Living in Joensuu, Finland - Karelia University of Applied Sciences

Finland – exotic and safe country

Finland is located in northern Europe and borders such countries as Norway, Sweden and Russia. In 1995 it became a member of the European Union. Currently, its population accounts 5.48 million. Officially, Finland has two languages, Finnish and Swedish, nevertheless English is also widely spoken.

An international student can find Finland as an exotic and a secured country. Picturesque nature, clean air and water are what makes Finland stand out from other European countries. The midnight sun in the summer and the polar night in the winter are among others the features that make living in Finland a unique experience.

Such factors as high standard of life quality and equality are the essential forces in Finnish society. Moreover, Finland is identified to have one of the most developed educational systems in the world. The main aim of Finnish educational policy is offering everybody equal opportunities in receiving education. The system is highly penetrable, so that higher education levels can be achieved by anyone.

Both universities and universities of applied sciences utilise substantial autonomy and construct their operations based on the freedom of education and research. In practice, every higher education institution manages its own administration, decides itself upon student admission and creates the contents of degree programmes.

Eastern Finland can be called a Land of Lakes as this region consists of an endless patchwork of lakes and low rolling hills. This is one of the main reasons why it Finland is top destination for summer cottages. Moreover, there is innumerous number of spots to indulge in the Finnish national obsession for sauna, sausages and a dip in the lake.

North Karelia

North Karelia is the easternmost province of Finland with a population of approximately 170,000. About 70 % of the area is covered by forest. North Karelia is divided into municipalities, each offering various cultural and exotic seasonal travel activities from river rafting to wilderness survival experiences throughout the year.

Links
www.vaellus.info
www.visitkarelia.fi

Joensuu – the student city

Joensuu is the lively capital of the North Karelia. With the total population of 77 000 (of which 25 % are under 25 of age) Joensuu is the second biggest town in Eastern Finland.

As the host of many institutions of higher education, Joensuu is the capital of eastern Finland. Here you can lead an active student life: due to the high number of students, the leisure time services and the lively culture in the city will not leave you cold even during the most freezing winter months.

In order to keep the balance between studying and free time, the city offers creative opportunities for your leisure time. If you are into sports, you have plenty of sport clubs to choose from. The sports facilities vary from indoor swimming pools, skate ramps and climbing walls to football fields, ice skating rinks and ski slopes. Cultural activities include concerts from classical music to rock and jazz, fine art exhibitions, cinemas and dance performances. The student union POKA at Karelia UAS offers you many sports classes ranging from street basketball to yoga. If you are interested in unspoiled nature, our city and its surrounding area gives you plenty of opportunities to experience peaceful forests and dozens of lakes. Relaxing might include hiking, fishing and bird-watching.

Information about Joensuu

Information about Finland

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