Students' Experiences

On this page you will find testimonials written by our former exchange students from different corners of the world.

Links to testimonials on other sites

• Student from the University of Queensland, bilateral agreement
• Erasmus student from the University of Kent
• Erasmus student from the Oxford Brookes University
• Erasmus experiences at iAgora.com
• ISEP student from Universidad Regiomontana
• ISEP Student from the University of Vermont

Testimonials on this page

Erasmus

Tampere will always be in my mind. Erasmus brought me a unique experience that help me to see the world in a different way, living with people from all over the world let me see how different we are, and at the same time, how similar we are. Now, I feel that my heart is divided into small pieces, pieces that are spread around the world. I can say that I have a new family, a second home in Tampere.
Through Erasmus I became more persistent and strong.  It is a good opportunity, not only to study abroad, also to improve your language skills, meet new people, and live new experiences that you will never forget.

Thank you for this wonderful year Tampere and thank you ERASMUS!
- Laura Alvarez Mendívil

***

Erasmus year at the University of Tampere I can describe only as the best choice I could have made. There is no better way to meet so many people from different countries all over the world, to learn and compare different attitudes towards life, studies and career. University of Tampere, its friendly and helpful staff as well as students create an atmosphere of mutual respect, co-operation and understanding. Originally I was enrolled for one semester, but I couldn't go home so quickly, so I prolonged my stay. If you have a chance to go to Tampere, just go for it!

- Katarzyna Blaszkiewicz

***

My motivation to spent one semester of my medical education abroad in Tampere, Finland, was based on my desire to improve my medical skills and to gather international experience. My exchange semester was a great success since I learned a lot both medically and personally.

The greatest achievement for my medical studies was the problem based learning system which I was taught in Tampere . At my home university I was used to dealing separately with each subject like pharmacology, microbiology and so on. It is a very theoretical approach and when you first encounter a patient it is hard to all of a sudden connect the knowledge which you have learned seperately. In Tampere , however, I was taught to deal with real life cases. In my classes we were given handouts with real cases on it and then we had to discuss how to examine the patient, which blood tests to take and how to treat. Therewith we learned how to set up differential diagnoses, how to rule out all diagnoses till we have the final diagnosis and then of course how to treat it. While it was really fun, since we could discuss the case amongst us students without being afraid of a wrong statement, we were also well prepared for our later working life. Even though there is only one class taught in English, the study advisors are very friendly and helpful, so that I could take internships in the hospital and work with the doctors, so that I could gather a lot of practical experience.

Next to my medical achievements I can recommend Tampere to every student, for it is a nice city with really kind people. I easily got in touch with my Finnish fellow students, we often met and really had a good time. Also for people interested in nature, this is the place to be with wonderful nature around and a beautiful fall season. In addition, such an Erasmus-exchange is a real international experience. You get to know so many people from all over Europe and you'll make so many friends that it is gonna be hard to leave when your exchange ends.

I'm really glad I took this opportunity and I can highly recommend an exchange to Tampere.

- Jan Kastell

***

ISEP

My dream was to visit Finland at least once in my life. I had a great opportunity to fulfill my dream as I decided to study there for one year. When I knew I was accepted by the University of Tampere I was really excited but also a little bit afraid to leave my hometown.

When I came to Tampere, everything was really easy. I had two great tutors who welcomed me at the railway station, they accompanied me to my student accommodation, they helped me a lot with all the administration papers, formalities, etc. They answered every question I had, and I didn't feel alone.

I was really surprised and impressed to see so many opportunities at the University: the computer room was open 24 x 7, all these cafés and restaurants sometimes open until 6, really good prices for meals, diversity of sports offered and good accessibility to the sports center. It was not so easy to choose all my courses, because I was not used to this, but there is a very wide choice of lectures taught in English and always somebody to help you. Teachers and lecturers are accessible, flexible and able to listen to us.

The University is connected with lots of student organizations that propose exchange students a range of activities such as cultural or linguistic activities, parties, travel, and more. These events are a great occasion to meet new people, to discover new cultures and to have fun.

Finns do speak really good English and I can feel that my English skills are better and better. But also in Tampere I have had the opportunity to improve my German and to learn Finnish. I have learned a lot about Finnish culture and I could understand Finns better in my daily life.

Tampere is a really nice city, not so old, but very pleasant. There are forests and lakes everywhere. Finns are so close to nature; I can also feel now that nature is very important for me. Finland is full of traditions connected with nature, like going to sauna and then a swim in a lake, skiing, ice skating, a walk in the forest.

My year in Tampere is, for the moment, the best experience I ever had. I have learned so much here and do not regret my choice at all. I will recommend Tampere to people who have the opportunity to go abroad as exchange students because it is a totally rewarding experience.

ISEP, Laila Laarif, France

***

Bilateral agreements

To study in the University of Tampere was one of the best decisions in my life, as I can say now. I chose this university because I see a very strong cultural and business connection between Finland and Russia , where I am from, and in addition Tampere is a very nice and beautiful place, where I wanted to spend my exchange year.

When I arrived to Tampere I was amazed how well everything was organized. I immediately got all the materials concerning organizational aspects and programmes and the personnel in the University was very kind and helpful. In August I joined a Summer School, the programme included language studies and an introduction to Finnish society and culture. It was a really great time. In one month I saw lots of interesting places in Tampere , Turku , a National Park, and I met very interesting people from all over the world. At the same time I got a very good basic knowledge of Finnish language and was introduced to Finnish traditions, history, and the Finnish political and social system. The Summer School was very informative and interesting, the organization was excellent and our guides were very friendly and responsible.

At the beginning of the semester during the orientation course I got all the important information about courses, the University facilities, and the library. I found lots of suitable courses for me in different fields and levels. Very many studies are available in English, but even if the course is in Finnish, the professors can always give you a chance to take a book exam.

All the courses I chose were very well taught, they included lectures, reading, group work, assignments and seminars. I got really good knowledge in the subjects I was studying. Mostly the materials for courses are available in the Internet, sometimes they were given as copies and in addition the library service is excellent; all books and journals can be found and the registration service is very convenient. There is a very good system of examinations. Everybody is able to go to exams three times if you are not satisfied with your results.

During my study semester I got very good opportunities to keep up my hobbies. There are wonderful slopes for snowboarding, very good tracks for skiing and sports facilities at the University. And what is really amazing is that almost everybody in Finland is able to speak English. All Finns are very friendly and nice and they always want to help you.

I had an awesome time in Finland and I have no regrets that I chose the University of Tampere.

Great experience, interesting people, informative studies, a nice place - these are the words, which I can say about my exchange year.

- Irena Shimanskaya, Russia

***

About a year ago I faced a choice that could affect my life in this year - whether to go to a city in Finland , which I have never heard of, or to Canada for my exchange program. Two universities made me an offer. As you can imagine, I chose Tampere as my destination.

Living in a city like Hong Kong , where everyone is busy and the streets are crowded all the time, and where the total population is larger than that of Finland , Tampere is definitely a good place for me to relax and enjoy nature and my life. Tampere is such a nice city where I can find everything I need in the city centre within easy walking distance, and at the same time I can enjoy the nature environment to the fullest - whether to take a walk by the two large lakes, or to take a walk in the forest which you can find everywhere, or to Pispala Ridge for the fabulous view of the city. Staying here has really been a very pleasant experiment for me.

Studying in the University of Tampere has also given me a chance of a glimpse at this flexible education system here. You can always choose whatever course you want to take, and if you don't want to take any course you just take book exams and you gain credits if you pass the exams! (Well, and it's always possible that you don't have to take an exam but to write an essay instead once you have reached agreement with the teacher!) Can you see how flexible it is to study here? I was really amazed by this system when I first came here. But at the same time I must confess that this caused a little confusion to me since this system is completely new to me. However, the International Office is always willing to help if you have any practical questions during your stay here.

The most precious memory during my stay here is, of course, to have the chance to meet so many people from different parts of the world. I made really good friends here, which I have never expected. Among these good friends, there are definitely also some Finns. Most of the Finnish people may be a little bit shy at the very beginning when you met them, but they can be really good and loyal friends. Thanks to my Finnish friends, I got to have a real Finnish Christmas, learnt how to make some typical Finnish food and desserts, etc.

I really enjoy the time staying here and I will definitely miss this lovely city and this Nordic country when I am back to Hong Kong . I am sure every exchange students will think the same way as I do!

- Ms. Wai Man Shum, China