My Report
Last Mo dified: 0 8 /0 2/20 13
Filter By: Repo rt Subgro up
1.
Name (o ptio nal)
T e xt Re spo nse
Andrew Beshay
Samantha Lee
Chris Kirk
Serena Virani
James Hsieh
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
5
2.
E-mail Address (o ptio nal)
T e xt Re spo nse
beshay@usc.edu
samianne.lee@gmail.co m
christbk@usc.edu
savirani@usc.edu
jameshsi@usc.edu
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
5
3.
Lo catio n
#
Answe r
39
Bar
Re spo nse
%
Aalto University Scho o l o f Eco no mics
7
10 0 %
4
Australian Natio nal University
0
0%
6
Chinese University o f Ho ng Ko ng
0
0%
5
Co penhagen Business Scho o l
0
0%
3
Co rvinus University o f Budapest
0
0%
37
Chulalo ngko rn University
0
0%
2
ESADE Business Scho o l
0
0%
40
ESCEM
0
0%
38
ESCP-EAP
0
0%
65
Fudan University
0
0%
13
HEC Scho o l o f Management
0
0%
7
Ho ng Ko ng UNiversity o f Science and Techno lo gy
0
0%
58
ICHEC Brussels
0
0%
63
IE Scho o l o f Business
0
0%
15
Ko rea University Business Scho o l
0
0%
16
Natio nal University o f Singapo re
0
0%
18
Natio nal Taiwan University
0
0%
27
Peking University
0
0%
14
Ro tterdam Scho o l o f Management
0
0%
61
Seo ul Natio nal University
0
0%
19
Singapo re Management University
0
0%
Thammasat University
0
0%
57
Universidade de No va de Lisbo n
0
0%
64
Universiidad de Carlo s Madrid III
0
0%
11
Universita Co mmerciale Luigi Bo cco ni
0
0%
62
University o f Ho ng Ko ng
0
0%
1
9
University o f Manchester, Manchester Business Scho o l
0
0%
10
University o f Melbo urne
0
0%
12
University o f Navarra
0
0%
17
University o f St. Gallen
0
0%
59
Vienna University o f Eco no mics and Business
0
0%
8
WHU Otto Beisheim Scho o l o f Management
0
0%
To tal
7
St at ist ic
Value
Min Value
39
Max Value
39
Mean
39 .0 0
Variance
0 .0 0
Standard Deviatio n
0 .0 0
To tal Respo nses
7
4.
What is yo ur academic status this semester?
#
Answe r
Bar
Re spo nse
%
1
So pho mo re
0
0%
2
Junio r
3
43%
3
Senio r
4
57%
To tal
7
St at ist ic
Value
Min Value
2
Max Value
3
Mean
2.57
Variance
0 .29
Standard Deviatio n
0 .53
To tal Respo nses
7
5.
What is yo ur expected date o f graduatio n fro m USC (Semester and year, eg
Fall 20 0 9 )?
T e xt Re spo nse
Fall 20 10
Summer 20 11
Spring 20 12
Spring 20 12
May 20 13
May 20 13
Fall 20 12
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
7
6.
What is yo ur majo r?
T e xt Re spo nse
Business Administratio n
Business Administratio n
Business Administratio n
Co mputer Science and Business Administratio n
Business
Business Administratio n
Business Administratio n
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
7
7.
What is yo ur co ncentratio n (Business majo rs o nly)?
T e xt Re spo nse
Finance
internatio nal business
Internatio nal Business
Internatio nal Business
Marketing
Real Estate
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
6
8.
Please indicate the term in which yo u were abro ad (semester and year, eg
Fall 20 0 9 ).
T e xt Re spo nse
Fall 20 10
Fall 20 10
Spring 20 11
Spring 20 11
Spring 20 12
Spring 20 12
Fall 20 12
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
7
9.
I. GENERAL PROGRAM EVALUATION Please rate the fo llo wing items:
#
Que st io n
1
1. Yo ur o verall satisfactio n with the
pro gram.
Ve ry
dissat isf ie d
So m e what
dissat isf ie d
Ne ut ral
Mo st ly
sat isf ie d
Ve ry
sat isf ie d
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
0
2
0
0
5
7
4.14
St at ist ic
1. Yo ur o ve rall sat isf act io n wit h t he pro gram .
Min Value
2
Max Value
5
Mean
4.14
Variance
2.14
Standard Deviatio n
1.46
To tal Respo nses
7
10.
No t at all
so
So m e what
so
Ne ut ral
Mo st ly
so
Ve ry m uch
so
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
2. To what extent did the pro gram meet yo ur expectatio ns?
1
1
0
1
4
7
3.8 6
3. To what extent was yo ur participatio n in the pro gram a valuable
learning experience?
0
0
2
0
5
7
4.43
#
Que st io n
1
2
2. T o what e xt e nt did t he pro gram m e e t yo ur
e xpe ct at io ns?
3. T o what e xt e nt was yo ur part icipat io n in t he pro gram a valuable le arning
e xpe rie nce ?
Min Value
1
3
Max Value
5
5
St at ist ic
Mean
3.8 6
4.43
Variance
2.8 1
0 .9 5
Standard
Deviatio n
1.6 8
0 .9 8
7
7
To tal
Respo nses
11.
#
Que st io n
1
4. To what extent wo uld yo u reco mmend
this pro gram to o ther USC students?
Wo uld no t
re co m m e nd at
all
May re co m m e nd
wit h re se rvat io ns
Ne ut ral
Wo uld sure ly
re co m m e nd
Wo uld
re co m m e nd
m o st st ro ngly
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
0
2
0
0
5
7
4.14
St at ist ic
4 . T o what e xt e nt wo uld yo u re co m m e nd t his pro gram t o o t he r USC st ude nt s?
Min Value
2
Max Value
5
Mean
4.14
Variance
2.14
Standard Deviatio n
1.46
To tal Respo nses
7
12.
II. ACADEMIC PROGRAM
No t at
all so
So m e what
so
Ne ut ral
Mo st ly
so
Ve ry
m uch so
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
5. To what extent were yo ur co urses intellectually challenging?
2
1
1
3
0
7
2.71
6 . Ho w co mparable was the quality o f instructio n and academic demand o f
classes to that o f USC?
3
2
2
0
0
7
1.8 6
#
Que st io n
1
2
St at ist ic
5 . T o what e xt e nt we re yo ur co urse s int e lle ct ually
challe nging?
6 . Ho w co m parable was t he qualit y o f inst ruct io n and acade m ic de m and o f
classe s t o t hat o f USC?
Min Value
1
1
Max Value
4
3
Mean
2.71
1.8 6
Variance
1.9 0
0 .8 1
Standard
Deviatio n
1.38
0 .9 0
7
7
To tal
Respo nses
13.
St ro ngly
disagre e
Disagre e
Ne ut ral
Agre e
St ro ngly
Agre e
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
7. The grading system used in the co urses was
explained.
0
1
0
4
2
7
4.0 0
8 . I was able to register fo r all the classes that I wanted.
0
2
1
2
2
7
3.57
#
Que st io n
1
2
St at ist ic
7 . T he grading syst e m use d in t he co urse s was e xplaine d.
8. I was able t o re gist e r f o r all t he classe s t hat I want e d.
Min Value
2
2
Max Value
5
5
Mean
4.0 0
3.57
Variance
1.0 0
1.6 2
Standard Deviatio n
1.0 0
1.27
7
7
To tal Respo nses
14.
No t at all
so
So m e what
so
Ne ut ral
Mo st ly
so
Ve ry m uch
so
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
9 . To what extent were yo u prepared fo r the co ursewo rk?
0
1
1
3
2
7
3.8 6
2
10 . To what extent do yo u feel yo u were immersed in the culture o f the
ho st co untry?
0
1
1
3
2
7
3.8 6
3
11. To what extent did yo u gain a better appreciatio n o f the ho st
culture's perspectives?
0
1
1
2
3
7
4.0 0
#
Que st io n
1
St at ist ic
9 . T o what e xt e nt we re yo u
pre pare d f o r t he co urse wo rk?
10 . T o what e xt e nt do yo u f e e l yo u we re
im m e rse d in t he cult ure o f t he ho st co unt ry?
11. T o what e xt e nt did yo u gain a be t t e r
appre ciat io n o f t he ho st cult ure 's pe rspe ct ive s?
Min Value
2
2
2
Max Value
5
5
5
Mean
3.8 6
3.8 6
4.0 0
Variance
1.14
1.14
1.33
Standard
Deviatio n
1.0 7
1.0 7
1.15
7
7
7
To tal
Respo nses
15.
Ve ry
dissat isf ie d
So m e what
dissat isf ie d
Ne ut ral
Mo st ly
sat isf ie d
Ve ry
Sat isf ie d
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
12. Please rate yo ur o verall satisfactio n with the co ntent o f
the co urses yo u to o k.
1
1
2
2
1
7
3.14
13. Please rate yo ur o verall satisfactio n with the quality o f
instructio n.
2
1
1
1
2
7
3.0 0
#
Que st io n
1
2
St at ist ic
12. Ple ase rat e yo ur o ve rall sat isf act io n wit h t he co nt e nt o f t he
co urse s yo u t o o k.
13. Ple ase rat e yo ur o ve rall sat isf act io n wit h t he qualit y o f
inst ruct io n.
Min Value
1
1
Max Value
5
5
Mean
3.14
3.0 0
Variance
1.8 1
3.0 0
Standard
Deviatio n
1.35
1.73
7
7
To tal
Respo nses
16.
#
Que st io n
1
14. Please rate the o verall level o f faculty interest in
students.
Ve ry
lo w
So m e what
lo w
Ave rage
Highe r t han
ave rage
Ve ry
high
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
1
1
3
1
1
7
3.0 0
St at ist ic
14 . Ple ase rat e t he o ve rall le ve l o f f acult y int e re st in st ude nt s.
Min Value
1
Max Value
5
Mean
3.0 0
Variance
1.6 7
Standard Deviatio n
1.29
To tal Respo nses
7
17.
#
Que st io n
1
15. Please rate yo ur o verall satisfactio n with the
academic pro gram.
Ve ry
dissat isf ie d
So m e what
dissat isf ie d
Ne ut ral
Mo st ly
sat isf ie d
Ve ry
sat isf ie d
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
2
0
2
1
2
7
3.14
St at ist ic
15 . Ple ase rat e yo ur o ve rall sat isf act io n wit h t he acade m ic pro gram .
Min Value
1
Max Value
5
Mean
3.14
Variance
2.8 1
Standard Deviatio n
1.6 8
To tal Respo nses
7
18.
III. LANGUAGE PREPARATIONIf yo u did no t take a fo reign language
class this semester, please cho o se "No t applicable" fo r each questio n.
No t
applicable
Po o r
Ne e ds
im pro ve m e nt
Fair
Go o d
Exce lle nt
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
16 . Ho w were yo ur language skills befo re the
pro gram?
5
1
0
0
0
1
7
1.8 6
2
17. Ho w were yo ur language skills after the pro gram?
5
1
0
0
0
1
7
1.8 6
3
18 . Yo ur living situatio n aided yo ur language
acquisitio n.
5
1
0
0
0
1
7
1.8 6
#
Que st io n
1
St at ist ic
16 . Ho w we re yo ur language skills be f o re
t he pro gram ?
17 . Ho w we re yo ur language skills af t e r
t he pro gram ?
18. Yo ur living sit uat io n aide d yo ur language
acquisit io n.
Min Value
1
1
1
Max Value
6
6
6
Mean
1.8 6
1.8 6
1.8 6
Variance
3.48
3.48
3.48
Standard
Deviatio n
1.8 6
1.8 6
1.8 6
7
7
7
To tal
Respo nses
19.
#
Que st io n
1
19 . If yo u studied a fo reign language o n the pro gram, please rate yo ur
o verall level o f satisfactio n with the language educatio n co mpo nent o f
the pro gram.
Ve ry
dissat isf ie d
So m e what
dissat isf ie d
Ne ut ral
Mo st ly
sat isf ie d
Ve ry
sat isf ie d
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
0
1
4
1
1
7
3.29
St at ist ic
19 . If yo u st udie d a f o re ign language o n t he pro gram , ple ase rat e yo ur o ve rall le ve l o f sat isf act io n wit h t he language e ducat io n
co m po ne nt o f t he pro gram .
Min Value
2
Max Value
5
Mean
3.29
Variance
0 .9 0
Standard
Deviatio n
0 .9 5
To tal
Respo nses
7
20.
IV. SUPPORT SERVICESPlease rate yo ur level o f satisfactio n with the
fo llo wing catego ries:
#
Que st io n
Ve ry
dissat isf ie d
So m e what
dissat isf ie d
Ne ut ral
Mo st ly
sat isf ie d
Ve ry
sat isf ie d
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
1
20 . On-site academic advising
1
2
2
1
1
7
2.8 6
2
21. On-site o rientatio n
0
0
1
2
4
7
4.43
3
22. On-site academic facilities (e.g. classro o ms, libraries,
co mputer labs), excluding ho using.
0
0
1
3
3
7
4.29
4
23. Co mmunicatio n with the USC Marshall o ffice in Lo s Angeles
0
0
3
2
2
7
3.8 6
5
24. Overall impressio n o f o n-site suppo rt services
0
0
4
2
1
7
3.57
St at ist ic
20 . On-sit e
acade m ic
advising
21. On-sit e
o rie nt at io n
22. On-sit e acade m ic f acilit ie s (e .g.
classro o m s, librarie s, co m put e r labs),
e xcluding ho using.
23. Co m m unicat io n wit h t he
USC Marshall o f f ice in Lo s
Ange le s
24 . Ove rall im pre ssio n
o f o n-sit e suppo rt
se rvice s
Min Value
1
3
3
3
3
Max Value
5
5
5
5
5
Mean
2.8 6
4.43
4.29
3.8 6
3.57
Variance
1.8 1
0 .6 2
0 .57
0 .8 1
0 .6 2
Standard
Deviatio n
1.35
0 .79
0 .76
0 .9 0
0 .79
7
7
7
7
7
To tal
Respo nses
21.
V. HOUSINGPlease rate yo ur level o f satisfactio n with the fo llo wing
catego ries:
#
Que st io n
Ve ry
dissat isf ie d
So m e what
dissat isf ie d
Ne ut ral
Mo st ly
sat isf ie d
Ve ry
sat isf ie d
T o t al
Re spo nse s
Me an
1
25. Ho using co o rdinatio n
0
0
2
3
2
7
4.0 0
2
26 . Lo catio n o f student ho using
0
0
1
3
3
7
4.29
3
27. Quality o f ho using
arrangements
0
2
1
2
2
7
3.57
St at ist ic
25 . Ho using co o rdinat io n
26 . Lo cat io n o f st ude nt ho using
27 . Qualit y o f ho using arrange m e nt s
Min Value
3
3
2
Max Value
5
5
5
Mean
4.0 0
4.29
3.57
Variance
0 .6 7
0 .57
1.6 2
Standard Deviatio n
0 .8 2
0 .76
1.27
7
7
7
To tal Respo nses
22.
VI. OPEN ENDED QUESTIONS 31. Why did yo u cho o se this pro gram?
T e xt Re spo nse
I have lived in So uthern Califo rnia my who le life and I wanted to experience a to tally different culture and a real winter.
I wanted to learn abo ut ho w the Euro pean do their business and also the EU system. The best way to learn it is fro m studying in a EU co untry and learn fro m a Euro pean
pro fesso r.
It wasn't very high o n my list because it was a new pro gram and there weren't any reviews o n it. But it was the best experience I co uld have ho ped fo r. I wanted to go
so mewhere unco nventio nal, and Finland is definitely no t yo ur typical study abro ad place.
Wanted to experience a new place, situatio n, culture and have a really unique, but also fun and amazing experience. I mean, who ever go es to Finland?!
It was in Euro pe
Altho ugh I was placed in this pro gram, I decided to go because I realized that it truly was a o nce in a lifetime o ppo rtunity. Finland is a place that mo st peo ple are unlikely to
get to the chance to visit in their life. I knew that I wo uld experience things that I never tho ught I wo uld, let alo ne never knew existed.
I wanted to go so mewhere different since I can visit western Euro pe anytime I want. I think that no t many peo ple will ever go to Finland in their lives.
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
7
23.
32. Please co mpare these aspects o f yo ur pro gram with study at USC.
#
Que st io n
Equivale nt
USC/Abro ad Be t t e r
USC/in L.A. Be t t e r
T o t al Re spo nse s
Me an
1
2
1) Quality o f instructio n
2
0
5
7
2.43
2) Co ntent o f co urses
3
0
4
7
2.14
3
3) Intellectual challenge o f co urses
1
0
6
7
2.71
4
4) Faculty interest in/suppo rt o f students
2
1
4
7
2.29
5
5) Individual assistance pro vided
1
0
6
7
2.71
St at ist ic
1) Qualit y o f
inst ruct io n
2) Co nt e nt o f
co urse s
Min Value
1
1
Max Value
3
3
Mean
2.43
2.14
2.71
2.29
2.71
Variance
0 .9 5
1.14
0 .57
0 .9 0
0 .57
Standard
Deviatio n
0 .9 8
1.0 7
0 .76
0 .9 5
0 .76
7
7
7
7
7
To tal
Respo nses
3) Int e lle ct ual challe nge o f
co urse s
4 ) Facult y int e re st in/suppo rt o f
st ude nt s
5 ) Individual assist ance
pro vide d
1
1
1
3
3
3
24.
33. Ho w much study time per week do yo u reco mmend in o rder to keep
up with classes?
T e xt Re spo nse
10 ho urs per week
28 ho urs per class, o r mo re.
2-5 ho urs
1 to 2 ho urs
1 ho ur
1-2
2 ho urs
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
7
25.
34. Ho w, if at all, do es the structure o f the co urses differ fro m tho se at
USC? Did yo u like o r dislike these differences?
T e xt Re spo nse
The is so mewhat similar with mo re o f an emphasis o n the final. The final is usually wo rth upwards o f 50 -8 0 % o f the grade with the o ther part o f the grade co ming fro m
gro up assignments and case wo rk.
It was very different. Pro fesso rs there wo uld have their o wn lecture no tes but 9 0 % o f that may no t appear o n the exam. Yo u have to memo rize the who le bo o k o r any single
article/readings/text bo o k. S/he may cho o se a tiny part, o r half a page within a 70 0 pages bo o k (and which may no t be the main fo cus o f the co urse) to make as a questio n
that wo rth 20 % o f yo ur to tal grade. That is the part I dislike the mo st. Every perio d has abo ut 1.5 mo nths o f lecture and then final. Mo st o f them do no t have midterm and
ho mewo rk. Highly reco mmend o f taking Master classes which are easier.
The classes are pretty easy and if yo u let the pro fesso rs kno w yo u are o n exchange, they will be relatively relaxed o n yo ur grading. Like if an assignment is due and yo u are
go ing o n a trip, yo u just info rm them and they will mo st likely make an extensio n. At o rientatio n, the scho o l also tells yo u that class is no t mandato ry and that yo u o nly have
to sho w up to the exam. In general, scho o l was extremely easy in co mpariso n to USC. They will no t fail yo u if yo u are o n exchange, and if yo u do fail, yo u can email the
pro fesso r and they will change it.
Very different. There are no rmal co urses, intensive co urses and bo o k study. Also there are two terms per semester. So me co urses last a term, so me last two terms, so me
are intensive and meet everyday fo r two weeks and then they are o ver. And bo o k study co urses do no t meet at all except fo r the exam. Also have o ptio n to take final exam
multiple times and best sco re will be kept. It was a nice change o f pace and wo rked well to make whatever schedule I wanted.
Yo u just turned in assignments. Because o ur co urses were in English, it was a lo t easier fo r us to write o ur papers.
Classes are divided into two halves, which I really liked. The first half I to o k 3 classes (2 met o nce a week, 1 met twice a week) and the seco nd half I to o k 2 classes (1 met
fo r 3 weeks straight and the o ther was o nline). The structure gives yo u a lo t o f flexibility in yo ur schedule.
Dislike. Pretty much no ho mewo rk and no midterms, but final exams.
St at ist ic
To tal Respo nses
Value
7
26.
35. Are there co urses o r pro fesso rs that yo u wo uld particular
reco mmend? Please explain:
T e xt Re spo nse
I wo uld reco mmend Financial Institutio ns fo r Finance majo rs. It discusses co mmercial and investment banking as well as the insurance industry and it is a class that is no t
o ffered at USC.
Pro fesso r Markku Tinnilä with Service Design and Business Mo dels He was a nice guy. 2 pro jects in a perio d which wo rth 40 % o f yo ur grade, 10 % learing jo urnal and 50 %
fo r final. I learned a lo t and it was interesting. Altho ugh it was a master class o f lo gistics, it was the easiest and the mo st enjo yable class that I have taken in Aalto .
Entrepreneurial Behavio r & Co mpetences was a decent class. It was an intensive co urse so yo u met twice a week fo r fo r fo ur ho urs fo r a to tal o f 6 lectures. It was nice to
just get a class o ut o f the way.
Enviro nmental Eco no mics -> meets o nce a week fo r the entire perio d, class attendance no t required but actually really interesting and relatively easy. Entrepreneurial
Behavio r -> intensive co urse, meets twice a week fo r three weeks. No final exam. Interesting if interested in entrepreneurship. Basically all the co urses are great.
Pekka Mattilla
Co nsumer Psycho lo gy with Alexandre Schwo b
No ne
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27.
36 . Are there co urses o r pro fesso rs that yo u wo uld advise against taking?
Please explain:
T e xt Re spo nse
No t really.
Try no t to take any classes who teaches by Ro y Dahlstedt. He do esn't test o n what he taught and he do esn't appreciate yo ur attempt o f trying to answer the questio ns. He
o nly o ffers 6 essay questio ns in o nly o ne final exam, and he failed 2/3 o f the class in the 1st exam, the avg. was 1.9 o ut o f 5 (In USC, yo u need a 2 to transfer as a pass).
Ask yo ur tuto r fo r reco mmend o f classes.
Bo o k exams are no t the best idea. I to o k two and tho ught I was go ing to fail bo th co urses because the pro fesso r do esn't tell yo u what to fo cus o n in the bo o k so yo u're
go ing in blindly. And then the exam ends up being so mething extremely specific like a term fro m so me chapter and it's impo ssible to memo rize 30 0 + pages o f textbo o k.
So in theo ry it seems like a go o d idea to take bo o k exams because yo u wo n't have any class, but it wo rks against yo u. Just take a lecture class; yo u do n't even have to go
since class isn't mandato ry.
No ne
Peter Nyberg
Entrepreneurial Behavio r and Co mpentencies - altho ugh it o nly met o nce a week, the class seemed to be very uno rganized and the pro fesso r was so mewhat bo ring.
Ho wever, this class ended up being my highest grade.
No ne
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28.
37. Has participatio n in this pro gram influenced yo ur academic o r career
go als? Ho w?
T e xt Re spo nse
This pro gram has reassured me that I will fo cus o n finding a finance based career.
I learned a lo t o f the EU system and so me banking system which helped me to have a mo re glo balized visio n.
I do n't really kno w what I want to do after graduatio n, but it made me co nsider graduate scho o l and also just reaffirmed my belief that I want to either travel a lo t with wo rk o r
live abro ad. Euro pe is an amazing co ntinent and has so much to o ffer.
Yes, it made me really enjo y being abro ad and want to explo re the wo rld. It also made me learn that I can go anywhere and will adapt and be co mfo rtable with mo st all
situatio ns.
No .
Participatio n in this pro gram has reaffirmed my desire to pursue marketing.
Yes, it helps me realized that everything co uld be exaggerated until yo u see it yo urself
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29.
Please tell us abo ut yo ur experience with the fo reign language o f yo ur
ho st co untry: 38 . Besides English, what is (are) the language(s) mo st
pro minently spo ken o n the campus o f the university where yo u studied?
T e xt Re spo nse
Finnish
Finnish
Finnish
Finnish, Swedish.
Finnish
Finnish
Finnish, Swedish
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30.
39 . Did yo u speak the ho st language, o r receive any language training in
the ho st language prio r to , o r during yo ur semester abro ad? If yes, please
explain:
T e xt Re spo nse
No , I arrived with zero kno wledge abo ut Finnish.
No
No t at all. I can say cheers and thank yo u, but that is the extent o f my Finnish. Every single perso n in Finland speaks like perfect English so it's no t even remo tely necessary.
I did no t. They o ffered a co urse to teach Finnish which so me students to o k, but no t me. Everyo ne in Finland speaks perfect, fluent English and co mmunicatio n was easy.
Finnish is a hard, but interesting/unique language so it was fun to learn so me Finnish wo rds/phrases.
No
No , but it was no t necessary. Every single perso n speaks English really well.
No
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31.
Then rate:
#
Que st io n
Exce lle nt
Go o d
Fair
Po o r
T o t al Re spo nse s
Me an
1
1) Yo ur language skills befo re the pro gram:
1
0
0
6
7
3.57
2
2) Language training o n the pro gram:
1
0
1
5
7
3.43
3
3) Yo ur pro ficiency after the pro gram:
1
0
1
5
7
3.43
St at ist ic
1) Yo ur language skills be f o re t he pro gram :
2) Language t raining o n t he pro gram :
Min Value
1
1
1
Max Value
4
4
4
Mean
3.57
3.43
3.43
Variance
1.29
1.29
1.29
Standard Deviatio n
1.13
1.13
1.13
7
7
7
To tal Respo nses
3) Yo ur pro f icie ncy af t e r t he pro gram :
32.
40 . Did cultural/so cial activities spo nso red by the pro gram assist yo u in
language acquisitio n?
T e xt Re spo nse
No , almo st everyo ne speaks pretty go o d English.
no
I learned Cheers fro m o ur tuto rs.
So mewhat, there were special so cial activities in which we sang (so me) Finnish so ngs and the Finnish students taught us so me things.
Yes
n/a
No
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33.
41. Did o utside/o ther activities help? Please explain.
T e xt Re spo nse
No , Finnish is a very difficult language and almo st all co mmunicatio n with Finnish peo ple was in English.
N/A
N/A
No
Yes
n/a
No
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34.
42. What percentage o f students o n the campus o f yo ur ho st co untry
(wo uld yo u estimate) actively speak English?
T e xt Re spo nse
9 5%
5%
10 0 %
10 0 %
Everyo ne
10 0 %
99%
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35.
43. Ho w wo uld yo u reco mmend that students prepare fo r language
differences abro ad?
T e xt Re spo nse
Practice basic wo rds like Hi, Thanks, Go o d bye and similar stuff.
Altho ugh peo ple do n't speak English, yo u can always talk to them in English and they wo uld respo nse yo u in English. Mo st o f the yo ung peo ple kno w simple English.
Yo u do n't need to do anything. Everyo ne speaks perfect English.
Just be o pen abo ut it. But no preparatio n necessary, everyo ne speaks English!
In Finland, 9 5% o f the po pulatio n speaks English perfectly
There is no need to prepare. Everyo ne speaks English.
Missio n impo ssible
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36.
Click to write Co lumn 2
#
Que st io n
No t Available
Available But No t Use d
Available And Use d
T o t al Re spo nse s
Me an
1
Ho using co o rdinatio n
0
0
7
7
3.0 0
2
On-site perso nal advising and info rmal suppo rt
0
3
4
7
2.57
3
Orientatio n in Lo s Angeles
3
0
4
7
2.14
4
Instructio nal facilities
0
1
6
7
2.8 6
5
Medical/dental facilities
0
6
1
7
2.14
6
Recreatio nal facilities
0
3
4
7
2.57
7
USC Financial Aid
1
3
3
7
2.29
8
Co mmunicatio n with o ffice in Lo s Angeles
0
2
5
7
2.71
St at ist ic
Ho using
co o rdinat io n
On-sit e pe rso nal
advising and inf o rm al
suppo rt
Orie nt at io n
in Lo s
Ange le s
Inst ruct io nal
f acilit ie s
Me dical/de nt al
f acilit ie s
Re cre at io nal
f acilit ie s
USC
Financial
Aid
Co m m unicat io n
wit h o f f ice in
Lo s Ange le s
Min Value
3
2
1
2
2
2
1
2
Max Value
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Mean
3.0 0
2.57
2.14
2.8 6
2.14
2.57
2.29
2.71
Variance
0 .0 0
0 .29
1.14
0 .14
0 .14
0 .29
0 .57
0 .24
Standard
Deviatio n
0 .0 0
0 .53
1.0 7
0 .38
0 .38
0 .53
0 .76
0 .49
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
To tal
Respo nses
37.
Click to write Co lumn 2
Unacce pt able
Be lo w
Ave rage
Ave rage
Abo ve
Ave rage
Acce pt able
T o t al Re spo nse s
Me an
Ho using co o rdinatio n
0
0
2
2
3
7
4.14
2
On-site perso nal advising and info rmal
suppo rt
0
2
2
2
1
7
3.29
3
Orientatio n in Lo s Angeles
1
0
2
2
2
7
3.57
4
Instructio nal facilities
0
2
3
0
2
7
3.29
5
Medical/dental facilities
0
0
4
1
2
7
3.71
6
Recreatio nal facilities
0
1
2
2
2
7
3.71
7
USC Financial Aid
1
0
2
3
1
7
3.43
8
Co mmunicatio n with o ffice in Lo s Angeles
0
0
1
5
1
7
4.0 0
#
Que st io n
1
St at ist ic
Ho using
co o rdinat io n
On-sit e pe rso nal
advising and inf o rm al
suppo rt
Orie nt at io n
in Lo s
Ange le s
Inst ruct io nal
f acilit ie s
Me dical/de nt al
f acilit ie s
Re cre at io nal
f acilit ie s
USC
Financial
Aid
Co m m unicat io n
wit h o f f ice in
Lo s Ange le s
Min Value
3
2
1
2
3
2
1
3
Max Value
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
Mean
4.14
3.29
3.57
3.29
3.71
3.71
3.43
4.0 0
Variance
0 .8 1
1.24
1.9 5
1.57
0 .9 0
1.24
1.6 2
0 .33
Standard
Deviatio n
0 .9 0
1.11
1.40
1.25
0 .9 5
1.11
1.27
0 .58
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
To tal
Respo nses
38.
44. Did yo u live in...
#
Answe r
Bar
Re spo nse
%
1
Do rm
0
0%
2
Apartment
7
10 0 %
3
Other
0
0%
To tal
7
St at ist ic
Value
Min Value
2
Max Value
2
Mean
2.0 0
Variance
0 .0 0
Standard Deviatio n
0 .0 0
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39.
45. If yo u used STA Travel fo r transpo rtatio n arrangements, were yo u
satisfied? Please explain.
T e xt Re spo nse
Did no t use them.
I didn't use it.
It was fine. I had to change my flight and they did fo r o nly $50 . (Tho ugh, there were no t many o ptio ns)
N/A
No t Applicable
n/a
No
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40.
46 . Is there any aspect o f the pro gram that yo u wo uld like to see changed
o r different? (VERY IMPORTANT!)
T e xt Re spo nse
To answer the questio n ho nestly, no . This pro gram co mpletely exceeded my expectatio ns and was a very go o d perso nal and educatio nal experience. The student
o rganizatio n at Aalto o rganizes hundreds o f events and the tuto rs are mo re than willing to help yo u with anything and respo nd to yo u almo st immediately. The educatio nal
level is very high, as well as the exchange pro gram o verall.
I didn't use it.
I do n't think so . I had the mo st amazing time and was so glad to have the o ppo rtunity to participate in this pro gram.
No ne, it was an amazing pro gram.
The pro gram was set up very well.
n/a
Hate everything there such as the weather, entertainment, and pro fesso rs. There is no way to change these. I meant it
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41.
47. Additio nal co mments o n services and co o rdinatio n.
T e xt Re spo nse
KY the lo cal student o rganizatio n is amazing and will help yo u with everything yo u need.
I didn't use it.
The student unio n at Aalto in Finland wo rked extremely hard and well fo r us. They help o rganize ho using, set yo u up with a tuto r to help yo u get acquainted. They meet yo u
at the airpo rt when yo u first arrive and take yo u to yo ur apartment. They o rganize parties/so cial events to meet peo ple and have fun. They also o rganize trips to see really
amazing places in Finland and Scandinavia/Russia which are all really fun and affo rdable. They teach yo u abo ut traditio nal Finnish culture in a fun way.
No t Applicable
Make sure yo u apply fo r ho using ON TIME o r yo u risk living far away. I reco mmend Pasila (Junailijankuja) because that's where mo st exchange students live.
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42.
Please tell us abo ut yo ur travel experiences. 48 . Ho w did yo u find yo ur
arrangements to the ho st institutio n?
#
Answe r
Bar
Re spo nse
%
1
Travel Agent
1
14%
2
Online
6
86%
3
Other:
0
0%
To tal
7
Ot he r:
St at ist ic
Value
Min Value
1
Max Value
2
Mean
1.8 6
Variance
0 .14
Standard Deviatio n
0 .38
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43.
Wo uld yo u reco mmend this metho d?
T e xt Re spo nse
Yes, the internet has the best deals unless yo u have a go o d travel agent.
Yes
Yes. STA was easy.
Yes, studentuniverse.co m
Makes yo u mo re independent
Yes
Yes
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44.
49 . What was the average co st fo r ro und-trip tickets to yo ur ho st co untry?
T e xt Re spo nse
$130 0 -$150 0
$120 0
$110 0
$110 0
Fro m Lo s Angeles my flight was 8 50 , ro und trip. Flying in and o ut o f Finland ranged anywhere fro m 10 0 to 350 do llars ro undtrip
$8 50
$10 0 0
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45.
50 . Ho w o ften did yo u travel and to where?
T e xt Re spo nse
I traveled 2-3 times a mo nth and mainly to places aro und Scandinavia as well as Germany, Italy, UK, and the Netherlands.
I travelled to No rway and Sweden, also aro und Finland itself.
All the time. In the beginning maybe every 3-4 weeks, but o nce it go t to spring time. 2 weeks. Esto nia. Lapland, Finland. Co penhagen. Dublin. All o ver the UK. Amsterdam.
Athens. Santo rini. Russia. Afterwards, I traveled aro und fo r a mo nth with a friend I met o n exchange and went to everywhere in Italy, Barcelo na, Madrid, and Budapest.
Pretty o ften mainly in the seco nd half o f the semester so I co uld get acquainted with Finland and friends there. Traveled to UK (Sco tland, Whales, England) fo r abo ut 10
days. Went aro und France, Germany, Denmark fo r two weeks. Went to Hungary fo r 4 days. Travelled aro und Finland (to the arctic circle in Lapland) twice fo r a few days
each. Visited o ther cities in Finland. Even came back to USA fo r 5 days.
I traveled pretty much every weekend. I went to 18 co untries including my ho st co untry. Esto nia, United Kingdo m, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, Israel, Italy, Spain, France,
Hungary, Austria, The Netherlands, Turkey, Greece, Mo ro cco , Czech. Republic, Po land, Finland.
I traveled ro ughly every o ther week. Tallinn, Esto nia Lapland, Finland Sto ckho lm, Sweden Co penhagen, Denmark Lo ndo n, UK Dublin, Ireland Paris, France Milan, Flo rence,
and Venice, Italy Budapest, Hungary Frankfurt, Germany Ibiza and Barcelo na, Spain
Every two weeks. Traveled to Germany, Esto nia, Sweden, Russia, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembo urg, Hungary, Austria, Slo vakia, Czech Republic, Finland, France, UK
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46.
51. Did the structure o f the ho st institutio n's co urse schedule fo ster travel
o ppo rtunity o r prevent it? Why?
T e xt Re spo nse
Yes. The class schedule is very lenient and students have plenty o f time to travel.
They ho st many partys and trip to big to wn in Finland such as Turku, Lapland, co ttage weekend, Sweden and St. Petersburg. They just asked us to skip the class and to go
fo r the trips but I can tell yo u that it is no t easy to pass a class in Aalto if yo u do n't remember the who le bo o k befo re yo u go to take the 4 ho urs exam. (altho ugh yo u do n't
have to go to class because mo st o f the pro f. wo uld just test yo u o n the bo o k but no t what s/he taught in class. Even he said, "it is impo rtant and I may ask yo u in the
exam!" they never sho w up in any exams)
Definitely fo stered. Class is no t mandato ry, so yo u can travel all the time. (And the classes are easy) I literally traveled almo st the entire mo nth o f April. Plus, o ur scho o l
unio n, KY Sub, o rganizes trips fo r yo u and the exchangers to go o n to Lapland (No rthern Finland/Arctic Circle), Sto ckho lm, and Russia.
Yes, the schedule is very flexible and co urse attendance is no t required fo r mo st co urses. Even if it is, a quick chat/email with yo ur pro fesso r usually will excuse it.
Fo ster it. Our teachers understo o d that Erasumus students traveled a lo t.
Classes o ften didn't take attendance. I also had 3 day weekends and rarely any ho mewo rk so it was easy to travel.
Yes, no ho mewo rk and midterms
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47.
52. Do yo u have any tips o r info rmatio n abo ut traveling while abro ad that
yo u wo uld like to share with upco ming exchange students preparing fo r their trip?
T e xt Re spo nse
Yes. Use the website skyscanner.co m fo r finding the cheapest flights o ut o f Helsinki. Also , do no t o ver pack.
ho stelbo o ker.co m is go o d fo r searching ho stels in Euro pe.
Ho stelwo rld.co m o r ho stelbo o kers.co m. Use it to find places to stay. Traveling fro m Helsinki is extremely expensive. So metimes it may be cheaper to take the ferry to
Esto nia and then fly o ut o f there using Ryanair. (I did that fo r Dublin). Easyjet o nly go es to like 2 o r 3 cities fro m Helsinki. SAS is pretty cheap fo r Scandinavian co untries.
And the ferries to Sto ckho lm and Russia are relatively cheap ways to travel was well.
Do n't pack everything into the last half, because yo u'll want to spend so me time with yo ur abro ad friends then. Try and spread it o ut but also enjo y where yo u are living.
Also if po ssible meet up with o ther abro ad peo ple in different cities, even if yo u do n't kno w them so well. Made so me great friends that way and also made visiting the cities
mo re fun because they kno w the co o l secrets o f their cities!
Bo o k early to save mo ney, plan ahead.
Do no t spend to o much mo ney when traveling! Set a budget fo r yo urself and stick to it. Yo u do n't think yo u'll run o ut o f mo ney, but yo u pro bably will. Take no te o f the
exchange rate and do n't guesstimate. Figure o ut ho w to get to yo ur ho stel/ho tel befo re leaving. Public transpo rtatio n is a lifesaver, learn to use it.
Bo o k early and do no t buy cheap airlines unless yo u really need to save mo ney
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48.
53. EXPENSES: Ho w much spending mo ney FOR THE ENTIRE
SEMESTER wo uld yo u reco mmend that the next participants budget fo r this
pro gram?
#
Answe r
1
General (including fo o d, entertainment, lo cal transpo rtatio n)
2
Ho using/rent
3
General travel during semester
2,0 0 0 .0 0
4
Bo o ks & miscellaneo us supplies
5
Other expenditures (please explain)
Ot he r e xpe ndit ure s (ple ase e xplain)
Extra mo nth o f travel
n/a
mo ney spent while traveling, clo thes, alco ho l, etc
Min Value
Max Value
Ave rage Value
St andard De viat io n
50 0 .0 0
1,0 0 0 .0 0
5,0 0 0 .0 0
2,328 .57
1,56 7.0 7
2,70 0 .0 0
1,9 6 2.8 6
59 5.6 7
11,50 0 .0 0
4,357.14
3,375.33
0 .0 0
50 0 .0 0
29 2.8 6
224.40
0 .0 0
2,0 0 0 .0 0
428 .57
78 6 .8 0
49.
54. Did yo u experience any fo rm o f crime, o r were yo u in danger at any
time (such as the victim o r witness o f assault, ro bbery, etc.)? If yes, please
explain:
T e xt Re spo nse
No , Finland is o ne o f the safest co untries in the wo rld and the peo ple are very friendly mo st o f the time.
No
Helsinki is the safest place to live. There is abso lutely no crime; yo ur biggest danger is a drunk Finn stumbling o n the streets. One time the co ps even dro ve me ho me
because I was walking by myself and they have no thing to do .
No t at all. Finland is INCREDIBLY SAFE. Went to a sketchy area in England when travelling tho ugh, but was never actually in tro uble.
Helsinki is extremely safe.
No , it was a very safe city.
No
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50.
55. Befo re departure fro m USC, o r upo n immediate arrival to yo ur ho st
co untry, do yo u think yo u were adequately warned and/o r prepared to deal with
mo st incidents mentio ned in the Health and Safety sectio n o f this evaluatio n?
T e xt Re spo nse
Yes.
No
Yes
Yes
Yes.
Yes
Yes
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51.
56 . If yo u did no t feel adequately prepared (respo nse to questio n #55),
what do yo u think yo u needed to kno w o r hear in advance? Ho w co uld yo u have
been better info rmed and/o r prepared?
T e xt Re spo nse
n/a
Wind in Finland is really heavy. Prepare fo r allergy medicine if po ssible.
N/A
N/A
No t applicable
Bring yo ur o wn o ver the co unter medicine. I go t sick when visiting Co penhagen and it was impo ssible to find just a no rmal tyleno l/advil kind o f medicine
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52.
57. Were yo u kno wledgeable abo ut yo ur USC o verseas insurance
co verage po licy?
T e xt Re spo nse
Yes. Everything was explained in great detail in o rientatio n as well as multiple emails.
No t really beacuse we just changed a new insurance co mpany
Eno ugh so ?
Yes
Yes.
Yes
Yes
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53.
58 . Did yo u experience any negative treatment that yo u feel was related to
yo ur ethnicity, race, natio nal o rigin, gender, sexual o rientatio n, o r religio n? If yes,
please explain:
T e xt Re spo nse
No t at all.
Besides everyo ne there said they do n't like American, I think no thing else.
Peo ple just always were co nfused that I was fro m America because my eyes are small and Asian since I'm half-Asian. Every time I said I was fro m America they wo uld say,
"But yo ur eyes are like this..." and wo uld make squinty eyes. And in Greece, guys make a lo t o f cat calls to girls.
Never. Finland while being predo minately white was a very accepting/o pen co untry. They recently elected a wo man as President and are very o pen to peo ple's different
religio ns and beliefs.
No ne.
No
Yes, I am no t fucking Ko rean. Do n't ask me to dance gangnam style.
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54.
59 . What was the best part o f the pro gram?
T e xt Re spo nse
The student o rganizatio n really helps yo u get acquainted with all o f the exchange students.
Having a sno w winter, visiting the Santa Village, husky ride!
Meeting all the amazing peo ple in my pro gram and making friends fro m all o ver the wo rld. There were o nly six Americans to tal o ut o f the 9 5 students in the pro gram, which
was perfect because it fo rces yo u to branch o ut and learn abo ut o ther cultures. Aalto also has a student unio n that o rganizes parties fo r the exchange students (as well as
trips).
The peo ple that I go t to meet and spend my time with.
Ho w everyo ne in o ur pro gram was fro m aro und the wo rld. We made so many friends fro m aro und the glo be is such a rando m co untry.
We made friends fro m all o ver the wo rld. I stro ngly believe that being o n a pro gram with all Americans (especially all o ther USC students) defeats the purpo se o f go ing
abro ad. Yo u learn so much fro m o ther cultures and co me ho me with so many internatio nal friends. Our gro up co nsisted o f Americans, Canadians, Swiss, Dutch, French,
German, Turkish, and Spanish peo ple. We all still keep in to uch and are planning o n visiting each o ther in the future.
Peo ple
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6 0 . What was the mo st difficult part?
T e xt Re spo nse
Co ming fro m LA to Helsinki invo lved an extreme change in temperature and sunlight. The sun is o nly up fo r 4-5 ho urs a day and temperatures range fro m -10 to 20
degrees Fahrenheit. So bring to ns o f warm clo thes and do no t let the darkness get yo u do wn. It is a great experience and will help yo u appreciate o ther parts o f the wo rld
mo re.
The ho rrible grading system.
No t having Chipo tle.
Dealing with missing the pro gram/peo ple no w that I've returned back to America.
Ho w expensive No rdic Co untries are.
Adjusting to the weather was difficult at first, but it was a unique experience and in retro spect was really fun living in the sno w fo r o nce.
Weather and bo redo m
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56.
6 1. Describe a situatio n that yo u experienced as a result o f culture sho ck
o r cultural misunderstanding. Ho w did yo u reso lve it?
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As the sun began to rise at 9 30 and go do wn at 3pm it was a little hard at first. Also , so me peo ple do no t kno w English and everything in the gro cery sto res and signs and
stuff are all in Finnish so it takes a little time to get used to that.
When I went to No rway, at the last day we all exchangers said "I miss ho me, I wanna go ho me." At that mo ment we were all thinking that "where is o ur ho me? Finland o r
o ur ho me co untry?" But at the end, I said, "do n't think it anymo re, we just go t 3 mo re mo nths in Euro pe, so we sho uld enjo y it!" Everyo ne was happy again!
Go ing to the gro cery sto re and everything being in Finnish. But I just used go o gle translate to figure o ut what I needed if it was like a spice o r so mething that wasn't o bvio us
by its package.
Finnish peo ple are initially very reserved and quiet. It made me initially think they are were co ld/rude peo ple. This is no t the case at all, it is just part o f their culture to be
reserved. If yo u initiate a co nversatio n with them o r ask fo r help they are incredibly friendly, nice and helpful.
In the US everyo ne is extremely fast paced with this 'I want it no w' mentality. Finland taught us all ho w to slo w things do wn.
Finns like to drink, a lo t. Yo u o ften see peo ple drunk o n the metro /train/bus, but they are harmless. Yo u have to learn to just igno re peo ple murmuring in Finnish. They wo n't
bo ther yo u.
No ne
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57.
6 2. Describe so mething that yo u are pro ud o f having acco mplished during
yo ur stay.
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I am pro ud to have made 10 0 s o f friends fro m all o ver the wo rld. I kno w I will keep in to uch with many o f these peo ple.
The Lapland trip to see the no rthern lights
Learning to co o k and trying all the different fo o ds o f peo ple fro m o ther co untries. And go ing to Finland when it's such a rando m place to be at.
The traditio nal Finnish activity o f go ing fro m a 8 0 C sauna to jumping into belo w 0 C freezing ice water in a ho le that was cut o ut o f a fro zen lake.
Go ing to class.
I am pro ud o f myself fo r handling the co ld weather, being o pen to a co mpletely new culture, and having no reservatio ns when it came to trying new things (i.e. go ing in the
sauna then jumping in a fro zen lake, eating reindeer, etc).
Survived in this co ld shitty co untry
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58.
6 3. What do yo u wish yo u had kno wn abo ut befo re leaving?
T e xt Re spo nse
I wish I bro ught mo re warm clo thes instead o f having to buy them fro m here.
The heater in Finland is very warm that I do n't really need a thick blanket.
Do no t bring to o much clo thing. I had two huge bags + so me o f clo thes. I didn't wear so me o f my clo thes and I bo ught a to n there to o . Also , I didn't bring any spring
clo thing because I tho ught it wo uldn't get warmer than 6 0 degrees but then I ended up traveling and go ing to warmer places so I had to buy even mo re clo thes....which it'd
be smart to bring a few things o f warmer clo thing.
No thing. What I didn't kno w it was neat to be able to learn there.
Ho w expensive everything was.
There is mo re to Helsinki than the co ld weather! It is a mino r hurdle that yo u have to deal with and no t a go o d eno ugh reaso n to even co nsider no t go ing. I also wish that I
had set up a bank acco unt in that co untry, o r go tten an acco unt with USC credit unio n which (to my understanding) do esn't charge a fee fo r withdrawing mo ney fro m the
ATM. I go t charged 3% + $5 fo r pulling mo ney o ut, which adds up fast.
Sho uld have to ld me that the capital city here is just like o ther big co untries' seco ndary o r tertiary city.
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59.
6 4. Do yo u have any travel tips to share?
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It is impo ssible to travel to every single co untry. Also , yo u wo nt enjo y staying 1 night in every place if yo u are attempting to go everyo ne. My advice is to make a budget, and
cho o se the places yo u really want to go and stay 2-3 nights and really experience the culture and sites.
Remember to bo o k everything befo re yo u go and print o ut every thing yo u need. E-mail the ho stel and ask them ho w can yo u get there fro m yo ur arrival airpo rt. It is better
to print o ut a map fro m go o gle, sho wing the map aro und yo ur ho stel which will be easier fo r yo u to find where it is when yo u get to a fo reign co untry.
ho stelwo rld.co m, ho stelbo o ker.co m. Stay in ho stels. They're cheap and yo u can make aweso me friends. I made so me friends in Barcelo na, and met up with them again in
Flo rence and Venice. Maybe take the ferry and fly o ut o f Tallinn using Ryanair (tho ugh Ryanair sucks).
Bo o k ahead when yo u can, its cheaper! Stay in ho stels, its mo re fun.
Travel alo ne and do 'what everybo dy' is do ing.
Plan ahead and use skyscanner o r ryanair to find flights. Do n't bo o k co mmercial flights unless yo u find a go o d deal. Allo w yo urself a certain amo unt o f mo ney to spend o n
each trip. Anticipate mistakes and things being mo re expensive than yo u plan. Stick with yo ur friends o r get a sim card in that co unty! It's hard to get in to uch with peo ple so
again, plan ahead.
Lo o king fo r sales fro m Finnair and be prepared to spend a shit lo ad o f mo ney unless yo u want to stay in Finland and spend less shit lo ad o f mo ney do ing no thing.
Otherwise, just go buy ryanair and take two ho urs train to take the flight at a very remo te airpo rt.
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60.
6 5. What wo uld yo u like to say to the students go ing after yo u?
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Get ready to have o ne o f the best semesters o f yo ur life.
Staying in Finland fo r less than 6 mo nths wo n't qualify fo r the o nline banking service, so yo u can use yo ur card in USD to o rder ho stels o r tickets o nline and no need to
bring so much Euro s and put into yo ur Finnish bank acco unt. Lunch o n campus is nice and cheap (2.2 - 2.5 euro s) and yo u do n't have to spend a lo t o n fo o d if yo u co o k
yo ur meals by yo urself. Yo u can bo rro w mo st o f the text bo o k fro m the library fo r free and can be renewed up to 9 9 times. So , yo u do n't need to spend so much o n
textbo o k (o nly need to buy 1-2 bo o ks which is no t in the library(rarely happens), co st aro und $6 0 each) Free printing o n campus! Lo ts o f co mputer labs, o ne o pen until
2am in the mo rning.
Go to the KY Sub events. Lapland was o ne o f my favo rite trips and they o rganize it. The Sitsi party is an amazing drinking/singing/dinner event that yo u must go to as well.
Lucky! Have fun!
Be selfish.
Get ready fo r the best semester o f yo ur life! If yo u do n't have fun, it's no o ne's fault but yo ur o wn.
If yo u really like hardco re co ld co untry style life, this will definitely be yo ur destinatio n. Life is simple there and gives yo u a lo t o f time to think abo ut yo ur life.
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61.
6 6 . Any final tho ughts...
T e xt Re spo nse
I co nsider myself a pretty o ut go ing and adventuro us perso n and had a really po sitive mentality when co ming to Helsinki. It is no t the mo st po pular cho ice fo r exchange
students o r even fo r to urists but it ho nestly changed my life fo r the better. The nightlife is go o d, the peo ple are friendly, and Aalto is o ne o f the best scho o ls in no rthern
Euro pe. If yo u end up co ming to Helsinki, co me with an o pen mind and do n't be shy. Meet as many different peo ple as yo u can and do all o f the events planned by the
student o rganizatio n. Try weird Finnish fo o d and I pro mise yo u that yo u will have an experience o f a lifetime.
Altho ugh I really do n't like the educatio n system in Finland, studying abo ard is a really go o d way to help yo u learn abo ut ano ther culture and yo urself! Also , gaining
friendship aro und the wo rld was aweso me!
This was the best experience o f my entire life. Finland is an amazing co untry with a to n o f fun culture. They're big party peo ple and lo ve to drink and have fun fo r any
o ccasio n. Also , Finland was ranked the best co untry to live in based o n quality o f life, happiness o f peo ple, etc. And I wo uld have to agree, it was the best place. I am
ho mesick fo r Helsinki and wo uld go back in a seco nd.
Finland is AWESOME. Go there!
Do n't fail.
Helsinki is aweso me! I was really hesitant at first, but co uldn't have asked fo r a better semester. Everyo ne I met and everything I did was abso lutely incredible. Yo u have the
rest o f yo ur life to visit Barcelo na and Paris, but yo u o nly have no w to truly experience Finland. Do n't hesitate to co ntact me with questio ns!
Serio usly, read thro ugh my co mments. I really meant it
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