Four international students of JYU reflect on language, culture, student life and finding a sense of belonging in Finland.
AROUND 330 new exchange students arrive at the University of Jyväskylä (JYU) this autumn and about 170 arrive in the spring. The International Office of JYU provides consistent support through orientations and events, and guides students with practical matters and everyday life in Jyväskylä. The resources and support are equally available for everyone, but each student ultimately shapes their own unique experience.
Emilia Lakka, the Specialist in International Affairs at the Student Union of Jyväskylä (JYY), knows how transformative an exchange can be. She spent several school years in Louisiana, an experience she says broadened her worldview and shaped her identity. Her background in tutoring and student advocacy has strengthened her commitment to supporting newcomers.
In 2024, international degree students made up 4,8 % of all degree students at JYU and 3,0 % of bachelor’s and master’s students. Although still modest compared to other Finnish universities, increasing these numbers is a strategic goal, Lakka says.
Life as a Sports Student in Jyväskylä
FRENCH Nathan Robin came to Finland for the first time in 2021. He first studied at Laurea University of Applied Sciences and decided to return for his master’s degree.
Finland was the perfect match for Robin, who wanted to discover the Nordics. As JYU is home to the only Sports Faculty in Finland, the decision came naturally. Robin studies Responsible Management and Business of Sport (RESPO) in the Sports Faculty, focusing on the ethical and responsible dimensions of sport.
Jyväskylä is actively branding itself as Finland’s Capital of Sport and has plenty of sport options to offer. Robin takes part in the university’s sports and exercise service for students, uMove, and goes to the Liikunta building’s gym on the Seminaarinmäki campus.
As an outdoor sports and recreation area, Laajavuori offers skiing, biking, adventure activities, accommodation, food, and more in one place. Robin goes there frequently in the winter.
”When I want to relax, I love going to the Lampila sauna in Laajavuori.”
Adapting to the Seasons
ROBIN’S FAMILY encouraged him to study abroad. His mother came for a visit a few weeks after Robin had arrived to help him settle and get furniture. Robin has long phone calls with his family and exchanges lots of pictures, which helps to fight homesickness.
His little brother had a skiing race in Jyväskylä, which was a great opportunity for both to meet.
”When I’m feeling low, they cheer me up by sending packages with food from home”, Robin says.
Robin reckons the freedom to choose classes and study independently from home increases productivity and helps students to learn better. He thinks there is less hierarchical distance between the student and the teacher in Finland than in France.
”Teachers are very accessible, which contributes to a safe and equal studying environment”, he says.
Robin remembers that settling was challenging in the autumn, as days get shorter in Finland. He deals with the lack of light by keeping a positive mindset, meeting people, and going outside as much as he can. He also just embraces the darkness and acknowledges its advantages.
”I try to think that days are going to get longer soon, or already have. This helps me to stay happy in the winter.”
On the other hand, in the summer it’s difficult to sleep because of the lack of darkness.
”It is difficult for my body to adapt. I’m still looking for solutions to sleep better in summer.”
Language as a Bridge to Connection
TO ROBIN, Jyväskylä resembles a small village with all the useful services. Life is quiet and there is no rush. He appreciates the biker-friendly design of the streets and how one can easily access most places by bike in no time.
However, the aesthetics of the city center would benefit from a pop of color.
”It resembles blocks of concrete”, Robin wonders. ”It has a sad atmosphere.”
Robin thought learning Finnish was the best way to integrate into society and started as soon as he arrived. He has been grateful to his Finnish teachers for keeping the classes interesting.
Robin prefers to improve his language skills with others, and spends little time with other French students.
He has joined his Finnish friends in typical student gatherings, such as pre-Christmas celebration pikkujoulu and kämppäappro. The latter is an apartment-crawl-style event, where students move from one flat to another doing small activities and enjoying snacks and drinks each student offers in their place.
Robin attends events held by subject associations, or meets in bars to watch football games or play board games. He finds that the Sports Faculty’s subject association, Sporticus, always has a great vibe.
Robin thinks the international community is quite strong.
”We go through the same issues. We’re all learning the language and discovering the culture, which allows us to create a sense of belonging and to be supportive of each other.”
Many Costs of Starting a New Life
ALWAYS WANTING to experience a new environment and broaden her knowledge, Amena Akter moved to Finland from Bangladesh in 2025. She was drawn to the strong education system, diversity, and nature, and immediately felt she had reached her dream country.
”The colorful atmosphere, the rainy days, and the snowfall made everything feel overwhelming in a good way. It felt so welcoming”, she recalls.
”I am really happy to be here.”
Moving to Finland cost Akter around 10 000 euros.
Leaving the family and her home environment behind was also an emotional experience. Then again, Akter reckons it will be worth the price.
Akter studies Language, Globalization, and Intercultural Communication, learning about intercultural communication, journalism, marketing and conflict management.
”I am here to study my second master’s degree, so it has been a big investment in my education and future.”
Each incoming international student is assigned a tutor to support them when they arrive in the city. During orientation week, the tutors organize campus and city tours, and guide students through practical matters like registering for courses.
Tutors are in contact with their tutees already in the summer before the semester kicks off. Akter’s tutor helped her to understand the accommodation options and sent useful links for apartment applications early to secure a place in Kortepohja.
The closeness of the mosque is important for Akter. However, she feels the city lacks awareness about the Muslim community and its needs. Akter thinks there are not enough prayer spaces, and the city doesn’t recognize Muslim festivals like Eid.
”I hope in the future there will be more visibility, understanding, and facilities for Muslim residents.”
Getting to know Jyväskylä felt confusing at first, but now she finds it a welcoming city. Though Akter reckons the prices in Jyväskylä are reasonable compared to other Finnish cities, she wishes students received better discounts.
”Many international students don’t work, so paying around 500 euros for a studio is quite heavy.”
Finding Work is a Major Challenge
AKTER WISHES to stay in Finland if she eventually finds a suitable job. Even though she thinks her Finnish is not perfect, she tries to interact with people whenever she can.
”I have discussions with Finns, especially older people, who appreciate someone taking the time to talk with them.”
Akter has been surprised to realize that English is not always enough for daily life and work. Workplaces often prefer people who speak Finnish well. She sees that as an issue of comfort and communication, rather than discrimination.
Akter believes international students would be motivated to work while they continue learning the language. Part-time job opportunities for English-speaking students within the university would be welcome.
Finding employment and earning a sufficient income to support oneself are by far the loudest concerns students have, according to Lakka, the Specialist in International Affairs of JYY. She says high tuition fees increase the pressure on many international students to finish their studies quickly. This contributes to stress and anxiety. Additionally, finding jobs and internships is difficult.
Lakka recently cooperated with International House Jyväskylä (IHJ) with planning their new mentor program.
IHJ is a community hub that offers career guidance, in addition to practical help on integrating and living in the city. This August, they concluded a year-long project aiming to improve the employment prospects of international students.
Tiina Komulainen, Career Advisor at IHJ, says that their career support is available through personal appointments, walk-in sessions, and joint pop-up events organized together with JYU’s career services. They support students in navigating Finnish job-seeking practices, preparing CVs and applications, identifying their skills, and building professional networks.
Students often request help with topics related to residence permits, unemployment registration after graduation, and taxation matters. IHJ organizes information sessions and events related to working life, as well as various social activities that help students adapt to life in Finland and connect with others.
Akter says volunteering at IHJ has helped her integrate into the culture.
”It gave me opportunities to communicate with others, learn more about the community, and understand Finnish society from a closer perspective.”
Belonging Through Community and Culture
AKTER FINDS JYU to be one of the best institutions she has experienced in terms of supporting international students and making them feel included.
Her community is a mix of international students, Finnish classmates, and neighbors. Occasionally she goes out with classmates from her home country, whom she met upon first arriving in Jyväskylä.
She loves organizing community programs for Muslim and Bengali people to make more connections and network,
and stays connected to her mosque community.
”It gives me a sense of cultural and spiritual belonging”, Akter describes.
Akter has noticed that students of different nationalities often stick to their own groups and rarely mix together. She is well aware of the stereotypes of Finns. Silence is definitely a comfortable part of communication in Finland, but it might not be the whole truth.
”Once Finns start talking, they are genuinely warm and enjoy real conversation.”
Despite many subject associations organizing activities in English, many foreign students find associations to be distant. JYU Programs like Each One Teach One and the Local Friendship Programme pair students with Finns to learn about the culture and connect with each other.
However, Lakka reckons there is still much room for improvement.
project.
Over a Decade of Experience
XAVI CADENAS first came to Finland for a sports-focused voluntary project, where he coached children, encouraging them to use English in their interaction. He has now lived in the country for eleven years.
Cadenas is studying for a Master’s in Biology of Physical Activity, and specialises in coaching and fitness testing.
”JYU is one of the best Universities in Sports Science in Europe. It has a very good reputation for sports students”, he says.
Cadenas’s first year was busy with plenty of courses and lectures. In addition, he was working part-time as a strength and conditioning coach in a football club in the evenings. Now he works twice a week, mostly focusing on his thesis.
Originally from Spain, Cadenas finds the student cultures of both countries to be similar with plenty of events to choose from. In Finland students have more benefits compared to Spain, and there is more freedom to pick online courses.
The biggest difference is that the education in Finland is totally free for Finnish people. Also for EU citizens, degree studies at the University of Jyväskylä are free of charge.
The cultural shock of living abroad alone, not knowing anyone and not speaking the language was at first difficult to adapt to.
Since then, Cadenas has settled well. He has a permanent residence permit and he works part-time. Sometimes he misses home, family and friends.
”It is part of life. I now consider Finland a second home to me.”
He visits Spain at least once a year, often at Christmas time. In turn, his mother and friends have also visited Finland.
Getting Out of the Comfort Zone
CADENAS CALLS himself a travel enthusiast. On holidays he travels to other countries, or explores Finland, in which he has also lived in four cities: Kajaani, Joensuu, Helsinki, and Jyväskylä.
”All the different cities I lived in felt safe”, Cadenas thinks.
Cadenas currently lives in a private apartment a bit further away from the city center. The rent is more expensive than in student housing, but he enjoys the place.
He finds student apartments in Finland to generally be good, cozy and affordable. Rents often include water, electricity, heating, internet, and the common sauna shifts.
Kortepohja Student Village has a gym, saunas, meeting rooms, study rooms, and a band rehearsal room, all of which Soihtu residents can use for free.
Cadenas praises the Rentukka building in the village. It is open daily, offers student meals and organizes events from parties to quiz nights.
”It is an amazing place for students, since it feels like a hotel with a restaurant.”
In Cadenas’s experience, Jyväskylä has a great student life with a varied selection of events. He has found friends at student events, and his social circle consists of students from different study fields.
He reckons students meet in Kortepohja for partying, or in the Club Room dedicated to hobby club gatherings. He says bars like Revolution, Freetime and Sohwi are popular among students for their cheaper prices and for hosting quiz and bingo events.
He recommends the free ”Kide.app”, which he finds a convenient tool for finding out about all student events.
Cadenas has learned that Finns love their space, and are not too emotional or talkative.
”When you get the chance to connect with them, they will become very loyal friends for life.”
Lakka has observed that building a close circle of friends in a new country often requires considerable initiative and persistence from the students themselves. However, making those first connections can open the door to entirely new opportunities and a stronger sense of belonging.
“I always encourage international students to explore different activities when they arrive and to actively engage with communities that match their interests.”
With his experience, Cadenas would also guide a newcomer to be ready to try new things and get out of their comfort zone.
”You will appreciate it later. That is the best way to get the best out of JYU as a student, and out of Finland.”
Journey of Personal Growth
ELIVI SHINEDIMA is determined to produce high-quality research and grow as an educational leader. She is currently studying for her Master’s Degree Programme in Educational Sciences, EDUMA. Along with her studies, Shinedima is the founder and CEO of Ndjuluwa97 after-school academy in Namibia, which provides extra classes, tutoring and homework assistance to young learners.
She also does an internship as a teaching assistant, goes to the gym, reads, and writes books when time allows. Saturdays are dedicated to culinary experiences in restaurants, and some Sundays she attends church. She also coaches learners in karate.
Shinedima values the student-centered, less hierarchical approach to learning in Finland.
“JYU does not hand us fish but teaches us how to fish, encouraging responsibility and accountability”, she says.
”This nurtures creativity, critical thinking and multicultural skills.”
Born in Windhoek, Namibia, Shinedima visited Finland twice in 2024, which strengthened her wish to study her master’s here. She chose JYU for its international atmosphere and welcoming community.
To her, Jyväskylä is a peaceful and functional city, and relatively easy to navigate. Though Shinedima’s goal is to learn Finnish fluently and contribute positively to society, she thinks the city could use more English.
“International residents have different levels of Finnish language proficiency, and English in information channels and shop labels would be beneficial.”
Opportunities for Those Willing to Seek
SHINEDIMA FINDS Finns to generally be polite, but perhaps just careful with what they say. Her studies in several courses with the EDUMA program have deepened her understanding of growing social polarisation in Finland. Overall, she feels supported by the university.
”While no institution is perfect, I have found JYU to be welcoming and responsive. Its culture of trust makes it easy for students to approach staff members when needed.”
Shinedima’s community includes other international and Finnish students, teachers, and neighbours. She thinks the international student community is active and supportive. People meet through events, classes, accommodation and hobbies.
“I am not drawn to pub or party culture, so I usually prefer other types of social gatherings and activities.”
Shinedima takes part in the Weekly Finnish Language Club. She reckons program events, day trips, picnics, and spaces such as EDUMA’s monthly Coffee sessions offer students the opportunity to connect and support one another.
She believes that many possibilities to integrate are available for students who are intentional, hardworking, open-minded and willing to seek them out.
Shinedima thinks that rigid expectations can sometimes lead to disappointment. Hence, she came to Finland with personal goals.
She wanted to excel in her studies, develop professionally, and work towards a successful future.
Shinedima is taking the journey one step at a time and is open to any new opportunities.
”I am grateful for the journey and increasingly feel at home here”, Shinedima says. ▬