@jyy.fi)

 Make sure that your rent, sauna fees and other bills are paid  Close your bank account  Make an official notice of moving to the Registration Office (if you have lived in Finland for more than a year)  Notify the post office about your change of residence so that your post will be forwarded to your new address  Fill in the departure information form in Mobility Online (exchange students only). A transcript of records will be sent to the address(es) you have given in the form 1-2 months after your departure

 Pick up a Letter Confirmation (a certificate with the exact dates of your arrival and departure) from the International Office personally no earlier than one week before departure

 Unsubscribe from the foreign students’ mailing list at http://lists.jyu.fi/mailman/listinfo/fs-news  Clean up your apartment (both your room and the common areas: kitchen, bathroom and hallway)  Do not leave any personal belongings in the apartment. They will be disposed and a fee charged (and deducted from your housing deposit) for each item

62

YOUR NOTES

63

64

Amica veritas

Finland

University of jyväskylä

University of Jyväskylä International Office

P.O.Box 35 FI-40014 University of Jyväskylä

international-office@jyu.fi www.jyu.fi/study