Erasmus Experience in Seinäjoki, Finland by Francisco

Why did you choose to go to Seinäjoki, Finland?

I wanted to go to a northen country because of the nature, people and weather. And Finland has a good health system (I'm a nursing student), so that's why I choose Finland.

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

We receive around 450 euros per month (for 4 months). Believe me when I say it's not enough. Things here are very very expensive (food, house stuff).

What is the student lifestyle like in Seinäjoki?

If you are a nursing student and you need a lot of ECT Credits, you won't be able to enjoy the student lifestyle here. But I think it's a great lifestyle with a variaty of activities.

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

Yes. Even if it looks like you don't have much to do in the City, the University is awesome!

What is the food like?

The food is good. Of course if you don't know it, it's a cultural shock at the beginning.

But usually you get a student card and you can eat in the cafeterias around campus and in the Hospital (2,5€ 'Buffet') if you're a nursing student.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Seinäjoki?

SEAMK arranged it very nicely!

How much does it cost to live in Seinajoki?

Seinäjoki is very expensive like every city in Finland. But of course, with a good research, you can try to find some of the things cheaper than the ones that you found on your first shopping day.

In LIDL, some of the things are cheaper.

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

The Finnish language is very different and difficult. Be aware of that!

But yes, there are language courses at the SEAMK and they can help! If you are a nursing student with too much credits to gain, it can be difficult to go to the classes because of the shifts.

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

Well, it depends. Around Finland, VR (train) is very nice with good prices to students (you can get a student card at SEAMK). You can always try OnniBus and OmniBus, they are quite cheap too for small distances (I think). From my country to Finland? By plane of course.

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

You don't have many places to go!

There's a sports bar "Carlsberg" and this disco "Karma". And of course, the never ending students pre-parties in the apartments.

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

Well, I've tried Rosso. It's good food but, of course, expensive!

Kotipizza is very good. There's a kind of "take away/drive in" restaurant in the city centre called SamBurger (next to the baseball camp). The burgers are VERY good!

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Hmm.. I don't know but you can give a look to the local church, the lake near the Central Hospital (not much cultural but, good stuff), and I don't really remember anything. The most cultural thing you can observe/feel is the way Finns live their life! :)