Erasmus Turku

Finland was definitely not my first choice! Actually, I studied for 2 years in Nice: sea, sun and hot temperature! Quality of courses is good but French system is Toooo School. I mean we do not really have responsibilities. Teachers consider us still as children…. It is not enough professional. As mentioned Finland, Turku was my 4thchoice. I privileged first schools in United-Kingdom to do my Erasmus. I completed my list and submitted it to the international department of my Business School. J

Few months later (22.03.2011), I was on the beach with friends to celebrate my birthday. Suddenly a phone rang. “Oh my god, we all got en e-mail concerning next year, our Erasmus, the place we will be….” At this moment, I feel a bit stress. Oh my god, I changed my mind. I did not want to go anymore in UK: “food is not good, already visited some cities there…NoNoNo impossible I cannot go there. I really have to go to Finland, snow, Nordic country… this is the best”. This is what I told to my best friend.JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

Impossible to get connect from my phone to my email account. My best friend gave me her phone. 2 minutes later…. MY LIFE CHANGED!! I have been selected to go to FINLAND!!!! Imagine you are doing your birthday on the beach with balloons and candles and friends, perfect moment… at this time, it was the best gift I could imagine for my 20thbirth!JJJJ

At this moment started the administration point: selection of courses, find the accommodation, prepare the departure…basically everything was so easy. Courses proposed were really good in Abo Akademi University. There was a large choice. Concerning the accommodation, Finland is the best. Where I was to study, Abo Akademi University, there were also two others universities. There was a special place for all students: Student Village. Best place ever. Once you have registered (ask for an apartment), just to wait for the answer. Finally got my apartment: super clean, well arranged…Perfect area for one Amazing year!!! Once you arrive in Turku, you have got a tutor from your university who helps you in all other administration stuff such as to open a bank account, to get your apartment… Everything was magic. You cannot feel stress. You are never alone!JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

Personally, I wanted to spend a whole year abroad. In my mind, only one semester is not enough to improve your English, make contact, share experience with people and MEET people. Going abroad was a really good idea. Actually you learn another way to live and even one year is not enough. I would stay at least two years to enjoy a max. in my mind, Finland looks like the perfect environment to be. The country is reputed to be the best one in Europe for the education. The quality of life looks really good. And come on, everybody talks about hard temperature, snow… but is not that a dream to try something totally new? And to have this kind of experience?

I was really lucky to be in the Student village. This was where almost all parties and pre-parties were. In addition, you are in buildings of three floors. 12 apartments on each floor where you share the kitchen: enjoyable time. Now I have two families. The real one in France and all my friends from Erasmus. The best moments I spent were in the student village!!!JJJ

The first time I arrived in Turku, in the city center, it was a Sunday. Nobody outside, almost everything closed. I was “Oh my God! I am like in a dead city!” no comparison with Nice (South of France); even the end of august, always people outside, shops are open… LLLLIt was a change. And at the end of august in Turku, I needed to wear my jacket, it was quite cold compared to South of France. LLL However, I could not imagine at this time everything that would happen few days later. I can really say that doing my Erasmus there was the best choice of my life. I will never forget these moments and sincerely encourage people to go there!JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ

People in Finland are really well-coming; the quality of life is amazing! Everything we need is in the city center. No risk to get lost!

Concerning the university, I had a double experience. Indeed, my university was a Swedish one. In a word during my stay I have learnt the finish style and also Swedish one. JJJJJ The quality of course was amazing and totally different from my home school. Actually, there you learn to be responsible. Professors give you the basis but it is you who have to make more research. It makes you more responsible. Depending the courses, you have reports and presentation to do. Personally that was not a big deal in the sense that in my home university it is like every week.  As an Erasmus, you do not have that much courses. However for Abo Akademi you need to give personal work!!! But you are free with the time. You manage it as you want!

Concerning the trips and parties it is a magic place. Indeed, there is an association ESN which organize trip as Lapland, Russia… But you also can travel by yourself in Sweden, Denmark, Estonia… AMAZINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG.JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ For the parties, it is every week. At least one is per week is organized by ESN or other organization in Turku. In addition, there are parties in Student village!! Basically you party at least 3 times per week. For my part, I did not really party the first semester. And I really regret to no have done more!!! Everything changed the second semester! But sincerely do not loose time. Start immediately. Because there are the best moments that you will always remember!!!!