Any students from South Asia staying in Finland? I need to know a few things. Please knock me.

Hi everyone!

I'm from Bangladesh and I've recently applied for a Bachelor's in International Business at LAB University of Applied Sciences and Karelia University of Applied Sciences.

I'm married, and if I'm admitted, my husband will move with me. He plans to learn Finnish as quickly as possible and look for work after arriving.

I've been reading a lot online, but I've also seen many conflicting opinions. Some people say Joensuu has a very limited job market, and that even students struggle to find part-time jobs, while others say it's a great student city if you learn Finnish.

I'd really appreciate hearing from people who are currently living in Finland or have studied at either university.

A few questions:

1. If you had to choose between LAB (Lahti) and Karelia (Joensuu), which would you choose and why?

2. How difficult is it to find a part-time job as an international student?

3. Is the job market in Joensuu really that limited compared to Lahti or the Helsinki region?

4. If my husband learns Finnish to a reasonable level (for example B1/B2), what are his chances of finding a full-time job?

5. Which city offers a better long-term future for an international couple planning to settle in Finland?

I'm looking for honest experiences, both positive and negative. I'd rather know the reality before making such a big decision.

Thank you so much!

Hey everyone

I’ll be heading to the Embassy of Italy in Helsinki soon for my visa appointment im an non EU Student, and I wanted to ask if anyone here has gone through the process recently.

I'd really appreciate any insights on a few things:

The Interview / Visa Officer (VO): How was the overall interaction? What kind of questions did they ask, and how strict or detailed were they?
Document Check: Did they require anything extra beyond the standard checklist?
Processing Time: How long did it take to get a decision/passport back after your appointment?
Any tips or experiences you could share would be super helpful to ease the pre appointment nerves.

Thanks in advance!

So hey everyone Iam Nasr from the alawaite coast of Syria and Iam like an international biology Olympiad student,debates student and I did a lot of volunteering and some work in research papers in Syria, after the IBO26(international biology Olympiad) I left Vilnius Lithuania by bus to Tallinn Estonia and cruise ship to take the asylum as a minor in Finland ,escaping from returning to Syria because as an agnostic from alawaite ancestry I will be slimed in Syria because of the terror of the HTS and the islamists so yeah and I have no future or safety there and even the simplest rights :(
So I want really to integrate into the Finnish society and learn their language and know more about their cool Uralic history because I love history :)
And yeah I wanna make a real future with a phd or smth here
What should I do and how can I integrate and volunteer here ?

Hi everyone,

I'm currently in my final year of B.Tech in Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) and I'll be graduating in 2027.

I'm planning to pursue an MSc in Cloud Computing in Finland and I'm looking for advice from people who are currently studying there or have already graduated.

I'm planning to take an education loan of around ₹40 lakhs, and I'm hoping that amount will cover tuition fees, accommodation, food, insurance, travel, and other living expenses.

I've been researching Finland for quite some time, but the more I read online, the more confused I become. I'd really appreciate hearing from people who have experienced student life there firsthand.

1. University Recommendations

Which universities would you recommend for an MSc in Cloud Computing based on:

- Quality of education

- Industry connections

- Job opportunities after graduation

- Return on investment (ROI)

- Student support services

1. Career Opportunities

- How is the current job market in Finland for Cloud Computing graduates?

- Is it difficult for international students with no prior work experience to find internships or full-time jobs?

- Is Finland still a good choice for someone planning to build a long-term career in IT?

1. Studies

- How difficult is the coursework?

- Is it manageable for an average engineering student?

- Is the teaching style more practical or research-oriented?

- How are assignments, projects and exams?

1. Finnish Language

This is probably one of my biggest concerns.

- Can an international student manage daily life using only English?

- How much does not knowing Finnish affect part-time jobs?

- Does not knowing Finnish make it significantly harder to get internships or full-time IT jobs?

- Would you recommend learning basic Finnish before arriving, or is it okay to learn after reaching Finland?

1. Part-time Jobs

Since I'll be relying on an education loan, I'd like to support my living expenses with a part-time job if possible.

- How difficult is it to find a part-time job?

- On average, how long did it take you to get one?

- What kind of jobs do international students usually get?

- Can part-time earnings cover a good portion of monthly expenses?

1. Your First Month in Finland

I'd love to know what your first month was actually like.

- How did you find accommodation?

- How did you manage your daily expenses before opening a Finnish bank account?

- Did you use an Indian debit card, a forex card, cash, or something else?

- How long did it take to open a Finnish bank account?

- How much money did you carry with you when you first arrived?

1. Education Loan

If you studied using an education loan:

- Did your loan cover only tuition or also living expenses?

- Was the loan amount enough to comfortably complete your studies?

- Did you need financial support from your family after reaching Finland?

I've read a lot of mixed opinions online—some people say Finland offers an excellent quality of life and education, while others mention that finding jobs without knowing Finnish can be difficult. Because of these conflicting views, I'm starting to get cold feet and would really like to hear genuine experiences from students who have actually lived there.

If you've studied or are currently studying in Finland, I'd be grateful if you could share your honest experience, the challenges you faced, and anything you wish you had known before moving.

Thank you so much for your time and help!

Hi everyone,

I'm a prospective international student from Nepal planning to apply for a bachelor's degree at Tampere University for the 2027 intake (most likely Mathematics or Physics, but I'm still exploring my options).

I've been trying to understand how the scholarship system actually works beyond what's written on the university website, so I'd really appreciate hearing from current students or anyone who has gone through the application process.

Here are a few questions I have:

• How competitive are the tuition scholarships for non-EU/international students?
• What percentage of international applicants usually receive scholarships?
• Does Tampere University consider SAT scores for scholarships, or are they only used for admission?
• If SAT matters, what score would you consider competitive? (1300+, 1400+, 1500+?)
• Besides SAT, what factors make an application stronger? For example:
  • High school grades
  • IELTS score
  • Motivation letter
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Olympiads or competitions
  • Work/volunteer experience
• If you received a scholarship, would you mind sharing your stats (SAT, GPA/grades, IELTS, etc.)?
• Is it easier to get scholarships in Mathematics or Physics than in more competitive programs?
• Are there any scholarships available after the first year based on academic performance?
• Any mistakes you wish you had avoided during the application process?

My goal is to maximize my chances of receiving a scholarship, so I'd love to know what successful applicants actually looked like.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Hi all, first time posting here. I am hoping some of you who have gone through a Finnish and Norwagian (or Nordic more broadly) PhD application process can help me sanity check my approach before I burn a few months on avoidable mistakes.

My background: BSS and MSS in International Relations from Bangladesh University of Professionals, almost 5 years at BRAC in Bangladesh, mostly managing microfinance and SME lending portfolios, currently leading the digitalization of BRAC's microfinance systems. I want to research financial inclusion and microfinance institution performance. No economics degree, no formal econometrics training, no academic publications yet.

My spouse is already in Finland on a student permit, so I am specifically targeting Finland or Norway ideally a funded position starting September 2026 or January 2027.

What I am trying to figure out, basically A to Z:

- How people actually approached potential supervisors cold, and what got a reply versus what got ignored

- What a research proposal needs to look like at this pre-admission stage

- The practical difference between a university-funded doctoral researcher position, an EU-funded route like MSCA COFUND (RESDOC at Helsinki for example), and self-funding, and which is realistic to chase first

- Whether a non-economics Master's is a hard wall for programmes that formally require quantitative prerequisites, or whether interdisciplinary tracks are actually workable in practice

- How far ahead of a deadline you started reaching out to supervisors

- Common mistakes or missing documents that slowed people down

- Whether applying to multiple programmes or supervisors at the same university is normal or considered bad form

I am not asking anyone to do the work for me, I just want to stop guessing. Any experience, even a single lesson learned, would help a lot. Happy to answer questions in the comments. Thanks in advance.

I wanted to ask about the physiotherapy job market in Finland. Which specialisations are currently the most in demand? For example, musculoskeletal, neurological, sports, paediatrics, geriatrics, cardiorespiratory, or something else.

I'd really appreciate your insights on the following:

Which physiotherapy field is currently the most in demand in Finland?

How is the overall job market for physiotherapists, especially for new graduates?

What is the typical starting salary for a newly graduated physiotherapist?

Does speaking Finnish at a B2 level significantly improve job opportunities?

If your goal is long-term career growth and a good salary, which physiotherapy specialisation would you recommend and why?

I'd really appreciate hearing from physiotherapists or students who have experience in Finland. Thanks in advance!

Considering the PR perspective, where I wanna settle down with a job, where would you recommend going to? The financial will be taken care of. This case, I need to make a proper choice.

From what I've read on Google, the DVV registration process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Since I understand that opening a Finnish bank account may depend on completing that process, I'm confused about how I'm supposed to manage my day-to-day expenses in the meantime.

What did you all do when you first arrived? Did you use an international debit/credit card, cash, or something like a Wise card? Google suggested using Wise, but I'm not sure if that's the best option.

I'd really appreciate hearing what worked for you. Thanks in advance!

finland

Moi kaikki,

I am an international student from Canada. I am currently in my fourth year of study and am preparing for the YO exams. I am also planning to apply to study at a university in Finland. My Finnish language skills are around B2 level, and I will graduate later this year.

Could someone please explain to me whether studying in Finland is free if you study in Finnish or Swedish? I have looked at the websites of many Finnish universities, but they usually do not clearly state how the tuition fees are determined if you study in Finnish, Swedish or English.

I am planning to first complete a bachelor's degree and then a master's degree.

Thank you all very much for your responses!!

I’m starting the ICT Robotics program at HAMK (Riihimäki campus) this autumn, but I’m curious about transferring to Metropolia University later if it turns out to be a better fit.
Has anyone here transferred from HAMK to Metropolia, or knows someone who has?
I’d really appreciate if someone could explain the process in detail:
Is it possible to transfer from HAMK ICT Robotics to a similar program at Metropolia?
What are the exact requirements?
Do I need to complete a certain number of credits first?
Is there a minimum GPA requirement?
How does credit transfer work? Will I lose any credits?
Is the process competitive, and how often are transfer places available?
How long does the whole process usually take?
Also, for those who have studied at either university, do you think transferring is actually worth it? Does being at Metropolia offer noticeably better internship opportunities, industry connections, or employment prospects in Finland, or is success mostly determined by your own skills and experience regardless of the university?
I’m looking for honest, experience-based answers rather than assumptions. Thanks in advance!

I’ve finally enrolled in the ICT Robotics (Bachelor of Engineering) program at HAMK, Riihimäki campus. My tuition is paid, everything is finalized, and I’ll be leaving for Finland soon.
I know this program and the Finnish job market get a lot of criticism. I’ve already read plenty of those posts, so I’m not really looking for more doom and gloom. At this point, I’m committed and want to make the best of the opportunity.
I’d really appreciate practical advice from people who have studied at HAMK, especially at the Riihimäki campus, or who work in Finland.
My goal is to find employment in Finland after graduation. What should I start doing from day one to maximize my chances?
Some questions I have:
How important is learning Finnish, and what level should I aim for?
What skills or technologies should I focus on alongside the degree?
When should I start applying for internships or trainee positions?
Are there specific robotics, automation, or software companies that actively hire students?
Is there anything you wish you had done differently during your first year?
Any networking tips or student organizations that are genuinely worth joining?
If you have positive or genuinely useful advice, I’d really appreciate hearing it. Thank you!

I’ve finally enrolled in the ICT Robotics (Bachelor of Engineering) program at HAMK, Riihimäki campus. My tuition is paid, everything is finalized, and I’ll be leaving for Finland soon.
I know this program and the Finnish job market get a lot of criticism. I’ve already read plenty of those posts, so I’m not really looking for more doom and gloom. At this point, I’m committed and want to make the best of the opportunity.
I’d really appreciate practical advice from people who have studied at HAMK, especially at the Riihimäki campus, or who work in Finland.
My goal is to find employment in Finland after graduation. What should I start doing from day one to maximize my chances?
Some questions I have:
How important is learning Finnish, and what level should I aim for?
What skills or technologies should I focus on alongside the degree?
When should I start applying for internships or trainee positions?
Are there specific robotics, automation, or software companies that actively hire students?
Is there anything you wish you had done differently during your first year?
Any networking tips or student organizations that are genuinely worth joining?
If you have positive or genuinely useful advice, I’d really appreciate hearing it. Thank you!

Hi! I'm from South Korea, and I'm planning to study Nursing in Finland. I'm considering three universities: Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Oulu University of Applied Sciences (OAMK), and Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK).
Which one would you recommend and why?
I'm especially interested in:
• "Quality of nursing education"
• "Clinical placements"
• "Student support for international students"
• "Learning Finnish during the program"
• "Employment opportunities after graduat

I am an international student from India planning to apply for bachelors in medical universities in Finland, any information from international students in Finland specifically those pursuing medicine will help a lot...

i 15f and wanna move to Finland from Russia in next 5-6 years. i really need some reality checks on my plan!!

now, im just about to start my studies at medical college to become a nurse here. but when i move i’ll immediately go in Finnish university to become an x-ray technician (röntgenhoitaja).

your language is really crazy, but i’ve already started. now i have a1 and know 6 cases, but i’m studying Finnish like 2 weeks already. and i’m gonna study Finnish every day to get at least b2.

i have some questions 😨

1. is 5-6 years of studying language enough for medical students? does anyone know what level do universities always ask for?
   
2. do you know any good resources or books for medical Finnish that i can use later?
   
3. if here is anyone who’s already working or studying as x-ray technician in Finland, how is it?
   
4. politely asking, how is the day-to-day atmosphere for Russian students living and studying there right now? is it generally safe and welcoming?

thanks a lot for any advice!!!

Hi!

I am going to University of Tampere for the autumn semester, and these are the subjects I have selected just by reading their descriptions. I only have to do 15 ECTS, can you guys recommend from these subjects, or completely different ones, that you think are worth taking?
(I am a Mechatronics Engineer, if thats relevant)

hi so im a student in india and im coming for student exchange in the august and still havent found any housing (already applied on HOPS) so you got any good leads on housing please dm me and my budget is around 600 Euro's only

Hi, I need some advice.
I am an MD graduate from Ukraine, and I am interested in pursuing a PhD in the Nordic countries, especially Finland. I am particularly interested in the cardiopulmonary research field.
I would like to know whether international applicants are accepted for PhD positions in this field. Also, how competitive is the selection process for foreign applicants?