22045 Finland – UEF Kamu

General

Population 5.5 million
Area 338 424 sq.km
Capital Helsinki (population 600 000)
Head of State President
Official Languages Finnish, Swedish
Main religion Evangelic Lutheran
Currency Euro
Calling Code +358

Finland is a Nordic democracy and a member country of the European Union. The head of state is the president that is elected every six years. Finland’s unique culture has been influenced by both Scandinavian and Russian cultures. With its over- abundance of space, Finland’s exotic, northern geographic setting is one of its most treasured resources.

In terms of area, Finland is the seventh largest country in Europe, but it has a very low population density. Forests cover over two thirds of the country. Finland is also a land of a thousand lakes and water covers 10% of the land.

Finland is a land of four distinct seasons. During the summer, the highest daytime temperature in eastern Finland occasionally rises over 25°C (degrees Celsius). During the winter months, particularly in January and February, temperatures of minus 20°C are common. Even if the temperatures in the winter can seem harsh, Finland has a much milder climate than other areas in similar latitudes. This is due to the many lakes, the Baltic Sea and the airflows from the Atlantic Ocean warmed by the Gulf Stream.

In the summer, there is daylight almost around the clock whereas in the winter there are only a few hours of daylight. In the autumn, the first snow often settles in November and the landscape will often be covered in snow in December. The first signs of spring can be seen in March and the snow gradually starts melting away in April.

Useful Links

University of Eastern Finland:

Education and training in Finland:

Finnish customs and manners

General information on Finland:

Learn Finnish

News in English:

Preparing for winter:

Layering basics / Rei co op

Statistical data on Finland

Transportation:

Finnish Transport Infrastructure Angency (Liikennevirasto)
matka.fi
Jojo Joensuu
Vilkku Kuopio
Vilkku bikes Kuopio

Weather:

Weather in Joensuu: Ilmatieteenlaitos, Foreca
Weather in Kuopio: Ilmatieteenlaitos, Foreca

Working and taxation

The chances of getting a job, especially without an excellent command of the Finnish language, are unfortunately rather low. Therefore, international students should not count on financing their studies by working in Finland.

Job offers and general information on working in Finland:

International students (under a residence permit issued for studies) are allowed to work in Finland without a work permit (työlupa) for a maximum of 25 hours per week during academic semesters and full-time during holidays. Earnings from part-time work may be included in the amount of funds required for a residence permit. However, this is not possible when applying for the first residence permit. Foreigners must have a work permit if they intend to engage in gainful employment while in Finland, with the exception of the citizens from the Nordic and the EU/EEA countries. More information about work permit.

Persons residing in Finland for less than six months are considered as non-residents. They pay tax in Finland only on income. The amount of salary does not affect the tax rate. Apart from the tax, the employer is also required to deduct an employment pension contribution and an unemployment insurance contribution. For persons who have been residing in Finland for more than six months, the taxes to be paid are determined in accordance with the statutes of the Income Tax Act and at the same rate as for permanent residents. Taxation also depends on the tax agreements ratified between Finland and the home country of the foreigner.

The employee must obtain a tax card (verokortti) from the local tax office. The tax card should then be given to the employer. To obtain a tax card, you should give the tax office the required application form with your name, address, Finnish Personal Identity Code and a reasonable estimate of your income during the calendar year. They will calculate the tax percentage based on this estimation and this tax percentage will then be recorded on your tax card.

For further information on taxation. Other useful information concerning employment contract, working time, wages, annual holidays etc. from the website of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in Finland.

Tax Offices' service points, opening hours and contact information.

Book an appointment in MyTax (You can log in with Finnish online banking codes, a mobile certificate, or a Katso ID. If you cannot log in to MyTax, make an appointment by calling the national switchboard.

Getting around by bike or car

More about arriving in Finland

Bicycles

A bicycle (polkupyörä/pyörä in Finnish) is a very practical and popular form of transportation in Finland, and there are plenty of paved cycle tracks. Cycling is also a good way to familiarise yourself with your new surroundings. Please remember that when your bike is parked or not in use, you should always lock it, and preferably fasten it to a bicycle rack or some other solid structure. Please note that it is compulsory to use a head light on your bike when cycling in the dark. Wearing a helmet can save you from a serious brain damage so please instead of thinking how stupid the helmet looks on you, think how stupid you will look when lying in the intensive care.

Places to buy and sell second-hand bikes in Joensuu:

“Buy and sell crap in Joensuu” in Facebook
KISA (Kuopio International Student Association) Student Marketplace in Facebook
Second-hand shops on-line: Kuopion kirppari (only in Finnish) ja www.tori.fi

Bicycle repair shops, second-hand shops and other students sometimes sell cheap second- hand bikes. In addition, there is an auction of lost and found items at the local police station (held a few times a year), where you may find a decent bicycle at a reasonable price. Since the auction is carried out in Finnish only, please ask a fellow Finnish student to accompany you. Information on the auctions (in Finnish only).

City Bikes Kuopio

In Joensuu you can also rent a bike from the Community Resource Centre Citizen’s House (Kansalaistalo).

Driving in Finland

In order to drive a car in Finland you need to be at least 18 years old and you must have a valid driver’s licence. If your driver’s licence is from one of the EU or EEA member countries, it is valid in Finland as long as the license remains valid. In addition, the licences from Geneva or Vienna Road Traffic Convention countries, such as Australia, Canada, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, Turkey and the United States of America, are valid for two years, after which these citizens have to acquire a Finnish driver’s licence. Driver’s licences from other countries are not valid in Finland.

Useful websites:

Driving in Finland (pdf)
Finnish Road Safety Council → Traffic regulations in Finland
Driving in Finland / VisitFinland

Please note the following regulations of driving in Finland:

Seatbelts are obligatory for everyone whether sitting in the front or the back seats in the car. Children under three years of age must be seated on the back seat on a safety seat.
Headlights are compulsory at all times around the clock.
Winter speed limits are in force throughout the country from the beginning of November to the end of February. However, the limits can be lowered already in October and they can remain in force through April due to exceptional road weather conditions.
Winter tires are mandatory from the beginning of December until the end of February.
If a mobile phone is used by a driver, a hands-free device is required. According to the Finnish law, a driver is allowed to neither use nor hold a mobile phone in hand while driving.
There is an obligatory annual inspection for cars in Finland. After every inspection, the driver receives an inspection card that states the condition of the car as well as any defects requiring service or repair.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is strictly forbidden. There is an exact permissible limit of 0.5 per mil for alcohol in blood. A police officer can breathalyse a driver on the spot and if suspected of driving under the influence, a person may be taken to a blood test or to a police station. Driving while under the influence of drugs is also a crime. Infringement of this rule means a penalty in the form of a fine or imprisonment.

Most of the cities have metered parking areas. However, sometimes parking is free but parking time is limited. In this case, you need a parking disc, which can be obtained at petrol stations and grocery stores. The time of arrival must be set first and the parking disc must be displayed on the dashboard. The time of arrival is the following hour or half-hour depending on which one is earlier.

Please note that parking on campus is subject to fees. UEF staff and students can get a parking permit via an online system.

In order to rent a car you need a valid driver’s licence and preferably at least one year of driving experience. Rental companies require the driver to be at least 20 years of age for passenger cars, but age regulation may vary by vehicle category. Drivers under the age of 25 may incur a young driver surcharge. Please also note that some car rental companies may require a credit card. Be prepared to show proof of your identity when renting a car.

Some car rental companies

Religious Denominations

There has been a complete freedom of religion in Finland since 1923. The Finnish Constitution guarantees the freedom of worship. This means that everyone is free to practice any religion they wish as long as they do not violate the fundamental human rights or break the law. Finns are not particularly active churchgoers although most of them are members of the church. There are two national churches in Finland, the Lutheran Church and the Orthodox Church. Around 75% of Finns are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, while around 1% belongs to the Orthodox Church. There are also Catholic, Jewish, Islamic, and a number of small religious denominations represented in Finland.

Campus pastors

Prayer Room

There is a prayer room for Muslims on Kuopio campus in Kukkola building. The building is locked so you will need a key to access the room. You can apply for the key of the prayer room at the Office of Facilities Management located in Snellmania building, ground floor, Ms Anne Sulkakoski, Room 1078/5. There is a deposit you need to pay for the key.

You can find out more about the activities of the parishes/congregations/groups by contacting them directly.

Tarkenna hakuasi

Bicycles

Driving in Finland

Prayer Room