Studying and Living in Finland LUT Alumni Experience by Aisulu Harjula

Browsing the "General" Category

Transformation of the modern society

A nice construction. It’s located in Mustola, Finland. It reminds me of a set of lectures in the Transformation of Modern Society, in which we’ve been shown that future houses will be like this. The lecture was held by the [...]

06.30.2017 General

Fantastic Sky: Aurora Borealis, the Sun Eclipse, Halo and Supermoon

One of the Finnish natural beauties is Aurora Borealis or the Northern lights. Throughout the winter you can observe them in Lapland, behind the Arctic circle and rarely in Southern parts of Finland like South Carelia and Lappeenranta. [...]

06.25.2017 General

Finnish Street Animals

Finland has a strong animal protection system. Even though there are many homeless cats (I’m not sure about dogs but maybe too!), you won’t see them on the streets. Homeless animals are kept in foster homes until a new owner is [...]

06.21.2017 Finnish Nature, General

Top 10 Must Know Things About Finland

When I ask my Finnish friends to tell about national identities and explain local customs, they told: “Well, Finland is just a country, there is not much to tell about it”. I’ve been living in Finland for 3½ years, and I [...]

02.28.2017 Culture, General

Where To Learn Finnish Language

Why study Finnish language? Finnish is spoken only in Finland but it’s a mistake to underestimate its importance. If you want to live in Finland permanently or want to survive in basic everyday life, then you need to know the [...]

01.06.2017 General, Studying

Something Everyone Should Do: Learn Languages!

I admire learning languages. It makes life easier, more interesting and meaningful. It’s such a wonderful feeling to feel comfortable with using local language when travelling and you will never get lost anywhere. I have advanced skills in both English [...]

12.21.2016 Culture, General, Studying

Clubs In Finland

In this post I would like to write about Finnish clubs and societies where you can spend your free time and practice hobbies in arts or sport. It is usual in Finland that people have some activities in their free [...]

12.13.2016 Culture, General, Sport

Beautiful and dangerous forest mushrooms

The traditional Finnish cuisine includes different mushroom sauces. Picking mushrooms in autumn is a nice recreational activity for many Finnish people (and for me too). But not all forest mushrooms are edible. Maybe they are created by the Nature for the purpose [...]

10.10.2016 General

Badges and overalls

An unofficial dress code for students in Finland [...]

09.30.2016 Culture, General

Beach party – let’s celebrate the start of a new academic year!

Every year LUT prepares amazing social events for newcomers. The academic year begins from opening ceremony where the university rector gives speech and welcomes new students. This year it it starts on 5th of September. The student life in Lappeenranta [...]

08.25.2016 Culture, Events, General

Biking in Lappeenranta

In Finland you can bike whenever and wherever you want – between cities, to work, to study, and to just enjoy. There are many biking opportunities. Of course biking also depends on the weather but many Finns do bike all [...]

08.16.2016 Ergonomics and facilities, General

Travelling to Finnish cities

Travelling in Finland is great in summer. In July-August there are many discounts for usually expensive train trips and one can go somewhere for 5 euro. It is especially great opportunity because Finnish cities are situated far from each other. [...]

07.31.2016 Culture, General

Model Work & Fashion by Day in Lappeenranta

Modelling is a nice and exciting hobby for me. In Finland I’ve got contacts with Fashion Model Agency and this spring I participated in the Fashion by Day -event in Lappeenranta: Vero Moda dress, spring 2016 It’s the first time I’ve worked as [...]

05.25.2016 General

The Art of Peace and Love – Aikido

The day I arrived to Finland was like a new chapter in the book called “Aisulu’s Life”. Two months before that day was an ending of the previous chapter. At that time my life already had interesting, long and finished chapters: [...]

05.11.2016 Culture, General, Sport

Classical music concerts in Finland

I’ve got a chance to meet maestro Sasha Mäkilä, internationally well-known Finnish conductor, and visit his concerts twice. Our meeting happened last year when Sasha came to our aikido club in Lappeenranta for a training. [...]

04.22.2016 Culture, General

Finnish Easter and Kazakh New Year Nauryz

  This month we have celebrated two important cultural holidays – Kazakh Nauryz, the beginning of a New Year and Finnish Easter, historically the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Both holidays are important in our family since my husband and I [...]

03.31.2016 Culture, General

The Unforgettable Lapland

Meeting husky dogs and experiencing dog sledges in Lapland is unforgettable. This is something I’m eager to do next winter. These dogs are so cute, kind, smart, and fast! [...]

03.20.2016 Culture, Finnish Nature, General, Student services

Sport Facilities for Students

I’m totally sure that attending sport activities is a key to a fulfilled and healthy life, especially when we have to do a lot of intellectual work. Attending sport lessons regularly brings a lot of joy because at these lessons we have [...]

02.28.2016 General, Sport

Students Guilds: Mechanical Engineering Students

Exploring university buildings from the inside is a useful and adventurous thing! You can find a lot of interesting yet unexpected places. For example, students’ guilds’ rooms. I think they are solely Finnish creation. I haven’t ever seen anything like [...]

01.19.2016 Culture, General, Studying

Finnish Winter Holidays: How Has it Been?

Hurray! Winter holidays are gone and officially this week schools and universities in Finland start working. I would like to tell about two main events: Christmas and New Year. [...]

01.12.2016 Events, General, Uncategorized

Psychological and Urgent Help for Students

How do you cope with stress? [...]

12.10.2015 General, Student services, Studying

Nenäpäivä or the Nose Day

The Nose Day or Nenäpäivä is a global charity event which raises funds to help people in developing countries, especially children in difficult conditions. In Finland it has been organized since 2007. [...]

11.30.2015 Culture, Events, General, Studying

Halloween in Finland

How people celebrate Halloween in Finland…? [...]

11.01.2015 Events, General

The Autumn Forest

Finns love going to forest throughout the year, and autumn is the season when you still can find some tasty mushrooms in the jungles of moss. Now the Finnish forest is full of mushrooms and tar aromas. A short walk [...]

10.07.2015 Finnish Nature, General

The Sun Eclipse

It’s absolutely fantastic! I’m so amazed by the sun eclipse which has happened today.  [...]

03.20.2015 Culture, Events, General

Safe Finland. Lost & Found

It’s awesome how safe is this place! I’ve collected some stories about lost and found items in the university. [...]

03.14.2015 Culture, General, Living and accomodation, Student services

The Most Embarrassing Pictures :)

What is the purpose of these surroundings? It’s to put us into a small culture shock and to check how we understand the Finnish sense of humor! [...]

02.27.2015 Culture, General, Living and accomodation

The calendar. Time counting in Finland.

Have you noticed a specific Finnish way of counting time and putting events in your calendar? It is quite widespread in Finland and hard to ignore! [...]

02.19.2015 General, Studying, Work

Happy Valentine’s day!

From Finland with Love. What is love in Finnish culture.. ? [...]

02.13.2015 Culture, General

A Reason to Fall in Love With the Winter

Winter is a best time to have fun! [...]

01.30.2015 Culture, General

Happy New Winter!

What do you feel about 2015? [...]

01.06.2015 Culture, General

How to deal with specific issues and get right information in Finland

It is common in Finland that important public information remains invisible. Want to get any information easy and fast? Here is a solution. [...]

12.19.2014 General, Studying, Work

Attitude to work in job market and job search

I’m surprised that Finland is a country where active people are appreciated, valued, seem to be successful and it brings good results to them! Introverts find it difficult to live here, people who tend to complain and are lazy don’t [...]

12.07.2014 General, Studying, Work

Announcement of posts

Here is a new schedule of the blog and announcement of following topics! [...]

10.03.2014 General

These weird Finns in your Welcome Package

Let’s talk about people’s behavior in Finland you are not used to seeing. Finns have a different way of communication. [...]

09.20.2014 General, Student services

Small things make us happy

I’ve learned to enjoy every day I spend here. [...]

09.11.2014 Culture, General, Student services

Setting yourself in Finland

These pieces above are not glamour beauty magazines. They are representative booklets which contain useful and important information about projects at our university. I’ve became a representative of a Master’s program which I’m enrolled to. Maybe you can appear on [...]

09.03.2014 General, Student services, Studying

When we succeed even during holidays

Wow, I think we have succeeded! [...]

08.18.2014 General, Studying

One of the best summers in my life

I’ve just spent one of the best summers in my life. In Finland. [...]

08.07.2014 Events, General, Studying

The Finnish sauna. Part 2. Customs and oddities.

Have you ever thought why do saunas exist in Finland? [...]

07.24.2014 Culture, General, Living and accomodation, Student services

The Finnish sauna. Part 1.

Sauna is an important part of culture in Finland and it has its own customs. [...]

07.17.2014 Culture, General, Living and accomodation, Student services

World Cup 2014. When dreams come true.

Germany became the winner in the World Cup [Dream big, act quick and focus.] [...]

07.09.2014 Culture, Events, General

Different countries, different teachers

I continue to describe differences in study approach in the countries where I’ve studied. This time I would like to share thoughts about student-professor relationships. [...]

06.30.2014 General, Studying, Work

Summertime Finland

“I’ve got this summertime, summertime Finland”, Adele might have thought to paraphrase her lyrics a bit. Finnish summer is cool and sometimes the weather doesn’t hesitate to show its sadness. [...]

06.23.2014 Culture, Events, General, Studying

Different countries, different students

I had opportunities to attend different European universities as part of my international exchange programs. Now from my experience I would like to describe the different study approaches in different countries.I graduated from high school in Kazakhstan. We have good universities in Kazakhstan [...]

06.16.2014 Culture, General, Studying

Winter in May: Time to check your health!

We all know that our health is like a rechargeable battery which has its own lifecycle. Health care is one of the most important aspects of life if you plan to stay in Finland for a long time. Changing seasons, unpredictable weather [...]

05.05.2014 General, Student services

Travelling from Finland: Saint Petersburg

There are many chances to go for exchange or to be enrolled in a double degree program in Finland. I’m a double degree student. My primary school is located in Saint Petersburg and I’d like to describe some experience in this blogpost. [...]

04.21.2014 Events, General

Funny stories from students in Finland

Maybe you are really interested to listen to the voice of current students about their experience in Finland. Here you are! [...]

04.14.2014 General, Studying

Student Housing Foundation: LOAS

Last week we dealt with students experience concerning living in the student apartments. This time I’d like to present to you an interview with service director of Lappeenranta Housing Foundation (LOAS), Joonas Grönlund. [...]

04.07.2014 General, Living and accomodation, Student services

Living in Finland: accomodation and apartments

Maybe you have asked yourself 100 times “What kind of living conditions are in store for me in Finland?” Don’t worry. Finnish student apartments are quite comfortable and modern. And almost every occupied building in Finland has a sauna. Sometimes, [...]

03.31.2014 Ergonomics and facilities, General, Student services

Student guilds and seasonal activities

Probably every university in Finland has student associations, they’re called guilds. Their members are students who wear outstanding outfits – colored overalls with many different ribbons. What do guilds do and why? [...]

03.10.2014 Events, General

Green Finland

It is cold and dark yet the whole of Finland tries to keep green even in the winter. Green economy and green growth: what kind of associations do you have about this country apart from the darkness and silence? [...]

03.03.2014 Ergonomics and facilities, General

Skills from the beginning: Finnish 1. Suomen tunti!

I’m going to write about practicing Finnish language and experience attending the class. Every international student in Finland can start studying language as part of integration process aimed to reduce culture shock. [...]

02.24.2014 Events, General, Studying

Happy New Year – Happy New Term!

Happy New Year and the winter holidays: Christmas and Epiphany, and congratulations with the beginning of new spring semester! Hope, this semester is going to be interesting, productive, and useful for every one of us. [...]

01.11.2014 General