Unique Experience in Finland: Tips for Your Stay

Smoothly in Finland 2.9.2020

Congratulations for choosing Finland You will have a unique and different experience with us Welcome to Finland Here you get some tips how to make the most of your stay Be patient, first days are always filled with new information Be positive

Click below to check where you are going to travel https://www.thinglink.com/scene/1324321626044497921 https://www.thinglink.com/scene/1324321626044497921 https://www.thinglink.com/scene/1324321626044497921 https://www.thinglink.com/sce ne/1324321626044497921 https://www.thinglink.com/scene/1324321626044497921

Finland is a large country with 5,5 million habitants Bigger cities are lively but smaller towns and countryside may look empty Finnish people spend a lot of time and dine mostly at home Where are all the people? The easiest way just to see people is to go to a shopping mall or hypermarket Finnish people might seem to be silent or unpolite but when you get to know them better you see that it is notcorrect Small talk is not needed and silence is not a problem for Finns If you meet a Tinder date, use common sense when meeting her or him

Too much light, too little light? SUMMER IN FINLAND IS FULL OF LIGHT. SUMMER NIGHTS CAN BE LIGHT ALL THE NIGHT. A SLEEP MASK COULD BE HELPFUL IT CAN BE RAINY, SUNNY, HOT OR COLD WEATHER IN SUMMER WINTER IS DARK AND IT CAN BE VERY COLD, -20 C IS QUITE NORMAL. BUT DON T WORRY IT IS ALWAYS WARM INSIDE WHEN GOING OUTDOORS IN WINTER YOU NEED LONG UNDERWEAR, GLOVES, HAT, WINTER SHOES, WINTER JACKET ALWAYS CHECK WEATHER BEFORE PACKING

Nature is everywhere in Finland. 73 per cent of Finland is covered by forest You don t have to be scared of nature or wild animals. Nature is super If you go hiking to the woods don t trust too much on your mobile devices. The battery can run out especially in cold conditions. Always tell someone if you go alone. You probably won t see any big wild animals like wolves and bears. Actually very few Finns have seen them in the nature. Remember that making open fire is not allowed in the woods. Only in certain marked camping places that could be possible.

Meal times may be different from the ones that you are used to Lunch is the main meal and it is usually eaten between 10.30 and 12 Healthy food at strange times Dining out is quite expensive in Finland but lunch is normally a good deal It is common to have buffet lunch and self-service Fast-food is available at reasonable prices At workplaces there is usually a kitchen with a fridge and micro- wave oven where you can eat own packed lunch Note that tap water is always clean and you can drink it

Money, money, money Living in Finland is quite expensive. In most shops and services you can pay with card. In some places it is not even possible to use cash. There are many services e.g. train and tram tickets that has to be bought in advance or on-line. The easiest way to get euro is to withdraw money from the cash machine. Money exchange is not possible in bank offices. Currency exchange offices are available only in bigger cities.

Be active and communicate with people at work, school and free time activities. In Finland most people are native Finnish or Swedish speakers Many Finns understand and speak English Be active Adapt to local time as soon as possible Hard working people are appreciated Ask if you don t know what to do at work Be creative and organize your own free time

Sauna is an important part of Finnish Culture. Sauna is not only for Saturdays; you can have sauna daily if you want. The saunas in city apartments are electric saunas. Traditional saunas are heated by wood. You can experience wooden saunas at lake houses. If you use a sauna by yourself be sure to know the instructions. Saturday night Sauna Remember to turn sauna off after usage Enjoy sauna, it s healthy and relaxing. Never dry your clothes in sauna. Throw only water to the stove. Public saunas are separated for men and women, and you go there naked. Remember to shower before and after sauna.

Work place specialities Punctuality Coffee breaks Remember to take suitable work clothes for the workplace At At offices and customer service you'll need tidy and smart clothes Take your own work uniform with you if you work e.g. at restaurant and catering, farming and animal care, technical or mechanical field. kindergarten good outdoor clothes are needed

Health issues Informbefore your arrival if you have allergies, chronical disease or somemedication receiving organisation should know. If you have history of some mental health issuese.g.panic attacks, pleaseinform your coordinator in Finland. Keep always your insurance papers with you. First call or send message to your contact person. If you need urgent health or dental care you can go to local municipal health care first aid or emergency service. If your illness does not require doctoral help, then rest and inform your workplace or school.

Emergency number 112 Dial the emergency number 112 inemergencies when someone s life, health, property or the environment is threatened or in danger If in doubt as to whether there is an emergency, it is better to be safe than sorry dial 112 Be ready to tell your name and address!

Finland is arelatively safe country There are no major nature catastrophes The easiest way to avoid becoming a crime victim is to stay away from alcohol and avoid suspicious places Don t leave you belongings unattended in public places Buying, possession, using and selling drugs is strictly forbidden Security and law Buying and using alcohol and cigarettes is forbidden if you are under 18 Smoking is allowed only at restricted areas. Schools and most workplaces are non-smoking areas Finnish police is very reliable and respects fundamental rights More information on Finnish police website www.poliisi.fi/en

Contact persons and receiving organization Valokuvat kontaktihenkil ist Name: Title: Phone: Email: Nameof thereceivingworkplace: Name: Title: Phone: Email:

Accommodation ADD YOUR OWN EXAMPLES; An examplehowto tellaboutthe accommodation You will be living in the school dormitory Dormitory is next to school Thereare flats with2 5 rooms sharing the kitchen, toilets, washrooms and living room In most cases you will sharea room with someone There are laundry facilities and wi-fi There is a dormitory manager working and helping the studentsin the afternoons and evenings Please note that thebuildingis already40 years old but it is safe and functional Drinking and smoking are NOT allowed in the dormitory Address is Opintie 3 Kajaani

Work-place information Work-place and contact details; Transportationto work;

Otherpracticalities Get to know your city and its services; links and tips, cultural events etc. informed well on the official municipality sites or on the Facebook site of the city Biggest grocery chains: - Citymarket, K-market, K- Supermarket - Prisma, S-market, Sale, Alepa - Lidl Nearest cash machines (ATM) - usually located in shopping centres or in the biggest grocery chains, or at the city centre

What is near to you Pharmacy - in many cases, you can find pharmacies next to the biggest groceries. Public transportation Sport facilities, many options: - public gyms, private gyms - swimming - pool, bowling Cinemas, libraries and museums