Starting at Aalto? Here’s What You Need to Know
Like many universities, especially in Europe, Aalto welcomes many International students. Otaniemi, where Aalto is located, is a diverse and dynamic environment, making it a lively and comfortable place to live and study. However, navigating the campus can be tricky at first, as it is big and surrounded by nature. Finding key locations or information points may take some time, especially for newcomers who could need urgent support with administrative matters.
While Aalto provides extensive information via email and its website, navigating it all can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when handling essential procedures such as applying for a residence permit, obtaining a Finnish police card, getting a Kela card, or opening a bank account. Although some of these tasks can be completed before arriving in Finland, others must be handled upon arrival.
Being in a new country, trying to settle in, and taking care of all these administrative tasks can be quite daunting. To support international students through this process, Aalto has recently launched the International Student Peer Advice service. This service is designed specifically for Aalto University’s international degree students and is run by international student advisors who assist with questions related to moving to and living in Finland.
The advisors themselves are international students, offering guidance and peer support on different topics, including:
- Practicalities after admission: tuition fees, scholarships, residence permits, health insurance, housing, etc.
- Practicalities after moving to Finland: registering with authorities, local transportation, student healthcare, and more.
Even after arriving in Finland, you won’t be alone. In addition to seeking support from faculty, psychologists, and counselors provided by the university, you can also rely on your international peers through this service!
What’s even better is that these student peer advisors are available Monday to Wednesday from 12 PM to 3 PM for onsite visits at the Undergraduate Centre, room Y1999A (the same room as the Student Service Desk Starting Point). You can also reach them via email at int-studentadvice@aalto.fi.
For more details, visit: International Student Peer Advice | Aalto University
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