Name: An Siyoung
Home country: South Korea (Republic of Korea)
Exchange student

Why did you choose TUT for exchange studies?
Honestly, it was my last option after negotiated with other students who is going to be exchange students from my home university. After I decided, however, that I am to be exchange in Tampere University of Technology, I tried to find the reason why I want to go there. First, I want to understand about Finland society because it has very good welfare, education system and clear politic system. In my personal opinion, Finland is most ideal society in the world. And I am studying Management Information System and Business Administration in my home university. It is more focused on Business part. It means that I do not have much knowledge about Technology. So, my main reason to come here is that it brings synergy effect to me by studying in TUT. I studied business and I could be understudied about technology industries.

What is the best part of your studies?
During I studied in TUT, I was really happy because of some reasons.
First, I like TUT curriculums. It was really good way to study in TUT, specifically, TUT motivate students to study voluntarily. There are flexibilities own students' schedules, so, I could manage my time through on my way and it makes me to do lots of thing but I needed to remember that it also ask responsibilities about my choices. I also would like to do essay assignment. I was not familiar with writing essay because we do not study that way in my home university so, it was not easy to write my opinion especially in English at first time but I could improve myself and now enjoying it. Sincerely, I am very appreciated about it. Even if TUT is technology university, I could find many language courses and culture classes and I also took Finnish Society and Culture class in University of Tampere (UTA). It was Open University and this connection gave me the chance to study in other university as well. How impressive it is!

Second, there is also very interesting student's culture in TUT which is called as Tekkari Culture. Tekkari means engineer students. There is also wappu event which is kind of students festival during May Day and it happens 1st of May. At that time, I made big scripture with international students and then we did parade in city center. I felt that it is not only student party but also everybody can join the events. It was also impressive because of cooperation atmosphere and it seems that whole city support to students. It was one of amazing experience in Tampere. If you want to know more about this, you should come to TUT! Ah, I also did dipping the lake in Tampere city center at 1st of May. Needless to say, it was COLD!

Third, there are many kinds of student benefits from foods to facilities. For example, as you know, Finland has good welfare systems so I could get good food with low price from school and there are many kinds of clubs for your hobbies or sports, especially, Tamppi arena is place for sports. I used to go there every day, if I do not have over loading work. TUT has not big campus instead of that it is very efficient to move and to do something. One of my best parts is 24 hours open systems in School. You can come to school 24 hours with your student card and you can use computer labs 24 hours of course. It was helpful to do things in here. Not only computer lab, you can find 24 hours access private study room, I also studied there. One more thing, I could get affordable accommodation from TOAS, even if living cost in Finland is expensive but you are going to get lots of benefits as students. In other worlds, you can concentrate on your study without any financial worries.

Why would you recommend TUT to prospective exchange students?
There are 5 big reasons.
First, TUT is quite internationalized school absolutely and compare than any other schools. It was impressive for me. You can meet every people from all over the world in TUT. Trust me!

Second, you can get lots of student discount even in pub and you can enjoy lots of hobbies in TUT with student price. I tried to do Floor ball, Badminton, Skiing, Snowboarding, Gym and swimming. It was really incredible time for me. Because I could study hard and I also enjoyed my life.

Third, Tampere is good location to visit other Europe country, you can find budget airline and take ships. I travelled many other Europe countries that is why I could see many amazing heritage in Europe but do not forget travelling in Finland as well, I think Santa Claus is waiting for you.

Fourth, of course it is good chance to learn new language in native country; however I cannot guarantee you are going to speak fluently for Finnish language. If you want to know the reason, try to come here!

Finally, I want to define TUT is school which can give opportunity to you. Even if I was just exchange student but I could be tutor for international students during second semester. And if you really eager to study, they help you somehow because every people who work in TUT as teacher, coordinator and whoever, they are very kind and help you actively so, if you want to do something in here, I would recommend ‘knock the door'.

How has studying at TUT/ living in Finland been for you?
Finnish people are very honest and have warm heart. These points make me happy and easy to live here. I can trust other people and reveal my mind and of course I could put my stuff in everywhere. They are very good at following the rules. They, my Finnish friends, would love to help me and it makes me relieved because it means that I will able to get help whenever I need. And Finnish people are really good at cooperation and they have ways of thinking which are practical and everybody is fair. Seriously I respect those attitudes.

Your own message to prospective exchange students:
If you concentrated on my writing, I am definitely sure that you do not need extra explanations about why you are to be exchange students in TUT.

Have any last words, the chance which is to study in Finland for me is that I could improve myself, it makes me have wide perspective to the world and it was present from god. It was not last option; it was only one option for me.