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When I first thought about going abroad, I dreamed of living in a peaceful, northern country where people truly know how to enjoy quiet happiness. Finland seemed like the perfect match — safe, calm, and famous for both its education system and its high quality of life. In August 2024, I began my four-month Erasmus at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki, studying Information Technology.
Modern Campus and Learning Style
Metropolia offers everything a student could wish for: Apple computers with dual screens for everyone, spacious classrooms, gyms, canteens, and libraries all around the campus. The approach to education is very different from my home university — practice is more important than theory, and every course focuses on real-world projects. The semester is divided into two 8-week blocks, which means less stress and more freedom. Teachers act more like mentors, and students are expected to take responsibility for their learning.
Student Life and ESN Adventures
The ESN Metropolia community made my semester unforgettable. They organized regular trips, theme parties, museum visits, and even sauna evenings. The highlight of my exchange was a six-day trip to Lapland — crossing the Arctic Circle, seeing reindeer, swimming in the Arctic Ocean, and living in a colorful Finnish cottage with ten Italian students. We became close friends after only a few days, and some of those friendships continue even now.
Accommodation and Everyday Life
Finding a place to live in Helsinki can be tricky — there are more students than rooms. My biggest advice: apply early for student housing via HOAS (www.hoas.fi). It’s modern, affordable (around €300), and usually includes a sauna and laundry room. I applied too late and ended up paying €600 for a similar room, so don’t make the same mistake.
Food and Transport
Finnish student cafeterias (UniCafe) are a dream: for just €2.70, you get a full buffet with salads, sides, meat, and vegan options — plus unlimited water and bread. The HSL card makes public transport easy: one ticket covers the metro, trams, buses, and even ferries to Suomenlinna island. A monthly student pass for zones AB costs about €40.
Life in Finland
It’s hard not to fall in love with Finland’s calm rhythm. You can drink tap water anywhere, walk safely at night, and enjoy a feeling of quiet independence. In my free time, I watched hockey matches, relaxed in public saunas (some are even free, like Sompasauna), and swam in lakes surrounded by snow. I also joined a local football group, which helped me meet new people and feel part of the community.
Personal Growth and Reflections
More than anything, Erasmus in Finland gave me independence, confidence, and international friendships. I met people from Italy, Oxford, Bangladesh, Latin America, and of course, the Czech Republic. Talking with people from so many cultures changed the way I see life. The Lapland trip, the new friends, and the peaceful winter evenings in Helsinki — these are memories that will stay with me forever.
Practical Tips for Future Students
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Apply for HOAS housing as soon as possible — it can save you hundreds of euros.
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Use Revolut for easy payments.
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Bring layered winter clothes (thermal underwear + sweater + jacket).
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Join ESN trips and events — it’s the best way to make friends.
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Try everything new: sports, parties, saunas, and random conversations — that’s how you grow.
Final thought:
Erasmus in Finland isn’t just about studying — it’s about learning how to live differently, in a calmer, kinder, and more self-aware way. If you ever get the chance, go for it. You might come back as a completely new person.
– Illia Udovichenko