As time goes by…

Alright, one month passed since my last post. Things are becoming more and more ‘daily routine’. Nevertheless the routine is anything but boring. Football, basketball, volleyball, Salsa, drinking and going out are just a few of the activities I ‘practise’ quite regularly by now. Besides also doing a little more for the university with each week (unfortunately), there’s still enough time for other stuff like written above. Tomorrow we will go to watch another icehockey game. The local team SaiPa plays in the highest Finnish hockey league and watching them play already 3 weeks ago was really cool, so we will go again tomorrow. Besides that a ordinary weekend is coming up, which actually means drinking, sleeping, drinking, eating, drinking, doing nothing, drinking and going out. But I guess I can’t go on with my ‘Way of Life’ the first month (because of the money!!). Today we also had a meeting at the university for our trip to St. Petersburg next month. All the documents needed for VISA and the stay there were collected and since I’ve never been to Russia so far, I am already excited to go there. Alright I guess that’s it again for the moment, I really hope I will have some more time the next few days to post something more…

Tallinn, Helsinki and back

To wind up the last week we went to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. We started on Friday in the early morning to get to Helsinki by train. About 2.5 hours later our group (14 exchange students) reached the Finnish capital at about 11am. From the train station we went to the first tourist information, where we learned that the next good ferry would leave for Tallinn at 14:30. So went to the place at the harbor where the ferry would leave and waited until ‘boarding’. Although I have been on a ship before, I have never been on such a big one. It’s hard to say how many people were on the ferry, but for sure some thousands. There were several cafes, restaurants and besides all the other stuff even a supermarket on the ship. But the only thing, which wasn’t that expensive was the alcohol. So we started having some beers already on the ship. The ferry left Helsinki just in time at 14:30 and two hours later we already arrived in Tallinn. So actually we were faster from Helsinki in Tallinn by ferry, than from Lappeenranta in Helsinki by train… anyway the trip was nice and the weather couldn’t have been any better.

So we arrived in Tallinn, which meant the first time being in Estonia for me. Though Estonia is already a member of the EU, they still have their own currency – the Estonian kroon (EKK). The exchange rate is about 15:1, meaning 15 EKK are worth 1 Euro. Anyway that wasn’t a problem at all because money can be changed at many places, you can get money easily from all the ATMs and you can pay with credit card almost everywhere.

From the harbor we went to our hostel in the center of Tallinn by walking, though some people of our group were too lazy and took a taxi to the hostel. At the hostel we had some problems getting our rooms, because the guys of our group, who booked the hostel, booked it for the wrong date. Anyway at the end there were enough free beds for all of us so no problem at all. After checking our rooms we wanted to get something to eat, but in a group of 14 people there are also a lot of different opinions, so we split up and everybody went to the place he prefers. Later we went to a pub and afterwards to a nightclub called Hollywood. At 4:30 I was finally at home then in my bed and sleeping.

The next day started for me at 12:30 with a breakfast at McDonalds and a short tour through the city. Most of the time in Tallinn I have spent in the area called ‘Old Town’, which is basically the center of the city and the place where the main part of the historical buildings are. On the evening we went to some Kebap place for dinner (yes even in Estonia they have Kebap =) Anyway… the guy running the Kebap was a Turkish guy, born in Germany, studied in France and now lives in Tallinn. In addition he had some Russian employees, who helped him. So it was funny to meet someone in Tallinn, who’s fluent in German, English, French, Turkish, Russian and Estonian. Finally we went again to some nightclub, but not too long this time because we had to get up early the next morning for our ferry back.

On sunday morning we left Tallinn to have some time left in Helsinki for the rest of the day, before going back to Lappeenranta. In Helsinki we were walking about three hours through the city, sight-seeing, making some photos and finally we also ate something. Helsinki is a really nice city with many churches, squares, cafes and restaurants. At 6pm in the evening we went back to Lappeenranta by train. At about 9:30pm I was back at my flat and I was a little bit exhausted. So I didn’t go out that evening anymore, which was the first time not going out since I’ve arrived here.

The next morning I had courses at the university… programming, programming and Finnish 1. So far I’ve liked most of the things here, except my courses. They are either too easy, or just not interesting at all. Learning Finnish is a little bit funny. The language is completely different than anything I have heard before and I guess the few things I would learn in that course, I would forget again as soon as I am back home. So I decided to drop Finnish and do Spanish instead, which I have already learned one year at my home university. Going to Finland – learning Spanish might sound a bit weird, but I think the outcome will be better =)

In the evening we (a Russian girl, a French guy and me) went down to the lake to have some beers and just hang around. Later we went again to some pub. Tuesday was for relaxing and today I also didn’t go to any courses. Actually I don’t have any courses left the whole week so nothing to do until next Monday =)

Afterwards I will go downtown with some friends to look for some good sport shoes, because I have planned to go playing football and basketball at the sports hall of the university from now on. In the evening we have planned to go to a nightclub, same for tomorrow and Friday, but we will see… and for tomorrow we have also planned to go dancing Salsa at the university…

After 16 days here I have to say it’s really nice up here and I haven’t had any problems with anything since I have arrived. Everything went totally easy. But also everything always has it’s pros and cons. I miss my guitars and some other ‘things’ too, but anyway… that’s it for the moment…

Stay tuned…

from left to right…
1. line: ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn – Tallinn sunset – Tallinn old town
2. line: Tallinn signs – Tallinn at night – ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki
3. line: Helsinki cathedral – Helsinki church – sunset down by the lake in Lappeenranta

After one week…

A little more than one week ago I arrived in Lappeenranta, Finland. So far I had a really good start here. The people here, both exchange and local students, are very nice and open-minded. It’s really easy to get in contact with new people and you just feel ‘welcome’ to almost all places you go.

After one week I also would like to clean up with one really popular prejudice about the Finnish people. Finns are not shy – at least not more than people elsewhere in the world. Actually most of the Finnish people I’ve met so far are pretty talkative people, although there are of course always exceptions like everywhere. And after one week I guess I can also say: It’s hard NOT to get in contact with a drunken Finn. Referring to drinking the Finnish people are really thirsty, which doesn’t mean that Finns are more often drunk than others. I guess it’s just that they are more used to it and therefore can stand more – I know that sounds somehow weird, but I have no other explanation.

The last weekend was far too short, but at least I had time to sleep in the mornings. On Saturday there was nothing to do and so we went to Lappeenranta ‘downtown’ walking – yes WALKING!! It were about 7-8 kilometers, which took us a little more than one hour. We wanted to look for some cheap bicycles to buy, but in the afternoon when we arrived ‘downtown’ most stores had already closed. On the evening we went to our tutor’s place to play some Poker and drink something. We were about 10 people, who were almost too many to play, but it was still cool! Afterwards a fistful of us decided to go ‘downtown’ in some pub, which was pretty difficult that evening, because in Finland they have always strict controls at the entrance of all nightclubs and most pubs, where you have to show your ID (passport or driving license) and not all of us had an ID to show that evening… and at 2:15 already we took the last bus from ‘downtown’ back home.

On Sunday I slept until 12:30, what I really enjoyed =) In the afternoon we went to some Kebap place to get something to eat. The Kebap here in Finland is quite different than the one back home in Austria, but not bad at all. Afterwards we went to the supermarket (which had open on Sunday!!) to get some beers and then we went to the place of Jukko (a Finnish student) to watch 2 movies there. Again we were about 10 people and after some drinks and the movies we ended up playing and singing some songs. Actually Jouni (my tutor) was singing and Jukko and me were playing guitar (he had 2 guitars in his appartment!!). Later we went to some pub, playing a Russian card game, and went home at about midnight.

On Monday I had my first courses, which were basically just introduction. Nevertheless I somehow had the impression that both courses are going to be pretty easy. On Tuesday I had to get up early to be at the university at 8:00. The exercise was just a joke and since I heard it’s not mandatory I guess I won’t go there for the next few weeks anymore. Afterwards I went to some buddy where we started with the first beer along with lunch at already 12:30. Then we went ‘downtown’ to get us some cheap, used mobile phones, because we need a number here in Finland to ensure good communication between each other =) Today I also had to be at the university at 9:00 and again I should have better slept more because the course was not too interesting.

So far I’ve been out each evening since I am here, except the arrival day. Although I know I can’t go on like this the whole semester I guess it will be still fun and enough time on most days to do something with people. Later today I meet with other students and next weekend I’ll maybe go to Tallinn, Estonia, with some other exchange students… nothing sure yet, but we arrange everything on very short term always anyway =)

Finally to sum it up a few long promised impressions…

First days…

Alright finally I have some time to write some more =)

After arriving at our flats on Monday, our tutor Jouni showed us the campus and university. Later we went to have something to eat and afterwards already home sleeping. It was a long day anyway so no going out anymore on Monday.

On Tuesday we went to Lappeenranta ‘city centre’ (in the following posts just called ‘downtown’) for the first time. We were about ten students and three tutors, who showed us some places, including a Russian second-hand shop and an alco store. On the evening we went to some pub called Iltatähti, where also many exchange students were. After seeing and talking to many new faces I finally went home at 3:30 in the morning, knowing that the next day the orientation program for the exchange students starts…

Wednesday morning, hangover and far too less sleep already… At the university we heard many people from the university speaking about all different issues, about Lappeenranta, the university itself, the student union, health care, languages and culture. After lunch break it continued like this until about 2pm. Enough time to go home, clean up some stuff, go to the next supermarket to get the most important stuff like food and getting back again. At 6pm there was a Finnish Evening at the university. We heard a short introduction to Finnish Culture and also about some student clubs at the university. Afterwards there was dinner for free at the restaurant of the university and a band was playing some Finnish and also international songs. After that we (about 10 exchange) went to the next supermarket to get something to drink (some beers and siders, which is pretty popular here in Finland). Then we went to the flat of some of the students, where we were drinking our stuff and talking a bit, before leaving for a party at the Student Union’s basement at the campus. Looks like a pretty tough schedule already, but after some more beers we went to Gigglin Marlin (the area’s biggest nightclub) at about midnight. The music there is actually almost the same as the music in nightclubs back home in Austria. What is funny in Finland is that it is pretty popular to pay with credit cards or such as, even small amounts, like a beer or a shot… and what shall I say, after some more beers at 4 in the morning we were finally taking a taxi back home, which isn’t too expensive if you are with some other students so you can divide the costs among each other. At about 4:30 I was finally in my bed and sleeping – it was a long day, but it shall not be the last one of its kind =)

Thursday morning – again hangover. Orientation day number 2 and again we got a lot of information about studying at LUT (Lappeenranta University of Technology). Just everything which has to do with the university and studying matters… After lunch we were having a library visit and after that I went home to finally register for my courses at the university. I had to change 2 courses, because one I can’t take, and another one overlaps with another course in almost everything. So the new courses I’m taking (just to keep it complete) is Bioenergy (instead of Research Methods) and Object-Oriented Programming Techniques (instead of Wireless Service Engineering). At the evening we went to the Student Union building again, where our tutor had reserved a room. There we had some beers, snacks and were playing some games, including poker =) Afterwards we went on to Iltatähti – the same place I’ve been on Tuesday already. Again and how could it be any different, at 4 in the morning we (me, a russian girl and my tutor – the last ones this evening) finally also went home. Good to know that on Friday the program starts not before 12:30.

Friday morning – again hangover or shall I say ‘still’. Anyway, I woke up at 11 in the morning but couldn’t get out of the bed until about 11:30. Then I went to the university having breakfast/lunch (well who knows the difference…) and afterwards there were ‘Mini-Olympics’ organized by the university. We (the exchange students) had to compete in our tutor groups against each other in some games like ‘mobile phone throwing’ or ‘carrying a woman’. Afterwards there was ‘Lappeenranta sight-seeing’ scheduled. A bus was driving through the area and a woman was talking about history, economy and other issues refering to the places. I actually prefered using the time at the bus for a little nap, but I was not the only one =) Afterwards I went home, had something to eat and again already had to leave for another party at Karankokatu (the student house where most of the exchange students live (about 70). After a short warm-up there we went to Gigglin Marlin (the nightclub I already mentioned) and after a really really nice evening we finally went home at about 4 in the morning – by taxi of course =) Another long day and even longer night and I was actually glad that I could finally sleep, because there was nothing from the University scheduled for Satuday morning…

alright that’s it about my first 5 days… pictures following soon… Stay tuned =)

Way to Lappeenranta

soooo finally my first post from Finland =)

My journey started two days ago on Monday. I woke up at 3am. First 3 hours car ride to Munich airport, where I met a couple (a guy and a girl) also studying at my university at home and who also are going to Lappeenranta for exchange. After some delay then takeoff was at about 11am in Munich. About 2 hours later already we arrived in Helsinki -> It was the first time standing on Finnish ground for me!! (That’s one small step for a man, but… – well that’s a different story 😉

At Helsinki airport at ‘check in’ for Lappeenranta we (me and the other two from my university) met a French girl, who will also study in Lappeenranta for exchange and we have seen some more people, who we later also got to know as exchange students. 45min by plane from Helsinki we finally arrived at Lappeenranta at about 17:30. The flight to Lappeenranta was a little strange, because we were flying in an old propeller aircraft. Though the ‘plane’ was already small, there were about only half of the seats occupied, most of them exchange students (about 10).

At the airport in Lappeenranta, which is actually the smallest airport I have ever seen, our tutors were already waiting for us. When you go to Lappeenranta for exchange each student gets assigned to a tutor group (4-6 students). The tutor is a local student helping the newcomers in the beginning and also later with questions and problems. From the airport then we went by taxi to our appartments. I live in a student house in a 2-room shared flat (see last post =). In the same building there live also two other exchange students (a guy and a girl from France), who arrived with the same flight as I did. Most of the other students in that building are Finns, but there are also some more exchange students there, whom I haven’t met yet.

This year there are about 130 exchange students in Lappeenranta, about 20 of them living in some student house in the same street as I live. My roomie I also haven’t met yet, but I was told it is a Finnish guy who already lived at the same appartment last year, but hasn’t yet arrived.

that’s it for the moment, I don’t have too much time… about the first evening and impressions I am going to write soon! =)

Stay tuned…

Accomodation

Finally I got the address of my flat. So all the fan mail, postcards, letters and such go to:

Punkkerikatu 5 B 31/1
53850 Lappeenranta, Finland

I will live in a 2-room shared flat, which means everybody has its own private room with a kitchen and bathroom shared together. According to Google Maps I am pretty close to the campus which is a good thing. I also know there will be at least one French and one German student living in the same building, but I am sure there will be a lot more students in the end! The rest is yet still written in the stars, but I guess it will be ok and hopefully I get a crazy roomie =)

So this will most likely be the last post from Austria! Next time I post I will be in sunny Finland =)

Stay tuned…

Courses

Beside many other things I also have the intention to study in Finland occasionally =)
So these are my scheduled courses:

Concurrent and Parallel Computing (8 ECTS)
Distributed Object Programming (6 ECTS)
Wireless Service Engineering (5 ECTS)
Cross-Cultural Marketing Strategies (5 ECTS)
Research Methods (3 ECTS)
Finnish 1 (2 ECTS)
German-Finnish Language and Cultural Tandem (1 ECTS)

New blog

Hello everybody !!

For those readers, who don’t know me: My name is Markus and I am a 21 years old student from Austria. I study computer sciences at the Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences, Dornbirn.

I created this blog in order to write about my upcoming exchange semester in Finland. The journey will begin on the 25th of August and will end shortly before christmas. I will be studying at the LUT Lappeenranta University of Technology, located on the shore of lake Saimaa (largest Finish lake) and some seven kilometers outside of the city center.

and another one of the university…

Lappeenranta itself is located in the southeastern part of Finland in the region South Karelia, about 30 kilometers away from the Russian border and has a population of about 60.000 people.

For those wondering: I will keep the whole blog in English for the simple reason that I believe most readers are able to write or at least read English, no matter what native language they are.

Everybody feel free to leave comments =)

That’s it for the moment! Stay tuned…