Student life in Helsinki

Student accommodation in Helsinki

Obviously, you will need a place to stay. Trying your luck in the open housing market is an option, but an expensive one. The place to turn to is The Foundation for Student Housing in the Helsinki Region (Hoas). It has the sole purpose of accommodating students in the Helsinki Metropolitan area, including municipalities. Available are nearly 10 000 apartments for shorter or longer periods, for whole terms or just for summer.

The selection is rather wide, ranging from family apartments to rooms with a shared kitchen to furnished studios. However, most flats in Helsinki are unfurnished. Different sizes and prices are meant to reflect different life situations. But, one rule is not negotiable – smoking is not allowed.

Applications can be sent four months prior to your planned arrival, provided you have secured your place of study. And credit information is checked without any exception. Applications must be renewed after three months in case you still haven't been able to get accommodation.

The size of the apartment or flat is not the only criteria dictating the rent. It is obviously higher the nearer the place is to your school or university. Also, the further away you choose to live from downtown, the cheaper the rent. On average, it is around 13 Euros per square metre.

The student card in Helsinki

Secondly, you should meet Frank. He fits in well inside your pocket or your mobile phone. In 2013, a student card was renamed Frank. It is available to all students from high school to a master's level, including international exchange students. It functions as a means of identification and offers you reductions in various services, goods and shops ranging from theatres to accessories, from mobile phones to cruises. The ones you might appreciate most are lowered prices at university restaurants (Unicafe), gyms (Unisports) and public transport.

Health care for students in Helsinki

What if you are hit by flu or twist your ankle? Finnish Students Health Service helps you not only with general health issues, but it also has services for oral health and for questions concerning mental well-being. However, bigger operations are excluded. University students and the ones studying at other higher education institutions, including international students, have a right to use the services. You only have to pay the annual health care fee, which is part of the student union membership fee of around 100 Euros.

Events in Helsinki

Student life would be wasted without some fun and a proper party now and then. In Helsinki, universities have very active student unions and unions (fifteen of them) whose membership is based on some geographical area. One of the largest one is The Nation of Southern Finland. Most events and parties are open to non-members as well.

There is always a reason good enough for a few or more drinks, but the real party season is around the first of May. The students celebrate the arrival of spring and the end of term for a week or so. For some reason, among the students, karaoke is a big thing. Head towards Karaokekellari and Pata-Ässä for a good amateur performance. Other popular student hang-outs are Botta, Hämis and Thirsty Scholar right next to the Helsinki University main building. And if you are into lawyers and uniforms, the place to go is Kaarle XII. Traditionally, Thursday nights have gathered lawyers-to-be and on Saturdays, students at the National Defence University have a right to pass the queue. At least, in their opinion.

 Useful links:

HOAS - Home for students
Finnish Student Health Service
HYY
Frank - Finnish Student card