La cultura más profunda de Europa

Why did you choose to go to Lappeenranta, Finland?

I've been always interested to go up in Europe, the Scandinavians countries always took my attention! I had a friend studying as a erasmus student in Tampere so he fully recommended me this country.

Source

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

It's been for 9 months, it's nearly ending... I receive about 300€ per month, not too much actually but I saved some money last year!

What is the student lifestyle like in Lappeenranta?

100% university lifestyle, the school makes you feel part of something. There are guilds you can belong to, a huge load of activities, concerts, student parties. .. I've spent a long time at the university during this year.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Lappeenranta to other students?

Of course, I'd truly recommend this University, about the city, is a small town and you have to be willing to get in the culture and so on... even though I think is worthy. Anyway, one year is not enough at all to know everything about the finnish culture.

What is the food like?

Well.. there's not a big big gastronomic culture in here. The fish and some typical christmas meals but I'd say that I prefer the Spanish gastronomy. Anyway I like the food of the university.

How did you find your accommodation?

Loas is an organization in Lappeenranta that is in charge to accommodate the students. We communicated each other by e-mails and it wasn't very difficult. There were some misunderstandings but perhaps it was the exception. As far as I've been told, the organization works pretty well and I've been very comfortable living in my apartment.

Source

What are the accommodation prices like? What are prices like for other things in general?

The price of the apartment is cheap compared with the prices in general. There are a lot of aids for students (not for exchange students) but they still offer cheap places to foreigners. Mine is very confortable and it costs reasonable amount of money.

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

Not at all! Is very difficult but If you are willing to learn it you can pick up some words, I did my best so I could had little conversations with the finns, I find the idiom really funny. There are free language courses in the University of several languages: German, Spanish, Finnish, English.... etc.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Lappeenranta from your city?

Low cost companies! Is not very cheap anyway because if you are not a students, the prices of the trains are very high, about 40 euros... with the student card is half price!

Source

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Lappeenranta?

Well, the Erasmus parties are always a nice option, you can get along with the people and so on, but there are 3 night clubs here always full on weekends, most of the people is from Finland or Rusia. Always good flow in the nightclubs.

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Lappeenranta?

I didn't have a lot of money so I haven't hanged around fancy restaurants. Kebab rocks in Finland.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Well...not too many I must say... some churches and stuff like that. The best to feel in Finland is the nature, 100% green over the spring and summer.

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Lappeenranta in the future?

Try to go deeply into the finnish culture, you'll find a huge difference from your own culture, no matter where you come from. And please... go to the Sauna!, the best invention all over the world.

Source