I think at no point did I doubt that the Finnish education system is amazing. But their education system not only focuses on studies and courses; rather, student well-being is also of core importance. When I came to the university physically, I was surprised to see so many things going on around the campus for the students.
I think the universities offer everything you might think about. Do you like painting? Or maybe singing? Dancing? Do you want to learn a new language?
I think universities have scope for everything. Let’s go through one by one!
Are you thinking about learning a new instrument?
At the University of Oulu, I saw there were pianos open for everybody. So if you want to play it, just go for it. If you are shy, come during the evening or night so that you can play alone. It’s free and needs no reservation. However, people usually do not occupy it for too long during the day. Also, make sure people do not feel disturbed.
Are you trying to form a music band?
Good news for you. I discovered there are two fully equipped rooms which contain everything you need to jam with your friends. They have a keyboard, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and drums in each room. It is completely free for the students. You just have to reserve it earlier to get access.
Eager to learn a new language?
There are cafes that organize language sessions for the students. For example, Cafe Lingua at the University of Oulu organizes language sessions for the students every week. Some of the languages they discuss include Finnish, German, Spanish, etc. I believe there are these kinds of clubs in every university.
Good news for card/board game lovers?
I have seen board and card game enthusiasts playing on campus until 10/11 PM. You can just go and introduce yourself to them, express your enthusiasm, and that’s it. Be a part of the team and keep playing with them. It definitely could be a great recreational activity.
Stand-up comedy?
Yes, I am telling it right. The universities sometimes organize stand-up comedy shows where you can practice. I saw a couple of shows organized at the university while I was a student. There are a couple of professional comedians there, but you can also get the chance to practice and learn from those experienced people.
Sports Day?
Sometimes some of the clubs organize football matches for the students. You can go, play, and enjoy. You sometimes need to register earlier for that. However, keep in mind that they do not necessarily train football here. It is more like a friendly match organized by the student associations.
Painting activities:
Painting activities are arranged on campus. If you love to paint, you should take this chance to enjoy the session with the students. Usually, a group of students gather together, do the painting, and make new friends with similar interests.
I could talk about it a lot, but you get the idea of what I am trying to express. I think whatever interest you have, you will get some activities to do on campus. One time, I was surprised to see that there was sword fighting organized on campus. Another time, there was a show on the famous dancing form “Flamenco” on campus. All these activities throughout the campus keep the university very lively all around the year.
If you keep your eyes open, you will find a lot of things to do. I believe you are pretty aware of the darkness of Finnish weather during the end of the year. These activities will help you very much to stay active in winter and will be beneficial for your overall well-being.
Thank you for reading. See you in another blog.