Student story: Roohma from Geotechnical Engineering
How did you end up becoming a student in faraway Finland?
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, I started thinking about pursuing Master’s education. While I had initially focused on domestic universities, I also wanted to explore the idea of studying abroad, as I felt that experiencing a new country and culture would give me valuable perspectives for both life and career. Although I got admissions from different universities, Tampere University was the only place where I got into Geotechnical Engineering specialization, which fit well with my aspirations. Also, Finland’s reputation as the happiest and one of the safest countries in the world convinced my parents and gave them confidence that I would be safe and in a good environment while studying here. I also knew that Finland is known for high quality education, and Tampere University’s focus on research and innovation motivated me.
On a more personal note, I have always liked forests and Moomins which made the idea of studying here very special. I am happy with my choice because so far, it has been a great fit for me.
How have your studies been going, and in what ways have they met your expectations – and in what ways perhaps not?
The studies have been both challenging and rewarding. The program met my expectations by providing courses that connect theory with real world geotechnical applications and learning advanced tools and software were particularly good. I have been able to strengthen my technical skills through assignments and projects. I also got international exposure by being able to study with people from diverse backgrounds. One thing I especially appreciate is the low hierarchy in the university; teachers are approachable and friendly, which makes it easier to ask questions and get support. At first, it was a bit difficult to adjust to the independent study style in Finland, but over time I have learned how to manage it better.
What did you do in the summer of 2025, during the long summer break typical of Finnish study culture? What kind of experiences did you gain during your summer internship?
During the summer of 2025, I got an opportunity to work as a research assistant at Research center Terra within the Faculty of Built Environment. This helped me to apply the concepts I learned in class to real research projects and gain hands-on experience. My main task was organizing the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)s of Geotextiles, Geomembranes and other Geosynthetic products for erosion and flood control. It gave me valuable insight into research work and sustainability aspects of these materials. In addition, I also assisted a professor in the TerraDigi group by conducting a literature review on his research topic, ‘Productivity of BIM’. Through these tasks, I strengthened my technical and research skills in broader areas of civil engineering like digitalization. Later, for a month, I got an opportunity to work as a Laboratory assistant in GeoLA laboratory in our university. I learned to conduct various geotechnical tests like fall cone test, hydrometer test, water content test etc., on soft clay samples from all over Finland. Altogether, these experiences gave me both research and practical laboratory skills, while also improving my independence, technical knowledge, and teamwork abilities.
How much Finnish have you learned so far, and do you plan to continue studying the language – if so, how?
I have been studying Finnish since I started my master’s, and I am currently taking Suomi 5 course offered at the university. I think it is at level A2 at CEFR skill level, and I plan to take all the courses offered at the university, which is till Suomi 8. Learning Finnish has been both challenging and interesting, and I definitely plan to continue improving my skills by taking more language courses offered by other institutions. It will help me to integrate well into society in my daily life and also for future career opportunities here.
What are your current plans for the future: 1) for the coming year and 2) for a longer time span?
For the coming year, my main focus is to successfully complete my master’s courses and thesis while also gaining more practical experience. In the longer term, I hope to build a career in geotechnical engineering, working on projects related to my studies and improving my technical skills. Also, I would be happy to continue my professional journey here in Finland.