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Partner University Exchange: University of Joensuu
Finland & JoensuuThe University
Program Dates
Academics
Credit Transfer Information
Housing & Meals
Cost Information
Previous Exchange Students Suggest...
Students Who Apply to Joensuu...
Recommended Reading List
At a Glance: University of Joensuu
Country: Republic of Finland (Suomen Tasavalta)Government: Multiparty republic with one legislative house
Population: 5,167,486
Area: 130,558 miles2 (337,030 km2)
Major Language(s): Finnish, Swedish, Lapp
Major Religion(s): Evangelical Lutheran
Capital & Population: Helsinki, 515,765
Exchange City & Population: Joensuu, 51,113
Climate: Long winters from November to April, short summers average 61°F with long "white nights"
Monetary Unit: European Currency Unit (Euro, EUR); EUR 1 = US$1.43
Exchange Level: Undergraduate, graduate
Language of Instruction: English, Finnish
University Web Site: www.joensuu.fi
Length of Exchange: Semester or year
Application Deadline: September 19, 2008 for Spring 2009; February 13, 2009 for Fall 2009 and/or Spring 2010
Finland & Joensuu
The landscape of Finland is a beautiful mixture of wooded hills and waters - it is rightly known as a land of forests (they cover about three-quarters of the country's surface) and lakes (which, along with other bodies of water cover about 10% of the territory).
The city of Joensuu is situated in eastern Finland about 70 kilometers from the Finnish-Russian border. The surrounding region of Karelia is famous for the beauty of its unspoiled nature, dotted with thousands of lakes and islands. Joensuu, founded in 1848 at the mouth of River Pielisjoki on the shore of Lake Pyhäselkä, is a flourishing commercial and industrial center with over 50,000 inhabitants. Joensuu is also well known for its international rock festival, which is held annually in July.
Return to top of page.The University
The University of Joensuu was founded in 1969. In addition to the main campus in Joensuu, the university has filial departments in the city of Savonlinna, which is known for its medieval castle and world famous Opera Festival. Students may use the University Library, the Karelian Research Institute (including sections on Humanities, Social Sciences and Ecology) the Mekrijärvi Research Station in Ilomantsi, the Computing Centre, the Language Centre, the Botanical Garden and the Muikku Research Vessel specializing in environmental studies and inland waters. All students, including international students, are members of the Student Union, which provides various services for students, including a student newspaper and a student theatre, which is open for all students interested in acting, costume design, set preparation, or musical performance. In addition, the Sports Section of the Student Union offers badminton, aerobic exercise, squash and ballroom dancing.
Return to top of page.Program dates
The academic year in Joensuu closely follows the UM academic calendar. Semester 1 begins in early September and ends in mid-December. Semester 2 begins in early January and ends in late May. Students enjoy a three-week vacation at Christmas and a one-week vacation in April.
Return to top of page.Academics
Teaching at the University of Joensuu is mainly done in Finnish. However, the university offers a number of programs and courses in English for both international and domestic students: Karelia, Russia and the Baltic Area, (courses in History, Geography, Ethnography and Folklore, Literature, Sociology, Education, Finno-Baltic Languages and Russian Studies); Environmental Science and Forestry, intended for students majoring in Biology, Environmental Science or Forestry; Social Sciences, (courses in Business Economics, Economics, Psychology, Public Law, Social waPolicy and Sociology, Statistics, and Finnish Studies); and Educational Sciences, which offers a wide variety of education classes. Class information and descriptions can be found in the library in The University of Montana's International Programs (IP) or at this page under the heading "International Non-Degree Programs." American students may be surprised to learn that many classes are taught intensively for a period of a few weeks rather than over the course of a semester, so students' daily schedules differ greatly from a typical schedule at The University of Montana.
Return to top of page.Credit Transfer Information
Students will register for their classes upon arrival in Joensuu; however, they must complete a Study Plan Approval Form and obtain credit transfer approval at The University of Montana prior to departure. For the purposes of this exchange, one Finnish credit is equal to one credit at The University of Montana. Therefore, exchange students should plan on taking at least 15 credits while at Joensuu to maximize their credit transfer back to The University of Montana. Bear in mind that credit transfer is the student's responsibility: students should consult their advisors at The University of Montana before departure to best ensure credit transfer. Final approval rests with the student's advisor and major/minor department chair (for major/minor requirements) and Admissions & New Students Services (for general education requirements). For more information on credit transfer from University of Joensuu, please see: Credit Transfer University of Joensuu.
Return to top of page.Housing & Meals
The Student Housing Office Joensuun Elli offers accommodation for students at the University of Joensuu in one of 26 dormitories located in the city. Typical student housing includes a room in a flat shared with other Joensuu students; shared kitchen, laundry, and toilet facilities are also included. No meal plan is provided; students shop at local grocery stores and prepare their own meals or eat at the university cafeteria. Joensuun Elli also provides assistance to students seeking off campus living. Housing applications are mailed to students after they have been nominated by The University of Montana exchange program. See www.joensuunelli.fi for more housing information.
Return to top of page.Cost Information
The University of Montana Partner University Exchange students pay their regular tuition to The University of Montana and they pay their room and board to Joensuu. They are responsible for their own health insurance, travel, and personal expenses. The University of Joensuu estimates that students spend about EUR600 per month on expenses, including rent. A room in Joensuu will cost EUR160-250 per month for a shared flat (or up to EUR330 for a studio). Rent includes electricity, water, heating, and furniture; there is a free laundry room and public sauna in every housing unit. Food costs about EUR3.50 per meal at the campus cafeteria; many students shop at local grocery stores to prepare their own meals in their flats. There is also a mandatory one-time student union membership fee of EUR89 per year (or EUR49 for one semester). Students should also budget US$85 to apply for their U.S. passport and US$65 for a student visa. The University of Montana financial aid can be applied towards living and travel expenses while on this exchange program.
Return to top of page.Previous Exchange Students Suggest...
Take advantage of Finnish language courses because the Finns appreciate
the effort you make at speaking Finnish. Most people under 35 speak
English very well.
If you live in the dorms, you don't need to
bring much besides your clothes and toys because they provide dishes,
towels, cookware, bedding, you name it.
You can request to live in Lansinkatu
if you don't want to have to buy or find a bike to use. The other
place is Nolliaka, a 20-minute walk into the forest, but not a good
idea if you are a female and come alone.
Students Who Apply to Joensuu...
Past University of Montana exchange students to Joensuu studied English, History, and Wildlife Biology. Interested students may review past participants’ evaluations of the program or obtain their contact information at OIP.
Return to top of page.Recommended Reading List
Finland in the New Europe by Max Jacobson; A Brief History of Finland by Matti Klinge; Blood, Sweat and Bears by Lasse Lehtinen; Sami: Europe's Forgotten People by N Valkeapää. There aren't many English translations of Finnish literature, but you should be able to find The Kalevala (translated by Keith Bosley). Notable Finnish authors such as Mika Waltari (The Egyptian and The Dark Angel) and Väinö Linna (The Unknown Soldier) are also available in English. (Suggestions borrowed from Lonely Planet.) See also Lonely Planet guidebooks Finland and Scandinavia and Baltic Europe.
Return to top of page.