Living and studying in Finland

Country of countless lakes 

Finland is a land of countless lakes, forests, fells and archipelagos – it is one the most extensive and unspoiled natural environments in Europe. Finland’s air, forests, lakes and drinking water are exceptionally clean by global standards. More than 70% of Finland’s land area is forest, which makes Finland one of the most forested countries in the world. The air quality in Finland is excellent because Finland is situated far from large sources of emissions, and the country has successfully cut back on its own emissions.

Finland has four very distinct seasons –temperatures may vary between -35°C and +35°C. Finland is a small country on the global scale. Finland’s population makes up barely 0.07 per cent of the world’s population and its land area as much of the world’s total area. However, even a small country can leap to the top of the world, and this is what Finland has done: in international comparisons, Finland is often among the top nations along with other Nordic countries.

Cost of living in Finland

Finland is known for its high standard of living, which means that the country is not the cheapest one in the world. However, the cost of living in Finland is about the same as in other EU countries.

Expenses vary depending on the accommodation you choose and your personal spending habits. In Lappeenranta and Lahti, living expenses including accommodation in a student apartment may amount to roughly EUR 700/month.

As a degree student in Finland, you will be issued a student card that entitles you to student discounts on meals and other services (e.g. transport, museums, cultural events and recreational activities).

A few approximate examples of prices:

• Student lunch at the university EUR 1.80-4.60
• Single bus ticket EUR 1.60
• Monthly bus pass EUR 42
• Coffee at a café EUR 3
• Beer at a bar EUR 5-9
• Movie ticket EUR 15