NEPAL - FINLAND

Travelling to Helsinki: Routes and some tips to avoid hassle

2010-06-29T04:46:00.000-07:00

I believe, you should have visited a couple of travel agents by now and query about flight booking. So, as you might have noticed by now that the cheapest flights to travel to Finland is via Delhi either by AeroFlot or Finn Air or Austrian Air.
Following are the most common routes Nepalese Students follow while travelling to Finland:

Kathmandu - Delhi - Helsinki (Finn Air)

Good: Cheap and Best, Very good Service, Transit in only one place: Delhi
Bad: Very long transit (about 15 hours) while travelling from Kathmandu to Helsinki
My Preference: FIRST

Kathmandu - Delhi - Paris - Helsinki (KLM and Air France)

Good: Relatively affordable price, Good Service
Bad: Transits in two places: Delhi and Paris
My Preference: SECOND

Kathmandu - Delhi - Istanbul - Helsinki (Turkish Air)

Good: Relatively cheaper price, Good Service
Bad: Transits in two places: Delhi and Istanbul
My Preference: SECOND

Kathmandu - Delhi - Brussels - Helsinki (Jet Airways)

Good: Good Service. Affordable price, Same carrier (Jet Airways) till Brussels makes it easy in Kathmandu and Delhi.
Bad: Transits in two places: Delhi and Brussels
My Preference: SECOND

Kathmandu - Abu Dhabi - Frankfurt - Helsinki (Etihad)

Good: Good Service and relatively less transit durations; Affordable price;
Bad: Transits in two places: Abu Dhabi and Frankfurt
My Preference: SECOND

Kathmandu - Delhi - Vienna - Helsinki (Austrian Air)

Good: Very good Service.
Bad: Bit Expensive than other flights; Transits in two places: Delhi and Vienna.
My Preference: THIRD

Kathmandu - Bangkok - Frankfurt - Helsinki (Thai)

Good: Very Good Service.
Bad: Expensive than other flights; Transits in two places: Bangkok and Frankfurt
My Preference: THIRD

Kathmandu - Delhi - Moscow - Helsinki (AeroFlot)

Good: Cheapest among all above listed airlines. You can really can't find any other flights cheaper than AeroFlot.
Bad: Many known cases of baggage mishandling, unfriendly AeroFlot staffs in Delhi and Moscow Airport; Transits in two places: Delhi and Moscow
My Preference: FOURTH

There are several other routes via Dubai, Amsterdam (with Arke Air) etc as well.

When you are travelling is student season, so, most probably, you will not be a single one travelling on the same route on the same flight; so, it will also help a lot if you find somebody travelling along with you, if you are travelling first time.

Make sure, the travel agent is giving you connecting flight but not two individual non-connected flight tickets, since it makes a difference. If you are travelling on a connecting flight, your origination (Kathmandu) will be responsible for your luggage till it reaches your destination (Helsinki). But, if you are travelling on non-connected flights, your destination is just the immediate transiting point; for example if you are travelling via Delhi on non-connected flight, your immediate destination is just Delhi while travelling from Kathmandu, so after reaching Delhi until getting boarded on Finn Air, luggage is your own responsibility, and if you need to spend whole one night in Delhi, that is where the real hassle is. So, I suggest never to travel with individual non-connected tickets, specially if you are travelling first time and specially if travelling via Delhi.

What is the hassle in Delhi because of which people try to avoid traveling via Delhi?

Update 27.07.2010: Delhi just opened a new terminal last week; so, the situation might be totally different than stated over here. Let's hope, new terminal and staffs are more travel friendly. :)

If you checkout in Delhi and need to face Indian Immigration while check-in again in Delhi; there are several incident when Indian Immigration did not treat properly. They might have their own logic why they place unnecessary queries explicitly. But, some cases of misbehavior made people hesitant to face Indian Immigration. No means to generalize, it does not happen to all Nepalese who travel via Delhi. Hundreds of Nepalese travel daily through Delhi, but only few incidents are reported to be treated badly by Indian Immigration. But, if you do not checkout in Delhi and remain in Transit, chances of hassle can be minimized easily.

Tips to consider for avoiding hassle in travel

First, while dropping the luggage at Kathmandu Airport during check-in, explicitly tell them to check in your luggage to Helsinki and tell them, you don't want to collect the luggage in Delhi but you want to collect it directly in Helsinki. It won't be problem managing it if you have connecting flight. Even, if you have individual tickets (non-connected flights), you can request in Kathmandu Airport, since it won't be any difficult for them to do so, since your tickets proves that you are travelling to Finland but not only to Delhi.
Do not worry about the luggage now since you have already checked in for Helsinki, it is the Airline's Responsibility. It will safely arrive in Helsinki.

Second, after you take off in Delhi, immediately there arrives Arrival Immigration. DO NOT pass through immigration since you are in a transit. Try searching where is the Transit. Wait there itself before Immigration so that some staff of your airline (either of the airline with which you will travel to Helsinki OR of the one by which you traveled from Kathmandu to Delhi) comes to collect transit passenger to take to transit. Be alert, if some staff is asking or collecting transit passenger. If transit staff does not arrives within one hour or so, ask other airline's transit staff, who will be roaming around, to update your transit and lead you to transit.

What happens if you pass through Immigration?

If you pass through immigration, it means your checked out in Delhi. If so, now you have either to spend the entire night in lobby itself of Delhi airport unless some security staff do not force you to out of airport since due to security reasons in Delhi, they do not allow to rest in lobby if flight difference is more than 3 hours. Then, you have another solution is going to some hotel of Delhi, resting for a while and coming back to airport before 2/3 hours before the flight if you have longer waiting time. But, I suggest NONE of these solutions. So, the best solution is just Transit.

If you check-out, there is a waiting lobby in front of departure, you can rest there as well by paying nominal price.

Third, take some Indian Currency along with you since you may need to buy some foods while spending in Delhi. I suggest you to take few noodles packet and good chocolates or cadbury in your purse or hand carry itself so that you need not to buy expensive foods inside the transit. You can carry maximum 4 noodles packets and 4 chocolates in your purse. Carry smaller Indian Currency notes since transit shopkeepers in Delhi says the price of the stuff seeing the size of your note and they hardly returns back the change. If waiting for whole night, you may need couple of hundreds to buy coffee, tea, samosa and some water.

There is also comfortable laying chairs in Delhi transit if you want to have some comfortable nap or quick sleep. But, the seats there are very limited there.

Before the flight of from Delhi, a staff will come searching for you in the transit itself. They will make all connecting formalities and brings your boarding pass and will guide you towards the security gate. Yes, you can trust this guy to give your passport and tickets. But, I suggest you to keep one extra photocopy of your ticket on your purse so that if something happens, you may have some backup proof to claim with.

Have a Nice Flight !!

Learning FINNISH language

2010-06-26T05:38:00.000-07:00

I am republishing this post since many requested to post some good links and books that can help them to learn Finnish Language before arrival to Finland.

I don't think there are any good Finnish learning center in Kathmandu. Please check it once on Bishwa Bhasa college, it might have, but I don't know. Else, there are no other institutions which offers Finnish language.

So, the best way to learn Finnish is to learn online or by buying some good books.

Following are links of some selected books to buy for beginners:

Following are some links for learning Finnish:

Tamy
Tampare University of Technology Links
There are some links here as well: TKK's Finnish Course Links"> TKK's Finnish

Following are some additional links:

1. Uuno is a language learning resource, primarily intended to teach foreign exchange students about the Finnish language and Finnish culture before they come to Finland. Uuno provides a non-demanding and entertaining introduction to the Finnish grammar.

2. Want to learn some Finnish or practice what you already know? Easyfinnish is an elementary online course aimed at anyone interested in learning Finnish. Perform exercises, listen to audios, play games, converse with others or test your skills.

3. Finnish for Foreigners provides an introduction to the Finnish language and Finland. University of Helsinki Language Centre.

4. The Finnish Language provides an introduction to the Finnish language and grammar.

5. Supisuomea is a beginners'/basic course in Finnish that helps you to deal with various everyday situations in Finnish.

Finland is not ready for international students

2010-06-03T12:55:00.001-07:00

- By Undisclosed Author

(Identity of the author is kept secret on request)

"Hell ! I just wanna get out of this city, its so crowded, much crowded. Though it is my own hometown, my Dhaka, but I really can not tolerate uncertain future caused with unstable and statelessness of Bangladesh"

Exactly, it was my motivation to leave Bangladesh in 2004. It had been about complete six years now, but this country,Finland, does not make me feel like my own.

When I arrived here, I just loved it. I just wanted to hug it on a whole. I came here for my Master's Degree. I did not realize when two years passed while struggling with damn freezing cold winters and bright, sunny and greenery summers. It is a gifted land on Summer while tragic on winters. Education is comparatively average while compared with other European countries except it is absolutely free here. If somebody asks me today to list topmost five reasons to choose Finland on European or American continent for study purpose, I would say, topmost four reasons are just because it is free education. Fifth least priority reason could be it is a safe country. I said it is least priority reason since Finland alone is not safe country in Europe or American continent.

There were very few international people around in 2004. So, it was acceptable not to be noticed. Except few wide minded Finnish, nobody considered our existence, they looked at us like we are intruders of war, unwanted and forceful guests. But, studies kept me so busy that I hardly bothered about it. Since existence of good and devil is natural on every place of the earth, I just took it naturally and kept on struggling for my bright future ahead.

When I started my thesis in early 2006, then I realized schools were not alone where you are given strange looks. My thesis supervisor formed a group of three students for a research group, two Finns and me. While making the agreement for equal amount of workloads on the same project, I was given a contract of 750 Euro per month while Finn were given a contract of 1900 Euro per month. I was shocked but not dare to ask why, later on a good mood, when I asked my supervisor, he directly slammed me on my face saying "... because you were international". I was speechless since I noway expected it. But, I did not object since I was considered an intruder and have left no other alternative expect completing this degree.

When people say Finn are so calm and friendly, I completely agree with them. But, I do not agree that Finns are transparent, unprejudiced or impartial. They are silently racist. They do not expose or express their rationality directly. They will hide their aggression. But, when time comes, they emotionally hit you so hard that it will take you a long to get recovered. On a party, two Finns were talking in English. Generally, they always prefer to communicate in Finnish only. But, they were only the people present on the party who were speaking in English, so I walked to them. Then, they just stopped talking in English. When I broke the ice and tried to be introduced, one of them told, "I can speak English fluently, but I do not bother to speak." I do not mean to generalize all Finn with this particular one incident, but my six years of experience in Finland says that particular sentence portraits the common mentality of youth generation of my age group of Finland.

I am about to complete my PhD now. I shifted to relatively larger city of Finland for my PhD with bitter experience of smaller towns. Larger cities are more comfortable since they have varieties of people. So, you will face less embarrassment scenarios of being international in Finland. But, larger cities may hit you with direct discrimination or risk of direct racism activity as well. When a Finnish gets abused inside a bus, remaining passenger object and complaints to bus driver to remove the abuser from the bus, but when an international gets abused, remaining passenger stay calm, stationary and acts like they all are deaf and did not hear any words of abusiveness.

The European dream smashes down when you realized that you got competitive qualification with excellent degree but still you are treated as second class citizen. Your contribution on research, work and taxes are not enough to be considered yourself as good resident of Finland. They won't stop you for what you want to do, but also, they won't encourage and facilitate your growth. They won't point you out directly at some thing, but continuously and regularly their attitude and behavior make you feel that you are not entitled to love this country.

My some friends claims that I feel it bit different since I am not fully merged with Finnish culture. But, it is it not true. I duly respect Finnish social values, cultures and norms. I do enjoy speaking Finnish and love Sauna. I love Finnish foods. But, I don't have Finnish girlfriend. Can't I respect and maintain my own cultures without objecting Finnish culture? Why Finns can't respect other's culture as well?

Some Finns expresses that this disgrace is frustration after wars. But, I feel it is some kind of excuse to normalize the sidelining attitude towards internationals.

When happens if I continue my research here after my PhD? I have already realized that my PhD is not credited as rewarding in many other countries since they hardly know and believes in Finnish education system. Does it mean that I wasted almost a decade of my most energetic and productive youth period? Where will I be after ten years if I remain here? If I need to struggle further to be credited for my earned degree and research on another part of the globe then what was the value of so called international degrees? Does Finland produces graduates just for Finnish markets? If so, then why do they to call it international degree?

If they act as they promised, can anybody show me any international on decision making level or at least some policy level? If Finland wants their experts to be recognized as global experts, why they can't respect the experts produced on another country?

So many unanswered questions and queries. But answer is just one. Finland is not ready yet for international students.

Applying for Student Resident Permit

2010-06-03T07:02:00.000-07:00

Firstly, you won't apply for Visa, you will apply for Resident Permit. According to rule of Finland, if you are staying more than 90 days, you will apply for Resident Permit, not Visa. Visa is for those who want to stay less than 90 days.

You don't need any of the documents as you require on other countries. You need only following documents:

Passport
Two Color Photo (visa size, normally our passport size photo of Nepal does not match the visa size)
Academic certificates
Acceptance Letter (which will come on your admission package)
Health insurance covering up to € 30000 for one year. (you can do it on insurance companies of Kathmandu or using online insurance services if you can buy online, if you have any friend/relative abroad, ask them to buy it from https://www.schengen-visa-insurance.com/, since it is the cheapest one I have known)

IMPORTANT: Few friends reported that they are having problem with this insurance in Turku City since Police denied to accept it.
I had verified this insurance is valid for student resident permit before publishing it, so generally it should be valid. If you also face the problem in your city, email me with your application number, name, phone number and name of your city; so that I can forward the matter with Immigration Office.

In Turku, if you want to buy another insurance: http://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/finland-student-insurance/, it is the cheapest one with maximum deductible amount. If you keep the deductible amount to maximum, cost of the insurance would be around 150+ Euro.

There is no problem with this insurance on any of the other cities and many students already got their Resident Permit with same insurance in Helsinki, Espoo, Joensuu, Kuopio, Lappeenranta and Tampere.

A bank balance certificate showing you have at least € 6000 (Minimum NRS 600000) on your own account. (This amount is to prove that you have enough living expense for one year which will be later needed to show them on Traveler's Cheque while collecting Resident Permit)
IELTS or TOEFL result

Photocopies of each of the above mentioned documents.

Then, you go to Embassy with all of these documents with original documents, fill the form there. Then, you will be interviewed, generally on the same day.

You don't need any property valuation, income statement, relationship certificate. Nothing at all. Just prepare the above documents. Thats all. However, keep visiting website of Embassy of Finland, Kathmandu if any provision is changed. But, till now, the requirements are as I mentioned above.

Embassy itself does not issue the Resident Permit. Embassy just coordinates between Student (applicant) and Immigration Office; also there will be high traffic of applicants during these period. So, it takes so long period. It is said to take maximum 12 weeks but generally, it is issued within 30-50 days.

Once your decision of Resident Permit is made, you will be informed by Embassy on your phone number. Then, you need to go to Embassy and college a letter to exchange to Euro. Then, you need to go to Ministry of Education along with that letter to make permit for Euro Exchange. Then, with the permit issued by Ministry, you can go to bank of your interest or your comfortable bank to exchange the amount to Traveler's Cheque.

As per my experience, Bank of Kathmandu is the cheapest one to make draft. Nepal Investment Bank and Nabil Bank are also very cheap for exchange. Other banks might be more cheaper as well, but I don't know about them. You need to explore it yourself.

Do I need to have Bank Transaction along with Balance Certificate?

Generally Balance Certificate is enough for Resident Purpose since the objective of this document to verify that you have at least 6000 Euro equivalent on your own account. But, as we all know, it is very easy to make fake Balance Certificate of any Bank in Kathmandu with nominal service fees. It will increase the risk of document forgery. So, Embassy may ask you for Bank Transaction as well to be sure that you are a genuine student. Hence, it is always better idea take Bank Transaction as well and present it if asked by embassy.

NEVER ever make any attempt to present such forge document since forgery is taken as serious crime in Finland, and if found, it will certainly lead to rejection of Resident Permit.

Confirmation to College 2010

2010-06-03T06:06:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to all of those who got admission for 2010 August Session !

Good News! Don't worry anything about the place and locality since in almost every city where you are admitted, you will find at least few other Nepalese students and as you know, generally Nepalese are very cooperative and helpful for helping their friends.

What Should you do after getting Admission on a college?

Confirm your position on college by filling Confirmation form received on Admission Package
Fill and return Housing Application Form as well to ensure your accommodation. Start looking and booking other housing facility immediately located on that city as well since finding a room on most of the city is another big headache.
Apply for Resident Permit (it is Student Visa of Finland).
Get yourself familiarize with Finnish society, culture, environment and some basic greetings in Finnish language.
Change entire 6000 Euro amount as Traveler's Cheque and some very minimal cash in case of some emergency on arrival before changing Traveler's Cheque. You are suggested to carry all Traveler's Cheque instead of Bank Drafts since Traveller's Cheque are preferable than Bank Draft and also, it would be exchanged immediately while compared with Bank Draft.
Book a flight ticket and buy it immediately once you get Resident Permit.
Do the necessary shopping and travel arrangements.

The process of applying Resident Permit will be available on immediate next latest post.

I will post the Shopping List for this year and various routes to travel a bit later.

Confirming your Position to the college

Acceptance to admission means certainty of your admission. It means are already selected for your further studies in Finland. Now, you need to follow some formal process to confirm your seat, this confirmation process means you ensure the college that you are coming to that particular college for further studies. When your admission package reached you, you will find three most important documents on the pack along with some other readable materials.

Letter of Acceptance: It proves that you got admission on this university. This is the document on which basis you will apply to Embassy for Resident Permit. Resident Permit is the visa name for Students.
Confirmation Form: This form is to confirm and reserve your seat on this university. You are supposed to fill it and return back to this university to confirm your seat that you accepted your admission and will be coming to that particular university before the deadline as mentioned on the form. If you have applied to other universities of Finland as well and waiting for their admission results, do not send it immediately, since you can not confirm on multiple universities. But, be careful about the deadline to confirm your seat.
Housing Application Form: This form is to apply for Housing for your accommodation during your studies. Finding rooms is really much difficult on some of the cities of Finland. Do not wait any more for applying for Rooms. Along with immediately filling and sending this form, also start searching other housing support on your city.

I am on the waiting list of another college, What should I do?

If you are already selected by one college and selected on waiting list of another college, and you want to go to this second college, then, communicate with this second college by email and ask whether they have any more seats available or not, and also confirm that if you cancel the confirmation of first college will this second college accepts your admission or not. If college accepts it and confirms your seat, you can email first college and cancel your admission, then immediately inform the second college about cancellation so that this second college can issue you a new acceptance certificate.

Be careful, do not do it before getting any direct confirmation from waiting list college, else, once you cancel on first college, then, you might not be able to claim back your seat later if not got admission on second college.

Do not bother much, if you want, you can apply for college transfer to your required college later might be after one year.

I want to go to the college of my 3rd priority, should I wait for it?

If you want, you can wait for them. But do not make much delay since primary acceptance to all colleges ends on first week of August. Also, if you are already selected for one college, there is very little chance to get admission on another college since all of them operate on Joint Application System, hence without cancelling the first accepted admission, you might not be considered for your desired college of 2rd or 3rd or 4th priority. And, by that time, your desired college will have also their own list of selected students and their seats might be full by then.

So, do not cancel the admission without communicating properly with colleges.

Also, communicate properly with the desired college stating you want to be admitted for that particular college rather than just waiting by doing nothing.

Life in Lappeenranta

2010-06-03T05:38:00.000-07:00

- By Baburam Subedi
Published here with the permission of the Author
Original Post can be found here: Life in Lappeenranta

Being student here in Lappeenranta, I am going to write down my experiences during my study hours (in Lappeenranta), which I hope will help to new comers to figure out the overall life style of Lappeenranta and all of Finland.

As you come to Lappeenranta by train from Central Railway station, Helsinki ( Fare With student card €20, without student or VR card, €40) Most of your assumptions from Nepal has already become contrary to the fact. You will not find Europe according to your immagination. If you had come from Suvarnabhumi Airport Thailand, you consider Vanta airport very small. As you see everywhere forest in the way to Lappeenranta, building of your imagination start to collapse slowly. Coming to Lappeenrata in Train is very easy as it informs each and every locations through voice and in monitor in Finnish, English and Swedish. As you get down in Lappeenranta, you will call your tutor. Here tutor are students responsible for helping new-comer students. Don't forget to get the phone number of your tutor from Nepal. As you can ask with college/ University through email. They will provide you all details. I am emphasizing tutor here because he posses the key of your new room and he will take you to room from train station. You may feel little bit cold in August just as you come to Finland being new to here, don't worry ''-30'' or even more in coming winter will coach how to face cold in Finland.

Tutor will take you to your new home. As you see, apartment be very simple, don't worry apartment in Finland are well facilitated. You can get hot and cold water from the same tap, as you can spin round the tap handle for hot water. Water is pure you can drink directly without filtration, unlike in Kathmandu. Attached bathroom is there with your room. You can get electric heater, refrigerator and furniture in kitchen and even mattress and a bed , table, chair, and case to put your belongings. This time you feel somewhat like Europe. Your 1st night would be night with doubt and confusions. Don't worry too much as you have already chosen Finland for your study, €6000 is there to save you.

I have mentioned overall travel feelings based on my own personal experience.

GOODS PURCHASING

You can purchase your daily food stuffs from Prisma and Ledil. Ledil is still cheaper for many stuffs. But Nepali lai jaha gaye pani dal ra bhat nai pyaro, so you can get rice in prisma it is known as 'riisi' here. For curry, canned foods like Mushroom, Tomato puri are used here, you can find pulses also. R-kioski and Valintalo are little bit expensive shops. All Nepalese here choose Prisma and Ledil for food stuffs. Average cost per student for foods is €50-€70 Euro, depending upon your food habits it may be more. If you smoke bring enough cigarettes from Nepal, for they are expensive here.

Gigantti is there for Laptop, Bi-Cycle etc purchasing. You can also try with Anttila where you can find food stuffs ,clothes to electronics goods.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:-
Social Security number is very important in Finland. All you personal data and your status are saved in social security number. It is your date of birth followed by four digit numbers/alphabets. You can apply for social security number as soon as you come to Finland taking acceptance letter from your University/Polytechnic. It is in the city center of Lappeenranta. You can consult www.migri.fi or www.pollisi.fi . You need to fill up a form and submit with visa copy ( they will copy themselves), you will get social security number later on mentioned apartment through Post Office known as Posti here.

JOBS
If you have a habit of studying blogs and give your time to Internet in Nepal, you already have known that jobs are almost impossible in Lappeenranta. But can apply to posti and Jakeluseura. You will just fill the form there and need to wait for a year or long, you need to be lucky to get job even after one year. I am writing this blog during my leisure time of not getting posti job even after waiting for one year, so sad. Only one/ two Nepali guys do full time posti jobs, which is thought to only one best job in Lappeenranta, while other do for one month during summer to collect bucks for coming year. If you don't have any sell-able Hospitality skills and Finnish Language, it is very hard to get jobs in restaurants. If you believe in miracle, I have nothing to say :). But trying never harms.

As you have thought in Nepal, that I have schengen visa, I can go to 24 European countries, I will go to Norway and do jobs there. I will go to Germany bla bla bla...This is not as easy as you have thought. Firstly you will get work permit only in Finland, so type of work you need to do in these countries isBlack jobs, sounds disgusting by its name right? If you don't have any reliable person to recommend, don't think to get even black jobs in those countries because in Europe law is very strict in such cases, people are very honest and they don't want to go against law. Don't think that I will roam myself and get jobs, because going there, staying (?), searching jobs for 2/3 months (average European trend for cities with better jobs probability) etc etc a ... there are lots of difficulties.... NOT THE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES EVEN HELSINKI WHICH IS around 250KM FAR FROM LAPPEENRANTA WOULD BE FAR FOR YOU IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANYBODY THERE.

ENTERTAINMENT:

Gigling Marlin Lappeenranta

Lappeenranta Swimming Pool

I gave too much time talking about jobs section, because it is prime thing that most Nepalese students longing for or needs mainly. Being jobless, you may find hard to entertain in spite all available entertainment resources. Please bring sport Jersey if you are coming to Lappeenranta ( Only for Saimma Student not for LUT cuz they are senior than me and can scold me after coming here) because the football grounds here are very nice, you feel like you are in world-cup playground, where you can enjoy in summer. Most of the students here do so. If you are good in football there is also the chance of getting opportunity to play from local club, though they may not pay you it will help to get with Finnish people. You can also go for fishing in Lake Saimaa during summer, you need to purchase fishing tools yourself costs around €10. You can even go for ice fishing during winter .Saimaa lake is very near from here, which is the largest lake of Finland, feel proud sometimes that you are in Lappeenranta.

Nepali guys Fishing on the Saimaa Lake

Saimaa Lake

If you like Disco/Bars Gigling Marlin and Diva is waiting for you, Most of Nepalese students go to get relief there. It costs around €2 ( not sure :D) for tickets, disco may not be disco without drinks, so take another €2-4 for drinks. There are free days to get tickets too I think on Wednesday it is free. If you want to go frequently you can also make silver card to reduce your cost.

If you like swimming, there is also sophisticated swimming pool, near college. Ticket cost €2.50 for a day for swimming. All these things are of International level. You can get Saunna, stem saunna ( My fav) ( will discuss about Saunna in details later).

Saimma College not sure about LUT, also organise different entertaining programmes like international dinner night etc frequently in nominal cost you can participate and entertain there.

HOST FAMILIES
Host families ( somewhere known as Finnish Families), but in Lappeenranta Host family is common, are like your parents away from parents but this blogger is fucking unlucky here he hasn't got host families either, alas!!. You need to apply for the host family as soon as you come here. Contact UAS's international department for this. They love you, feed you in different festivals like christmas, vappu and even call you in every weekends for meals. But if you talk about jobs with them, they seems like they cannot do anything. Actually Finnish system is such, where assisting others for jobs is not practical. They cannot do anything to you regarding job issues. If you have any special technique of persuading, again I have nothing to say. But keep good relation with host family, exchange gift in their festivals, this would be rewarding for you.

NEPALI FESTIVAL CELEBRATION:-
If you are in Helsinki, it is no wonder that even Nepali students will give damn to you. They want to go up from their humanity and brotherhood and wants to show themselves busy and professional. But in Lappeenranta, Every Nepali recognize other. Here is good relation between Nepalese. During festival like Dashain, Tihar, New Year, Teej we all unite together and do party in mess. Cost will become nominal and enjoyment will become ultimate, it also strengthen our relationship and understandings. Brothers are very friendly they give all emotional, psychological guidance, but don't think to talk about jobs with them, even they are fed up with job search except few ones.

CLIMATE

Snow During winter

Summer in Lappeenranta.

What to talk about climate here? Forget four seasons here are only two dominant seasons either the big SUMMER or f¨*king winter. In summer you feel like you are in heaven ( again forget about job issue), During winter you think that, I am in entire hell, where sun gets disappear for 2/3 months continuously, ( You have nothing to do with the sun if you saw cuz you cannot withstand in ''-30 degree'' to feel the warmth of sum beams) sometimes you may feel like, why I left my beautiful country, Country road take me home, to the place I belong!!!!!!

In summary it is very difficult during winter. Temperature continues to minus degree even for 2/3 months. Don't worry, this time it works that this is Europe, inside the room you can stay with your simple Tshirt and Shorts. All rooms i.e college to LOAS (Student Apartment here) are sufficiently heated. Bus, Cars and Train are also heated. So your life will be confined from room to college and again to room. Shopping becomes extremely difficult, we cannot neglect it though, as our stomach demands. In Lappeenranta bus card cost around €40 per month. I salute myself and to all those Nepalese students who dare to ride bicycle over the slippery snow, in ''-30 degree celcius'' temperature because cost saving is important thing as we don't have jobs.

SOCIAL SECURITY:-
Previously I talked about social security Number, Now I wanna speak about social security around Lappeenranta region. It is indeed very good in whole Finland. If you lost anything, and if Finnish People get that, 99% probability (No entity is perfect) you will get that returned. But as there are some international students /people with different backgrounds, so don't be so much careless (Nepali buddhi na paryo hami pani kaha kam chau ra?, but WHILE IN ROME; DO AS ROMANS DO . But you will feel very very very much social security than that of Nepal. It is fantastic that you feel more secure in Finland rather than in your home country. Crime rate is almost none, you can walk freely anytime, but remember one thing that here is one criminal to which Finnish Police ..(POLLISI here) can do nothing guess what? i.e Cold winter!!! hehe) so get rid of winter other will not harm you in Lappeenranta. Though Finnish youth has huge body figure and good stamina, they will not even give a eye to you, unlike Nepali youths. They follow each and every government rules. So be honest and act in a civilised manner with them. Although Fins (Finnish People) are bit shy, they are friendly on the flip side once after the ice is broken. Speak frankly with them.

Cheating during the examinations are supposed to be crime here. So better to remove all your evil habits. Finnish students never try to cheat during examination. But sometimes Nepali here apply ''Nepali ko buddhi'' depending upon the nature of teacher. Remember that if teacher is strict, please don't even think about cheating because you may fall in negative consequences.

TRANSPORTATION

Bus in Lappeenranta

Train in Finland

Transportion here is good. You can get taxis, but no Nepali uses for they are expensive, I have only rode taxi here while coming from Nepal. Buses are also expensive it costs €40/ month for bus card in Lappeenranta. Almost All of the Nepali uses bicycle as the mode of transportation ( Don't let know to your friends USA cuz they may own cars there) Still it is well respected here, Even some sophisticated Finnish drive bicycle during summer and it is called bike with huge respect here LOL, the matter is that we drive bike of low price sometimes second hand ( But better to purchase new one cuz u need not waste in repairing) whereas they choose expensive. It is really difficult; ''sometimes funny'' other times ''Pain-NY'' to drive bicycle over the slippery snow during winter. You never know where you gonna fall. But good cycle lanes are there for cycling. Take care about traffic lights here, it is not same as Putalisadak or Durbarmarg. If you study in Saimaa, and if you are in Karankokatu, normally students gets apartment in Karankokatu initially.. u need to drive cycle for 25 min to reach Saimaa UAS.

SAUNNA

Saunna

Steam Saunna

I am feeling warm while typing about sunna. It is place of ultimate pleasure to make my body resistant to cold and remove all cold related alignments. I have experienced electric and stem saunna ( in Swimming pool) here. Both are really wonderful. First you take bath ( or may not take) then you will go to a extremely heated small room covered by wooden frame, until your body can withstand. And you will take bath and feel ultimate pleasure. Saunna can be mix with ice know as ice Saunna. Saunna is typical Finnish culture. It is very necessary here for its extreme coldness. Beer is common in Saunna, although some different visions about it is heard.

FACEBOOK:-

While talking about the lifestyle of Nepali student here in Lappeenranta Faceooking has been the integral part of their daily life. During winter, it is good way of passing time accompanied by watching movie. If you don't still have Facebook account why not to make one? Moreover it always refresh your relationship with your old friends.

I have jot down some of my experiences of my life in Finland. I hope this will help forthcoming Nepali students to figure out the simple lifestyle of Finland. Although I use ''You'' pronoun for my writing comfort, it is experience of me and me-alike Nepali students here. I will continuously update if anything come in my mind. Keep on popping.

Studies and Jobs in Helsinki

2010-05-28T10:38:00.000-07:00

Dear Friend,
Thank you so much for writing to me.

Hi, I am preparing for studies in ############# for Masters in ########### as I have been accepted in this University. I guess this University is good.
1) Do you have any idea how to obtain health insurance. Is it good to take from Nepali insurance company or other European insurance company?

Health insurance should cover up to € 30000 for one year. You can do it on insurance companies of Kathmandu OR using online insurance services if you can buy online. If you have any friend/relative abroad, ask them to buy it from https://www.schengen-visa-insurance.com/, since it is the cheapest one I have known yet. It would cost about 50-100 Euro per year depending upon your age.

If you want to do it in Kathmandu, Everest Insurance also provides customized health insurance service for Finland for 250 USD per year.

2) I want to focus my studies well and also want to generate at least living expense in Helsinki, is it possible to get a job in first 6 months?

May be. But, I suggest you to focus on studies primarily since you are coming for Master's degree, your studies will keep you fully occupied. Though, it is very tough to get a job even in Helsinki, I feel, you can find something in 6 months to make your living.

3) I see no institutes teaching Finnish in Nepal. How can I learn the language??

Its true. there are no suitable Finnish language training institutions in Nepal. You should try learning online.

4) I have been admitted to other universities like L########### university in Sweden. Is it wise to come to Helsinki for Studies? as I want to generate living expense while studying.

I really can't help you with it since i don't know much about Sweden. As much as I heard, Sweden and Finland are similar. But, you try to find someone from Sweden and then compare and decide which could be a good destination for you. If making your living expense is prime priority, then, I must tell you, it is very very difficult to get a job, even in Helsinki.

BR,

I went through the site, and it was very much useful to me and others who plan for moving to Finland. Your work is really appreciable as you manage time for this.
Thank You

Should I come to Lappeenranta?

2010-05-10T04:29:00.000-07:00

Hello,
I have recently selected as a master's student in Lappeenranta University of Technology. Now I need some practical information as listed below:
1. Education quality at LUT.
2. States of international students.
3. Job availabilities during study.

Hope you can help me in these case. Badly in need of these information. Awaiting for your reply.

Dear Friend,
To summarize in one sentence, Think TWICE before coming to Lappeenranta. Let me answer your query as a whole. Lappeenranta University of Technology does not have good reputation among international students. It is heard to be keeping deaf eyes towards international students. However, its education quality is considered in average while comparing with other average European universities. But, this university can not be compared with other good universities of Finland due to their non international friendly policies and behaviors in action.

But, LUT's Business Department holds a good reputation and international friendly.

Jobs are very difficult in Lappeenranta. Similar with other smaller towns of Finland, it holds very less probabilities of getting jobs, almost impossible during your studies.

Study Material for Bachelor Degree Programme for Entrance 2010

2010-03-13T00:18:00.000-08:00

Following materials are general materials and useful for all programs: Entrance examinations includes English Language Test, a Mathematics and motivation test. All tests are conducted in English.

The following material is the collection of the entrance exams from 2000-2006.

Mathematics test 2000
Logical deduction skills test 2000
Mathematics and logical deduction skills test 2001
Mathematics and logical deduction skills test 2002
Mathematics and logical deduction skills test 2004
Mathematics and logical deduction skills test 2005
Mathematics and logical deduction skills test 2006

For all kinds of Engineering Programs including Information Technology, Mechanical

Mathematics Syllabus for Engineering Programs for 2010: Click Here
Mathematics Example Question Set for 2010: Click Here

Evaluation:

Mathematics Exam (100 marks) (Selection will be made from its score)
English Language Test (Pass/Fail) (Must be passed)
Written Examination to evaluate the motivation for applied program (Pass/Fail) (Must be passed)

Study Material for Bachelor Degree in Nursing for Entrance 2010

2010-03-12T00:08:00.000-08:00

Detailed study materials are not announced yet for Nursing. I will update here on the same post once it is announced. Following is the brief description about model of the entrance.

The entrance examination will consist of the following parts:

Mathematics test. If the applicant fails to reach the minimum point level of 12 points out of 20 in this examination part, he/she will be disqualified from the entrance examination. For those who get to proceed with the examination the points got in this part will not be taken into consideration in the final points.
Written interview questions (0 - 30 points). The applicant has to get at least 8 points from this part. But the higher and competitive score will increase the probability of selection.
An essay (0 - 70 points). The applicant has to get at least 12 points from this part. Essay is one of the major deciding factor for the selection of student.

Nursing selection is very competitive. Last year, in average 4 students out of each 100 students were selected for admission. So, prepare well for entrance.

Following material is recommended study for Entrance:

Fry, Sara: Ethics in Nursing Practice, A Guide to Ethical Decision Making. International Council of Nurses, edition 1994 pages 5-159, or edition 2002 pages 4-106, or edition 2008 pages 5-118.
Marieb E. Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology. 9th edition, pages 1 - 132.

Studies and Jobs in Lappeenranta, Entrance model 2010

2010-02-07T21:41:00.001-08:00

Dear Friend,
I am very much interested in machines and its application. I want to get dexterity in machines and want to do some sort of research after I get good academic background.

I have applied for Bachelore in Mechanical Engineering for 1. option in Saimaa UAS, Technology, Lappeenranta for Degree Programme in Mechanical Engineering and Production Technology.

Is education free for this subject also?

Yes, they are also free. All of the study programs in Finland are free.

What is the reputation of the above institution and how are the faculty members over there?

It is relatively new Polytechnics. Faculties are average. But, need not to worry since all of the polytechnics in Finland maintains above a minimum recommended standard which is far better than the education standard of common private colleges of Nepal.

How is the place Lappeenranta in terms of development, climate, jobs, accommodation?

It is relatively smaller town. It got only about 60,000 people. Your Polytechnics is located on the heart of Lappeenranta city.
Jobs are very very hard in Lappeenranta, I can say you, out to total 20 Nepalese in Lappeenranta, I have known that only 5 has got part time jobs yet after one year. Accommodation are very good while comparing with the cities of similar sizes.

Can you help me for the entrance syllabus and fee to be paid for entrance?

For Entrance, it would cost around 5000-6000. Please contact Embassy to know the exact amount.

I will update the entrance model questions for 2010 soon on www.nepalfinland.com and www.nepal-finland.com. Meanwhile, you can practice with the same model questions of 2009 by downloading from following link:

http://www.nepal-finland.com/admission-2010/entrance-model-questions-for-2010

Colleges organizing Entrance Exam in Nepal for 2010 intake

2010-01-13T01:35:00.000-08:00

Please consider following colleges while applying to ensure that you can appear on Entrance in Nepal itself.

Only following colleges or University of Applied Sciences (UAS) are organizing entrance exam in Nepal for student intake 2010. So, the entrance results will be shared by them and their cooperative colleges which share the same entrance results:

Arcada UAS
Central Ostrobothnia UAS
JAMK UAS
Kemi-Tornio UAS
Kymenlaakso UAS
Mikkeli UAS
Oulu UAS
Rovaniemi UAS
Saimaa UAS
Savonia UAS
Seinäjoki UAS
Tampere UAS
Turku UAS
Vaasa UAS

Programs offered by Universities and Polytechnics of Finland for 2010 intake

2009-12-09T18:20:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for program browser to find out which universities or polytechnics have offered which programs for 2010 or what are the universities or polytechnics which are offering a particular program, follow the following link:

Programs offered by Universities:
http://www.nepal-finland.com/program-browser/program-matrix

Programs offered by Polytechnics:
http://www.nepal-finland.com/program-browser/programs-offered-by-polytechnics
I hope it will be helpful for you on finding the required programs and offering colleges.

Admission Process for Bachelor Level

2009-12-08T07:26:00.000-08:00

Application Period: 11 January 2010 - 12 February 2010 For Degree programs applying through Joint Application System.

Apply Through: Joint Application System at https://www.admissions.fi/ for Bachelor's Degree and polytechnic programs.

Important Update: IELTS bar is raised this year to 6.0 minimum for students applying Bachelor's Degree.

If you are applying for Bachelor Level, I would suggest you following simple steps:

Collect your Transcript of +2 and also make Passport. You need passport to apply to college. So, you must have made it by the end of December 2009 to apply in January 2010 for August 2010 Session.
Search colleges and program of your interest from college sites. The website of CIMO contains very simple and handy tool to search for colleges and program of your interest in http://finland.cimo.fi/studying/international_study_programmes.html
Finalize where you want to apply, sort the final list of colleges by the end of December.
Meanwhile, start preparing and reserve a test date for IELTS or TOEFL. IELTS or TOEFL is compulsory for all students. So, you should have completed the IELTS or TOEFL test by the end of December to be ease with deadline. The minimum score required for the colleges might differ on the colleges individually. So, try to get better score to be safe for all of the colleges. While searching for college, keep in mind about their IELTS or TOEFL requirements as well. If you have already taken IELTS or TOEFL test, make sure that it is valid till the September of 2010. The valid date of the test is just two years; so if you had taken tests after September 2008, they are still valid to apply for 2010 August session. If you had taken tests before September 2008, your Tests will be expired by the time the studies start; so you need to take the test again. While searching for colleges, check the test score to confirm that your scores are enough for apply for.
There is joint application system for Bachelor level. You can visit https://www.admissions.fi/ to apply for maximum of four colleges at a time with a single document. So, it might be the best way to apply for your colleges you sort out on second step. If you are applying for more than four colleges, apply topmost four colleges of your interest by this joint application system and apply individually to rest of the colleges.
The process of applying may differ college by college. In general, you will apply online. Then, they may send you PDF of your filled form on your mail, which you filled during applying online. So, you print that PDF file, sign it and post it to college by mail along with the photocopics of transcript of your +2, character certificate and passport. Some college may also want you to send some additional documents as well. You need to visit college website to confirm what additional they require.
You can send the documents as Normal Mail from Nepal Post Office, Sundhara. It will cost about 400 NRS. You can also send it as EMS from Post Office. It will cost around NRS 1000. If want to sent through courier, Linkex or Skynet might be the cheapest one. They cost around 1400-1600.
Wait for response from college during March. If you are selected on first phase, they will mail you to appear on Entrance test. If you are not getting any invitations to appear for Entrance, it means, unfortunately, you are not selected.
If you are invited to appear for Entrance Test, consult with Finnish Embassy in Bishal Nagar, http://finland.org.np/ about date, place and model questions for entrance test.
Appear for Test. Do your best. Exams are bit easier. They ask you average level questions. It won't be hard for you if you work little bit before entrance exam.
Wait for Response for Admission. You might hear the good news of admission acceptance during end of May, June and July.

I strongly recommend you NEVER to go to any consultancy. What they can do for you is just to post your document from Nepal, which you can do it yourself with very minumum cost as I wrote above. So there is no point for paying them more just to send the application. Some consultancy may also tell you that they have very close contact or agreement with the university or college for your admission process. But, it is not true. They are just making you fool. They can not do anything during admission process.

You can always mail me if you have any query in mind. I am always ready to support you as much as I can.

Embassy of Finland at Bishal Nagar, Kathmandu, Nepal is also very cooperative and helpful for student issues. You can visit their office or telephone them or even email them at viisumi.kat@formin.fi. Also, you should keep on checking embassy websiteto know updated information and new changes for this year.

Admission Process for Master's and Post Graduate Level

2009-12-08T07:17:00.000-08:00

Application Period: December 2009 - February 2010 for University programs depending upon the particular university calendar.

Apply Through:

University Admissions at http://www.universityadmissions.fi/ for affiliated University Programs.

Individual college or university address for rest of the institutions.

Basic Requirements:

IELTS bar is raised this year to minimum 6.5 for Master's Degree. However some particular programs may also need more than 6.5.

Motivation Letter or Statement of Purpose (SOP) depending upon the program or university.

Minimum Two Letter of Recommendations, at least one from academic institution of your previous degree or thesis or final year project supervisor.

Business related programs will have assigned tasks on college websites. So, these tasks should be also completed and submitted while applying.

Post Graduate studies requires Concept paper of your intended research of Research outline.

Step One: Explore University Website

When, you start surfing university website, you might be bit confused what to look for. It happens with almost all of the applicants. I am trying to simplify this on easy for steps for you.

You will find most of the university websites are in Finnish language by default. You can change it to English version by changing language option. You can find, flag of UK or "In English" or "English" or "International" option to change the language to English. These options are generally placed on top-right or top-left or below the left menu panel. Unfortunately, some polytechnics does not offer their websites in English at all. In those situations you can use Page Translation tool of Google (http://translate.google.com). Else, you can just try to get any email address from the website and mail them for further information about them.

Step Two: Search course or program of your interest

The very first step will start with exploring does that university or polytechnics offer course or program of your interest or not. Programs they offer can be found under 'Studies' or 'International Student' or 'Perspective students' or 'Admission' section. Sometimes, they can be found under Department websites as well. So, try to explore as much options as you can. Once you find the courses of your interest, read its description in detail. And confirm yourself whether that program is taught in English or Finnish? whether they international students for that particular program or not?

If you are seeking for post graduate studies, explore whether the particular university provides research facilities on your interest area or not.

Step Three: Exploring Admission process and materials required

After you met courses of your interest, you need to explore how and when to apply for that program. You need to find admission information under 'Admission' or 'How to apply' section. You will find there, what are the minimum criteria of admission and whether you meet those criteria or not? What are the documents they required for application package and among them which are mandatory and which are preferable? What is the application period and deadline? What is the admission process and whom are you suppose to send your documents? What is the contact information of the contact person whom you can query about your application status?

Step Four: Maintaining contact

Sometimes, it happens that you won't understand all of the information presented on the website. And, it might also happen that information on website does not satisfy you. In that case, the best option is to mail them. Finnish are very co-operative on emails. Definitely, they might be busy and can take a long time to reply your mail, but they will reply with optimum information you need. Its better to contact the concern person depending upon your query. For example, you want to know about courses, you need to mail contact person of particular department. You need to know about international students and related stuff, contact International office. You need to know about admission process, contact Admission Officer. If you can't find the email of the concern person, then, don't bother about it; just send a mail to anyone, they will forward your mail to the concern person and notify you about it.

Most of the email addresses you find on their websites are arranged on firstname andlastname basis. You will find email addresses on following format:

Contact Josie Parkinen for Information Technology, Sophie Norad for Business programs and Annie Connie for Sociology.

Their email address is firstname.lastname@hut.fi

So, their email addresses are josie.parkinen@hut.fi, sophie.norad@hut.fi andannie.connie@hut.fi where hut.fi is the domain of their email.

If you are not sure which one is their first name and which one is last name, just send to both. It means, send to both josie.parkinen@hut.fi and parkinen.josie@hut.fi if you can't find which one is her first name. Generally, if it says Josie Parkinen, Josie is the first name and if it says Josie, Parkinen; then Josie is last name. Remember, a single comma is inserted in between names which last name is written first.

Step Five: Job and scholarship options

If you are seeking for scholarship during your studies, explore scholarship options offered for your program. Since, Education is free in Finland, scholarship refers to the living cost during your studies. Try to find the answer whether that particular university offer any specific scholarship or not? Does that scholarship available for your particular program or not? Are you eligible for that Scholarship or not? Does it provide any kinds of funding options other than Scholarship? Its very important to know all of the answers since most of the universities and polytechnics provide such type of scholarships.

If you are seeking for job during studies, please keep in mind that JOBS ARE VERY DIFFICULT IN FINLAND EXCEPT IN Helsinki. I did not mean only the jobs related to your field. Its very difficult to find even those restaurant and courier type jobs except few major cities. So, you need to search only the colleges near by large cities whose population is comparatively higher. My suggestion will be just limit your search to Helsinki, if job is must for you. If you come to smaller cities or cities far from Helsinki, make your mentality that NO JOBS are available here. I am not trying to discourage you. I am just trying to make you alert about the job status over here.

Programs offered by Universities of Finland for 2010 intake

2009-11-09T17:01:00.000-08:00

	Institution	Program

	Åbo Akademi University	Chemical Engineering
	Åbo Akademi University	Electronic and Mobile Commerce
	Åbo Akademi University	Embedded Computing
	Åbo Akademi University	International Human Rights Law

	Helsinki School of Economics	Information and Service Management
	Helsinki School of Economics	Finance
	Helsinki School of Economics	Economics
	Helsinki School of Economics	Entrepreneurship
	Helsinki School of Economics	International Business
	Helsinki School of Economics	International Business and Communication
	Helsinki School of Economics	Logistics and Service Economics
	Helsinki School of Economics	Marketing

	Helsinki University of Technology	Bioinformatics
	Helsinki University of Technology	Communications Ecosystems
	Helsinki University of Technology	Communication Engineering
	Helsinki University of Technology	Electrical Engineering

	Helsinki University of Technology	Environmental Engineering
	Helsinki University of Technology	Forest Products Technology
	Helsinki University of Technology	Foundations of Advanced Computing
	Helsinki University of Technology	Geoinformatics
	Helsinki University of Technology	Machine Learning and Data Mining
	Helsinki University of Technology	Micro-and Nanotechnology
	Helsinki University of Technology	Mobile Computing Services and Security
	Helsinki University of Technology	Process Systems Engineering
	Helsinki University of Technology	Radio Science and Engineering (starting in 2010)
	Helsinki University of Technology	Real Estate Investment and Finance (joint program with Hanken)
	Helsinki University of Technology	Service Design and Engineering
	Helsinki University of Technology	Service Management and Engineering

	Lappeenranta University of Technology	Bioenergy Technology
	Lappeenranta University of Technology	Chemical and Process Engineering
	Lappeenranta University of Technology	Electrical Engineering
	Lappeenranta University of Technology	Information Technology
	Lappeenranta University of Technology	Mechanical Engineering
	Lappeenranta University of Technology	New Packaging Solutions
	Lappeenranta University of Technology	Technomathematics and Technical Physics
	Lappeenranta University of Technology	Information and Communications Technology
	Lappeenranta University of Technology	International Technology and Innovation Management

	Sibelius Academy (Music University)	Church Music
	Sibelius Academy (Music University)	Composition and Music Theory
	Sibelius Academy (Music University)	Folk Music
	Sibelius Academy (Music University)	Jazz Music
	Sibelius Academy (Music University)	Orchestral and Choral Conducting
	Sibelius Academy (Music University)	Music Education
	Sibelius Academy (Music University)	Music Technology
	Sibelius Academy (Music University)	Music Performance
	Sibelius Academy (Music University)	Vocal Music
	Sibelius Academy (Music University)	Arts Management

	Hanken School of Econmics	Advanced Financial Information Systems
	Hanken School of Econmics	Computational Finance
	Hanken School of Econmics	Corporate Governance
	Hanken School of Econmics	Intellectual Property Law
	Hanken School of Econmics	International Management
	Hanken School of Econmics	Marketing
	Hanken School of Econmics	Real Estate Investment and Finance
	Hanken School of Econmics	Strategic Entrepreneurship and Marketing
	Hanken School of Econmics	Economics

	Tampere University of Technology	Biomedical Engineering
	Tampere University of Technology	Business and Technology
	Tampere University of Technology	Information Technology
	Tampere University of Technology	Machine Automation
	Tampere University of Technology	Materials Science
	Tampere University of Technology	Radio Frequency Electronics
	Tampere University of Technology	Science and Bioengineering

	Theatre Academy (Performing Arts)	Dance
	Theatre Academy (Performing Arts)	Live Art and Performance Studies
	Theatre Academy (Performing Arts)	Theatre Pedagogy
	Theatre Academy (Performing Arts)	Dance Pedagogy

	Turku School of Economics	Global Information Technology Management
	Turku School of Economics	Global Innovation Management
	Turku School of Economics	Future Studies

	University of Art and Design Helsinki	Visual Culture
	University of Art and Design Helsinki	Creative Business Management
	University of Art and Design Helsinki	ePedagogy Design
	University of Art and Design Helsinki	Graphic Design
	University of Art and Design Helsinki	Fine Arts
	University of Art and Design Helsinki	Photography
	University of Art and Design Helsinki	Environmental Arts
	University of Art and Design Helsinki	Documentary Filmmaking
	University of Art and Design Helsinki	Screenwriting
	University of Art and Design Helsinki	Directing
	University of Art and Design Helsinki	Film Editing
	University of Art and Design Helsinki	Cinematography
	University of Art and Design Helsinki	Film and Television Producing
	University of Art and Design Helsinki	Sound Design
	University of Art and Design Helsinki	Production Design and Scenography

	University of Helsinki	Biotechnology
	University of Helsinki	Bioinformatics
	University of Helsinki	Geoinformatics
	University of Helsinki	Space Sciences
	University of Helsinki	Atmosphere-Biosphere Studies
	University of Helsinki	Advanced Spectroscopy in Chemistry
	University of Helsinki	Forest Sciences and Business
	University of Helsinki	Plant Production Science
	University of Helsinki	Bayesian Statistics and Decision Analysis
	University of Helsinki	Neuroscience
	University of Helsinki	Food Sciences
	University of Helsinki	Ethnic Relations, Cultural Diversity and Integration
	University of Helsinki	Economics
	University of Helsinki	Social Sciences
	University of Helsinki	Economy, State and Society
	University of Helsinki	European Studies
	University of Helsinki	Intercultural Encounters
	University of Helsinki	Media and Global Communication
	University of Helsinki	Religious Roots of Europe
	University of Helsinki	Art,Theory, Criticism and Management
	University of Helsinki	Practical Philisophy (Theories of Good Society)
	University of Helsinki	English Studies
	University of Helsinki	North American Studies

	University of Joensuu	Environmental Science and Forestry
	University of Joensuu	Educational Sciences
	University of Joensuu	Law
	University of Joensuu	Social Sciences
	University of Joensuu	Research Chemists
	University of Joensuu	Human Geography
	University of Joensuu	Cultural Diversity
	University of Joensuu	Information Technology
	University of Joensuu	Information and Communications Technology
	University of Joensuu	European Forestry

	University of Jyväskylä	Digital Culture
	University of Jyväskylä	Educational Leadership
	University of Jyväskylä	Intercultural Communication
	University of Jyväskylä	Music, Mind and Technology
	University of Jyväskylä	Biology of Physical Activity
	University of Jyväskylä	Corporate Environmental Management
	University of Jyväskylä	Family Business
	University of Jyväskylä	Gerontology
	University of Jyväskylä	Mobile Technology and Business
	University of Jyväskylä	Nanoscience
	University of Jyväskylä	Renewable Energy
	University of Jyväskylä	Sports and Exercise Psychology
	University of Jyväskylä	Sports Science and Management
	University of Jyväskylä	Sustainable Management of Inland Aquatic Resources
	University of Jyväskylä	Development and International Cooperation

	University of Kuopio	Atmospheric Sciences and Biogeochemical Cycles
	University of Kuopio	Environmental Biology and Biogeochemistry
	University of Kuopio	General Toxicology and Environmental Health Risk Assessment
	University of Kuopio	Nursing Science
	University of Kuopio	Information Technology
	University of Kuopio	Information and Communication Technology
	University of Kuopio	International Social Work
	University of Kuopio	Medical Physics and Engineering
	University of Kuopio	Molecular Medicine and Biotechnology
	University of Kuopio	Neurobiology
	University of Kuopio	Public Health
	University of Kuopio	Scientific Computing

	University of Lapland	Comparative Social Work

	University of Oulu	Education and Globalization
	University of Oulu	Financial and Management Accounting
	University of Oulu	International Business
	University of Oulu	Finance and Economics
	University of Oulu	Protein Science and Biotechnology
	University of Oulu	Software and Systems Development in Global Environment (coming soon)
	University of Oulu	Synchrotron Radiation Based Science and Accelerator Physics (coming soon)
	University of Oulu	Environmental Engineering
	University of Oulu	Architectural Design
	University of Oulu	Wireless Communication Engineering
	University of Oulu	Health and Wellbeing in the Circumpolar Area

	University of Tampere	Social Sciences
	University of Tampere	Business Competence
	University of Tampere	Software Development
	University of Tampere	User Interface Software Development
	University of Tampere	Interactive Technology
	University of Tampere	Bioinformatics
	University of Tampere	Health Sciences
	University of Tampere	European and Russian Studies
	University of Tampere	International Relations (Cross Border University)
	University of Tampere	Europeanization of Politics and Governance
	University of Tampere	Comparative Social Policy and Welfare
	University of Turku	Asian Studies
	University of Turku	Baltic Sea Region Studies
	University of Turku	Bioinformatics
	University of Turku	Environmental Sciences
	University of Turku	Information Technology
	University of Turku	Institutions and Social Mechanisms
	University of Turku	Learning, Learning Environments and Educational Systems

	University of Vaasa	International Business
	University of Vaasa	Finance
	University of Vaasa	Intercultural Studies in Communication and Administration
	University of Vaasa	Telecommunication Engineering
	University of Vaasa	Industrial Management

Discrimination and Racism cases are rising in Finland

2009-10-27T15:39:00.000-07:00

These days, I am getting several emails and phone calls about students sharing their experiences on how they are discriminated or face the racial attack against International Immigrants. I am sharing some of those incidents:

In a Polytechnics college in Helsinki, a teacher was teaching in English medium. Meantime, he asked a question in Finnish to students which have international students as well. A South Asian student who can not understand Finnish, asked the teacher to translate that question in English if it is study related, it would be useful for him as well. Teacher did not hear it. Then, the Finnish student also replied the answer in Finnish. Then, a Finnish-African guy who can understand Finnish translated that question answer happened in Finnish language. Hearing this, teacher scold the Finnish-African guy, asking why he translated it. Teacher also told, "Because of these foreigners, our country getting worse". Finnish-African guy protested about this comment along with South Asian guy. Teacher left the class saying, "If it could be done by my decision, I would have blocked admission for international much before because why should we teach them for free with our resources?".

In a Technical University in Northern Finland, a Master's Degree student asked about a book in University Library. The library staff pointed out to a place where the information was only in Finnish. Student replied she was not familiar with Finnish, so she asked for help. Staff replied, "If you don't know Finnish, Why the hell do you come to Finland?" She protested. She was replied again as "You were not welcomed, you stuck here as intruder".

In a workplace on Helsinki, a person was politely told to leave the job saying, "Your work is very good. I don't have any complaint it. I am pretty impressed with your work. But other Finnish people did not like you hair style, did not like your body smell and did not like your look; even they did not like the scent you use"

In a northern city of Finland, a South Asian student works as a newspaper carrier. One day, when the subscriber saw this South Asian guy delivering the newspaper to his home, he ordered, "Don't come to deliver from tomorrow since I don't like International people". But, it was his duty, so he went another day as well. The owner scold him with very bad words. Third day, he opened his dogs and order to chase. Next day, this carrier guy went to that house along with his supervisor, and this owner guy told the supervisor that "If this newspaper is to be delivered by non-Finnish, I would be happy to terminate the newspaper subscription".

I was travelling on a city bus along with my friends. A lady came near to our seat and told politely, "I hate foreigners. Why did you come to our country? I never want my grandchildren to grow seeing these dark faces. Why don't you all go back and let us live peacefully"

These are just few cases of discrimination and racism in Finland. South Asian and African people have reported many much similar incident to me on emails and phones.

But, no offense to those very good Finnish people. In general, Finnish people are very gentle, friendly and heartly welcoming to International People. But, due to few such above cases, it sometimes feel very bad to be in Finland !!

Is Finland good destination for you ?

2009-09-29T05:54:00.000-07:00

I have been asked this question many times, is Finland good destination for studies? Jobs? Overall study environment? Is Finland a good place for me? It really confuse me how much of detail should I explain them because for every place there will be good and bad and it always depends upon the individual how they proitize their preferences and good and bad comes relatively depending upon their preferences.

Is Finland good destination for studies?
YES. Because, it allows you to enjoy full freedom in terms of quality education, resources and facilities for you as much as you can grab as a student.

Good

Full Flexibility on the study environment and interest.

Customizable study plans so that you decide for your own what you want to study and what not.

Your involvement on courses are more important rather than 'parrot' examinations. So, assignments, home works, projects, presentations and discussions carry more importance rather than examinations alone.

FREE EDUCATION !! There is no any kind of tuition fee, exam fee, application fee or enrollment fee for Finland.

Bad

It is very well considered problem in Finland that large mass of Finn teachers give a damm whether students are understanding or not. So, students need to be proactive and interactive if s/he wants to gain optimum knowledge from the teachers.

Some Finn teachers expect personal attachments. Finland is a country that believes in 'relationship'. So, maintaining a good communication with teachers is always important. But, more than maintaining good communication, sometime teachers prefer those only who 'runs behind' their words. It is reported on many of the UAS and some universities as well.

Few complaints about the discriminations to International Students by teachers and academic authorities are also heard.

Still, I would say, it is good destination for studies since it will give you a diversified multi-cultural environment that will teach you the way of life along with building and strengthening your competence on your related field.

Is Finland good destination for Job and Studies?

NO. Finland is certainly NOT a good destination for Job and Studies. First of all, finding job here is the toughest job itself. And then, if you are really serious about studies, your studies will engage you much of your potential time leaving very less time for work which might not be acceptable for finding a comfortable workplace. If you place Job as first priority, and considering the fact that above 90% of the students do jobs that involves much physical work, your job will leave you tired physically and mentally so that you might not be able to contribute enough time for your studies. I really admire and respect those hardworking friends of Finland who are maintaining their studies and job in parallel giving much time for studies and maintaining jobs for collecting their living expense.

Good

All kinds of works are respected and the discrimination depending upon the type of work does not exist.

It is true that finding a job is the toughest job, but if you get any kind of a job, it will be paid enough to make your living expense so that you can continue with your studies.

Euro Conversion is about 110 NRS per Euro now. So, your small saving amount will make a good considerable amount in Nepal.

Bad

Finding a job here in Finland is very very tough. In average, a student searches for 7-9 months continuously to get a minimum job that gives him/her at least living expense during their stay here. It is the case of 4-5 larger cities only. The students who come to smaller cities or remote villages keep on searching jobs for first 6-7 months and then they realize no jobs are possible there, then they migrate to larger cities or capital city Helsinki where they will wait another 5-6 months to get a considerable job. Here, migrating to larger cities may disconnect you from your studies.

Leaving few exceptions, jobs demand fluent or at least working level of Finnish language.

Foreigners are very least considered for the jobs which have native applicants. You might be the least considered applicant despite your abilities and competence.

Payments are different on the ratio of half and double to native and foreigners on some of the jobs in which Nepalese are working.

So, if you have money backup for at least one year, you can consider coming to Finland. If you are thinking to do the job by next month from coming here, it is complete impossible.

72,598 pageviews from 33,243 visits during intake 2009 (Sep 2008 - Aug 2009)

2009-09-16T06:05:00.000-07:00

I am very much excited to report you that http://www.nepalfinland.com/ got 72,598 pageviews from 33,243 visits during Sep 1st 2008 to 31st August 2009.

As you can see, nepalfinland.com got 62.64% (that is 20,825 in value) of the total traffic through Search Engines, 28.62% (that is 9513 in value) through Direct traffic who typed www.nepalfinland.com on their address bar to reach here and 8.74% (that is 2905 in value) through Referring Sites.

Top Search Engine Keywords

Following diagram presents the top 10 keywords viewers used in Search Engine to reach NepalFinland.com:

As you can observe, the top search keywords are nepalfinland.com or www.nepalfinland.com or nepalfinland or nepal finland; so we can guess users were already familiar or heard about this site but not sure about the URL, hence they used the Search Engines.

Top Referral Websites
I am very much pleased to inform you that 324 webpages has sent referral users to www.nepalfinland.com. They have referred NepalFinland.com either on their posts or content or resource recommendations which redirected 2905 users on this academic year. Following is the list of top 10 Referrals sorted on the decending on the basis of the number of users they sent to NepalFinland.com:

Google/ Referral (Recommended Search)
Blogger.com/ Referral (Recommended Blogs)
finland.org.np (Website of Embassy of Finland, Kathmandu, Nepal)
en.vsaf.org (English version of Vietnamese Students Association in Finland)
suomi.ru (Russian Website)
finlandforum.org (very useful discussion forum for all who wants to come Finland)
facebook.com/ Referral (Referral fromthe profile, links and notes of NepalFinland on Facebook)
vi.vsaf.org (Vietnami Version of Vietnamese Students Association in Finland)
ask/ Referral (Recommened Search)
nairaland.com (Discussion forum for Nigerians)

NepalFinland.com goes Global with viewers from 157 Countries
Though the material is available under nepalfinland.com domain, it is useful for all of the people around the world. So, NepalFinland.com is visited from 2116 cities of 157 countries.

As you can observe, only few countries on the map are uncolored during this academic year. The following diagram presents the top 10 countries ranked on decending on the basis of the viewers from that country:

As you can see on above image, NepalFinland.com is completely diversified with Nepal, Finland, Vietnam, Nigeria and India on top five list on the basis of number of readers.

Visiter habits
Each visiting user spent in average 0f 12 minutes on each of their visiting page NepalFinland.com during their visits. They clicked in average of 3 other links and drilled down further 2 levels of blogposts after their visit. Since it is a blog, it is obvious that the top landing page is the homepage itself but, as the majority of the user source is Search Engine, one third of the total users landed on other pages than Homepage and later jumped to homepage to get new informations or posts.

57.04% of the total users can be considered as loyal visiters since they use to visit NepalFinland.com regularly since their freqency of visit is at least 5 times during this academic year in an average interval of 9 days between their each visit. NepalFinland.com gets more visiters during December to August when the admission period is on progress.

Planning your arrival in Finland !!

2009-07-19T01:44:00.000-07:00

At this moment, you should be planning for your travel to Finland. So, it is the time to know some of the important practical stuffs for your arrival.

1. What to bring and what not?

You can bring any non-prohibited stuffs. If you are bringing, hair gel, bath gel, hair oil or similar stuffs; keep it in Luggage; not in the hand carry. If you are carrying hard-disk or magnetic data devices; keep it in hand carry, not in the luggage. If you are bringing homemade food stuffs; seal pack them well. Foods, not packed properly can be confiscated in the Airport. Umbrella is allowed, on luggage only. Sealed packed Shaving Blade on luggage is allowed. You can visit the website of the concern airline to confirm what are allowed in hand luggage and what not. For example, if you are traveling with Finn Air, you can browse through http://www.finnair.com.

I suggest you to avoid AeroFlot since many of the students have faced problem with its Staffs in Delhi. So, it is better to avoid AeroFlot if possible.

Check your items twice to include all of the mentioned stuffs from following check list:

Passport
Plane Ticket
Travel Cheque (Recommended) or Bank Draft of 6000 Euro
Cash 500 Euro maximum
Your Documents including, Acceptance letter from University, previous academic degree certificates
Your Luggage and Hand Carry

2. How much cash should I carry?

If you are traveling with Travel Cheque, maximum of 500 cash is more than enough since you can exchange the travel cheque anytime whereever and whenever required. But if you are traveling with Bank Draft, It will take minimum two weeks for Draft to be changed into cash. Once you arrive here there are so much things in which you need to spend immediately and by that time, your draft amount won't be ready. So, you should have minimum 700-1000 Euro in Cash or Travel Cheque. Your initial expenses includes following titles:

Cost in Helsinki Airport for calling back to Nepal after immediately reaching in Finland; about 6-10 Euro
Train or Bus ticket to your city if you are coming to other cities than Helsinki; the rate ranges from 30-100 Euro depending upon the distance. Please see http://www.vr.fi/heo/eng/index.html to find out the rate of train ticket to your city. Bus fare is also on similar range.
Deposit for Apartment, ranges from 60 to 250 Euro depending upon the city.
Rent of first month for the apartment, ranges from 180 to 300 Euro.
Student Membership, Identity Card and Union charge: total 140 Euro
Buying primary settlement stuffs like kitchenware, utensils, bedsheets; New are really expensive; you can buy them on Second hand stores: if you buy second hand stuffs you can buy all by maximum 20-40 euro.

3. How should I travel to my city?

Once you landed on the Helsinki, you need to go through the process of Immigration. Depending upon how much rush is there, it will take 1 to 3 hours in Immigration. Then, once you come out of Immigration; there is a information desk inside the airport. They speak very good English. You can ask them how to get to your city, train schedule, bus schedule and all of your travel queries. I recommend everyone to travel by train, it is faster, comfortable and much reliable.

There is local bus station just in front of the airport. You need to carry Route Number 615 from Airport to go to Train Station in Helsinki. The bus fare is little less than 5 Euro. This local bus will leave you just behind the train station. Once you come out of the bus, you can ask anyone there about train station, it is just in front of Bus Station.

If you arrive very late in Helsinki, you might not find train or bus to your city from Helsinki; in this case; you don't have any other alternative either to go to some hotel or lodging houses; but they are very expensive here. OR, if you have any known friend in Helsinki, you can ask him in advance for spending a night in his room. Please check http://www.vr.fi/heo/eng/index.html for rates and schedule for your arrival date.

There are shops or R-kioski in the Airport and Train Station; so you can buy some food stuffs and even SIM cards so that you can use your own mobile to call back to Nepal and give your mobile number to your family. If you have phone along with you, you can immediately buy prepaid SIM cards on those shops and make calls to your family in Nepal. As I wrote on previous post, I prefer Saunalathi prepaid SIMs. But there are other alternatives as well like from ärrä could be another good alternative to call your family using your own phone. It will also help you to manage accommodation in Helsinki by calling your friends with your own phone.

The train ticket looks as below. Unfortunately, its only in Finnish.

Let's learn how to read this ticket since it is very important. The top line shows the traveling source city to Destination city; in this case, it is Kuopio-Lappeenranta. Then, on the body part, it is divided into two sections; Kuopio-Kouvola and Kouvola- Lappeenranta. It means, I need to change my train to reach destination to Lappeenranta. If you need not to change anywhere or your train goes direct to your city, there will not be such two sections. Then, let's explore the train details; first part contains the date of departure, in this case it states 'Pe 16.05.2008'; Pe is the Finnish shortcut for day of the week (If you want to know the Finnish notation of the weekdays, visit this link:http://finnishlanguage.blogspot.com/2008/08/days-and-month-in-finnish.html). Below the date of the travel; there is time, in this case it states 17.20-20.11. It means, the train leaves Kuopio (source city) at 17.20 and reaches Kouvola (intermediate destination) at 20.11. Then, it states 'Intercity', it is the type of the train and nothing to do special with us. Then, another section mentions '2 nro'; it means, your seat is allocated in second carriage of the train. Then it have mentioned 78 as the train number. And, finally, 33 is my seat number for Kuopio to Kouvola travel and 19 is my seat number for Kouvola to Lappeenranta travel.

Remember; Finnish trains are so punctual on timing. They leave and reach at the exact timing as mentioned on the ticket.

What you should include on your luggage for Finland? (Shopping List '09)

2009-05-19T08:27:00.000-07:00

At the moment, you all might be wondering what to buy and what not to bring to Finland. So, I have prepared a shopping list for you all by including the stuffs what you must bring.

SHOE AND SOCKS

1. Snow Shoe - 1 Set
2. Sports and Warm Shoes like HiTech shoes - 1 Set
3. Light casual shoes like Summer shoes - 1 Set
4. Summer Sandal - 1 Set
5. Socks (Very Warm) - 5 Set
6. Socks (Medium) - 5 Set

PANTS

1. Jeans Pant - 5 set
2. Cotton pant - 1 set (Optional)

Being cold country, Jeans are all time favorite here. So, Cotton Pant are not preferable.

T-SHIRTS

1. Winter T-Shirts - 4; (Very Warm, full sleeve)
2. Summer T-shirts - 4; (Full and Half Sleeve; similar as you wear in Kathmandu)
3. Thermocot - 2 sets (Thermal Inner wear for Winter; can be found in Nepal Wool House, Bhotahiti)

SWEATERS

1. Very Warm Type - 1
2. Medium - 1
3. Thin (Summer Type) - 1

JACKETS

1. Very Warm and Multi-layered Jacket -1 ( North face type)
2. Warm jacket -1 (Like the one you wear in Kathmandu during Winter)
3. Hood (Warm) - 1 (Optional)

CAP AND GLOVES

1. Cap (Topi) covering ears -2 (Might be Woolen Topi; do not think about Fency; you feel the fashain during Winter at -30 degree)
2. Gloves - 2 set (Warm; very warm and comfortable to ride on Bicycle as well)

OTHER CLOTHING

1. Normal Cloth set for wearing inside the room - 2 set (Since all of the rooms will be heated and temperature maintained; average cloths as you wear in Kathmandu during Summer will work for all seasons.)
2. Half pant/Trouser - 1/2 set
3. Bed Cover (tanna) - 1 set
4. Sports Wear (Optional)
5. Towel - 1

BAG/MOBILE/OTHERS

1. Mobile set - 1 set (Mobiles are relatively expensive here than in Nepal).
2. Bag (backpack) - 1 (It is better to think about laptop bags to be carried back side so that you can comfortably ride bicycle as well).
3. Memory stick (pen drive) - 1
4. Ball pen - 1 dozen
5. Hair Cutting Machine/Scissor - 1 (Hair Cutting is really expensive here)
6. Umbrella -1
7. Raincoat -1
8. Sewing needles and sewing threads (सियो धागो) - Few

UTENSILS

1. Pressure cooker - 1 (medium size; might be of 2/3 Ltr.; while packing separate the cover and pack on luggage bag; do to close the cover of pressure cooker)
2. Multipurpose non-sticky frying pan
3. Plate, Spoon, glass (though these items are widely available on second hand stores as well, but it might not be easily available on your city; so it it better to bring minimum required set)

COSMETIC

1. Shaving Set (Shaving Cream, razors; also include extra razors)
2. Toothpaste and brush 2/3
3. Shampoo - 1/2 (larger)
4. Bathing gel/soap - 1/2 (larger)
5. Nail cutter - 1
6. Perfume - 2/3 (Optional)
8. Chip stick or lip guard (MUST for Winter) - 2/3

MEDICINE PACK

Bring general purpose medicine pack (tablets for Cetamol, Asprine, Metronidazol, Betadin, Aciloc , bandage, Handyplast, Cuttons, Thermometer) since medicines are really expensive here and can not be bought without prescriptions. Medical expenses are really high in Finland.

SOUVENIRS AND GIFT ITEMS

Yes, do not forget to bring a flag of Nepal. Also, include some souvenirs related to Nepal, it would be much helpful to freshen up the memory of your family, friends and Nepal. Also bring some gift items like postcards of Nepal, symbolic gift objects about Nepal. It would be useful for gifting your International officers, your professors and international friends. They could be also very good attractions for foreigners on cultural programs. Do not forget to visit Nepal Tourism Board at Bhrikuti Mandap; they will also give you a pack of stickers and postcards related to Nepal; free of cost.

What about books and Stationary?

You need not to bring any books to Finland. Libraries of Colleges are well equipped and flexible enough that you can manage with library books. Moreover, online reading is the most common way of study here. So, the importance of printed books are really minimal during studies.

About Copies or notebooks, you need not to bring any. Though notebooks are very expensive here, you can manage with blank sheets (A4 Paper) by converting them to notebooks. Your luggage weight is the main obstacle to bring notebooks.

About, pen, it is better to include minimum a dozen of good ball pens. You can also include highlighters, staplers with pins, paper tape, gum etc if you use them often.

What about Foods?

We eat Nepali dal-bhat daily as our main meal. So, don't worry about regular foods. But, spices of curry, chillies and typical Nepali foods are almost impossible to find. However, there are Indian Shops in most of the towns and cities and they sell all kinds of spices, chillies and all kinds of Indian stuffs (which are quire similar to Nepali taste); but my personal experience with them is that they could be better than Finnish spices but they can not give you the real taste of Nepal. So, I suggest you to pack enough amount of curry masala, other spices and chillies as well. It is better to include some dry meats, your favorite typical nepali foods and related iteams as well. You will miss the Momo here.

What about electronic goods like laptop or computer?

Electronic Goods are not so cheaper here. If you have heard about Laptops being so cheap in US, don't ever imagine that, price in US and in Finland are really much different. So, I suggest you either to bring a laptop from Nepal itself OR to manage for first few months here without computer since you will have laboratory in college where you can wisely use computers. Even some colleges issues Laptop to students from their libraries. Later, after making a good saving amount, you can buy a new one here. You can buy a good laptop here between 600-800 Euro.

You can also buy second hand computer and laptop here if you wish. Buying second hand is also a good idea; but if it causes any small problems, maintenance is really a difficult problem. So, think twice and check the laptop properly before buying a second hand one.

10 Questions that everyone wants to know about Nepal-Finland?

2009-04-19T18:53:00.000-07:00

1. Why aren't you publishing the queries and their replies on website this year?
Only few of the friends who sends me the query would like to publish their queries and replies on website. Though I never published their name on website, but still they believe that with their writing style, at least their friends can recognize them. So, respecting their privacy, I reduced publishing queries and their replies on the website. I am publishing hardly 1/2 queries per month this year, that also only after tweaking their writing style or composing entirely new post addressing their issues. If you want your query to be published on web, please mention it in email explicitly.

2. I sent you an email two weeks ago, but why did not I get any reply yet?
I am replying in average of 100-120 emails per week out of total average 150 emails on admission season and 50-60 emails per week out of 100 emails other times. I always try to reply all emails. But I have also my own limitations. I am a student here and I have my studies, assignments, examinations and projects to do. So, sometimes it would be very hard for me to manage time to address all emails. In those cases, I try to reply urgent ones or the one which I have better knowledge about. I do not prioritize those generic emails who never try to explore the existing contents of the website. Please try to be more specific when you write to me so that it would be easier for me to understand your problem clearly.

3. How do you collect all information in order to reply our queries?
I will try to gather information from authentic web sources including fact books, web contents and data sheets of the concern authorities while replying your queries. If needed, I also contact the college or concern authority sometimes. I also ask Embassy and official bodies as well whenever required. I never hesitate to contact anyone in order to provide response of your query.

4. Do you support only for arriving students or help even after being in Finland?
I always help anyone whoever asks me for. Many friends within Finland as well asks me various queries related to studies, jobs, resident permit, various official formalities and also share their experiences and feelings with me. They also share about their personal problems caused due to Language, Cultural Shocks, Racism, Discrimination and their frustrations too. You might be surprised to know that out of total readers of Nepal-Finland, 40% are existing Nepalese and Asian & African friends who are already living in Finland from few months to few years.

5. How do you manage to reply for diversified queries?
When I got any query, first I study about it. When I am self convinced about the answer of the query, then I draft the reply. If a completely new field of query arrives, I first study about it detail, then only I reply to those query. So, sometimes it takes very long time for me to manage time to research about some particular query since my own study schedule itself is also very tight. Sometimes, the query just gets pending over pending since new queries just keeps on arriving and I could not manage time to research enough for existing queries.

6. Can I contribute to this website?
You are warmly welcome !! Any kind of contribution in the form of blog post itself, comments, suggestions, anger or any new idea are really appreciated. If you know something and you want to share it through Nepal-Finland, you can always send it to my email and I will publish it on your own name on Nepal-Finland if the content is suitable for Nepal-Finland.

7. Why are you so against consultancies?
I am never against the consultancies. But, I am strongly against fraud consultancies who lies, loot and keeps the students in dark about the fact. I am against only those who are not transparent and are not genuine with students.

8. What motivates you on continuing with this?
Your encouraging kind words and queries motives me for continuing it. When I get any email with keen interest about various issues, it really motivates me. When you focus on the queries to be asked while writing email, it makes me really happy. I really feel much satisfied when you reply back to me saying my response really helped you and I always work to get that satisfaction. It really keeps me engaged on reply queries for hours and hours ignoring my pending studies. You all well wishers keep me alive.

9. Why are you anonymous?
I always prefer to work remaining on background. This way, it will hide me from this complicated world where every person think and analyze my way of doing on their own opinion. I want hassle free study environment for me here in Finland and it could be possible only if I remain anonymous. Still, many people try to approach me with different motives, like some fraud consultancies and their agents to threat me since I exposed their deeds; some political dirty-minds (not all) who are always eager to use me to cash Nepal-Finland in order to grow their political career and some girgits as well. I don't want to get involved with any kinds of trouble here. And I thought, being anonymous is only the way to avoid them all and focus on helping my friends through Nepal-Finland and also continue my studies peacefully.

10. Who manages this website and is responsible for all those query responses?
I am a student currently living in Finland as you all know now. I am, only me, is responsbile for all those query responses. This website is run by a single mind and efforts. But, the encouragement and motivation of thousands of well wishers could not be underestimated. There are few respective persons, authorities and friends who always helped and encouraged me to grow it further.

List of UAS organizing Entrance in Nepal

2009-03-14T04:37:00.000-07:00

Following Polytechnics (University of Applied Science) will organize Entrance Examinations in Nepal for 2009 Session. The entrance will be valid for the respective polytechnics and their cooperating polytechnics:

Arcada UAS for International Business and Plastic Technology
Central Ostrobothnia UAS
JAMK UAS
Kajaani UAS
Kemi-Tornio UAS
Lahti UAS
Laurea UAS for Tourism, Business Management and Business Infomation Technology
Mikkeli UAS
Novia UAS only for Integrated Coastal Zone Management
Oulu UAS
PIRAMK UAS only for Tourism
RAMK UAS
Saimaa UAS
Satakunta UAS only for Business
Savonia UAS
Seinäjoki UAS
Turku UAS for International Business and Information Technology
Vaasa UAS for International Business and Information Technology

Embassy will organize the entrance on behalf of Metropolia.
There won't be entrance in Kathmandu for DIAK and HAMK.

Another victim of Fraud Consultancy

2009-03-06T01:06:00.001-08:00

Moi !
I would like to thank you very very much for your effort to help Nepalese students. I have some experience about coming to Finland which i think you can share with other people to make them know about these things.

I came here by applying through a friend's consultancy which said me that it will offer free service to me. but when i get confirmation letter it asked me 1200 euros. so, after that i decided to contact my college in Finland about re-sending that letter to my own address via email. But i never expected it would come..amazingly it came to my home address but i recieved it 3 days late after the deadline of the letter to be sent back. I should mark study preference and send back the letter to my college where it should have reached by September 1 2008, which was the deadline. but i received the letter on 3rd of September.

Then i went to one consultancy thinking that i can't make it anymore by my self. the consultancy agreed to charge me 10,000 which i thought at that time was very cheap. the consultancy just sent an email to college and grabbed my 10,000. I was so fooled that time as college accepted me even though the deadline was over. Then I realized that i paid 10,000 just to send one email. how fool was i ..

now after coming here.. the agent from previous consultancy tried to contact me n threaten me saying he will cancel my visa or he will do this n that..but till now he hasn't been able to come to me. and i don't afraid of such people.. i know they can't do anything as long as i stay in my position.

still i would like to ask you that is there any way he can do so that i will not be able to renew my visa this year? he said that if he complains about me to the police about being fraud or something then i can't renew my visa. is it possible? just not by coming through his consultancy can i be a fraud here? i know he can't do anything but just like to share my ideas with u so that u can share that with others..

>> You don't worry about anything. They can't do anything to you. Whatever they do, it won't effect you.

i know this Nepal-Finland is also in Facebook.. how can i find it there?

>> Here is the link of the Facebook profile. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1398993815

My experiences with Nepal-Finland

2009-02-25T07:46:00.000-08:00

I started the blog with the motive to share the information that I know about Finland. In fact, I still remember how much of hours I spend on Internet when I was thinking about Finland. I spend hours and hours surfing a number of websites to solve the query of my mind. So, I started www.nepalfinland.com after coming here thinking that this blog will somehow help those who are seeking information about Finland.

I started the blog with awareness to students for avoiding consultancy services. Though I did not process through any consultancy, I knew some of my friends being victim of Consultancy. Consultancy charged them about 1500 euro just for posting the application. They use to say they can influence the admission process. They say, they have some 'internal link' with admission officer of the university and also on the embassy for visa. A student is forced to believe that since agent of colleges are common in Kathmandu for other countries like Australia. The more dangerous stories is about jobs. They use to say, some XYZ started earning 2000 euro after 2 months and now they are sending back very handsome amount and earning 2000 is normal since it is the minimum payment scale for most of the jobs. Some alert students can easily validate this information. But, we Nepalese, believe people so easy and do not bother to validate those information. Also, they use to say, you just need draft to show to embassy and you can cancel the draft before departure which is actually a suicide attempt and completely illegal since it would be checked by border police while entering Finland. I use to work on a daily newspaper in Nepal, so all these information were known to me easily. So, these all fake stories by Consultancy ignited me to start an awareness campaign against Consultancies.

When I started Nepal-Finland, I had no intention to be anonymous. I started blogging with my real name. Later, when consultancies of Nepal and some of their agents in Finland started threatening me, I started blogging anonymous. It is not that I got afraid from them, but I became anonymous since I don't want any kind of trouble here in Finland since I came here for studies and just want to focus on my studies. So, I preferred to be anonymous. But, being anonymous did not stop threatens.

Some threats were bit polite, some were dirty, some were rough and some life-threats as well. Some came from Nepal by email and phone numbers as well. Some from different cities of Finland by agents of those consultancies. I really wonder how they came to know my identity and got my phone numbers. Only very few persons and authorities have my real identity. Till today, I am getting in average of a threat in a week. These people never get tired by threatening me, and I am never scared to expose them and aware more students.

During last academic season, I was very much active and use to reply about 50-100 emails per week. When the entrance was over, I thought, now the flow of email will reduce. But not, it remained constant since after that students started asking preparation, shopping, flight and other related issues. This process did not end even after August since after arriving here same persons started asking about various aspects of jobs, academic issues and career options.
This year, after October, I became bit selective on answering queries since I explored a large volume of students started emailing me even without reading a single post on www.nepalfinland.com. A sample email:

Hi Nepal Finland,
I would like to apply for Finland, tell me more about courses, jobs and admission issues.

Regards,
ABC

I did not find any logic on answering those emails since they are not specific enough and did not bother to explore the contents of www.nepalfinland.com. So, even if I answer them in detail about all issues, I am not assured they would read my email. First about a hundred of such emails, I replied by saying, please be more specific about your query. Later, I just stopped replying such emails and focused on specific queries.

I have already posted much information on various posts itself. Since that is a blog, all contents does not seem visible at once. So, I request you to run the search from the search button located on right-top, before submitting any query.

These days, I am replying about 100 emails per week. Today only, I replied about 90 emails. Being a student, sometimes it becomes very difficult for me to manage time for replying such a massive amount of emails. So during that period, some emails kept pending even for a month since I will reply some, but again new email comes, so the older one always piles up. I always try my best to manage enough time for it, but does not happen all the time. Effort of a single person is always less when it comes about helping thousands of people.