Erfahrungsbericht

Yehor C., Baltic Sea Management, 3. Semester, Finnland, Kajaani, KAMK- University of Applied Science, Wintersemester 2024/25

“Land of Lakes”

Hello, my name is Yehor Chibisov, I’m a 3rd semester student of Hochschule Stralsund (HOST) and I’m studying BMS (International Business Management in Baltic Sea Region). In this winter semester 24-25 I participated in Erasmus program. I had a great time living and studying in Finland, Kajaani at KAMK- University of Applied Science.

Notes on search for study or internship: To be honest, my Erasmus internship was a spontaneous decision. I just saw an email that our HOST and Finnish university KAMK are cooperating now, and it is possible to get a double degree (from HOST and KAMK), so I decided to use this opportunity and go to Finland.

Application process: My application process wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. As far as I remember, just a main form about yourself and your field of study, learning agreement and form about yourself in the receiving university.  And, of course, if I didn’t understand something, I always asked my coordinator at HOST.

Preparation: I guess the preparation was one of the hardest parts for me, because I needed to pack and separate a clothes and things which I take with me and which I do not take; leave the things which I do not take at my friends’ apartments and successfully move out from my apartments.

Finding Accommodation: For me it was quite easy to find a place to live during my Erasmus program. The KAMK university gave me an email of the company, which owns dormitories for students, so I just wrote to them and in less than one week I signed a contract and got my “Residential Lease Agreement”.

Culture: Finnish culture emphasizes equality, simplicity, and a strong connection to nature. The sauna is a cornerstone of Finnish life and tradition, offering both relaxation and a place for social bonding. Finnish people value personal space, honesty, and punctuality.

Religion: Historically, Finland has been predominantly Lutheran, with the Evangelical Lutheran Church being the largest denomination. A smaller but significant portion of the population belongs to the Finnish Orthodox Church. In recent years, secularism has been on the rise, and many Finns identify as non-religious, reflecting the country's tolerant and diverse attitudes toward faith.

Language: Finnish (Suomi) is the official language, alongside Swedish. Finnish is part of the Uralic language family, distinct from most European languages. It features complex grammar, vowel harmony, and long compound words. Sami languages, spoken by the indigenous Sami people in northern Finland, are also recognized. English proficiency is widespread, especially among younger generations.

Environment: Finland is known for its wilderness, with over 188,000 lakes and vast forests covering most of the country. The northern region, Lapland, is famous for its arctic landscapes and the Northern Lights (I was quite lucky to see a couple of them).Environmental conservation is a priority in Finland, and the country is a global leader in sustainability and green technology.

Daily life:

My average day during studying in KAMK was like this: 

 ⁃ Wake up at 7:30 in the morning 

 ⁃ 9:00 going to the university 

 ⁃ 10:00-11:30 studying 

 ⁃ 11:30-12:30 lunch 

 ⁃ 12:30- 15:45 studying 

 ⁃ 16:00-17:30 gym 

 ⁃ 18:00-23:00 doing homework/ have a rest

 ⁃ On holidays I usually had a laundry and went to sauna. At the holiday evening I could go to the bar/club with some friends.

Leisure: If I had a free time, I usually went to a sauna; in the evening I, alongside with my friends, which I met during Erasmus program, could went to a bar to play some pool or to the club to dance.  If I wanted to relax and clear my mind, I usually went for a walk around the city to enjoy the nature. Also, four hours by train from Kajaani there is a city called Rovaniemi, where located “Santa Claus Village”, so you can visit an official Santa Claus.

Work: To be honest, I couldn’t say much about work in Kajaani or in Finland in total, because I was there only for four months, so I didn’t look for any jobs, but my friends, who are living and studying there as a full-time student, told me that it’s a bit hard to find a place to work in Kajaani.

Study: The studying at KAMK was amazing, I really liked the fact that we had much more practice, than just ordinary lectures, so we can learn and understand the subject better.  Also, we didn’t have much writing exams, rather we had some exam tasks, like create a project or organize and hold the event.

Infrastructure: Finland has a reliable transport system, including well-maintained roads, railways, ports, and airports.The energy sector is diverse, with a strong focus on renewable energy (wind, hydropower, and biomass) and nuclear power.The country is a global leader in digital infrastructure, offering widespread and fast internet access.Finland has clean and rich water resources, with advanced wastewater treatment systems.

Overall, Finland's infrastructure supports a high standard of living, sustainable growth, and technological innovation.

Tips & Tricks: The weather in Kajaani in winter is really cold, it could be up to -20 degree at the beginning of December, so if you are going there for a winter semester make sure I take really warm winter clothes, thermal underwear and shoes that don’t slip.

Teachers in Finland ask their students to call them just by their first names (like John, Ilias, Anna, etc.), so you should also call them like this, otherwise teachers could be offended.

Conclusion: To sum up, Finland is a great country with a beautiful nature and interesting form of education. I am truly thankful to Erasmus and happy that I applied for this program, because I gained a lot of new experience and met a bunch of great people, that I wouldn’t met without this program!