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University of Turku

Finland 2024/2025 Freemovers

Personal data
Mobility type:
study

Faculty at MU:
Faculty of Social Studies

Field of study:
Psychology

Level of study during period of placement:
Doctoral

Language used:
English

Summer/winter school?:
no

Period of studies:
autumn 2024

Period of placement (from-to):
2024-09-09 - 2024-12-09

Number of months:
3

Activities before my departure abroad
Where can information be found about courses taught at the foreign school?:
I visited the University of Turku to work on my dissertation. I have not attended courses. Thus I have no experience with the search for information about the courses.

Which documents were needed for acceptance at the foreign university?:
I did not need any administrative documents before my arrival.

How far ahead did you have to organise your acceptance?:
I contacted my Finnish supervisor 4 months in advance.

Did you need a visa?:
- choose option -

Documents and materials needed for a visa:

Length of wait for visa:

Fee for the visa:

Studies
Did you have a Learning Agreement signed before your departure?:
yes

If not, why not?:

Before your departure did you know how your courses would be recognised by your home faculty?:
I visited the University of Turku to work on my dissertation. I have not attended courses. Research abroad is a compulsory part of my PhD study. I presume that it will not be a problem to recognise this stay as the fulfilment of this requirement.

During your stay did you change your Learning Agreement?:
No

When and how did course registration take place? Are there any restrictions? Possibilities of making changes?:
I visited the University of Turku to work on my dissertation. I have not attended courses.

Did you take any examinations at the foreign school?:
No

Does the school use the ECTS system?:
yes

If not then explain how the credits there were recalculated into ECTS:

Describe the teaching methods (theory, practical and projects) and assessment of students:
I visited the University of Turku to work on my dissertation. I have not attended courses.

Quality of teaching in comparison with home school:
I visited the University of Turku to work on my dissertation. I have not attended courses.

How did you receive study materials?:
I visited the University of Turku to work on my dissertation. I have not attended courses.

Can you recommend an interesting course/subject/teacher?:
I visited the University of Turku to work on my dissertation. I have not attended courses.

How well is the school library equipped?:
I was using mainly electronic documents. The library seems to be equipped well. Many books are in Finnish. In general, Fins are rather proud and take good care of their libraries (not only university libraries).

Availability of computers, internet access, level of software needed, requirements on notebook:
I was using my computer. I believe If I needed it, I would be able to ask for a computer. Internet access is good.

Options from printing and copying:
There were multiple printers available for students and staff.

Does the foreign school/student organisation arrange special events for exchange students?:
yes

If yes then what?:
I was not a typical exchange student. My UTU supervisor proactively involved me in many academic and free-time activities.

How would you assess your integration with the local students (evaluation like in school from 1 to 5 with 1 as highest):
2

or describe in your own words:
I was not a typical exchange student. Whenever I met some of the staff members, PhD students, or international students, they were very friendly. I had very little reasons to interact with Finnish students.

Practical questions on your placement
Where did you live?:
UTU does not have its own accommodation on the Rauma Campus. The dormitories are run by the city. I could rent a flat from the city, but it would be unfurnished. I have decided to use small Airbnb appartment instead.

Cost of accommodation - monthly:
800 EUR

Additional comments to the price of accommodation (as to what the price includes):

Describe the equipment. Tips for future students – what should they bring with them?:
Everything was provided (as is common in rented apartments).

How and how far ahead should accommodation be organised?:
The sooner, the better.

What are the catering options?:
There is a university cafeteria with really good and relatively cheap meals.

What are the rough costs of groceries (compare with Czech prices):
The prices of the meals in the university cafeteria depend on the status of the person. Students are entitled to a significant discount. It did not apply to me (short-term research visit). In my category (I believe it was not entirely a "visitor" category), the lunch cost around 7 euros.

Groceries in shops are in general more expensive (the cheapest bread is around 6 euros per kg), but some specific products are similarly expensive (e.g., eggs, butter, potatoes).

Transport to location of placement:
Airplane, bus (Onnibus)

Rough prices for transportation:
200 EUR flight ticket, 20 EUR bus ticket

Tips for purchasing cheap tickets and other recommendations:
Omnibus is an affordable and convenient way to travel (similar to Flixbus).

What are the local transport options (public transport, cycling, on foot, rough prices):
Bicycle, bus (3 EUR per ticket)

What kind of formalities have to be arranged before arrival, for example residence permit?:
Residence permits are needed for stays over 90 days. https://migri.fi/en/visiting-finland

What health insurance did you use? (rough price, advantages, disadvantages, is it necessary to arrange insurance at the university other than your home (Czech) insurance?):
Finland is in the EU, so the European Health Insurance Card should be enough.

Did you have any experience with medical treatment abroad?:
No

Did you work during your studies?:
No

What are the conditions for working for MU students?:
I do not have experience with that. I presume it may be challenging to find work if a person cannot speak the Finnish language.

Tips for free-time activities:
Finland is a great place for outdoor activities.

Financial support and expenses
Total grant from Centre for International Cooperation:
48000 CZK

Monthly grant in CZK:
16000 CZK

Number of supported months:
3

Total number of months:
3

What other sources did you make use of to finance your placement?:
My personal savings and later on, I have received additional support from my faculty: 25000 CZK, 14000 CZK

If you received another grant, state which and how much in CZK:
I have received additional support from my faculty: 25000 CZK, 14000 CZK

 
Total fees associated with enrolment at the university:
0 EUR

a/ amount of enrolment fee:
0 EUR

b/ amount of tuition fees:
0 EUR

c/ amount of other fees (which):
0 EUR

 
What was your average monthly expenditure?:
1300 EUR

a/ of which for accommodation:
800 EUR

b/ of which for catering:
300 EUR

c/ travel and recreation:
200 EUR

Any comments to the average monthly expenditure:

Recognition of foreign studies at the home faculty
How many credits did you gain during your studies (in the system of the foreign school)?:
None. I visited the University of Turku to work on my dissertation. I have not attended courses.

How many ECTS credits were recognised at MU?:
It will (hopefully) be recognised as 20 ECTS credits (as a compulsory course FSSd0900 Research abroad).

Did you know in advance which of your courses would be recognised by your home faculty?:
Yes

What problems did you have with recognition?:
I am filling out this report before the recognition. However, I do not expect any problems.

Overall assessment
Assessment of personal benefit (1 = excellent):
1

Assessment of academic benefit (1 = excellent):
1

Evaluate the information and support provided by the foreign school (1 = excellent):
1

Did you encounter any serious problems during your stay:
No

What would you recommend to take with you:
Cloths for every kind of weather (rain, cold, wind, snow).

What most surprised you at the partner university in a positive way:
Finnish education and, in fact, culture, in general, values autonomy and trust. Many things are possible without the aspect of control. (For example, students are allowed to use university equipment outside the courses without any further supervision.)

What most surprised you at the partner university in a negative way:
I have not experienced negative surprises.

Further comments: