Details

• Finland
• MAMgmt-14
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

The application process was well structured and transparent. WU provides an excel file (Anerkennungsdatenbank) listing courses at Hanken that have been previously accepted. This file is very helpful when selecting courses. After being nominated by WU, Hanken will contact you directly and inform you about the next steps. An additional English language test is not required if you can prove a B2 proficiency level through your Abitur/Matura certificate.

2. Accommodation

I highly recommend applying for HOAS student housing, as it is by far the cheapest option. We all received accommodation in the HOAS housing in Pasila, which is located right next to the Mall of Tripla, where you can find everything you need (gym, restaurants, shops, grocery stores, etc.). Pasila offers shared flats (for three or six students) as well as single apartments, which are all in good condition. Pasila is definitely not the place to be in Helsinki, but the area is safe and the location of the student housing is good. You can reach the city center within 10 minutes by train (just one stop) and the university within about 20 minutes by bus.

3. Academic life at host university

Compared to WU, Hanken is a very small and rather old university. The cafeteria offers very affordable lunches (1,80€). The semester at Hanken is split up into two periods, each ending with an exam period. Attendance in most classes is not mandatory, which gives you the opportunity to travel. The teaching method, which includes a lot of group work (e.g. working on cases, giving presentations or filming a video) and assignment rather than exams (I just took one exam during my time in Finland), is similar to the approach at WU. Hanken has an exchange committee that organizes many events and trips (to Tallinn, Stockholm and Lapland), which makes it very easy to connect with other exchange students.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport in Helsinki is very good and costs around 40€ per month. Helsinki is very safe, and I never experienced a situation in which I felt uncomfortable. As already mentioned, Hanken has an exchange committee that organizes many events and trips for exchange students. Joining those trips is a must! If you are into sports, there are two gyms, a swimming pool and padel courts within a 10 minute walking distance of the student housing in Pasila. Travelling within Finland and the Nordics in general from Helsinki is very easy and highly recommended.

6. Testimonial

An exchange semester at Hanken was a great opportunity to experience Finnish culture and connect with students from all over the world. The amazing people I met and the trips we went on, made this time truly special.