Experience in Helsinki, Finland

What is it like to live in Helsinki? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Helsinki is colorful city and mix of new and old architecture. You can meet people with different backgrounds and cultures. I recommend to visit Helsinki because here is a lot to experience and see.

What is the student lifestyle like in Helsinki?

At schools we have strict timetables. If class is marked to start at 8am you need to be there at 8am. On free time there is lot of organized parties and happenings that you can participate.

How much does it cost to live in Helsinki?

Helsinki is an expensive city to live. The biggest living cost is rent. If you want to live cheap you should look the apartment away from the city center. Espoo and Vantaa are pretty good options to get low living costs and it also takes small amount of time to get to the center because of the good public transportation.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Helsinki? Is there any advice you can give?

It might be hard to find a place to stay for a short time but there is few links that you can check out:

Helsinki student accomodations
http://www.hoas.fi/www/hoaswww.nsf/sp3?open&cid=exchangestudents

Facebook group for available apartments
https://www.facebook.com/groups/235368102105/?fref=ts

This one is in finnish but there you might find few good apartments
http://www.tori.fi/uusimaa/asunnot?ca=18&w=1&cg=1000&st=s&st=k&st=u&st=h&st=g&st=b

What places would you recommend visiting in Helsinki?

Places where you should definitely go are Suomenlinna (small island in Helsinki), Linnanmäki (amusement park), Ateneum (museum), Nuuksio (national park in Espoo), Korkeasaari (zoo), Itis (the biggest mall in Finland)

Is the nightlife good in Helsinki? Where is good to go?

In Helsinki we have a lot of pubs, bars and clubs. The most popular clubs hosting student parties are The Tiger, The Circus, Club Capital, Kaivohuone, Namu and BK (Baarikärpänen). We also have the biggest gay bar and nightclub in Nordic, DTM. If you like sitting and chilling you should head to Painobaari, William K., Kaisla, Teerenpeli, Sling In bar and Shaker. There is also Steam Helsinki, which is a steampunk-styled bar.

What advice would you give future students heading to Helsinki?

Finnish people might seem a little shy and stiff but be open-minded, go talk to them and make new friends. We have a hard shell but when you crack it you will make lifelong friends!