Details

• Finland
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 3 months

1. Preparation

For the interview process, I would strongly recommend finding out in advance who will be interviewing you. From my experience, this immediately makes you feel more confident and shows that you have prepared properly. I also think it is very important to be realistic about your grades before applying. Some of my friends only applied to top universities even though their grades were not particularly strong, and as a result, they were not accepted anywhere. Choosing universities that match your academic profile can significantly increase your chances of going on an exchange. Finally, make sure that the host university offers enough courses taught in English and not only in the local language. This can be an issue in some countries, such as Spain or Italy, and is something I would definitely check early in the application process.

2. Accommodation

I was very lucky to get a room in HOAS student housing directly on campus. Overall, this was a great experience. The only real downside was that I had to walk everywhere, usually around 10–15 minutes per day. This does not sound like much, but on rainy days it can be a bit annoying since walking is the only option. Additionally, if you come back late at night, the nearest bus or metro stop is located at the university, not directly next to the housing so you basiaclly always have to walk the 10-15min. On the positive side, the campus is extremely safe. Even when walking alone at 4 a.m., I never felt unsafe as a woman. The rent was approximately €500 per month, which is very reasonable for on-campus housing in Helsinki. There are also other housing options on campus that are more modern and luxurious, but these typically cost around €1,000 per month. One practical detail to keep in mind is that HOAS only provides one bedsheet, so you should either bring an extra one from home or plan to buy another after arrival.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus is very modern, and I spent around 90% of my time in the BIZ building, where most of the exchange students studied. Compared to WU, the classes were generally easier in my opinion, and the grading was more generous. That said, the classes were still very interesting and often more specialized than those at WU. One advantage is that bachelor students are allowed to take master-level courses, and there is a wide selection of exciting and relevant options. There are around eight different campus canteens to choose from, and a full meal costs only €2.95, which is extremely affordable. Course registration is not handled on a first-come, first-served basis, and as a BIZ exchange student, you have a good chance of getting into the courses you prefer.

5. Every day life in the host country

I bought a monthly student ticket for public transport, which cost €42 and covered the metro. In terms of safety, both the campus and Helsinki in general felt extremely safe, and I never experienced any situations where I felt uncomfortable or unsafe. I also registered for UniSport at the beginning of the semester and paid €105 for four months. This gave me access to the gym, a wide range of workout classes, and group sports activities such as floorball or futsal. Overall, Helsinki is a rather expensive city, especially when it comes to eating out or participating in leisure activities. For example, the Lapland trip organized by the KY student union cost around €600 if you wanted to take part in all the activities offered. In general, I would say that the Erasmus experience can be relatively affordable, but if you want to participate in most organized trips and events, the overall costs can add up quickly can get very expesnive.

6. Testimonial

My exchange experience was amazing overall. I met a group of incredible friends during the very first week, and we stayed very close until the end of the semester. I also got along very well with the other exchange students, and the overall atmosphere was extremely positive—everyone seemed genuinely happy to be there. Although the Lapland trip was quite expensive, I would still say it is an absolute must and something you should not miss if you have the opportunity. One practical thing to be aware of is that there are many electric scooters available on campus, but they do not operate between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. on weekends. If you live on campus and come home late, you will therefore have to walk. Of course, it may not be comparable to the party life in cities like Madrid, but I still had the best time ever and can wholeheartedly recommend going on exchange to Helsinki and Aalto University.