Practical Guide to Finland

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.

University of Eastern Finland:

• Main pages
• Admissions
• Life in Finland
• New student orientation on Kamu
• UEF Connect

Education and training in Finland:

• Finnish National Agency for Education’s (EDUFI)
• Studying in Finland
• Ministry of Education and Culture (open in a new window)

Finnish customs and manners

General information on Finland:

• This is Finland
• infoFinland.fi
• visitFinland.com
• Lonely Planet - Finland
• BusinessFinland
• The Finland Guidebook

Learn Finnish

News in English:

• YLE
• Helsinki Times

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

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:

• Aarresaari
• JobTeaser
• Rules of working life/ Suomi.fi
• JobMarket Finland
• Work 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.

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

• Avis
• Budget 
• Europcar 
• Hertz 
• Scandia Rent (opens in a new window) 

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.

• Religion in Finland
• Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland
• The Orthodox Church of Finland
• Catholic Church
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• The Evangelical Free Church of Finland
• Kuopio Islamic Center
• The Islamic Society of Savo in Facebook
• UEF Muslim Students’ Club in Facebook
• Joensuu Mosque in Facebook
• Pentecostal Church
• Seventh-day Adventist Church

The following public holidays are celebrated annually in Finland. Please note that the dates of some holidays vary from year to year. Shops and banks are usually closed on public holidays and Saturday opening hours are usually followed on the eve of a public holiday (e.g. December 24).

Public Holidays

The Finnish time is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. There is only one time zone covering the whole country. Daylight saving time or summer time (kesäaika) is used from the last Sunday of March to the last Sunday of October. The shift is usually done early on Sunday mornings so that it does not cause extra difficulties.

The electrical current in Finland is 220V (50Hz). Electrical plugs are the two-pin continental size. In Finland, the unit of measurement is the metric system.

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The Finnish monetary unit is the euro (EUR, €). The euro is divided into 100 cents. Bank notes are in denominations of EUR 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. The coins are 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and EUR 1 and 2. Unlike in most euro countries, the coins of 1 and 2 cents are not used in Finland. Cheques are rarely used in Finland and they are not accepted as a method of payment in shops and businesses. International credit cards (e.g. Visa, MasterCard) are widely accepted. If needed, please make sure you exchange some currency before arriving in Finland since it is difficult to exchange currency if you don’t have a bank account.

There are several branches of banks in all cities. Banks have very limited opening hours so please check them beforehand. You can withdraw money from cash machines or ATMs (automatic teller machines) with Finnish bankcards and with most of international cards as well (fees may apply). If you lose your Finnish ATM card, please call immediately tel. +358 20 333 to report the incidence (24 hour service). Lost Diner’s Club cards can be reported by calling +358 800 9 5555 and American Express cards +358 9 6132 0400.

Students who wish to open a Finnish bank account are advised to do so as soon as possible after their arrival. You should make an appointment with the bank in order to be able to open an account. When opening an account, be prepared to show proof of your identity (e.g. passport) and a proof of registration at UEF (study certificate or in some cases the Admission Certificate is accepted). Please note that banks will require you to have a Finnish Personal Identity Code to open a bank account, so remember to acquire one! Please ask the bank for a price of a service package and list of other charges (e.g. international money transfers). Fees are usually charged for receiving money to your account from abroad and sending an international money order. Fees depend on the bank and the form of transfer.

Online banking is the best method to pay bills and transfer money. If possible, it is advisable to use your home country’s online banking since the banks in Finland have reduced their services and usually do not allow online banking for short-term use.

Remember that you need the SWIFT code (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) or the BIC code (Bank Identification Code) when making international transactions. If you are making the payment from Europe, you will also need to use the IBAN code (International Bank Account Code).

Some Finnish banks:

• Danske Bank (opens in a new window)
• Handelsbanken (opens in a new window)
• Nordea (opens in a new window)
• Osuuspankki (opens in a new window)
• POP Pankki (opens in a new window)
• S-pankki (opens in a new window)

Some students have used European on-line banks, for example Alisa Pankki,  N26 Smart, Revolut,

The Finnish Post mostly has post-in-shops service points and Posti Parcel Points (pakettiautomaatti) at certain grocery stores or R-kiosks where you can send and receive parcels. These follow the opening hours of the store. Find the closest post-in-shop.

See more for sending letters and parcels.

Letters can be mailed at post offices or dropped into letterboxes throughout the city. The time when the letterbox is being emptied is written on the box. Incoming mail is delivered to your address Monday through Friday. There are no deliveries on Saturdays, Sundays or on public holidays.

When dialling a phone call to Finland, please remember to use the following formula: the international prefix +358 + the area code without the initial 0 + the phone number. When calling from Finland to another country, you have to attach an international prefix before the country code. There are several international prefixes depending on the company you choose. The most common ones are 990, 994, 992 and 999 but if you call abroad a lot, you should check the other possibilities and compare prices. You can also always use the pan-European code 00, and then dial the country code, the area code and the destination number. Note that the first number of the area code (often 0) is usually omitted. See more information about international phone calls.

Please note that an area code is always needed when using a mobile phone. For international number enquiries, call 020 208 (there is a fee + local call charge). For domestic number enquiries, call 118, 0200 16200 or 020202, but please note that there will be an extra charge.

In Finland, everyone uses mobile phones and this is why there are practically no public coin-operated telephone booths. Unless you already have a mobile phone, it is definitely worth considering buying one for yourself as well. Mobile phone shops usually sell second-hand phones at reasonable prices.

You can open a post-paid mobile phone connection with a Finnish mobile phone operator (e.g. DNA, Elisa, Sonera). However, you might be required to pay a substantial deposit in order to get a post-paid mobile phone connection. This is why many times a pre-paid subscription is a better alternative.

You get the Pre-paid Start-up kit in your ISYY Welcome Package because ESN Joensuu has a contract with DNA Oy whereby all the incoming international students who join the Student Union will have the possibility to receive a free DNA Prepaid start-up kit.

There are cheaper ways to call than the old-fashioned phone calls. If the internet connection is working, you can use for example Skype or WhatsApp.

You can access the Internet at the university when you get the username and password for the university’s IT services after registration. There are computers with Internet connection all over the campus. In addition, most of the student apartments have the technical capacity for a fixed Internet connection.

Local public libraries have computers with Internet connection for you to use. Please note that you have to make a reservation for the computer beforehand, and usually you can use the computer for an hour at a time. Internet cafes are not common in Finland, because most people have an Internet connection at home. There are some cafes and bars with internet connection in the city centres. In Joensuu, you can access the Internet also at the Community Resource Centre. Free Wi-Fi is available at the Market Square, Shopping Centre Iso Myy, Carelicum, Taitokortteli, Art Museum Onni, Joensuu City Library, Joensuu Arena and Vesikko swimming pool. In Kuopio, free Wi-Fi is available at the Kuopio City Library, Kuopio Info, Apaja, Multicultural Centre Kompassi, City Hall, Music Centre and several cafés and restaurants.

There are several TV channels in Finland, which are available throughout the country. The programmes are usually broadcast in the original language with Finnish subtitles. International cable channels can be available in the student apartments, too.

Television transmissions in Finland are all-digital. Digital broadcasts can be received by an ordinary TV fitted with a digital adaptor, known as a set-top box or a converter box. Alternatively, it is possible to buy a TV set with a built-in digital receiver.

Many programmes are also available online. The Finnish Broadcasting Companyt (Yle) aims to make all four of its channels available online for viewers in Finland.

Finnish TV channels online: Yle Areena, Katsomo, and Ruutu.

If you wish to get more channels in addition to the free ones, you can get a cable/ payTV package for additional cost. Here are some pay TV providers: CMore, Elisa Viihde Viaplay, DNA TV Hubi.

If you receive salary from Finland, you have to pay the TV tax regardless of whether you have a television or not. The tax is collected at the same time as other taxes, so it does require any action on your part.

If you would like to keep up with the Finnish and international news you may find it interesting to read e.g. Helsinki Times newspaper or the news of the Finnish Broadcasting Company.

The opening hours of shops were liberated in 2016 and the shops are now free to choose their opening hours. Many shops seem to have chosen extensive opening hours (opening hours seem to be often at least 10am–7pm daily).

Grocery stores usually advertise weekly or daily in the local newspapers or print separate advertisements delivered to your mailbox. This allows you to compare food prices and special offers at different stores.

The general level of prices in Finland equals to the European average. However, here are some useful hints for the student budget. Make sure that you are aware of all possible student and other reductions available and compare prices. Also, check if there are cheap or free services provided by public libraries, hospitals, the Student Union, the university, your campus town, etc. The meals at the student restaurants are worth the money, because you get a good discount with your student card. The price of food in grocery stores varies a lot. Always compare prices before you buy. Please note that the open market place (tori) is not necessarily the cheapest place to buy food in Finland like it is in some other countries. Also, check out some of the private product labels in stores (e.g. Euroshopper, Extra, Pirkka, Rainbow). They are usually cheaper than the well-known brand names. For daily grocery shopping, many students prefer Lidl, which is the cheapest option among Finnish grocery stores.

In addition to the shops in the city centre, Kuopio also has a big Matkus Shopping Centre with an IKEA about 12 kilometres from the city centre. Busses 31 and 32 operate  to Matkus from the city centre.

Tipping is not customary in Finland; most likely, a tip is given for hotel and restaurant door attendants and porters on some occasions. A service charge is automatically included in hotel and restaurant bills. Moreover, barbers, hairdressers and taxi-drivers do not expect tips. Still, you can always tip to thank for good service if you want to.

If you need to use the services of the Finnish Board of Customs, please visit their website or call the Customs Information Service + 358 2 955 201 for more information.

In Finland, strong alcohol, such as wine and spirits, can be bought only in special shops called Alko. Low-alcohol content drinks (e.g. beer, cider, wines that have less alcohol) are sold in regular stores, supermarkets, gas stations and kiosks. However, the sale of alcohol in grocery stores and supermarkets is limited to between 9am–9pm. Low-alcohol content drinks (max. 22% alcohol by volume) are not sold to persons under the age of 18, and strong alcohol is not sold to persons under the age of 20. If you are under 25 years of age, please show your ID on your own initiative, do so even if you are in a group buying alcoholic beverages together. Every member in the group must be of age if they wish to make purchases at Alko. They accept the following IDs: a driving licence, a passport and an official identity card with photo. Note that social insurance cards with photo, student cards and military IDs are not suitable ID documents at Alko shops.

Please keep in mind that 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. Infringement of this rule means a penalty in the form of a fine or imprisonment.

The non-smoking policy is very strict in Finland and smoking is prohibited in all public facilities (e.g. schools, trains, hospitals, buses). Hotels, bars and restaurants have designated areas for smoking and most trains have carriages or special rooms for those who wish to smoke. The University of Eastern Finland is also a non-smoking organisation, and smoking is only permitted in designated outside smoking areas (e.g. not in front of any entrances of the university).

It always takes some time to adapt to a new culture. This section describes some characteristics (generalisations) of Finns that might help you in understanding them, but please keep in mind that not all people are alike. Your own experiences with Finnish people might give you a completely different opinion.

Sometimes visitors may feel that Finns are shy and reserved, but especially the younger generation, being multilingual and internationally minded, do not fit into this stereotype. Still, Finnish university students often tend to be quiet and obedient listeners as well as very independent and hardworking. Some international students may find the class atmosphere reserved, but you will find that most Finns are eager to talk to you and help you, if you make the first move. Most Finns have learnt the basic skills of at least one foreign language at school. The most commonly known foreign language is English, which is quite widely spoken and understood in Finland. You may notice that some Finns are a bit shy about using a foreign language, especially in a group conversation. One thing you may find a bit peculiar is the great tolerance of silence in conversation. Finns describe themselves as fairly straightforward people, because we say what we mean and we mean what we say. If a Finn suggests that you could have lunch together sometime, you can usually consider this as a real invitation, not just small talk.

In fashion, comfort is often (although not always) considered more important than looks. Life in Finland has a relaxed pace. In fact, the older generation has occasionally voiced the opinion that things are becoming a bit too relaxed or informal. Older people still appreciate more formality, such as a polite handshake on being introduced. However, keep in mind the Covid19 restrictions! Handshaking is also common in business meetings, both on arrival and departure. At work the atmosphere tends to be informal, first names are used and people dress informally. It is also completely normal to call your teachers by their first name, even at a university. Equality between the sexes has progressed quite a way both at work and at home. The difference between the sexes is probably most obvious when considering salaries and comparing the number of women and men working at the executive level.

A particular Finnish trait is the habit of drinking milk or sour milk with meals and even adults do this. Others prefer mineral water or beer, and even the wine culture is making headway. As a nation, we love quizzes and competitions of all kinds, and it may be this characteristic, that underlies our craze for sports. Finns are also crazy about coffee. You will rapidly get used to the fact that when Finns get together for a chat, coffee is invariably part of the scene. However, note that the coffee in Finland is usually not as strong as in Central and Southern Europe.

During the summertime, you may wonder where all Finnish people are, as especially during the summer months, the suburbs seem to become uninhabited. This is due to the love Finns have towards nature and summer cottage. In Finland, there are approximately half a million summer cottages, which means that nearly every third family has one. Sometimes the name summer cottage can be misleading because some people spend their free time there also during the wintertime.

Sisu (stamina) is a concept used to describe a certain feature that is considered to be something typically Finnish. Sisu is what makes a Finn grit their teeth against all odds; continue fighting against an overwhelming enemy; clear the forest with their bare hands; go on to win a race even after falling over. Sisu is what it takes: guts, determination.

Sauna is an essential part of the Finnish culture. There are 5.5 million inhabitants and over two million saunas in Finland. Practically every Finnish house has a sauna of its own. For Finnish people sauna is a place for relaxing with friends and family as well as a place for physical and spiritual relaxation. Finns think of saunas not so much as a luxury, but as a necessity, and after taking a few bathes you will probably agree.

There are also public saunas available at such places as swimming pools and student housing (common saunas). It is not customary for men and women to go to sauna together unless they are members of the same family or particularly close friends. Public saunas are also separated by gender (men together and women together). Please note that you are not allowed to wear clothing or swimming suit in sauna, because it is considered to be unhygienic. If you feel uncomfortable, you may wrap a towel around yourself.

How to bathe in a Finnish sauna?
First having undressed, you take a shower and enter the sauna still wet, although some prefer to enter sauna dry first. The temperatures in a sauna usually range from 60°C to 100°C. Sit back for a while and let the heat permeate your body and open the pores of your skin. The stones on top of the stove are very hot and when you throw water on them, a humid cloud of steam (löyly) suddenly fills the small room. The steam gently warms your skin and your body starts to sweat. There are several tips on how to bathe in a Finnish sauna, but rule number one is that you should feel good all the time. After a short while, you can take a break. You can take another shower before re-entering the sauna and then take your time to relax and enjoy the warmth. The process can be repeated several times. After the final time in sauna, wash yourself off in a refreshing shower to complete your relaxation.

Many Finns have saunas at their summer cottages by a lake. There, the sauna experience is not complete without a refreshing swim, which you can take when you leave the sauna for a break. You can also try a thick wisp or bunch of birch twigs, called either “vasta” or “vihta”, depending on where you live (“vasta” in Eastern Finland). Dip it into warm water and then gently beat yourself all over with it – it definitely feels better than it sounds! In the winter, some sauna enthusiasts will even make a hole in the ice and take a dip in the icy water (approximately +3°C to +5°C) or roll around in the snow.

For more information about sauna.

Winter may bring many questions to your mind, if you have not experienced the Nordic winter before. To help you come to terms with the winter season, it might help you to not to think of it as a long, monotonous period of darkness, cold and snow, but as a sequence of several distinct phases, each of which has an atmosphere of its own. By accepting it as it comes, you will find the winter in Finland a richly rewarding experience.

At the first sign of winter, the streets occasionally get filled with slush, but eventually everything gets covered up with real snow. The months from December to February are a time of stillness. The sun always rises above the horizon in eastern part of Finland, but the light hours are not many during midwinter. It is recommended that you take vitamin D supplements to stay healthy. As for the temperature, a typical midwinter reading in eastern Finland would be something between -5°C and -15°C, but sometimes it gets colder, even down to -30°C. Fortunately, Finnish houses (including student flats) are equipped with triple-glass windows and central heating, so you have no reason to worry. However, when you are outside in cold weather, it is always wise

to be wary of frostbite and this is best done with appropriate clothing (e.g. woollen cap, mittens, warm socks and shoes as displayed). However, do not let this discourage you from going out, since very cold days have a special atmosphere, which you should not miss. You might even see the northern lights.

After the winter solstice in December, the amount of light steadily (although slowly) increases again. However, you need to wait until the end of March until the day once more outlasts the night (spring equinox). The day becomes longer and longer, and the snow gradually melts away, although it still might snow a bit occasionally. Spring is slowly, but surely, on the way again, and soon it is the time of the light nights of the Nordic summer.

For more information about layering, dressing appropriately for the winter and preparing for the weather:

• Layering basics / Rei 

Coming to a new culture might be a very strong and emotional experience because of the differences between the culture in your home country and the culture in your new country. There are some obvious differences between countries, such as language, food, educational system, climate, absence of family and friends, housing and transportation. However, there are some not-so-obvious differences and often these cause confusion and sometimes, even frustration. These differences include for example the behaviour and habits of people, reflecting the cultural norms, beliefs, values, morals and religion.

These differences can cause feelings of uncertainty and anxiety. You might have questions. Am I speaking properly? Will I find friends? Why is no one talking to me? Did I do something wrong? Do they hate me? Some of the reactions you may experience are feelings of isolation or loneliness, anger or hostility from others, frustration, unhappiness or homesickness. Some people might also feel sleepy or tired more than usual or find it difficult to sleep. Culture shock can also sometimes cause physical symptoms like bodily pain. The most important thing to know about culture shock is that these feelings are perfectly normal. It is a sign that you are adjusting to a new situation both physically and mentally. Adaptation to a new culture is a process that gets easier with time.

You can cope with culture shock by giving yourself time to adjust and not pushing yourself too hard with your studies. Remember that you may not earn as many credits during the exchange period as normally in your home university, because you are studying in a foreign language and you live in a different environment. This is natural and you should not be too hard on yourself. It is also important to talk to people (other exchange students, Finnish students, staff members at International Mobility Services, tutors, roommates, teachers), because when you talk about the strange feelings and stress, you will feel better. Also, make use of your own ways of reducing stress in everyday situations. What would you do in a difficult and stressful situation in your home country to ease your feelings?

Acknowledge your progress in adjusting to the new culture and try to see the advantages in having lived in two different cultures. Try to see all the new things that you are facing as a possibility to learn something new and not as a problem. You can make the difference yourself and turn your stay in Finland into a unique, valuable and unforgettable experience.

Re-entry shock refers to acculturation stress people experience when returning home. Because returning is once again a big change, it means that adjustment to the new situation and home culture is needed. Difficulties in adjusting to the familiar society is an issue that has often been neglected consciously or unconsciously. People often fail to acknowledge that the adjustments they have made to the other culture have made them a bit like foreigners in their own culture. This might become a topical issue when returning home from Finland and it is good to be able to identify these feelings and to give yourself some time to readjust.

See more about cultural adaptation.

Information about the Joensuu region:

• Joensuu (opens in a new tab)
• VisitKarelia

Joensuu is the administrative centre of the North Karelia region in Finland. The city was established by Czar Nikolai I of Russia in 1848 and it has flourished in the estuary of a notable waterway. Joensuu is located next to the Russian border. It is a vital city with a growing and relatively young population. The population of Joensuu is approximately 75 000. Joensuu believes in regional and international cooperation as one of the motors for the development.

Currently, the most important business areas include metal industry, wood and forestry sector, information and communication technology as well as expertise related to the border region and cross-border collaboration. Joensuu is also the forestry capital of Europe with a stronghold in research, inclusive the European Forest Institute and Joensuu Science Park. In the city centre of Joensuu you can find silence, peace and nature like nowhere else in Europe.

Besides the science and business scene, Joensuu is also a city where a number of recent Finnish films have been made. In Joensuu, you can find the Karelian folk, the most talkative ones in Finland. Furthermore, Joensuu is home to the famous summer rock festival called Ilosaarirock, which is sold out every year months before the event.

Distances and travelling times (approximately) to Joensuu from

Culture and Tourist Centre Carelicum

Immigration Service: International House Joensuu

The Joensuu District Multicultural Association (JOMONI, in Finnish Joensuun seudun monikulttuurisuusyhdistys ry, open in a new tab) was founded in January 2009. The founding meeting included around 30 people from approximately ten different countries. The association’s intention is to promote multicultural diversity and to prevent immigrants from being discriminated and isolated. The association is open to people of all origins, nationalities, religions and political views. The association organises cultural and recreational events, seminars, press conferences and other activities that bring together people from different backgrounds. The association helps immigrants around the Joensuu area to deal with various authorities and bureaucracy issues, and raises awareness of multicultural diversity.

Citizen’s House (Kansalaistalo) supports voluntary work, develops co-operation and creates dialogue between the public welfare system and the activities of the voluntary sector. It also promotes partnership orientation in community, develops regional social and health policies and creates and develops new initiatives and innovations that increase welfare and decrease exclusion. You can find a meeting place, bikes for rent and an Internet Café at Kansalaistalo.

Both the Open University (Avoin yliopisto) and the Riveria Summer University (Kesäyliopisto) offer a wide variety of courses (including Finnish language courses) to all interested students. Please note that fees are usually charged.

The studies at the adult education center of Joensuu Area are open to everybody.  You can study a variety of subjects such as computer science, music, sports, dance, manual skills, cookery, drama as well as arts and crafts. Teaching language is mainly Finnish, but in most lessons instruction in English can be made available (check at Customer Service Center). Language studies are also offered, e.g. in Finnish, Swedish, English, German, French, Russian, Spanish and Italian. Please note that fees are usually charged.

Cinema

There is one cinema in Joensuu, Tapio. Films are shown in their original language with Finnish and Swedish subtitles. You can get student discount on some films, remember to ask when you are buying tickets. Savonkinot website.

Theatre

The Joensuu City Theatre (Joensuun kaupunginteatteri) is located in the Town Hall. Information and tickets are available at Carelicum or the Town Hall one hour before the performance. Performances are usually in Finnish.

If there are tickets left on the day of the performance, they can be bought with student discount one hour before the show.

There is also a Student Theatre in Joensuu.

Music

The rock and pop music scene in Joensuu is very active. A popular rock festival called Ilosaarirock is arranged every year in mid-July drawing thousands of young people into the city. At other times, there are several live performances weekly. Please follow the advertisements and bulletin boards.

Kerubi is a place that offers a wide variety of Finnish music, live performances, disco nights, etc. See Kerubi website in Finnish.

The Joensuu Orchestra (website in Finnish only) has concerts in the Carelia Hall usually on Thursdays. Information and tickets are available at Carelicum as well as one hour before the concert at the Carelia Hall.

Joensuu Regional Library

The Joensuu Regional Library (Vaara libraries) has books in several languages, music, videos, magazines, international newspapers and a café. The library also has material for studying the Finnish language. Library cards can be obtained from the main desk of the library. The main library is located near the city centre and there are several branch libraries in different residential areas.

Museums

Art Museum (Kirkkokatu 23, the large red brick building) has a permanent collection of Finnish art, sections of Chinese art, ancient Greek and Roman art, and Orthodox icons from the monastery of Megri. They also arrange temporary exhibitions.

Art Centre Ahjo (opens in a new tab) (Kirkkokatu 23, the yellow wooden building) gives a fresh view of North Karelian and other Finnish art. Exhibitions include photographic art, paintings and handicrafts.

Carelicum - North Karelian Museum (Koskikatu 5) is a modern museum of history and culture. There is a permanent exhibition called “Visiting Karelia”, which takes a look at the region of Karelia in its historical and cultural entity. For more information on this or on the smaller art galleries, please ask at the Information Desk at Carelicum.

The Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden includes about 900 species of plants from 113 countries all over the world. The collection of greenhouses (570 m2) imitates five climatic regions: tropical, sub-tropical summer-rain, sub-tropical winter-rain, temperate and desert. There is also a small greenhouse (180 m2) for propagation and research purposes and two small plastic greenhouses for summer use only. Visitors are welcome to stroll through the outside garden in the summer. The Tropical Butterfly Garden is open for visitors from April to August–September. Also available for visitors are Café Botania and Boutique Botania.

Please note that the Sykettä Sports Programme offers versatile possibilities for students on the Joensuu campus:

Nature tracks for hiking in Joensuu area (opens in a new tab). Check also the rights and the regulations for the outdoor activities (everyman’s right).

Swimming pools (Uimahalli):

• Vesikko (Uimarintie 1)
• Rantakylä (Pataluodonkatu 2)

You can try ice swimming with the Joensuu Polar Bears Ice Swimming Club. Swimming and sauna is available for non-members by a single payment. The wristband costs about EUR 6 and can be bought from a machine at the club. For more information about location, opening hours, etc. visit their website or call tel. +358 45 7845 1992.

Sports Hall (Joensuun Kuntokeidas) offers bowling, tennis, squash, badminton, indoor climbing, table tennis, mini-golf, billiards, and a golf simulator. Address Linnunlahdentie 10, tel.+358 13 126 558 .

There are also several fitness clubs and gyms in Joensuu.

If you want to try fishing, it is good to know that persons who are 18 years or older must pay a fishing management fee (kalastuksenhoitomaksu in Finnish) and a local fishing license (kalastuslupa). No fishing licenses are needed for ice fishing or angling. More information here:

• Fishing in Finland
• Fishing licences in Joensuu (in Finnish)
• Regulations: Everyman’s right in Finland (opens in a new tab)

Horseback Riding
There are several stables in the Joensuu area. To browse different options, please go here: http://www.visitkarelia.fi/en/Travelling → Activities → Horseback riding

Information on nature tracks in Joensuu area.

There are excellent opportunities for winter sports in Joensuu. You can find ice-skating rinks around the town in wintertime, and they can be used by everyone, free of charge. Skates can be purchased at sports shops, department stores or flea markets. Alternatively, you can borrow a pair of skates from a fellow Finnish student or from the storage of the Student Union office at Joensuu. Skiing is a very important part of Finnish culture. If you have never skied before, in Finland you have a unique opportunity to try both cross-country and downhill skiing. There are many publicly maintained cross-country skiing trails in Joensuu, for example in Mehtimäki, which is very close to the Joensuu campus. Trails are always open, naturally depending on the snow conditions, and some of the trails are lit. There are also many downhill skiing centres close to Joensuu, such as Mustavaara and Koli.

Koli is situated about 70 km north of Joensuu. It is a beautiful and popular downhill skiing centre. All ski centres also rent the necessary equipment for downhill skiing and snowboarding, as well as for cross-country skiing. Snowshoeing is a new and popular form of winter sports, and the necessary equipment can also be rented at Koli.

Kuopio Tourist Service (Kuopio Info)

Address: Apaja Shopping Centre, Kauppakatu 45, 70110 Kuopio

Opening hours: Check the website.

Tel: +358 80 018 2050

Email: palveluneuvonta@kuopio.fi

Information about the Kuopio region:

• Kuopio
• Student's Kuopio

The City of Kuopio was founded in 1775 to stimulate trade and other economic activity in the extensive region of Eastern Finland. Today Kuopio has a population of over 117 000 and it is the ninth largest city in the country. The City of Kuopio is the largest city in the Province of Eastern Finland. Kuopio has developed into a centre serving the entire region of eastern Finland. Some 600 000 people live within its sphere of influence.

Kuopio is a modern, developing centre of economic life in Eastern Finland. 70% of those living in Kuopio are employed in service professions. The unique nature and services of excellent quality make the city an appealing place to live in. The people of the growing city have not forgotten their roots and they still highly value the genuine Northern Savo region’s way of living. The unique summer atmosphere in the Kuopio region is provided by lakes and islands, and as well as by the landscape of forest-covered hills. Boating, hiking and other forms of outdoor recreation are plenty. The lakes, which are abound with fish, guarantee good catches throughout the year. Leisure spas with their bubbling pools and baths offer relaxation and invigoration whenever you feel the need.

In general, the climate varies a lot in Kuopio. Here you can enjoy the four distinctive Finnish seasons. The temperatures may vary from -30 C in the winter to +30 C in the summer. Read more information on the weather . The northern lights, although more common in Lapland, can sometimes be seen during winter nights also in Kuopio.

The main road of the region is Highway 5, which runs from Helsinki to Lapland. The Saimaa Canal links Kuopio to the Baltic Sea and is open for most of the year. By road, the distance from the capital Helsinki to Kuopio is about 390 km. There are also several daily flights from Helsinki to Kuopio. Coach and railway connections to Kuopio also are excellent from Helsinki as well as from the Tampere and Turku regions.

Distances and travelling times (approximately) to Kuopio from

Kuopio Tourist Service (Kuopio Info, opens in a new tab)

Multicultural Centre Kompassi (opens in a new tab)

Kompassi is the multicultural centre of the Kuopio Settlement Puijola, which is located in the city centre of Kuopio. Kompassi was established in 1999 and is funded by the City of Kuopio and RAY (Finland’s Slot Machine Association). Kompassi offers information, support and activity opportunities, multicultural events and Finnish language courses. In Kompassi you can use a computer, meet new people, get help in problematic situations, get information about, for example, immigration services in Kuopio, multiculturalism and internationality. Kompassi welcomes everyone and values all of its visitors equally without discrimination.

The Community College of Kuopio (Kansalaisopisto) is an institution offering adult education, enabling people of all ages to study and participate in activities relevant to their interests. Courses range from languages and sports to music and social sciences. The autumn semester starts in September and the spring semester in January. Please note that fees are usually charged.

Both the Open University (Avoin yliopisto) and the Snellman University (Kesäyliopisto) of Kuopio offer a wide variety of courses (including Finnish language courses) to all interested students. Please note that fees are usually charged.

The UEF Centre for Continuous Learning (opens in a new app)

SnellmannEDU

Cinema

There are two cinemas in Kuopio, Scala and Kuvakukko (website in Finnish only). Films are shown in the original language with Finnish and Swedish subtitles.Films usually run for one to three weeks. Film clubs show classic films and re-runs at reduced prices at Kuvakukko. Scala offers discounts for students.

There is also the Student Union Film Club (Hyvät Kuvat, website in Finnish only), which is open to everybody. You have to buy a personal movie card. Please note that there are free club cards available for exchange students every semester. The film club shows one film in two sessions in the cinema Kuvakukko (Vuorikatu 27). All the films are in their original language with subtitles in Finnish.

Theatre

The Kuopio City Theatre (website in Finnish only) has several stages and there are many other theatre groups in Kuopio. Even if you cannot understand the language (all the shows are in Finnish), the performances are worth seeing.

The Student Theatre (KYT) is the Kuopio Student Theatre.

Music

A popular rock festival called Kuopio Rock (website in Finnsh only) is arranged every year around mid-July drawing thousands of young people into the city.

SawoHouse Underground (website in Finnish only) is a popular venue for music just outside the city as is Maxim (website only in Finnish) in the city centre.

Kuopio Symphony Orchestra has concerts at the Kuopio Music Centre (Kuopiolahdenkatu 23). More information and tickets are available at Kuopio Music Centre and Kuopio Info (Apaja).

Kuopio City Library

The City Library (kaupunginkirjasto) is run by the City of Kuopio. In Finland, libraries are open to all and borrowing material is free of charge. In order to be able to borrow material from the library, you will need a library card (kirjastokortti). You can get a library card for free from any library in Kuopio. You need to present proof of identity and fill in an application form in order to get a card. If books are not returned by the date they are due, a fee will be charged. Remember to cancel your library card immediately, if you lose it as the material borrowed on your card is on your responsibility. Please note that the university library card is not valid at the city libraries, only at the university libraries. The Kuopio City Library also has a music library where you can listen to music or borrow records, CDs and notes.

Museums

Kuopio Art Museum Kumma (Kauppakatu 35) is housed in a former bank building. The collections include primarily Finnish art from the end of the Nineteenth Century to the present, with an emphasis on local painters. The central theme of museum is nature and the environment.

Kuopio Museum (Kauppakatu 23) is a cultural historical museum. Their permanent collection consists of pieces from the history of the Northern Savonia region. They also arrange temporary exhibitions.

Old Kuopio Museum (Kirkkokatu 22) consists of a block of eleven old wooden houses. Their interiors represent living conditions and living styles of different families from the 1800s to the 1930s. In addition, there is a pharmacy house, an exhibition hall and a room dedicated to the renowned local author Minna Canth.

VB Photographic Centre (Kuninkaankatu 14-16).

J. V. Snellman Home Museum (Snellmaninkatu 19) is museum for the philosopher and statesman. The museum building is the house he used to live in during his years in Kuopio in the 1840s.

The Orthodox Church Museum of Finland (opens in a new tab) preserves studies and displays the unique cultural heritage of the Orthodox Church of Finland and to uses this heritage for educational purposes.

Kuopio is famous for a multitude of events and known as both a lively sports centre and a city of rich cultural life. Every summer in June the Kuopio Dance Festival (Kuopio Tanssii ja Soi) takes place in Kuopio. The festival is a significant international dance festival presenting a wide spectrum of dance art from different cultural backgrounds, as well as modern trends and traditional dance theatre. Students get a discount on tickets.

Every year Kuopio also hosts many other national and international events and festivities. Among them are the rock festival Kuopio RockCock, Kuopio International Wine Festival, Ice Marathon on Lake Kallavesi, different food festivals and many more. There are also several sport events (ice hockey matches, football in the Keskuskenttä and Väinölänniemi and Finnish baseball in the Puijo Stadium).

Anti, International Contemporary Art Festival held in Kuopio every autumn, free entrance to festival events

For further information on sport activities in Kuopio (opens in a new window).

Please note that the Sykettä Sports Programme offers a variety of activities for students on Kuopio campus.

Kuopio has a wide network of jogging and skiing tracks. Information on different sports possibilities in Kuopio (opens in a new window).

Nature trails for hiking.

Exercise tracks and skiing trails.

Check also the rights and the regulations for the outdoor activities (everyman’s right).

Swimming Pools (Uimahalli):

• Lippumäen uimahalli Petosentie 8, 70820 Kuopio
• Kuntolaakson uimahalli, Hannes Kolehmaisenkatu, 70110 Kuopio

You can try ice swimming with the Kuopio Ice Swimming Association (opens in a new tab, page in Finnish). Swimming and sauna are available for non-members by a single payment of about EUR 10.

Kuopio Hall (Opistotie 4) offers several sporting options and their facilities include a football field, a running track, a gym etc.

If you want to try fishing, it is good to know that persons who are 18 years or older must pay a fishing management fee (kalastuksenhoitomaksu in Finnish) and a local fishing license (kalastuslupa). No fishing licenses are needed for ice fishing or angling. More information here:

• Fishing in Finland
• Fishing licences in Kuopio (in Finnish)
• Everyman’s right in Finland (pdf)

Horseback Riding

There are several stables in the Kuopio area. You can find the stables in the internet, but the most popular stable is Savisaaren Ratsastuskeskus (Savisaari 61, tel. +358 17 2822238, also SMS messages, talli@savisaari.com)

Ice Hockey Halls (Jäähalli) 

• Kuopion jäähalli Olvi Areena
• Hannes Kolehmaisen katu 4, 70100 Kuopio
• Lippumäen jäähalli Rauhalahdentie 66, 70820 Kuopio

There are excellent opportunities for winter sports in Kuopio. You can find ice-skating rinks around the town in wintertime, and they can be used by everyone, free of charge. Skates can be purchased at sports shops, department stores or flea markets.

Alternatively, you can borrow a pair of skates from a fellow Finnish student or from the storage of the Student Union office. Skiing is a very important part of Finnish culture. If you have never skied before, in Finland you have a unique opportunity to try both cross- country and downhill skiing. There are many publicly maintained cross-country skiing trails in Kuopio, for example in Puijo. Trails are always open, naturally depending on the snow conditions, and some of the trails are lit. There are also many downhill skiing centres close to Kuopio, such as Kasurila and Tahko.

Skiing

• Kasurila Ski Centre, Viitonen 1920, 71800 Siilinjärvi
• Tahko Ski Centre, Tahkolaaksontie 4, 73310 Tahkovuori

Bowling Alley (Keilahalli)

• Kuopion keilahalli, Tel. +358 17 282 4003
• Rauhalahti Bowling, Kartanonkatu 11, 70700 Kuopio

Climbing

• Kuopio Climbing Centre Voema, Kaivotie 23, 70700 Kuopio

There are also several fitness clubs and gyms in Kuopio.

Yes-  Kyllä / Joo
No - Ei
Hi / Hello - Hei / Moi / Terve
How do you do - Päivää
Good morning - (Hyvää) huomenta
Good afternoon - (Hyvää) päivää
Good evenin. - (Hyvää) iltaa
Good night  -  (Hyvää) yötä

Thank you - Kiitos.
Sorry / Excuse me - Anteeksi
I am sorry. - Olen pahoillani.
Cheers! - Kippis!
How are you? - I am fine, thanks. - Mitä kuuluu? - Hyvää, kiitos.

Road - Tie
Street - Katu

Goodbye -Näkemiin. (formal)
Hei hei / Moi moi (informal)
I do not understand. - En ymmärrä.
I do not speak Finnish. - En puhu suomea.
I am not Finnish. - En ole suomalainen.
My name is… - Minun nimeni on…
How much? - Kuinka paljon? / Paljonko?
How much does this cost? - Paljonko tämä maksaa?
Could you help me? - Voitko auttaa minua?
Where is / are…? - Missä on / ovat…?

Open - Auki / Avoinna
Closed - Kiinni / Suljettu
Entrance - Sisään(käynti)
Exit - Ulos(käynti)
Push / Pull  - Työnnä / Vedä
Forbidden - Kielletty
Stop - Seis
Toilet - WC
Men - Miehet / Herrat
Women - Naiset

Monday - Maanantai
Tuesday - Tiistai
Wednesday - Keskiviikko
Thursday - Torstai
Friday - Perjantai
Saturday - Lauantai
Sunday - Sunnuntai
Weekend - Viikonloppu

1. Yksi
2. Kaksi
3. Kolme
4. Neljä
5. Viisi
6. Kuusi
7. Seitsemän
8. Kahdeksan
9. Yhdeksän
10. Kymmenen

Zero - Nolla
Hundred - Sata

Coffee - Kahvi
Cream - Kerma
Hot chocolate - Kaakao
Juice - Mehu
Soda - Limonadi
Tea - Tee
Milk - Maito
Low lactose milk - Vähälaktoosinen maito
Milk with 1% fat - Ykkösmaito
Milk with 3.5% fat - Täysmaito
Milk without lactose - Laktoositon maito
Semi-skimmed milk - Kevytmaito
Skimmed milk - Rasvaton maito

Water - Vesi
Carbonated water - Hiilihapollinen vesi
Mineral water - Mineraalivesi
Sour milk - Piimä
Alcohol - Alkoholi
Beer - Olut
Cider - Siideri
Liqueur - Likööri
Liquor - Viina
Mead - Sima
Red wine - Punaviini
Rum - Rommi
Sparkling wine - Kuohuviini
Vodka - Vodka
Whisky V- iski
White wine - Valkoviini

Baguette - Patonki
Bread - Leipä
Crispbread - Näkkileipä
Karelian pastry - Karjalanpiirakka
Malted bread - Mallasleipä
Rusk - Korppu
Rye bread - Ruisleipä
Toast - Paahtoleipä
Biscuit / Cracker - Keksi
Butter - Voi
Cereal - Murot
Cheese - Juusto
Egg - Kananmuna
Jam - Hillo
Margarine - Margariini
Marmalade - Marmeladi
Noodles - Nuudelit
Oatmeal - Kaurahiutale
Porridge - Puuro
Rice - Riisi
Almond - Manteli
Cinnamon - Kaneli
Ginger - Inkivääri
Honey - Hunaja
Ketchup - Ketsuppi
Mustard - Sinappi
Pepper - Pippuri
Saffron - Sahrami
Salt - Suola
Sugar - Sokeri
Baking powder - Leivinjauhe
Brown flour - Grahamjauho
Brown sugar - Fariinisokeri
Cooking cream - Ruokakerma
Double cream - Kuohukerma
Dry yeast - Kuivahiiva
Flour - Jauhot
Icing sugar - Tomusokeri
Wheat flour - Vehnäjauho
Whipping cream V- ispikerma
Yeast - Hiiva

Baltic herring - Silakka
Coalfish - Seiti
Crayfish - Rapu
Fish - Kala
Herring - Silli
Rainbow trout - Kirjolohi
Salmon - Lohi
Shellfish (plural) - Äyriäiset
Shrimp - Katkarapu
Tuna - Tonnikala

Chicken - Kana / Broileri
Elk (Moose) - Hirvi
Lamb - Lammas
Meat - Liha
Minced meat - Jauheliha
Pork - Sianliha
Reindeer - Poro
Sausage - Makkara
Turkey - Kalkkuna

Asparagus - Parsa
Aubergine (Eggplant) - Munakoiso
Broccoli - Parsakaali
Cabbage - Kaali
Carrot - Porkkana
Cauliflower - Kukkakaali
Chickpeas - Kikherneet
Corn - Maissi
Courgette (Zucchini) - Kesäkurpitsa
Cucumber - Kurkku
Garlic - Valkosipuli
Green peas - Vihreät pavut
Lentils - Linssit
Lettuce - Salaatti
Mushroom - Sieni
Onion - Sipuli
Parsley - Persilja
Potato - Peruna
Red pepper - Paprika
Soy beans - Soijapavut
Spinach - Pinaatti
Tomato - Tomaatti
Vegetables - Kasvikset

Apple - Omena
Banana - Banaani
Fruit (plural) - Hedelmät
Lemon - Sitruuna
Orange - Appelsiini
Peach - Persikka
Pineapple - Ananas
Plum - Luumu
Watermelon - Vesimeloni

Berry / Berries - Marja / Marjat
Blackcurrant - Mustaherukka
Blueberry - Mustikka
Cloudberry - Lakka
Cranberry - Karpalo
Gooseberry - Karviaismarja
Lingonberry - Puolukka
Raspberry - Vadelma
Redcurrant - Punaherukka
Strawberry - Mansikka
White currant - Valkoherukka

Nut - Pähkinä
Peanut - Maapähkinä
Walnut - Saksanpähkinä

I am a vegetarian / vegan. - O len kasvissyöjä / vegaani.
I do not eat pork / read meat. - En syö sianlihaa / punaista lihaa.

I am allergic to apple / eggs / fish / milk / (pea)nuts / soy / shellfish / wheat. - Olen allerginen omenalle / kanamunille / kalalle / maidolle / (maa)pähkinöille / soijalle
/ äyriäisille / vehnälle.
I am lactose intolerant. - Minulla on laktoosi-intoleranssi.