"I made many local friends within these few weeks and they are really helpful"-a student ambassador story
How long have you been in Tampere and what brought you here?
I am from Sri Lanka, the paradise island situated in the Indian Ocean. I moved to Tampere about two months ago and everyday has been very exciting so far. I am an architecture student and I wanted to take the first-hand experience of European architecture and feel the experience of Scandinavian landscapes while broadening my knowledge on sustainable architecture.
What subject(s) do you study and what made you choose them?
I came here for my masters in Sustainable Architecture degree at Tampere University. I was always searching for a place to infuse the information technology and innovations with the field of architecture. Finally, I found Tampere university which has a curriculum updated according to the modern trends, research opportunities and facilities such as modern VR labs which lifts the architecture education to the next level.
What do you like most about Tampere and Finland? What has been the most suprising or different thing about living here?
Finland was in my academic precedents for years and I wanted to live in it and experience it. To be honest, my first impression at Tampere was really amazing. People call Tampere the “city of students''. Yes, really it is. Most of the places are internationally friendly and I was able to manage my work alone in most instances because the majority of the Finnish nationals are fluent in English. Before I landed in Finland, I had learned from some social media that Finnish people are not that friendly. But the real scenario was totally opposite and I made many local friends within these few weeks and they are really helpful.
I should mention something about academic culture as well. Academic stress and so much pressure is something common to most of the architecture students all over the world, but I did not experience it here. Most of the students are enjoying their freedom of studying. Even the distance between students and lecturers is very small. We can argue or discuss our ideas and points directly. And they are very supportive and encouraging us to do so. It creates so many nice discussions inside the class, which takes the lesson into another level. Even the student counselors are very helpful, and I did not feel any pressure at all, although I had to get used to a totally new system. Everyone is very helpful to the students. There are so many discounts with the student ID in shops, pubs, buses and almost everywhere which reconfirm the term, Tampere - the city of students.
What are your hobbies in Tampere? Have you tried out any new hobbies since coming here?
The most overwhelming thing about nature is Finnish landscapes, lakes and parks. As a nature lover I felt very glad to breathe this fresh air everyday while looking at undisturbed green cover. I am a hiker and I used to travel a lot back at home. I am continuing my hobby in Finland as well and I am planning to start new sports activities with SportsUni in future. I am also taking part in many socializing events and volunteering activities, the same as I did in the past.
What kind of student activities have you participated in?
Including trips to the different areas of the country, nature trails, beach parties, saunas, pub crawls, dinners, card game nights, film nights and many more activities are in the list. Apart from that I am volunteering for some university events as well.
What would you say to someone who's trying to decide whether Tampere is the right place to come to study and live?
If you want to enjoy life while studying, Tampere is the place. That does not mean that you can escape classes, but you can balance them both, if you are clever enough. And everyone does that. You will feel blessed. Also,if you are coming from outside Europe, be ready to face the cultural shock, but that diversity is very beautiful. You will start loving it. Be ready to face cold weather and do not get sick.
What is your favourite thing about the student culture in Finland?
Finnish student culture is something totally different. Student unions are hosting so many events and there are a lot more than academics. There are parties, trips, sports events, sauna events, musical events and a lot more. There is a lot to enjoy throughout the year. It makes me feel like "why didn't I start my bachelors here as well?"