Destination Culture

Accept the offered exchange in Mobility-Online as soon as possible:

• Log in to the Mobility-Online system
• Click on the link “Accept or reject the offered exchange period”
• Choose “Yes” or “No”
• Save the decision by clicking “Submit”.

By choosing “Yes” you also commit to the exchange process, and by choosing “No” your application process ends here.

Inform your International Relations Advisor immediately if there are changes to your exchange period.

If you have not yet applied for housing, do so most urgently. See more information on Accommodation. Make sure to arrange the accommodation before your arrival!

HOAS will send housing offers via email to those who have applied for housing at HOAS

• HOAS housing offers are sent out during June/November by email. Check your email on regular basis - also junk mail / spam just in case.
• When you receive an offer, accept it by the given deadline. If you do not accept it by the deadline, the housing will be offered to someone else. You will not get a second offer. If you need more response time, please contact HOAS.
• If you have not received a housing offer email by July/early December, apply for other accommodation options. You can find a list of temporary housing options on the Accommodation website.
• Read the detailed instructions on the HOAS website for exchange students. Please note especially that a signed housing reservation is a valid tenancy agreement which cannot be cancelled or edited afterwards. The agreement will be made only for full semesters.
• It is common in Finland to live further away from the campus, and the public transportation system is excellent.

Apply for a residence permit (if needed)

Non-EU citizens: Check if you need a residence permit and begin the application process immediately. Note that the process takes at least 6-8 weeks. Please look into the Enter Finland e-service for permits, and for further information consult the Finnish Immigration Service.

In order to start and finish your studies properly at Metropolia, we recommend that you apply for some extra days or weeks before and after your study dates in your residence permit application. This will enable to you to travel to Finland before the orientation days begin and leave Finland some days after the studies. In case you apply for extra days or weeks before and after your study period, make sure that your insurance is valid for the full period you are in Finland, not only the study dates.

Check the validity of your passport

Make sure you have a valid passport for your entire stay in Finland. For EU citizens national identity cards are also sufficient.

Check your health insurance

Arrange health insurance for your stay in Finland.

• If you come from outside EU/EEA-countries, take a private travel and/or medical insurance. You will need the insurance already for the residence permit application.
• If you are from EU/EEA-countries, get the European Health Insurance Card for health care services from your country of residence. Also a health insurance covering the costs abroad is strongly recommended for easier access to a private sector health care. The public health sector is currently experiencing staff shortage and high demand and it is possible they cannot give appointments unless in a very urgent case.

See more on insurance.

Purchase travel tickets to Helsinki and arrive before the orientation days of your field of study

Orientation days are organised for all incoming exchange students at the beginning of the semester (see the dates below in the field-specific information). Participation in the orientation is compulsory. You will get important practical information about studying at Metropolia UAS and get to know other exchange students.

You can sign up for a student tutor by filling in the online form by 15 June. We warmly recommend signing up for a tutor, since it doesn't cost anything and the student tutors are your best guides in Finland and at Metropolia during your first days, and they will help you meet and socialize with other students. Tutors will be in touch with the students before the exchange period begins.

Check before your exchange period

• Arrive to Finland at least a couple of days before the orientation to leave time for settling in
• Make sure you your debit/credit card works in Finland. Card payments are fairly popular in Finland and you may find out that many shops, cafeterias, restaurants and other services do not necessarily accept payments with cash at all. Student restaurants on Metropolia campuses do not accept payment in cash.
• Make sure you have warm clothes with you especially if you arrive during the winter. See some tips on what to wear in Finland during winter (visitfinland.com).
• Prepare for your stay in Finland by reading our Guide to a Green Exchange! You can find there information on traveling, buying necessities, recycling, food, drink and housing.

Get excited about coming to Finland!

Your contact person before and during your exchange is the International Relations Adviser in your field of study here in Metropolia. We are happy to have you with us and help you with any questions you might have. You will always have someone to talk to; your tutor, the International Office staff, the contact persons of your field of study in Metropolia and fellow students. We are here to make your stay in Finland as pleasant and memorable as possible.

Metropolia commits to respecting the principles of the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education to facilitate and support your exchange experience in Finland.

WELCOME TO FINLAND - TERVETULOA SUOMEEN!

Receiving the HOAS keys

You can move in to your HOAS apartment earliest on the 1 August. You will get your HOAS keys either from your tutor, or at the METKA office at Myllypuro Campus - not at the HOAS office!

• If you have a student tutor, your tutor can bring your HOAS keys to you. Remember to discuss this with your tutor.
• If you do not want a tutor - collect your HOAS keys yourself at the Student Union METKA’s office at Myllypuro campus (Myllypurontie 1, Helsinki). Please contact tutor [at] metkaweb.fi (tutor[at]metkaweb[dot]fi) to book an appropriate time to pick-up the key. Pick-up times are generally on weekdays during office hours.

Upon arrival

• HSL - Helsinki region public transport travel card
  • Before the orientation days, pick up an envelope containing your public transport student discount document from the info desk of your own Metropolia campus. Your International Relations Adviser will inform you of the exact pick-up dates and locations.
  • If you cannot collect the document before orientation, you will receive it during the orientation.
  • If possible, visit HSL Service point to buy your student discounted travel card before the orientation days.
  • You can check routes and connections with the HSL Journey planner on the website or in the HSL app.
  • Your student discount for the monthly ticket is valid for your entire study period. For day tickets, see HSL website.
• Make sure you know how to get to the orientation site (see your orientation programme in the field-specific information below!)

Orientation Programme, Autumn 2025

Wednesday 20 August, 2025
Arabia campus (address: Hämeentie 135D, Helsinki)
Room: Classroom Montaasi AR341

• 10.00 Welcome to Metropolia, programme of the week, everyone introduces themselves
• 10.00-11.30 General practical information: Metropolia services
• 11.30-13.00 Programme with tutors and lunch
• 13.00-14.30 General practical information: Registrations with officials, Health care, HSL, Facts about Finland
• 14.30-15.00 Demoni student association presents their activities for exchange students
• 15.00 programme with tutors

Thursday 21 August, 2025
Arabia campus (address: Hämeentie 135D, Helsinki)
Room: Event Hall 2

• 9.30-11.00 Studying in Metropolia and at Arabia campus
• 11.00-12.00 Introduction to library and campus tour by tutors
• 12.00-13.30 Lunch
• 13.30-14.00 Loose ends, next steps
• 14.00 Meeting with degree programme representatives
• ~15.30 programme with tutors

Friday 22 August, 2025
Myyrmäki Campus (address: Leiritie 1, Vantaa)

• 10.00-11.00 Applying the personal identity code, staff from the Digital and Population Data Services Agency Office are there for you, classroom C354
• 11.00-12.00 Intercultural communication session, classroom C375
• 12.00-13.00 Lunch
• 13.00-14.00 Metka student union, ESN Metropolia, Zone Sports, classroom C345
• Later programme with tutors