Studying IBML at SAMK/Lira, Rauma- Pieces of My Experiences so far

Schools Search & Application Time: My first thoughts about studying in Finland began when I compared the relative costs of studying the same degree programme in International Business and Marketing Logistics with those of Dutch Universities in Holland where i live. It’s far cheaper in terms of Tuition fees, Living expenses and students general wellbeing in Finland than in the Netherlands. Also the quest of studying away from folks and relatives far away into Northern Europe and the Scandinavians were among the lists. While it costs approximately 7000euros as tuition fees per year for International students (non Europeans), the Living expenses averages 9000-12,000euros per year depending on your life style. It is note worthy to remember that there are no tuition fees in Finnish Universities and the average living cost is just minimum of 6000euros as their law requires. You can do the easy maths- after all they all have the equivalent ECTS. So I chose Finland, the only Euro country in Northern Europe and the country of Nokia.
Entrance Exam /Admissions: I did fill my application before the stipulated deadline and i was invited for the Entrance Exam at Haaga Helia, Helsinki & Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, Rauma. Haaga -Helia did contacted me by email immediately that I was invited for their entrance exam but SAMK Rauma never did by email though I was invited for their entrance as well. I had already booked my flight with fixed date of returning from Finland before I got their invitation in the mail box. So it costs me more to rebook another return flight. I was really expensive. I suggest that the admission officers should also contact their invited students by emails as well since mails could be delaying sometimes. Fortunately I got in during the exam and passed and I chose SAMK (Satakunta University of Applied Sciences) because they are offering International Business & Marketing Logistics IBML which is just too exceptional & interesting.
Acceptance/Accommodation: The University does not offer accommodation to its students new or old. You have to sort out your own accommodation yourself. Funny enough the procedure to acquiring student accommodation is not even included in the admission package. Many of the international students in my class waited till their arrival before discussing accommodation issue with the international co-coordinator. As a matter of fact, most of them were stranded not having any where to put their belongings but to resort to expensive hotels as last resorts. Though interim arrangement was later made for them by the school, they were given one/two weeks automaton to vacate the apartment. It is better you applied for accommodation immediately you receive the admission package. Don’t wait until your visa or resident permit is ready before you start applying. It is very competitive here in Rauma during summer when all schools are just resuming, bear this in mind. The Finns are not so warm to accommodate you in their house, they are cold temperate people, so be wise. The website to apply is www.tys.fi and choose pyysumppu as location in Rauma. You don’t have to pay any amount when you are applying; within 2 weeks of application you will get an offer depending on availability and the deadline to pay your deposits. This I did and I escaped accommodation headache. This is a piece of my advice for you.
Visas: I got my resident permit from the Finnish embassy in the Netherlands, The Hague and it took approximately a month or less than 4 weeks depending on the time of application and additional documents that requires clarification. They usually don’t deny visas and resident permits if you have the required amount to study of minimum 6,000euros per year, health insurance cover, and your acceptance letter. Don’t be scared if you have the required documents. Is not like American embassies and others that would for no good reason would want to frustrate your study plans. Only carefully filled the form and submit all the required documents on time. Their consulate was even calling me in the Netherlands when she missed my call to her, that’s rarely found anywhere.
Flight/Arrival: I did book my flight from Schipol-Amsterdam to Helsinki immediately i got my study permit. I booked it for afternoon but I was wrong. I got to Helsinki Vantaa about 6pm and board a bus going to Rauma, but it never got there. The journey was to take approximately 4.5hour but lasted till dead in the night. The saga is a long one. I ended up calling a taxi at Eura because there was no bus going to Rauma that late. I knew no one and was getting chilly in the night so a 15mins journey from Eura to Rauma costed nearly 60euros by taxi. The taxi woman was driving slowly so the meter could read more money for her and she could not even understand English language. Eventually, I got there so late at night at the Bus station not even knowing the direction there but still I was happy within that I made it at last. My advice is you should remember to book your flight so you could arrive early enough to find your way. For you guys’ coming from Africa and Asia this is important to remember. The taxi man was a cheat also, he set his meter reading at 8 euro and eventually collected 10 Euros for a distance of 2mins.That is life abroad-be prepared.
Pickups: Don’t get on top of the world when you receive an email from the school representative usually a student tutor that s (he) will be helping you when you arrived for your pick -ups and pick downs. They don’t usually turn up. They do it only when is convenient for them only to get the credit from the school. Irrespective of the time you arrived be prepared to do your pick-up and downs yourself. It happened to me when I arrived. I got the same impression too but when I called, she said 'm arriving too late in the city that I have to find my way myself. Student tutors should be committed as in other countries of the world. My relative went to study in the USA and the University arranged a pick for her from fellow students irrespective of the time she arrived. Be advised that it is different here at Satakunta University of Applied Sciences.
Orientation: The orientation was on 25th of August 2008 and the Auditorium was beautiful and colorful with students from different nationalities and racial background. It was so strange to notice that the president could only communicate to everyone in Finnish not in even a single English word was heard in the midst of International students. It was really a kind of shock as we gape moronic knowing not what to do. They said we should go behind to back of the auditorium where an interpreter could help but nothing happened. This was a dimensionless embarrassment and I suggest the school management should effect a change of approach recognizing that first impression matters a lot in the light of international environment.
Teaching style: The system of studying and learning is quite and totally different from my earlier methods of learning in a University. Please be aware it is a polytechnic not a university per say that could be rated in a world atlas. Though is bearing a University -it is not-it is less than a University. I never knew this until of recent when I ordered my transcript from The University of Nigeria where I had spent a year in Banking & Finance and could not match the course outlines together. Nevertheless, they use the learning by doing method approach called the Problem Based Learning (PBL). It is interesting don’t be afraid guys; it gives the big picture of real life situations out there and the practical approach to solving them.
Students Teams (PBL, Stimulus, Findings, Coping with the Finns): The students are usually grouped into smaller units of self guided teams with teachers as facilitators. The greatest challenge is not the PBL itself but the team members usually the Finns. They are from cold temperate regions of the world so also is their behavior. They are recluse and don’t mix up with others in the group. They form their own group within the group and you foreigner that is not a *yes yes* to their will as an outsider. They take only their ideas even if their ideas are weak and pointless. You have to have self confidence to succeed in the PBL evaluations and push in your ideas to have a voice. It is a real test guys and most times it creates back stabbing and deep seated ill will and at worst crises. It happened in my group and other groups as well to the extent that group two had to miss their final report presentation due to conflicts. Be aware of this. To be forewarned is to forearm. Don’t miss it up it is still interesting to work in teams, there you can make long lasting friends and learn corporate values for the future.
Learning Finnish Language: The University provides a means where you can learn the basic Finnish language. It is equivalent to a 3credit value unit. It is enough for the foreign students to learn the basic Finnish only and will be exempted from the Higher Finnish courses and Swedish according to their law, but you have to apply for the exemption yourself. You can also supplement learning the Finnish language by registering for extra classes in the city. I enrolled for this also and is interesting speaking some Finnish words, phrases and sentences to friends. It gives a kind of belonging and the Finns are so happy when a foreigner speaks Finnish to them. It is not so hard a language to learn, I think is truly interesting if you had the interest.
Jobs: Getting a Job in Rauma is not so easy. I think the best place to choose is not Rauma when applying. It should be bigger cities like Helsinki, Turku, Tampere & the likes. The degree program of International Business & Marketing Logistics (IBML) looks attractive and lucrative but do not let that temptation lures you in that choice if you must get a part time job to supplement your finances. You will be so frustrated, coupled with the loneliness and the cold temperatures in the winter period. Though I was able to get a cleaning Job in a restaurant where I do the dish washing, it didn’t come not until after two months and still I remain the most fortunate at the moment in getting a part time paid job in the evenings among the international students in my class. Be wise please in your choice of school selection, keep this in mind.
Transportation: The major mode of transportation is the bicycle for students. The city is a small one so is wise to learn how to ride a bicycle if you don’t. In extreme cold winter, it could become so slippery when the ice is melting and many accidents do happen. It is preferred to use the winter tires though the difference is not so much for bicycles. I remember when I fell down from my bicycle one cold evening and the pains were awful the next morning. It is also possible to get students 50% discount when travelling between cities as a student in Finland, so it makes it a lot of sense with your student ID.
Cost of Living: Well, I could say life is cheaper for the students in Finland than in the Netherlands. There is no tuition fees as compared to the 6800 Euros you must pay as international students to study this same International Business in any of the Dutch Universities. The living cost is a minimum of 500 euro per month as compared to the 750euro minimum (9000 euro per year). There are also students apartment in Finland but not such in Holland where you can afford the rent of 200 Euros per month including water bill and electricity. It averages 44o Euros in the city of Rotterdam, Netherlands where I had lived per room per month. Though things, food, electronics are far cheaper in the Netherlands and so much Job opportunities in Holland, I still think studying in Finland is cheaper for international students than in Holland.
Loneliness/Clubs: Loneliness knows me by name the first few months I was in Finland. I think this is the Finnish syndrome irrespective of the city you are living in. They notice strangers so quickly but they don’t get you along. They don’t talk to you, so you must talk to them if you must converse at all. Sometimes they can’t keep a conversation along and they are so uncomfortable communicating both at school and at the dormitory. It is worst at the supermarkets especially when you are looking for something to buy. It is up to you to event the different coping mechanisms to get yourself along. The clubs in the evenings of Wednesdays (free) and on Saturdays (6 Euros) was one of the ways out. Their girls are beautiful but so shy talk to you, when they re drunk you see the loveliness in them. I couldn’t get any information about where to worship and go to church in English Language though I got to find out a little group later at Turku teaching college.


This are just pieces of my experiences studying International Business & Marketing Logistics IBML. So far so good it is challenging and interesting to be away from home and loved ones in a foreign country.