Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

This course introduces the aspcets of Finnish society and culture that are either mandatory, necessary and useful for new international students who have recently arrived in Finland. Taking part in the course ensures that the student will not miss any mandatory bureaucracy required by variuos Finnish officials. The course also gives a lot on practical tips for settling down in Tampere and Finland in general.

Content (course unit)

After completing the course, the students will be able to:
• Know which Finnish bureacracy is mandatory for international students
• Know which other Finnish bureacracy is useful
• Use TAMK’s online study patform Moodle for studies
• Understand how public transport works in Tampere and Finland
• Understand how different health care units (student health care, public health care, private health care) work
• Find the most important services in Tampere
• Find reasonably priced goods and services in Tampere
• Understand the basic characters of Finnish culture
• Understand the general housing rules
Know how to apply for a job and how Finnish working life works
• Understand how Finnish Social Security System (KELA) works and which benefits are available/not available for international students
• Know how to renew Student Residence Permit (if applicable)

Assessment criteria, pass/fail (course unit)

Grading scale is Pass/Fail. Mandatory presence required

Location and time

TAMK Main Campus (day, time and classroom to be announced) & Teams

Exam schedules

No final exam (final assignment instead)

Assessment methods and criteria

Students are expected to review Teams recordings, review provided materials and complete weekly assignments in Moodle.

Assessment scale

Pass/Fail

Teaching methods

Lectures, weekly assignments, Moodle materials and links, field visits

Learning materials

Materials to be provided in Moodle

Student workload

Lectures: 14 x 2 h = 28 h
Assignments: 14 x 2 h = 28 h
Total 56 h, equals to 2 cr

Completion alternatives

Hybrid learning

Students may:
1) attend weekly sessions on TAMK Main Campus (day, time and classroom to be announced), or
2) attend weekly sessions in Teams, or
3) watch weekly Teams recordings at a suitable time