Details

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

1. Preparation

check course list (especially in which semester which course is offered), think about why you want to go on exchange there, be honest and don´t overthink it

2. Accommodation

It was very easy for me since I got an apartment with HOAS, which is the recommended organisation. But I have also heard that some people didn´t get a place with HOAS and then really struggled to find something else. So make sure to apply immediately once it is possible! I shared my room with 2 others, which I found very nice. My apartment was about 20 minutes from campus by foot, so that was great. Since it is so close to campus there are many students living there and I always felt safe.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus is huge and very modern. It takes a bit to find your way but they have an app that provides routes to every room/place on campus. Everyone was super friendly and the teaching staff is super nice. They have very low hierarchies in Finland which can also be felt on campus. I found the teaching style pretty similar to WU´s, but less formal. Some people said that there are more group works than at home but I felt that it was pretty similar. I would recommend choosing courses that are interesting to you and to make sure to read the prerequisites and course expectations beforehand.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport in the Helsinki region is great and it is really easy to reach places. There is a student discount for the monthly public transport card. Finland is a very safe country overall and I never felt uncomfortable even when walking alone at night. The university offers many different activities which I would highly recommend looking into. There are also some events and activities in and around Helsinki. I would also recommend travelling to different cities in Finland and to hike through some national parks. The university also offers a wide range of sports options and there is a gym on campus.

6. Testimonial

My exchange at Aalto was an amazing experience! I had the best time and met so many wonderful people who I now consider close friends. The trips organised by the business student organisation are among my favourite memories, as well as the many hikes through Finland’s beautiful national parks. I learned so much during my exchange, and it is a time I will always look back on very fondly.