Tag: Finland

Pre-Departure:

Prior to my departure to Helsinki, I did a lot of online research to get a good idea of where I was going to spend the following four months. I researched things like weather and how to prepare for it, people and what customs I should keep in mind, as well as general costs of living. In addition, the host university regularly sent us links to blog posts, which were quite helpful in addressing general concerns of exchange students. Especially when it came to packing wisely, the research helped me to take along the essentials, but not weigh myself down by things that were equally available in Finland. Thus, I did not take a big jacket or winter shoes, but only bought them in Helsinki, as the South African market would anyways not have equipped me for the Finnish winter climate. Although I do not know how my stay would have gone if I had not done this research, I felt well prepared when I made it to Helsinki.

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Pre-departure:

The time between the confirmation of being selected for a semester exchange by the host university and the departure date seems long. It isn’t! Booking flights is the easiest part. The paper work that is required for everything else is plenty – from buying health and travel insurance, paying the accommodation deposit and, of course, applying for a visa.

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Pre-departure:

I was so nervous about my trip to Helsinki, mostly because I wasn’t sure what to expect. All I knew was that the culture would be entirely different from my own but, all the postulating in the world could not really prepare you for the real thing. My residence permit application was a breeze, but a bit more expensive than your regular visa so I was so thankful for my Erasmus grant. I booked an appointment at the embassy in Pretoria and I received an email that same afternoon confirming the success of my application. I then went back 2 weeks later to pick up my permit. They were so timely and efficient.

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