Gayathri Menon

This article was originally published in Malayalam language in one of the leading career weeklies of India, Mathrubhumi thozhilvartha.
https://www.readwhere.com/read/c/58133202

Higher education in Finland:

Finland, a small unique country in northern Europe, is one of the happiest and safest countries in the world. Modern learning environments and facilities are the main attraction of Finnish higher education institutions. The high-quality teaching style, virtual learning environments and free libraries in Finnish Universities provide the best learning experience for the students. Polytechnics and universities in Finland have about 300,000 students, of which about 20,000 are international students. Recent surveys show that most international students enjoy campus life and the eco-friendly attitude of the educational institutes. In addition, the design and quality of the campus buildings and the off-campus environment also attract international students.

The Finnish higher education system is divided into two parallel areas: Universities and applied science universities that provide practical education. The network of higher education institutions includes 13 universities and 23 applied science universities. These universities offer more than 400 bachelor's and master's degree programs and doctoral degree opportunities in English for international students. All universities offer scholarship opportunities for international students. According to the Finnish educational process, students have the freedom to determine the rate and direction of their courses.

Eligibility to apply

Upper secondary school certificates are required when applying for bachelor's programs. For Master level admission, one must have completed a University Level Bachelor's degree or equivalent. For master's in applied universities, at least 2 years of work experience in the field of study after completing the bachelor's degree is required. If English is not the mother tongue, IELTS (Band Score: 6 - 7.5) and TOEFL are recognized exams to demonstrate English proficiency. The exact criteria for applying will be different for each degree program. That might include entrance exam, SAT test, interview, motivational letter etc. Details about the various courses are available on the website studyinfo.fi.

How to apply for higher education?

First step is to select your favorite program from over 100 available courses. Visit the studyinfo.fi website to find the option that suits you the best or visit the admissions information pages of the respective universities. All the information about the study options is available on studyinfo.fi and on the university websites.

The joint application period for studies starting in August and September will be open on the studyinfo.fi portal in November, December and January. However, some degree programs have different application schedules and specific application forms, so be sure to check with the respective university on how and when to apply for your chosen program. Confirm eligibility criteria, application process, deadline and documents to be submitted as part of the application from the above websites. Scholarships are available for bachelor and master level students. You must apply for the scholarship at the same time as applying for admission.

After the application period and the entrance exams, the universities will process the applications and make the final admission decision. Upon admission, you will receive an official admission letter from the institution. After accepting admission, you can apply for a Student Residence Permit on the Enterfinland.fi website. Visit the Finnish Embassy as part of this process. Start your residence permit process as soon as possible by carefully following the instructions and rules from the immigration authorities. When applying for a Student Residence Permit you need to show that you have adequate support and insurance to cover the cost of living in Finland. In order to obtain a residence permit, it is necessary to take private insurance covering medical and pharmaceutical expenses. Detailed information on residence permit requirements and procedures can be found on the Finnish Immigration Service (www.migri.fi) website. The family (spouse and children) of the student coming to study on the Student Residence Permit can also apply for the Residence Permit. You can also apply for a one-year stay-back permit to look for a job or start a business after graduation.

Important universities and courses

Finland has become a favorite destination for international students in recent years. The most popular university in Finland is the University of Helsinki, which is the oldest and largest university in the country, followed by the Aalto University in Helsinki. Other major universities are Tampere University, University of Oulu, LUT University, and University of Turku.

The most popular courses among international students are:

University of Helsinki: Bachelor's Program in Science, Master's Program in Data Science, Master's Program in Environmental Change and Global Sustainability, Master's Program in Computer Science

Aalto University: Bachelor's Program in Science and Technology, Bachelor's Program in Design,

Master’s Program in Chemical Engineering, Master’s Program in Computational Engineering

Tampere University: Bachelor's Program in International Business, Bachelor's Program in Software Engineering, Master’s Program in Computing Sciences, Data Science, Master’s Program in Computing Sciences, Machine Learning, Master’s Program in Leadership for Change - Sustainable Business Management

Scholarships and part-time job opportunities

International students who are not EU / EEA citizens are required to pay a tuition fee when joining bachelor's and master Level programs taught in English. The annual tuition fee varies from 4,000 to 18,000, depending on the university and degree program. No tuition fee is charged for doctoral level education.

Each university has its own scholarship program. You must apply for the scholarship at the same time you apply for admission. In order to get the scholarship, a letter explaining the knowledge and work experience in the subject should be included with the application. These range from a full fee waiver scholarship to an early bird scholarship with a 50 percent discount on those who receive admission within specified time period.

It is very common here for students to engage in part-time jobs in addition to their studies. In Finland it is permissible to work without restrictions if the work is related to the subject being studied. It is also possible to do other work unrelated to your studies, but only for an average of 25 hours a week. But you can work without restrictions during non-study hours or holidays. Part-time work is a great way to gain valuable work experience and networks along with study. The biggest challenge for international graduates is the Finnish language, which is considered as one of the most difficult languages in the world. Finding a job in Finland is not easy for those who do not know the Finnish language, but opportunities are available in universities and in the IT sector. Students can also opt for part-time jobs such as newspaper distribution, cleaning and food delivery. Although there are many opportunities in the healthcare sector, job applicants require Finnish or Swedish language proficiency.

Cost of living

Depending on where you live and your personal lifestyle, students' monthly living expenses (food, accommodation, travel, insurance, etc.) can be around 700 euros - 900 euros. The cost of living is higher in big cities compared to small ones. Some universities also have scholarship options that include the cost-of-living allowance.

Accommodation for students

All universities have student housing facilities for students. The average monthly rent for a single room in a shared flat is around 160 to 380 euros. Apart from this, single apartments and family flats are also available. Rents for student apartments are relatively low compared to regular apartments.

Presence of Indians

As of 2018, more than 12,000 Indians live in Finland. Helsinki has the largest number of Indians and Malayalees. After Helsinki, the favorite cities of Indians are Tampere, Turku and Oulu. Most cities have Indian Student Associations to meet and network with other Indian students. The Helsinki-based Finnish Malayalee Association also organizes a number of events every year, including Onam celebrations, cultural festivals and picnics. The Indian Embassy also provides necessary support and assistance to expatriate Indians and students.

The climate of Finland is characterized by long and extremely cold winters, and short and mild summers. Of the Scandinavian countries, Finland has the coldest climate. Welcome to the land of thousand lakes, Finland, to enjoy the beautiful snow-capped winters, the midsummer sunset and the rich colors of autumn.

Women of Kalevala –Aino, the tragic heroine

Kalevala, authored by Elias Lönnrot is one of the most famous and widely translated works in Finnish literature. Kalevala is the national epic of Finns and was written in the form of a mythological poem. Kalevala tells the mesmerizing stories of joys and miseries of the heroes of Kalevala, who themselves are not free from humanly weaknesses. Kalevala was a shattered epic, whose fragments were starting to disappear from among the local people, when Elias Lönnrot collected and compiled them all to create a beautiful and lively plot. Artists, writers, musicians, dancers, and actors from Finland and abroad have been inspired by this work. The preface of Kalevala was signed by Elias Lönnrot on 28 February 1835. Ever since, this day has been commemorated and celebrated as Kalevala day in Finland.

The language of Kalevala is based on the diverse and rich Karelian dialect of Finnish language. The tale of Kalevala chronicles the conflict and survival of the people of Kalevala and Pohjola. This fascinating story of magicians, heroes and shamans resembles a lot to the Indian epic Mahabharata. Today as we celebrate the International Women's Day, instead of writing about the brave and valiant heroes of Kalevala, I would prefer to pen the story of Aino, the tragic heroine of Kalevala who becomes a torment to every readers’ heart.

Aino! The only sister of the young warrior Joukahainen, and the only daughter of her aging parents. Elias Lönnrot named this young maiden, “Aino,” which means “only” or “single” in Finnish. Aino was a beautiful young maiden, who loved to spend her time roaming in the forests of Wäinölä, talking to her favorite lakes, flowers, and wild animals. It was then that Aino's overconfident and arrogant brother Joukahainen challenged the great scholar and main protagonist of Kalevala, Väinämöinen to a musical contest.

Joukahainen, who loses the spell singing contest with Väinämöinen sinks into a swamp by the latter’s magical power. Fearing death, he offered all his possessions to Väinämöinen, but Väinämöinen, who had no interest in material possessions, turns them down. Joukahainen promises to marry off his only sister Aino to the old and unmarried Väinämöinen. This promise pleases Väinämöinen, who has been searching for a bride for a long time and in turn he saves Joukahainen from drowning and dying in the swamp.

But Aino, who has not thought of marriage in her wildest dreams was shocked to hear the news. Unable to accept the forthcoming changes in her life, she expressed her unwillingness to leave her parents’ home to become old Vainamoinan's bride. On the other hand, Aino's mother is incredibly delighted to accept the ancient and wise Väinämöinen as her daughter’s husband and forces her to marry. Mother believes that marrying him would give Aino a secure future and tries to convince her daughter by showing the wedding dress and jewelry. Although Kalevala is a fictional story, it is evident from the tale of Aino that the social circumstances in ancient Finland was not very favorable for women and the women of that time had to face many obstacles to pursue their own likes and interests.

One day, Väinämöinen meets Aino unexpectedly at the lake shore and expresses his love for her by praising her exotic beauty. Extremely upset, Aino removes all her jewelry and throws them into the lake. She runs back home and pleads to her parents and brother to cancel the wedding, but all in vain. She sobbed day and night and her sighs echoed in the woods of Wäinölä for days.

Photo credit: https://reppuli.com/blogi/vain...

At last, she decides to leave her home, realizing that if she stayed there, she has no choice but to accept the old Väinämöinen as her husband. She dresses herself like a new bride, wearing an alluring silk attire with silver jewelry and braiding her hair with colorful ribbons. For three days she wandered through the woods of Wäinölä, singing songs about her pain and agony. On the third day, a tired and exhausted Aino rests in her favorite seashore, and happens to see the beautiful Vellamo maidens bathing in the sea. Aino takes off her clothes and voluntarily dives into the deep sea like a water goddess to join them. Aino, a girl with thousand dreams and hopes in her eyes merged herself in the infinity of that deep sea with a heavy heart filled with unfulfilled desires.

Photo credit: https://www.deviantart.com/wol...

When heard about the tragic news of Aino’s death, her parents and brother wept bitterly and repented of their deeds. In the words of Elias Lönnrot, the mother who lost her daughter says.

"Listen, all ye mothers, listen,

Learn from me a tale of wisdom:

Never urge unwilling daughters

From the dwellings of their fathers,

To the bridegrooms that they love not,

Not as I, inhuman mother,

Drove away my lovely Aino,

Fairest daughter of the Northland. "

Aino's mother tells us with a broken heart that this is a lesson for all parents that you should never force your daughters for marriage against their will. The devastated mother cries for days and a river is formed of her tears.

It seems to me that Elias Lönnrot addressed the social problems faced by women and girls in Finland at that time and tried to bring awareness among the people through the characterization and portrayal of Aino. Led by the world's youngest prime minister Sanna Marin, Finland today is a country which offers safety and freedom for women. On this International Women's Day, I wish that women all over the world have access to all opportunities and freedom to make their own choices. Let there be no more Ainos with shattered dreams who are thrown drown in the deep sea, instead let them fly without boundaries to reach their dreams with colorful wings!

Happy International Women's Day!

Hyvää kansainvälistä naistenpäivää!