Details

• Finland
• BaWiSo-19
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

Even though I thought that GPA is not that important, that the main thing is the knowledge... well, it's important for the exchange semester. I applied at the last second and relied on luck. Didn't help, so I'm recommending doing a lot of extracurricular activities (so you don't have just studying on your resume). So I did get selected into my last university of choice and I cried a bit. But deep down I knew there is no need to get disappointed because it all works out. In Helsinki I did meet the best people ever, traveled to Lapland, learned a lot about Finnish and Scandinavian culture. I knew I wouldn't regret it and I didn't, at all. If I could do it again, I wouldn't change a thing, so don't get disappointed if you didn't get selected exactly where you wanted, it'll all work out. Tbh I chose my partner university at 11:55 (the application was closing at 12:00) only because I liked the name «Hanken». Well, to be fair, it sounded credible. I'm not recommending doing it the way I did, so I'll just tell you how I chose the first three partner unis on my list. I just sat down and thought about what I wanted to get from this exchange: new friends, business knowledge, have fun, discover some completely new cultures. My main point was that I go somewhere completely different from what I'm experiencing in Vienna or Ukraine (because I'm originally from there). This way I chose South Korea (two unis in Seoul) and Finland (which is still something very different from what I've experienced). And also read the Erfahrungsberichte because they help you understand the vibe of the country/uni you're going to.

2. Accommodation

I applied for HOAS apartments (I got an email from my university), recommending to apply there as soon as you get the email! Because most of the Hanken students were living in the same HOAS building in Pasila, so most of the fun will be there. Unfortunately, I didn't get the spot, so I googled «student accommodations in Helsinki» and found the Antti Korppi Student House. Tbh it's a bit too far to get there by public transport (50 mins) but the price was affordable (595 Euro) (but HOAS is cheaper). When I had early lectures or was super late I just ordered Uber/Bolt since they are so cheap in Finland (could be 5–6 Euros for a 30-min drive). As for the location itself, I loved how it is surrounded by small parks and trees, I enjoyed it very much. Helsinki overall feels super safe, and the area where the dormitory is was safe as well. An absolute plus is the supermarket 2 mins from the dormitory that's open every day until 11 PM. They also provided bed linen, dishware, pots, frying pans and utensils, so I didn't have to bring my own, but of course I had to buy everything else. But if I'm being honest, I wouldn't choose that accommodation again because even though it saved me some money (it was cold there because the radiators didn't work properly, the sauna (almost every dormitory/house in Finland has a sauna, so it's not really something unique) working hours were horrible (it was open just 3 days a week for a couple of hours) and the laundry room was in another building, which was super inconvenient). My two Italian friends lived in Noli Studios Katajanokka and I loved that space so much! Maybe if I had booked accommodation way in advance, it probably would've been that place, it was super cute and inspiring. The last thing worth mentioning is that I adapted to the long distance from my student housing to the uni. Since our uni is right in the city centre, I just spent most of my time there, studying in the libraries (there are LOTS of them and they are free) or in the uni itself (it has 24/7 access if you get an electronic key -> it's really easy to do, just request it from your Hanken supervisor and they'll tell you what to do). Tbh the electronic key is my favourite thing ever! After uni working hours in Vienna, having 24/7 access is something magical.

3. Academic life at host university

Hanken campus is basically just one building (the other one is for the student committee), located almost in the very centre of Helsinki. It has a small but nice library, and a mensa that serves food for 1.80 Euro (not the best food but at least nutritious. I didn't eat there that much though, I ate at Sodexo Helsingin yliopisto Päärakennus for 2.95 (student price), the food there was the best ever, definitely recommending it). The uni facilities are a bit dated design-wise, so I would say if you want something more modern, choose Aalto. The uni is super small (about 2.5K students) and I loved it -> everyone knows everyone, which creates a special atmosphere. An interesting part of our studies were the e-exams we had to register for (you choose a time slot that works for you, and if you feel you're not ready, you can change the date). Then we went to the uni and wrote the exams on computers under video camera supervision. A new but interesting experience. The courses themselves were very interesting and not that hard (not recommending choosing hard courses on exchange because you should have time to chill). Teachers ask you to call them by their first name, so the teaching style is more friendly and relaxed. The courses are also WAY easier than here at WU. I chose Principles of Advertising, Corporate Sustainability (you can transfer this one as ZuWi II), International Business, Entrepreneurial Leadership and Business-to-Business Marketing. The course I liked the most was International Business because we had real cases (Netflix Strategy in India, Moomin Theme Park in Japan) and it was absolutely fascinating. One thing I'd recommend: register for more courses than you need and then just deregister from the ones you don't want. And the most important recommendation of all: apply for the Hanken Study Buddy Program!! I applied last minute but was grateful every single second I was on exchange. My Study Buddy turned out to be a Master's student who also did her Bachelor's at Hanken, so she knew all the details and the right people. She was also in some courses with me, so we had a lot of fun, and through her I got to know more Finns, which was amazing. Now we've become really good friends.

5. Every day life in the host country

After public transport in Vienna, public transport in every other city seems uncomfortable, but overall Helsinki is fine. For me it was a very safe city, so I could walk alone at night and not worry about anything. As for social activities, I went to lots of events organized by the Exchange Committee, which I loved. A lot of exchange students didn't quite like it but for me it was super fun; plus I didn't have to organize anything myself. That way we went to Stockholm, Lapland, Tampere (for a Halloween party) and had lots and lots of parties. I loved it (but perhaps it was because I was with my friends, so it was more fun that way). At the very beginning the Exchange Committee and Erstis Committee organize events together (we had park games and quests). It was such a nice opportunity to get to know not only exchange students but also Finnish Erstis. I'm still in touch with some of them. I also went to play padel, tennis and beach volleyball (in Mall of Tripla) with other exchange students, we went to the cinema (most films there are in English), ice skating, and snowmobile riding and snowshoe walking in Lapland. Overall, there are plenty of sports options in Helsinki, and social/leisure activities and events are organized by the Exchange Committee really nicely, I loved taking part in them. And almost at every event you get patches that you can attach to jeans or overalls, which is super cute.

6. Testimonial

I thought this whole exchange experience at Hanken wouldn't be that good, but tbh it was my best semester ever. And the thing that made it happen was the people. I met so many incredible personalities and now I can travel having friends all over the world. The campus itself doesn't look that exciting, but when you talk to people and stay open to new experiences — it all falls into place. Absolute highlights were also trips to Stockholm (fell in love with this city) and Lapland, plus going out with my friends to clubs, SLUSH, sitzes, and events, I know it will all stay in my memory forever.