Helsinki is an exciting city for exchange students, offering a mix of Nordic efficiency, vibrant student life, and easy access to beautiful natural surroundings. At Flatta, we help students find comfortable & convenient accommodation, and here we’ve gathered our best tips to help you make the most of your time in Finland’s capital.
Finding Accommodation
Housing is one of the biggest challenges for exchange students in Helsinki, especially during peak seasons. Here are a few tips:
- Start early: Demand is high, so begin searching as soon as possible.
- Explore different options: We highly recommend considering both shared apartments and private studios.
- Location matters: Areas like Kallio, Töölö, and Lauttasaari are popular among students, but Helsinki’s excellent public transport makes commuting easy from almost anywhere.
Navigating Public Transport
Helsinki has a well-connected public transport system, including trams, buses, metro, and commuter trains.
- Get an HSL travel card: Students receive a discount, making it an affordable way to get around.
- Use the HSL app: It provides real-time schedules, route planning, and ticket purchasing.
- Biking is a great alternative: City bikes are available from spring to autumn and are a convenient way to explore the city.
Enjoying Student Life
Helsinki is home to a thriving student community with many events, organizations, and opportunities to connect.
- Join student unions and clubs: Each university has its own student union (e.g., AYY for Aalto University, HYY for the University of Helsinki), which offers social events, discounts, and academic support.
- Experience Finnish student traditions: Sitsit (formal but fun dinner parties), Wappu (May Day celebrations), and student overalls are all part of the experience.
- Find the best student-friendly spots: Places like Oodi Library, Kallio bars, and student cafeterias (UniCafe) are great for meeting people. The hot spots vary between different universities!
Embracing Finnish Culture
Adapting to Finnish culture can be both exciting and surprising. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Sauna is a must: Whether in your building, at a public sauna like Löyly, or in a traditional lakeside setting, experiencing a Finnish sauna is essential.
- Be ready for different seasons: Winters are dark but magical, with northern lights occasionally visible. In contrast, summers bring almost 24-hour daylight.
- Respect personal space: Finns value their personal space and are known for being reserved at first—but once you make Finnish friends, they are friends for life.
Managing Daily Life
Adjusting to life in Helsinki is easier with a few practical tips:
- Grocery shopping: Affordable supermarkets include Lidl and S-Market, while K-Markets are convenient but slightly pricier.
- Banking & payments: Finland is a cashless society, so having a debit/credit card and a mobile payment app (like MobilePay) is very useful.
- Healthcare: Students from the EU should get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), while others should check their insurance requirements. YTHS provides healthcare services for university students.
Final Thoughts
Helsinki is a fantastic city to spend your exchange semester (or year). With a bit of preparation and an open mind, you’ll quickly feel at home. Whether you’re looking for a great place to stay, fun student events, or tips on how to survive winter, we at Flatta are here to help.
Welcome to Helsinki and enjoy your exchange experience!