There are 9 university in Turku :
University of TurkuTurku
University of Applied Science (TUAS)
Abo akademyTurku School of Economics
Turku University Hospital
Novia University if Sciences
Diaconia University of Applied Science
Turku International School
Turun normaalikoulu
The good point is, in quite each university, there is cafeteria ! So you can eat at school. The cheapest lunch costs 2,60€, including salad, a meal, a glass of water, a glass of juice/milk and bread. Go there and eat fish or meat, and keep light meal for the dinner. Your bank account will be really happy of this management ! Keep calm, Finns take car of special diet : there are always vegetarian meal, free-gluten or free-lactose alternative.
I was a part time student (maybe because I was an Exchange student ?). If your are, like me, an exchange student, you should enroll in this facebook group : ESN Turku-Abo
--> Differences between TUAS and your home institution
There are several things which surprised me. For instance, here, almost all class finished before 4pm. So after, we had time to work, sleep, make sport, etc. During my class, we were less than 30 students, with 3 teachers in my Nanotechnology class. They really didn't care of what we do (texting, go to the restroom, be online, etc.) BUT there was no noise at all !
Free time activities
Night Club (a lot of event, almost every day) : If you want to party, you'll be served ! Indeed, there are event every night and sometimes several at the same time. When you're exchange student, the most common nightclubs are The Monkey or The Marilyn.
Sport
> Campus Sport : On the site you are able to join sport class of your choice.
> Sport halls :
>> Educarium
>> TUAS Ruiskatu
>> Iskeri
>> Karen
>> TUAS Sepänkatu
>> Asa-Gymet
>> Roddis
>> Novia
>> TUAS Ruiskatu gym
Park : when it is not winter, not cold or dark, it is cool to make some sport outside ! You can run, fitness, volleyball, football, basketball...
Choirs
Visits (for more information, you can read the other articles)
> Turku
>> Castle
>> Cathedral
>> Museums
> Near Turku
>> Kurjenrahka National Park
>> Naantali
> 2h from Turku
>> Helsinki
>> Tampere
> Others
>> Tallinn
>> Stockholm
>> Oslo
>> St Petersburg
>> Lapland
>> Moscow
Hang out
> Fazer cafe : it is a little bit expensive but soooo good ! I drunk a delicious hot chocolate and slices of cake are really big. It is good to go there for tea time during autumn/winter.
Accomodation
Student Village
It is, in my opinion, the best option for an exchange student ! Indeed, there are so many student there, so to improve your english that's the best ! Many Erasmus students are housed there.
Each building has 3 floors, with 12 bedrooms per corridor. Bedrooms mesures18 m², have private bathroom and has standard furnitures (+ fridge). The kitchen is shared by the 12 occupants of the floor.
The localisation is just perfect : near universities, near city center, well served by bus, near the Aura for a nice walk...
Retrodorm
It is a complex of three buildings located 2km from the city center and 3 km from the universities. Only exchange students live there.
The rooms are about 10 m² in size and include standard amenities. The toilets are private or shared with another room. The other rooms are common and are located on each floor: kitchen, shower room, living room (with TV and sofas) and laundry.
You can find a supermarket at a 10-minute walk. Bus stops are located close to the residence and take you to the city center. Retrodorm is surrounded by parks and woods, and it's all its charm. The price of the rent is lower than that of the Student village.
TYS
TYS is an organization that owns manyaccomodations throughout Turku. It leases foreign students, Finnish students, Finnish families, etc. The types of accommodation are very varied. You have access to the laundry (for a fee) and the sauna. To use them, simply book for the desired time on the TYS online booking site.
Shared apartment
There are several Facebook groups such as Turku New Student Accomodation or Turun omatoiminen asuntovälitys
You can find some appartement, situated quite far from the city center, but with bus connection : Päivänpaiste, Varissuo, Halinen. Rents range from € 285 to € 322.
Bridgettine Couvent
Ideally located in the city center (500 meters from the market place). The couvent welcomes tourists but also students all year round. The rooms are individual and the kitchen is shared. The rent is cheaper than the Student village. The sisters spend their cleaning once a week ! Nice place, perfect to meet Finnish studentNo sauna, no washing machine. Just for girls !
Moving in turku
By foot : walking is good for the health (30 min / day minimum ;) )
Bike : many facilities (bike line, bike parking). Buy or Rent.
Bus : 3€ one ticket for 2 hours. 5€ (student price) the card and then, rechargeable (monthly subscription). Site : Föli
Moving out Turku
Onnibus
Matkahuolto
Plane
> Turku airport : take the bus n°1, it goes to the airport.
> Helsinki airport : 2h from Turku, book an onnibus (cheapest option but less timetable option) or an matkahuolto bus (expensive - better to book online because online discount -, but more departure time option)
Boat : for going to Stockholm, Russia, boat trip around the Baltic Sea, Tallinn, St Petersburg
Doctor
I was sick at the end of my exchange. I allow myself to write a small paragraph on my small problem. I had a gynecological problem. All girls will tell you, it is often stressful, painful and disturbing. So I wanted to go see a gynaecologist. At the beginning of the school year, the university gave us a paper explaining how to access health care. Basically, we must go see a nurse (of whom we have contacted). This nurse is free on certain days only at certain times. It is she who redirects us to a doctor (often in the hospital). As I understand it, it's mandatory to go to the nurse. Then there are plenty of papers to fill, and so on. It seems that it is not very expensive (you have to pay the fees, but after filling out full papers, you get refunded) but a bit long and complicated. I was in pain so I asked my roommate to take rdv quickly. So she called in the private sector. I had an appointment 2h after the call to NEO. The premises are beautiful, very modern, comfortable and well equipped. The secretaries were very nice and friendly (not all the time at home). My appointment went very well. The doctor was kind and very patient. She asked good questions, answered all my questions and explained everything to me (which I greatly appreciate). So I have to say that I had a very good experience of fast and quality care. The price is a little high (105 €) without being delirious. I can conceive that a student may not necessarily pay this amount. Nevertheless, for an emergency or for all people wishing a care of quality and simplified, I highly recommend. Personally, I rarely get sick and make myself very punctual to the doctor so if from time to time I have to pay a little more to have very good conditions, I think it is a good compromise.
NEO, Joukahaisenkatu 6, Turku, Finland
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