Studying Abroad

You can find the most comprehensive information on studying or internships abroad on the homepage of the ZIB (Center for International Relations).

ZIB - Overview of foreign programs

In the field of forestry, which is of course also associated with HNT, there are various partner universities all over the world. In addition to the well-known ERASMUS program (Europe), you will find numerous other opportunities for exchange programs and scholarships. There is, of course, the possibility to write diploma theses abroad or to receive a grant for an internship. Feel free to contact STV FW HW. The employees of the ZIB also have regular consultation hours. Regardless of exchange programs lasting one or two semesters, there is also the possibility to take the entire Master's degree in another country or to take part in a double degree program.Below is an experience report about a stay abroad.

An experience report:

Die Helsinki University of Technology (TKK)

If someone from you plans an international semester and is still irresolute, where the journey is to go (end of January is already again registration period), here a few experiences from Finland. The TKK was admittedly not my first choice, but has proved itself as a real luck. There is a really rich range of courses in English, as well as numerous English courses (see links). You can even do the master (completely in English and does not pay even study fees). For woodworkers the Dept. F. Forest Products Technology, Dep. f. Industrial Engineering and Management and the Language Center. I myself have the bulk of my courses at Dep. f. Industrial engineering. The Dept. Has rightly a good reputation and the courses are highly recommended (eg Quality Management, New Venture Development, Leadership in Organizations).The campus is located on a peninsula in the east of Espoo (Otaniemi). In addition to the university there are student halls, a sports hall with fitness center and practically everything you need for your daily life (2 small supermarkets, post office, bank, scripted shop). To the next shopping centers in Tapiola or Leppävara it is 5 - 10 min by bus, to the center of Helsinki good 15 min. The location is truly gorgeous, right behind the Wood Tech. Laboratory begins a bird sanctuary.The support of foreign students is very good (I had 2 tutors, there are also Study Adviser and Guild of the guild), there are regular events and activities organized and there is a huge offer of leisure activities (of course, if you are on the Campus, but later on under 'Tipps'). The notion that one is united and dull in cold and dark Finland is absolutely not true. The TKK attaches great importance to internationality. In addition to Europeans, you will meet people from all over the world.

Tips

Summer or winter semester?

The WS starts here in September and ends before Christmas. Immediately after New Year begins the SS and lasts until May. From this point of view the WS offers the advantage that it does not overlap with our university times. Weather is the SS but surely the more beautiful season (Hochwinter with snow guarantee and then the spring).

I am already in the summer to look at a lot (is highly recommended), with the autumn weather I was lucky, almost always sun (the autumn can rain it here totally). Is not Finland very expensive? Even if Finland is more the 'cheaper' of the Scandinavian countries, some things are really expensive: food and drink in restaurants / bars, hairdresser, private living, alcohol (especially wine and spirits).

Nevertheless, the student life is not really more expensive than with us. The food in the cafeteria costs around 2 € (state-supported), the prices in the supermarket are not much above ours and at student festivals is the standard price for 1 Seidl 1 €. There are also discounts for students on certain days in some clubs in Helsinki.

Where to stay?

Apply for a room at TKY (Student Union) and not at HOAS. Otherwise you live somewhere (most likely not in Otaniemi) and pays for it much more. My room costs only € 196 a month and I live right next to the campus.

EILC Language Course?

The language course provides quite easy earned ECTS points, organizing companies and getting to know people already. The downside, whether one is taken is only shortly before - no time to plan anything else or book a cheap flight. I did a Scandinavian trip instead and during the semester I did a language course at the university (but it is harder).

Guilds and ESN

Guilds are unpolitical in contrast to student connections in the German-speaking countries. There is practically every member of his guild (depending on the department). In addition to practical issues (test questions, a separate mailbox for scripts), a lot of events are organized. As for the Forest Products tech guild (with the yellow overalls), I can only say that people are really a concern for foreign students. You are invited to events, can ask for studies and has really the opportunity to get to know Finns (this usually only happens at parties after one or the other beer). - Conclusion: necessarily member, costs also only 5 € / Sem.The people of the Erasmus Student Network organize special events for foreign students (eg a hike to the Nuuksio National Park, a film evening, cooking evening, and trips to St. Petersburg).

Sport and freetime

In addition to a fitness center, there is a large number of sports and other leisure facilities. Either you attend a sports course (as with us at the USI) or you become a member in a club. There are really many (even a climbing club with its own boulder room) in Otaniemi, as well as numerous clubs that do not have sporting activities (eg a comdey club, techno club, heavy metal club, wine club ...).

Do not cheat!

In Finland you can go to a test as often as you want, only if you are caught cheating or 'forget' all the work you have to say, you can get bigger problems - also applies to foreigners.Even if the offer of lectures is tempting, one should not take too much. The WS takes practically 3 months and is divided into 2 periods. After each one there is an examination week. Sometimes quite a lot is required (examination + report (= about a seminar work)), because it is then temporarily very stressful. However, you can get in advance on the homepage of the course, what is required and whether the ECTS points is really worth.

Log In

In January you have to apply for a Mag. Sinner at the ZIB (form can be found on the homepage). If you then have the pledge, you have to apply again directly at the TKK. Professor Teischinger is responsible for the study plan / credits.

Holiday tips

It is highly recommended to start the Erasmus semester by getting to know the country. Here are a few tips, which can be reached easily from Helsinki.The best time to travel in Scandinavia is late spring or summer (at least to look a bit). In autumn / winter, it is easy to get cold, dark and weather-resistant. Also from the middle of September virtually all leisure activities / open air museums and excursion boats closed or are not in operation.

Sweden

A trip by ferry to Stockholm (eg Viking-Line) is a really great experience, especially in the summer with good weather (sunset at the sea, in the morning the trip through the arch landscapes). In Stockholm I can recommend the Vasa Museum and Skansen (open-air museum with historical wooden houses and an animal park, nice view) or a trip to Uppsala (cathedral, beautiful botanical garden next to the castle grounds, hilltopers from the Viking age and museum in Gamla-Uppsala) ,

Lapland

Ideal for hiking (eg in the Fjell center Kiilopää in Northern Lapland), there are only a few places to visit (eg the Siida Museum in Inari, from there also a nice walk to the wooden church of Pielppajärvi, the Arktikum in Rovaniemi ).At the end of August there are (almost) no Gelsen more, but still pleasant temperatures. Even more beautiful would be the time of the foliage coloring in September, but then begins the university. Both can be easily combined with a Scanrail-FlexiTicket: (5-day train ride in Scandinavia within 2 months, also brings a 40% discount on the ferry.) Scanrail and ferry ticket are already bookable in Vienna at the Verkehrsbüro.

For drivers

Stick to Tempolimits!

In Finland there are penalties at astronomical heights (locals pay according to income - a Nokia boss can drop a few hundred thousand euros - no kidding)
In Lapland, I have not seen a single police riot (but not a rescue), one must constantly expect reindeer to cross the road and the villagers can hardly be seen from afar. (They also all belong to someone, so you pay not only the car damage!)

ESN trip to St. Petersburg

She is organized by a native of St. Petersburg, who also studied in Helsinki, during the semester. He is a state-certified travel guide, speaks perfect English and offers the trip especially for students - is really cheap (except the visa), you see a lot and also has a lot of fun.

Tallin

As a day trip or overnight. Beautiful old town center and good inns and restaurants at reasonable prices. Finns usually use the trip for 'private imports'.

Links:

Helsinki University of Technology

www.tkk.fi/English/

Kurse in Englisch am Institut für Wood-Technology

wood.tkk.fi/english/studying/courses.html

Kurse in Englisch am Institut für Wood-Chemistry

www.tkk.fi/Units/Forestpc/studying/courses.html

Kurse am Dep. f. Industrial Engineering and Management
www.tuta.hut.fi/studies/Courses_and_schedules/courses_and_schedules_E.php

www.tuta.hut.fi/studies/Courses_and_schedules/courses_and_schedules_E.php

Englisch-Kurse

language.tkk.fi/courses/english/courses.htm

Finnisch-Kurse