What’s it really like to live in one of the world’s happiest countries? Discover everyday life in Finland, what you can look forward to and what you’ll need to know before you arrive.
Savonia has campuses in three Finnish cities: Kuopio, Varkaus and Iisalmi. Each offers a safe and easy-going place to live and study, with nature never far away. Wherever you’re based, you’ll be part of a welcoming student community, with support from our staff throughout your time at Savonia.
Your studies will be an important part of everyday life, but life in Finland is about much more than studying. Where will you live? How much does everyday life cost? How can you meet people? And can you work while studying? Start here.
Everyone needs a place to live and enough money to cover everyday expenses. Learn how to arrange housing and what living costs you should be prepared for.
Student life is about much more than your studies. Find out how tutors, events and our international student community can make your time at Savonia an unforgettable experience.
Your career can start taking shape long before you graduate. Explore employment opportunities in Finland and find out what you can do during your studies to build your skills, make connections and improve your chances of finding work.
Living in Finland can be quite an experience. Learn about Finnish culture, the language and the changing seasons, and find your own way to enjoy them – or at least get used to them.
There’s a lot to love about life in Finland, but some things can take a little getting used to. Here are a few things that often surprise international students and are useful to know before you arrive.
Winter in Finland is long, dark and snowy, and it can take some getting used to. But it also has its own magic, from snow-covered landscapes to cosy evenings indoors. With the right warm clothing, you can still get outside and enjoy the winter, while homes and other indoor spaces stay warm and comfortable.
And the darkness doesn’t last forever. As spring approaches, the days grow longer quickly, eventually giving way to Finland’s long, light-filled summer days.
Finding part-time or full-time work in Finland can be challenging. Give yourself the best chance by starting your job search early, building your network and registering with recruitment and staffing agencies. Finnish language skills can also open up more job opportunities, so it’s worth starting to learn Finnish as early as you can.
Learning Finnish can help you find work and feel more at home in Finland. While you can get by in English in many situations, Finnish language skills are a real advantage and are required for many jobs.
You can study Finnish at Savonia, as well as through language courses offered by local cities and municipalities.
Finnish culture can seem quiet and reserved at first. Silence isn’t usually considered awkward, and people tend to value their personal space. Finland is also known for being safe and stable, with a strong sense of trust and an everyday life that often feels calm and easy to navigate.
Thinking about studying at Savonia? Explore our Bachelor’s degree programmes, discover what student life is like and see where studying in Finland could take you.