Living in Finland - 2012/2013

Good morning,

Since I've been admitted as a full-time degree student to a Finnish university (Åbo Akademi University in Turku), I’ll be studying and living in Finland for at least one year.

I know that there are a lot of Finnish people in XJ, and I was wondering if some you guys, Finnish people and others, were willing to share some tips/opinions/advice on the life there : like the cost of living (food, drinks, smokes, night activities ...), the places I should visit in Finland... anything a foreign student should do/experience there.

I know I could just search on Google, but I thought that it would be way more interesting to discuss about that here.

Cheers!

Well in Finland the food/alcohol is pretty costly compared to other countries in Europe. You are living in Turku, it is often referred as the ass hole of Finland because it's a terrible place to live.

I'm sure people from Turku or near Turku will know more about Finland so I'll just let them answer what the night activities and best dining places are. I only know places in our capital, Helsinki.

It's pretty warm in summer, 30+ Celsius easily. In winter (Januaru, February) it can get as low as -30 Celsius.

Finnish people are pretty helpful, if you are lost and need help, don't hesitate to ask the locals, they will help you 99% of the time.

Pack of cigarettes cost 4,50 euros + and a 24-pack of beer is about 22 euros.

In pubs/clubs, it varies VERY much, somewhere it could be 1 euro for a beer and other place it's 4,50 euros. Average seems to be 2,50 - 3,50 though.

There's nothing to see in Finland.

Okay I gotta say I'm one of them who says Turku is a crappy place, but that mentality is only coming from somewhat joking, I live in Tampere and especially people from Helsinki like to joke that we are slow. Turku probably got it's reputation from their silly finnish dialect and the fact that there are some Finland-Swedes (they have the worst reputation). So yes you're right it's related to Sweden :D

As far as I think of this is only in a joking manner, so do most of us.

Finland isn't a cheap place to live, high tax percentages etc... But you'll live like most of us. As you are a student, you get enough money to come by, but not alot :p

finzEr, feel free to ask me anything if you need help in here :-) I'm not from Turku, but I might know something general, and it's also easier for us to search something in Finnish ;)

Nevermind all the jokes about Turku, it's a great place. I've visited it multiple times. My thoughts? Beautiful views on the river Aurajoki dividing the whole city, a lot bridges, a bit funny dialect spoken there and nice people. Seems like a nice place to live, not a small village but either not the biggest city :)

But yeah, you can add me in skype/steam/whatever if you want to chat me or ask some questions!

And in addition, if you have a smartphone, make sure you have "Foursquare" app and you can find the best places around! It has gained very high popularity here in Finland lately, so there are really good tips, advices and reviews about places!