{"id":543,"date":"2011-09-08T08:52:14","date_gmt":"2011-09-08T06:52:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/summerschoolsblog\/?p=543"},"modified":"2017-10-20T17:29:26","modified_gmt":"2017-10-20T15:29:26","slug":"summer-school-in-helsinki","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/summerschoolsblog\/2011\/09\/08\/summer-school-in-helsinki\/","title":{"rendered":"Chandre at the Helsinki Summer School, Finland"},"content":{"rendered":"

During August Chandr\u00e9 Brewis attended the Helsinki Summer School where she\u00a0took part in\u00a0the course\u00a0Sustainable Global Technologies \u2013 Living Lab. <\/strong>Here is her report:<\/p>\n

\"Helsinki<\/a>
Helsinki Summer School<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pre-departure:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Even though the Summer School only took place in August, the planning process started in mid-April already.\u00a0 This included applying for the course and accommodation through Helsinki University and obtaining a travel bursary from the PGIO of Stellenbosch University.\u00a0 It was convenient that the travel bursary was paid into my account electronically, making it easy to shop around for the cheapest and best suited flight months before the time.\u00a0 There are no direct flights from South Africa to Finland; you will have to transit somewhere in Europe.\u00a0 I decided to travel with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul.\u00a0 Although they advertise as direct flights from Cape Town, we stopped over in Johannesburg for other passengers to board.\u00a0 I would recommend them as the flight ticket was relatively cheap and the food and service in-flight was good.<\/p>\n

The VISA application went smoothly, but you must ensure that you have all the necessary documents beforehand.\u00a0 You can find the application forms on the Embassy\u2019s website along with details on the required documents.\u00a0 These documents include travel insurance, a copy of your flight ticket, letters from both Universities stating that you are attending the Summer School and returning to Stellenbosch, proof of accommodation and funds and colour passport photos.\u00a0 Remember to ask for the letter from the Helsinki University, you do not just receive it.\u00a0 Keep an eye on you snail mailbox once requested as they post you the original document.\u00a0 There is a Finnish Embassy in Oranjezicht, Cape Town.\u00a0 No appointment is needed; just make sure of the opening times.\u00a0 Furthermore, no cash is accepted \u2013 you have to pay the then \u20ac60 via EFT into their account and bring the proof of payment along on the day.\u00a0 It took only two weeks before I could collect my passport again.\u00a0 To be safe, I would advise applying for the VISA approximately one month before departure.<\/p>\n

Most of the course programmes required pre-course tasks to be completed before travelling to Helsinki.\u00a0 This may vary from reading material to writing an essay.\u00a0 For the course I attended, I had to submit an essay and an A3 poster.\u00a0 Communication from their side happens via email.\u00a0 Also the Helsinki Summer School website is updated regularly and contains vital information regarding anything you would like to know before arriving.\u00a0 Details about the courses, accommodation options, social programme and directions can be found on the website.<\/p>\n

August is the last bit of summer in Helsinki.\u00a0 Please pack warm clothes as well as the weather is very variable and changes almost instantly.\u00a0 My umbrella was definitely the best item I remembered to pack into my suitcase!\u00a0 I especially enjoyed the sun setting only around 22:00 though.<\/p>\n

Summer School:<\/strong><\/p>\n

I attended the Sustainable Global Technologies course which was actually presented by the Aalto University in the adjacent city, Espoo.\u00a0 The Aalto University was formed in 2010, merging three campuses in the Helsinki metropolitan area: Helsinki University of Technology, Helsinki School of Economics and the University of Art and Design Helsinki.\u00a0 As this is such a multi-disciplinary university, it was also evident in the group of students attending the course.\u00a0 Students from all over the world with different academic backgrounds and cultures made attending this course a big learning curve.<\/p>\n

\"Aalto<\/a>
Aalto University Campus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The intensity of the course itself was not so bad.\u00a0 We were able to attend all the social activities organised by the Summer School team.\u00a0 The course was very well organised and I particularly enjoyed the way in which it was presented.\u00a0 Various teaching methods were used: lectures (course organisers and guests), workshops, factory or company visits, group work and individual assignments.\u00a0 The group work entitled a practical project compiled into a final report and a presentation was given on the last day on the course.<\/p>\n

We had lunch at the university cafeteria every day.\u00a0 Although we received some discount, it was \u20ac4.70 per meal.\u00a0 Living costs in Helsinki is quite high!\u00a0 I found the food in the supermarkets reasonably priced though if you want to avoid the expensive restaurants.\u00a0 Tipping is not expected, the service charge is included in the food price.<\/p>\n

Accommodation for the students from Stellenbosch University is provided in the Pihlajam\u00e4ki flats approximately 30min by bus from the city centre.\u00a0 I had to commute about an hour to my campus each day, which was a bit of a negative side.\u00a0 You need a regional travel card for this, but fortunately the students attending the Sustainable Global Technologies course received a sponsored card!\u00a0 Each person gets a single 20m2 <\/sup>apartment, not necessarily fully equipped.\u00a0 We had to take our own bedding for one.\u00a0 You were responsible for cleaning the flat while staying there.\u00a0 Still, we were fortunate to have a little privacy.\u00a0 The students staying in the Pihlajam\u00e4ki flats had a get together on the balcony almost every evening; this was a nice way to get to know each other. \u00a0Also, free internet in the apartment along with free laundry facilities in the apartment block next door!\u00a0 Remember to take a LAN cable along to be able to connect instantly.<\/p>\n

\"Pihlajam\u00e4ki<\/a>
Pihlajam\u00e4ki flats<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Social programme organised by the Helsinki Summer School is definitely worth taking part in.\u00a0 It was also very well organised but some of the activities were on the pricey side, so take these into account when budgeting for the trip.\u00a0 I would recommend attending as many activities as possible as you meet other Summer School participants, get a taste of the Finnish culture and food and get to do some sightseeing in the Helsinki area.\u00a0 A definite highlight was the Baltic Sea dinner cruise (\u20ac40) which entailed cruising though the Finnish archipelago for four hours while enjoying traditional Finnish food.\u00a0 A free activity, the Finnish Oddities event, was also lots of fun.\u00a0 We learnt the techniques of Nordic walking, M\u00f6lkky (game) and Finnish dancing.<\/p>\n

\"Baltic<\/a>
Baltic Sea Dinner Cruise<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Return:<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was really sad to leave Helsinki as I grew fond of the place and people.\u00a0 Meeting people from around the world really opens doors for future travels.\u00a0 Helsinki never really felt like home, but I felt very comfortable living there.\u00a0 You get used to the systems etc. quite quickly.<\/p>\n

The way of life is vastly different from in South Africa especially in terms of the extensive public transport systems available.\u00a0 Sustainability is very high on the agenda for almost any activity happening in the Helsinki metropolitan area.\u00a0 Sorting of waste is required as most of it gets recycled, composted or re-used.\u00a0 Furthermore, Helsinki is a very quiet and peaceful city; you rarely see loads of people on the streets.\u00a0 The Finnish are a helpful but shy bunch of people; you easily get around with using English.<\/p>\n

I have learnt that even though the European way of life is always very efficient and technologically advanced, the systems in place there may not work in South Africa.\u00a0 You have to adapt principles to the context in which you live in.\u00a0 There is a lot of room for improvement in South Africa when it comes to sustainability especially, but various factors have to be considered which is not necessarily relevant to a European context.\u00a0 It was a great learning experience to gain knowledge on their systems and will stretch my mind on how similar frameworks can be implemented locally.<\/p>\n

Returning to Stellenbosch was an experience along with mixed emotions.\u00a0 Obviously it is so special to see family and friends again!\u00a0 Although it felt as if I have never left in a sense, still I could feel that I have been changed by the experience abroad while things here stayed the same.\u00a0 I think it will take some time getting used to things around here again.\u00a0 Now it is back to reality with a Master\u2019s thesis which has to be handed in soon!<\/p>\n

So, after an amazing experience in Finland from which I will cherish memories for the rest of my life, the automat pay station at the car park is replaced with a car guard, weighing you own fruits and vegetables is replaced with a person helping you and waiting for the bus at the bus stop, waving for the bus to stop, is replaced by me getting into my car and driving myself\u2026on the other side of the road.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

During August Chandr\u00e9 Brewis attended the Helsinki Summer School where she\u00a0took part in\u00a0the course\u00a0Sustainable Global Technologies \u2013 Living Lab. Here … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":589,"featured_media":4466,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14265,44659],"tags":[36619,41270],"class_list":["post-543","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-helsinki-summer-school","category-winter-summer-school-postings","tag-finland","tag-summer-school"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/summerschoolsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/543","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/summerschoolsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/summerschoolsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/summerschoolsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/589"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/summerschoolsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=543"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/summerschoolsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/543\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4477,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/summerschoolsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/543\/revisions\/4477"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/summerschoolsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4466"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/summerschoolsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=543"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/summerschoolsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=543"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.sun.ac.za\/summerschoolsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=543"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}