University profile

In Finland during my Erasmus semester I studied in Savonia University of Applied Sciences. Savonia University of Applied Sciences is one the Largest and most versatile Universities of Applied Sciences in Finland.

Savonia University of Applied Sciences in KUOPIO 

Savonia university is Divided in three campuses. One in Kuopio, Iisalmi in one and one in Varkaus. I study on the campuses of Kuopio. Campus Lisalmi is about 100 KM north of Kuopio and VARKAUS campus is about 100 KM south of Kuopio.

On the campus of Kuopio, there is also the building of many companies.

Now I will speak about the history of Savonia University

Savonia University of Applied Sciences was established in 1992.

Savonia University of Applied Science was formed by many of the different old Etablissement:

·      Kuopio Academy of Design in 1884

·      Kuopio Polytechnic in 1886

·      Kuopio Institute of Commerce in 1887

·      Walter Ahlström's Polytechnic in Varkaus

·      Varkaus Institute of Commerce

Soon They Were Followed By Kuopio School of Public Health and the institution expanded to Iisalmi aussi.

It was in 1998 that the university receives a standing statue by the Finnish government.

On 1 January 2004 the university was renamed to Savonia University of Applied Sciences

Savonia offers mainly Bachelor degree studies, though some Master degree programmes are in operation. It is the sixth largest University of Applied Sciences in Finland with about 6,500 students.

Our integration into the university was rather easy. In fact the university is attentive to our integration.

Firstly when we arrived at the airport, students of Savonia was there to welcome us and take us to our flat and help us to settle.

Secondly the internationnal departement has always been at our disposal for any questions (find the classrooms, print documents ...).

Third, the University has an association for Erasmus students, which is very active. Indeed, the association ENS KISA implements many events where the students can meet.

At the beginning we did not all the courses we have chosen. Indeed we currently international marketing of court, intercultural communication court, the trade prossess yard and Nordic winter activities yard.

In the second part of the semester we will also have of course Russian bussiness environment and Field work in tourism and hospitality industry.

In the course of international marketing, I find marketing concepte being seen at ESDES. The course is truly international marketing course that most resembles in ESDES.

The style of teaching in Finland is different from the style of teaching in France.

Indeed, in Finland the atmosphere is more relaxed than during a lesson in France.

The studients are encourage very much to exchanged with the teacher during the course, they are encourage to give their personal opinion on the course, this allows to be more attentive during class.

This exchange between students and teachers makes the course lively.

In addition to allow participation, the finnish student don’t take notes, they are more listener. All over the professeur are available on an online platform.

Moreover, finland students may have several courses simultaneously. They can choose the lessons where they want to go. They also left the lesson in the middle or when they want for attending another course.

In savonia université we have the opportunity to practice a lot of sport. We can go to the sport hall, we can do football, basketball, badminton, dance ect.

There are also other students association witch proposes to watch movies with other erasmus student.

For helping meeting other student the association proposes also few international dinner. In this dinner each personne bring something about his country. French people cook some crepe, italian people cook some pizza, czech people cook some cake from his country.

This kind of meeting allow to discover new people and new culture.