Other useful information

Alcohol

The State Alcohol Company Alko has a monopoly on the sales of wines and spirits. Alko shops are normally open 9:00-18.00 on weekdays and the eves of public holidays, and 9.00 - 16.00 on Saturdays. Medium-strength beer is also sold in grocery stores but full-strength beer is only available in the Alko stores.

The age limit for purchase of beer and wine is 18, and for stronger drinks 20.

Banks and Money Exchange

Banks are open from Mondays to Fridays. Opening hours vary from 9.00 or 10.00 to 16 or 18 (Finland uses a 24-hour clock). Banks are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Cash points are open everyday around the clock, and widely available.

There are no restrictions on foreign students or trainees opening a bank account in Finland. You will receive a bankcard which will give you access to the cash points, or ATMs, of the bank. Check the logo of your bank in order to know which ATMs to use. Apart from withdrawing cash you can also check your balance and pay bills. Alternatively, you can get user-id for paying your bills via the Internet. If you prefer to pay bills by bank transfer there is a charge of 1-4 euros. When arranging such transfers you may need to show proof of your identity. You will normally receive a statement of all your transactions once a month.

The biggest banks in Finland

www.nordea.fi                       Nordea Bank
www.sampo.fi                       Sampo Bank
www.op.fi                             OP Pankki / OKO Bank
www.alandsbanken.fi             Ålandsbanken

Money can be changed at any bank in Finland. Additionally money can be changed at special currency exchange offices. In order to avoid service charges, it is worth changing large amounts at a time.

Currency exchange offices in the Helsinki city centre

Forex:
Pohjoisesplanadi 27
Main railway station
Mannerheimintie 10
www.forex.fi

Cinema

In Helsinki there is a great variety of cinemas. There are several shows per day and more during weekends. Tickets are priced differently in different theatres and vary from 6-10 euros. Daytime and weekday prices are likely to be lower and weekend prices are higher. If you go to movies often or go to see a film in a group buying a serial ticket (5-9 tickets valid for a specific theatre chain) will save you a few euros. Reserved tickets have to be collected an hour before the show. All films in Finland are in the original language with subtitles in Finnish and in Swedish.

www.finnkino.fi                     Finnkino cinemas

Climate and clothing

In Finland there are four distinct seasons. The winter begins by December with temperatures dropping below zero and lasts until March. You will see some snow in the Helsinki latitude and probably some very cold days too with temperatures –20 to –25 degrees Celsius. The coldest month is usually February with long-term averages between -6 and -15 degrees Celsius.

If you are planning to stay in Finland in December-March, warm winter clothing is no luxury. Ask advice from people familiar with the climate – you will need a warm coat, at least, and good winter boots. Warm gloves, a warm hat that covers the ears and long underwear are items you will appreciate. Although it can be cold outside, buildings are well heated inside: people wear light clothes indoors and a heavier layer for going out. The further north you go in Finland, the longer the winter lasts.

Summer temperatures encourage sunbathing, and the short but spectacular spring and autumn seasons help to counterbalance the effect of the winter. Although the temperature may exceed +30 degrees Celsius in the warmest summer months, the long-term average is between +15 and +20 degrees Celsius in July.

In summertime, be prepared to sleep a bit less as the midnight sun keeps people awake late, roller-skating, jogging, walking and sitting outside in the numerous street cafes and bars.

www.fmi.fi                             Finnish Meteorological Institute
www.foreca.fi                        Foreca

Consulates in Helsinki

Finland has concluded diplomatic relations with 170 countries and set up an Embassy in 76 countries. In addition, Finland has 7 Permanent Representations in international organisations, such as the EU, the UN, the OSCE and the OECD. A Consul General heads the seven Consulates. The fields of responsibility of non-resident Ambassadors and of the five Roving Ambassadors appointed to work in Helsinki cover 61 other countries. Contact information for all embassies in Finland is available at www.formin.fi

Credit cards

The major credit cards (Visa, EuroCard, Access, MasterCard, Diner's Club, American Express) are accepted throughout the country. Cash points also accept major credit cards. The Eurocheque is not commonly accepted.

Driving in Finland

Licence-holders from countries that have joined the Road Traffic Convention (Geneva 1949 or Vienna 1968) may drive in Finland with their national driving licence for one year from the day of entry into the country. After six months you are eligible for a Finnish licence. For more information, contact the local police station. If you come from a country that has not signed the Conventions, you should get a Finnish driving licence. More information about this can also be obtained from the police.

In Finland we drive on the right and overtake on the left. Main roads are in good condition throughout the year. Headlights are used even during the day. Wearing seatbelts is compulsory, front and back. Special winter tyres are compulsory from November to March.

Note that driving under the influence of alcohol is strictly forbidden. There is a strict limit of 0.05% for alcohol in the blood. Infringement of this rule always means a penalty in the form of a fine or imprisonment. Over the limit of 0.12% means very heavy penalties.

Petrol in Finland is sold unleaded and the cost per litre is currently (April 2005) between 1.1-1.20 euro.

Drugs

All drug dealing is strictly forbidden. The possession and use of drugs is against the law, and carries heavy penalties.

Electricity

The voltage is 230 AC (50 cycles). Plugs are two-pin continental sizes.

Emergency

Dial 112. The police emergency number is 10022. No area code is necessary. Other emergency numbers and instructions can be found in telephone directories.

Erasmus Student Network

Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is for promoting exchange and intercultural experiences. ESN covers 25 countries with 162 sections in Higher Education Institutes around Europe. The organisation was founded in 1990, just a few years after the first Erasmus exchanges. Over the years, the network around ESN International has grown to cover most of the European countries. It has also spread to include all international students. If you are interested in learning more about ESN and its activities please check www.esn.org .

International Cultural Centre, Caisa

Caisa is the International Cultural Centre and it is located in the city centre of Helsinki. Its aim is to support the multicultural development of the city by promoting the interaction of people from different countries, and by providing information about various cultures and about Finnish society. Caisa organises events and occasions open to the public, culture evenings and discussion forums. Caisa also offers counselling and guidance.

Caisa
Mikonkatu 17 C/ Vuorikatu 14
00100 Helsinki
Tel: +358 9 169 3316
http://kulttuuri.hel.fi/caisa

Libraries

All towns and municipalities have public libraries. Bigger town libraries offer a wide range of information services including free Internet access. For academic purposes, the university libraries have more specialised collections and are open to everyone.

International students can obtain membership at most public libraries. It is imperative to show identification (passport) to acquire membership.

www.lib.hel.fi                                 Helsinki City Library
www.helsinki.fi/kirjastot                  Helsinki University Library
http://helecon.hkkk.fi/kirjasto          Helsinki School of Economics and Business
                                                    Administration Library
www.espoo.fi/kirjasto                     Espoo City Library
www.vantaa.fi/kirjasto                     Vantaa City Library
www.libraries.fi                               Libraries in Finland

Lost property

Contact the local police. Finnish word for 'Lost property Office' is 'löytötavaratoimisto'.

News in English

The best way to follow Finnish and overseas news is to read the largest newspaper in Finland, Helsingin Sanomat. Check the International Edition on-line www.hs.fi/english . Thousands of newspapers are available on-line www.onlinenewspapers.com   . News in English by Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) can be found at www.yle.fi/news .

Office hours

In public sector, the office hours normally run from 8.00 (9.00) to 15.45 (16.00). Lunch hour is flexible, normally 30 minutes between 11.00-13.00.

Pharmacies

Medicines are sold only at pharmacies ('apteekki' / 'apotek'). Most pharmacies display a notice giving the address of the nearest pharmacy on night duty.

Police

Police emergency number is 10022.

www.poliisi.fi                        Police

Post offices; Mail

Post offices (‘posti’ in Finnish) are open Monday-Friday 9.00 - 17.00 (20.00). Stamped mail (both national and international) can be dropped in the yellow post boxes for collection. Stamps are available at post offices, some book and stationary shops, R-kiosks, and stamp machines.

The Helsinki Poste Restante is at the main post office (Elielinaukio 2 F, 00100 Helsinki). It is open Monday to Friday 7.00-21.00, Saturdays and Sundays 10.00-18.00.

www.posti.fi                          Finland Post Corporation

Public holidays, Academic year 2007-2008

November 3                            All Saint's Day
December 6                            Independence Day
December 25                          Christmas day
December 26                          Boxing Day
January 1                               New Year's Day
January 6                               Epiphany
March 21                               Good Friday
March 24                                Easter Monday
May 1                                    May Day and Ascension Day
June 21                                  Midsummer Day

Before Easter, May Day, Midsummer and Christmas the preceding eve may be considered a holiday or in offices  working hours may be limited.

Pubs & Restaurants

There is no shortage of these! Going out for coffee or for a drink with friends is very popular. The custom is for everyone to pay for themselves.

Closing times vary; cafés close before midnight, bars at 01.00 or 02.00 and nightclubs and discos remain open until 04.00. About half an hour before closing there is a flash of lights to signal the last call and end of serving. Many bars and nightclubs set higher age limits for their clients. It is quite normal to find age limits up to 20, 22 or 26.

There are also a lot of student parties arranged by the Student Unions of different polytechnics and universities all over the city. Parties are mainly held on Wednesdays and also on Fridays and Saturdays. Information is available at the notice boards and from your student colleagues. Tickets are also often sold in advance.

Serving alcohol is forbidden to minors (under 18 years of age); you may need to show official proof of your identity.

Radio

The broadcasting business is split between several local commercial radio stations, a national commercial radio station and the Finnish Broadcasting Company. In the Helsinki region more than ten Finnish stations are on the air. Most of the commercial channels focus on music and light entertainment.

Finnish radio stations also broadcast news and occasionally other programmes in other languages. There are daily news summaries in English and in German. There are also a number of international networks available; BBC, VOA, German and French radio. Programmes are listed in most of the daily newspapers.

www.nrj.fi                           Energy 96,8 MHz
www.kiss.fi                         Kiss FM 104,6 MHz
www.yle.fi                           Finnish Broadcasting Company
YLE Radio 1                        87,9 MHz
YLEX                                  91,9 MHz
YLE Radio Suomi                94,0 MHz

Religions

Most Finns (86%) are Lutheran while 1% of the population belong to the Orthodox Church. These are the official religions in Finland, which means that they keep local population registers of their members and have the right to collect taxes. There are also Catholic, Jewish and Islamic congregations as well as numerous smaller religious communities.

The Orthodox Church of Finland
Karjalankatu 1
70110 Kuopio
Tel. +358 17 287 2200
E-mail: kirkollishallitus@ort.fi
www.ort.fi

Catholic Information Centre
Pyhän Henrikin aukio 1
00140 Helsinki
Tel. +358 208 350751
Fax +358 9 61294770
E-mail: info@catholic.fi
www.catholic.fi

Evangelical Church in Finland
Ruoholahdenkatu 16
FIN-00180 Helsinki
Tel. +358 9 5868 770
Fax: +358 9 5868 7722
E-mail: office@church.fi
www.church.fi

The Islamic Society of Finland
Lönnrotinkatu 22 A 3
00120 HELSINKI
Tel. +358 9 2782551.
E-mail: yhdyskunta@rabita.fi
www.rabita.fi

The Jewish Community of Helsinki
Malminkatu 26
00100 Helsinki
Tel. +359 9 586 0310
E-mail: srk@jchelsinki.fi
www.jchelsinki.fi

Sauna

There are about 1.7 million saunas in Finland. You will find them everywhere - in hotels, private homes, on board ships, at motels and holiday villages, and of course country cottages. Public swimming pools also have saunas: it is a custom to wash after the sauna and before entering the pool. Public saunas are segregated by sex.

www.sauna.fi                The Finnish Sauna Society

Shopping

Most shops are open Monday - Friday 9.00 (10.00) to 17.00 (18.00), and on Saturdays until about 15.00. Grocery stores and department stores stay open later, until 20.00 or 21.00 on weekdays and 18.00 on Saturdays. In summer time and before Christmas many shops are also open on Sundays from 12.00 to 16.00 (18.00).

The Helsinki Main Railway Station has an under ground shopping centre open from 7.00 (10.00) to 22.00.

There are plenty of second hand shops and flee-markets ('kirpputori') in the Helsinki area. It is easy to find some cheap equipment for the kitchen, and also clothes, skis, skates etc. For flee-markets and second-hand shops that are open everyday try walking around the Töölö and Kallio area.

On (Saturday and) Sunday mornings there are big flee-markets arranged in shopping centre parking halls etc. Here people rent tables to sell things they do not need anymore. Valtteri indoor flee-market in Vallila (Helsinki) is open year round. Hietalahti flee-market in Helsinki is a must in summertime.

Smoking

Smoking is forbidden in public places such as offices, shops, buses, cinemas etc. From 1 June 2007 onwards, smoking is banned also in all of Finland’s restaurants, bars, pubs, and cafes. Smoking inside restaurants is allowed only in special isolated and ventilated booths. Smoking booths of restaurants and bars are for smoking only; no drinks or food could be taken into the area, and no video games or other entertainment facilities would be allowed inside. Otherwise, all smoking would take place out of doors.

According to Finnish etiquette, if you wish to smoke and are not sure whether it is permitted, it is polite to ask first. In private homes, if your hosts do not smoke inside it is customary to step outside, e.g. onto the balcony, for a smoke.

Smoking is strictly forbidden in the HOAS and EVTEK’s student apartments.

Sports and sports facilities

Finns love sports. An easy way to get a person on your side is to know the person's favourite ice-hockey team and comment on the results of last night's game. Obviously, Formula 1 is very popular, too. During your stay in Finland, you may want to go and see an ice-hockey game in winter (matches between the local teams heat up the atmosphere!) or a Finnish baseball game in summer.

There is a wide range of free and moderately priced sport facilities offered by schools, municipalities and towns. Outdoor recreation, nature-walks, jogging, cross-country skiing and skating in winter and bicycling are popular amongst people of all ages. Roller-skating, canoeing and climbing are also gaining popularity.

The sports facilities of institutions of higher education can be accessed by their own students. Information about the large selection of municipal sports facilities can be found through the websites of the cities of Espoo, Vantaa and Helsinki.

Student meals

Each EVTEK unit has its own school cafeteria. Lunch is served from Monday to Friday. Lunch 2.35 € with a Kela Ateriatuki –card (4,60 € without the card). All foreign degree and exchange students are entitled to a Kela Ateriatuki –card, please ask International Office or Student Affairs Office. Lunch includes one warm dish + salad + bread & butter + drinks. There is a choice of 2-3 different meals every day.

Taxi

Taxis can be obtained by phone, at taxi-stations, or on the move. All taxis display a yellow sign marked TAKSI or TAXI. When this is lit, the taxi is free. Taxi fares are set on a kilometre basis and are indicated by a meter. During evenings and weekends there is a small extra charge included. Taxis are quite expensive, a three-to-four kilometre trip costs about 10 euro during the day time, and 12 euro at night. It is not customary to tip in taxis.

Phone numbers:
0100 0700 (Helsinki)
0100 7300 (Espoo and Vantaa)
0600 555 555 (Airport taxi, The Yellow Line)

Telephones

Finland is famous for mobile phones: you will see them everywhere and probably end up buying one. Due to the high number of mobile phones, there are not many phone booths left. You are likely to find one in major railway stations and R-kiosks. Some of the phones work with euro coins but increasingly phone cards are used. You can obtain these from Sonera and Finnet shops, and R-kiosks and outlets near phone booths.

The telephone and fax numbers mentioned in this guide apply when calling from outside Finland. If you call from within Finland, leave out the country code (+358) and add the number 0 in front of the area code (if needed).

The code for international calls depends on the company you choose: the most common alternatives are Sonera (990), and Finnet (996). Country Direct calls can also be made in Finland.

Mobile phones are relatively cheap and the price of a phone call is often not too bad either. It varies a lot depending on the time of the day and to where you phone. There are three main operators to choose from. When opening a connection, telephone companies ask foreigners to provide a safety deposit for the phone bills. You will need to state your place of study and possible employer. Many international students choose the pre-paid system of phone cards which you can get from Elisa, Sonera and DNA mobile phone operators. Although practical, these are not as cheap as a normal contract.

www.elisa.fi                        Elisa
www.sonera.fi                     Sonera
www.dnafinland.fi                DNA

Television

Television is undergoing some major changes at the moment in Finland with the introduction of the digital TV channels in 2001. All television broadcasting in Finland will be digital from August 2007 onwards.

Meanwhile, there are four main channels. TV1 and TV2 belong to the Finnish broadcasting company; MTV3 and the Channel Four (Nelonen) are commercial channels. TV programmes originating abroad are shown in the original language, with subtitles in Finnish or Swedish.

There are also a number of cable channels and satellite channels, mostly international. Reception depends on the aerials or cable networks your house happens to have. Further channels are subject to special payments.

The video system in use in Finland is VHS.

www.yle.fi               Finnish broadcasting company, also news service
www.mtv3.fi            MTV3, also news service
www.nelonen.fi        Nelonen

Note that, by law, television sets must be licensed (TV-lupa). You can get TV licence application forms at any post office or you can apply for a licence by phone (+358 9 613 161). The TV licence costs € 52 for 3 months, € 101 for 6 months and € 201 for 12 months (prices are subject to changes). At times, TV licence inspectors visit flats and houses to check for TV licences. If they observe that the set is unlicensed, you are liable to pay both the licence and possibly a fine as well. More information about TV licence at http://www.tv-maksu.fi/eng_navi1.html .

Theatre

There are many theatres in Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa. Programmes are available in newspapers and brochures and 'Lippupalvelu', the ticket service. It is wise to book tickets in advance from the theatre or Lippupalvelu. There are reduced prices for students. Performances ususally begin at 19.00 and are mostly in Finnish.

Lippupalvelu
Tel. 0600 10800
www.teatteri.org                 Finnish Theatre Information Centre

Time difference

Finnish wintertime is two hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). Finland uses the 24-hour timetable.

When Daylight Saving Time is in effect (from the end of March to the end of October) Finnish time is three hours ahead of GMT.

Tipping

Tips are customary only for hotel and restaurant doormen and porters. Prices in restaurants include a service charge; a few extra coins may be left on the table. Hotel bills include a 15% service charge. Barbers and hairdressers do not expect tips.

Tourist information offices

Tourist information is available from the City Tourist Offices (Matkailutoimisto/Turistbyrå). The Helsinki City Tourist Office supplies brochures and details of local sightseeing tours, accommodation etc. The Finnish Tourist Board has information and material available about Finland.

www.hel2.fi/tourism/en/matka.asp            Helsinki City Tourist Office
www.visitfinland.com                               Finnish Tourist Board

Travelling

In Finland, timetables are reliable and trains and coaches leave on time. Timetables usually vary on public holidays, weekends and during the summer.

Local

Helsinki and the Helsinki metropolitan area have buses, trams, local trains and an underground. Tickets in the area are valid for any form of transport. Single tickets can be bought on buses and trams, at R-kiosks and at the entrance to metro stations. Holders of a Travel Card can charge either value or time on their cards at City Transportation Service Points and at R-kiosks, for example.

In the Helsinki metropolitan area, local tickets (sisäinen lippu) are valid for anyone of the municipalities. If you cross a municipality border, you must buy a regional ticket (seutulippu). Please indicate your destination to the driver to obtain the correct ticket.

The Info line number for both local and regional routes and timetables is 0100-111 (Monday-Friday 7-19, Saturday-Sunday 9-17). More information about timetables, travel cards and prices and a Journey Planner can be found on the Internet.

Travel cards:

For residents of Helsinki
Helsinki City Transport’s service point:
Rautatientori Metro Station
Mon-Thu 7.30 – 19, Fri 7.30 – 17, Sat 10 - 15

For residents of Espoo
Leppävaara Municipal Service Point
Sello Shopping Centre, the Library
Mon, Wed, Thu 10 – 19, Tue 12 – 19, Fri 10-18

For residents of Vantaa
Myyrmäki Municipal Service Point
Kilterinraitti 6
Mon to Fri 10-18

http://www.ytv.fi/english/transport/index.html      Helsinki Metropolitan Area Council, Transportation

National

All towns have a system of local public transport and there are long distance coaches, trains and planes operating throughout the country. More information about the routes, timetables, prices, discounts etc. is available at Matkahuolto (long distance coaches), VR (trains) and Finnair (domestic flights). It is worth going to visit Lapland in Northern Finland, situated beyond the Article Circle as well as other towns and locations in other parts of Finland.

Students are entitled to a student discount of 50 percent for tickets on long distance trains and also on long distance coaches. For this discount on the coaches, the trip has to cover at least 80 km. In order to get the student discount, one has to show the student card both when buying the ticket and on the train/coach. If you have not purchased the Student Union’s student card, by showing official proof of your studies from your Finnish host institution you can get a card from the railroad company/coach company entitling you to the discount.

www.matkahuolto.fi           Matkahuolto
www.vr.fi                           Finnish Railways/ Valtion Rautatiet (VR)
www.finnair.fi                     Finnair

International

Helsinki is a good base from where one can easily make brief trips to Finland’s neighbouring countries. There are daily services from Helsinki provided by large and luxurious ferries to Stockholm in Sweden and to Tallinn in Estonia. St. Petersburg in Russia can also be easily accessed by train from Helsinki. Ask the cruise line for special prices for students. One can of course also take a plane to these and other international destinations, near and far, from the Helsinki – Vantaa international airport.

Kilroy Travels and STA Travel are student travel agencies with complete travel agency services. One can also ask about special prices for students directly from different airline companies.

Cruise line companies:

www.vikingline.fi            Viking Line
www.silja.fi                    Silja Line
www.tallink.fi                 Tallink
www.eckeroline.fi           Eckerö Line

Airports:

www.helsinki-vantaa.fi    Helsinki-Vantaa airport

Student travel agencies:

Kilroy Travels
Kaivokatu 10D
00100 Helsinki
Tel. +358 (0)203 545769
www.kilroytravels.fi

STA Travel
Kluuvikatu 5
00100 Helsinki
Tel. +358 9 6812 7710
www.statravel.fi

Wheelchair access

Efforts have been made to take into account the interests and needs of disabled persons to move about as easily as possible. This means ramped access and wide doors in many places and toilets for disabled persons. Aeroplanes, ferries and trains have wheelchair access and services that involve no problems when the personnel has been notified in advance, i.e. when booking the tickets. Local traffic has low floor buses and trams, specially marked on the timetables. Taxis with wheelchair access (the InvaTaxi) can be called from every region. For the purposes of travel, there are many hotels and hostels that have rooms designed for disabled persons. More information available from

Rullaten
Pajutie 7 C
02770 Espoo
Tel. +358 9 805 7393
Fax: +358 9 855 2470
E-mail: hile@rullaten.fi
www.rullaten.fi

Kynnys ry
Siltasaarenkatu 4
00530 Helsinki
Tel.+358 9 685 0110
Fax: +358 9 6850 1199
E-mail: kynnys@kynnys.fi
www.kynnys.fi

Youth hostels in Helsinki

There are several hostels operating in Helsinki Metropolitan area. Below you can find information about few of them.

Eurohostel
Linnankatu 9
00160 Helsinki
Tel: +358 9 622 0470
Fax: +358 9 655 044
E-mail: eurohostel@eurohostel.fi
www.eurohostel.fi

Hostel Erottajanpuisto
Uudenmaankatu 9
00120 Helsinki
Tel: +358 9 642 169
Fax: +358 9 680 2757
E-mail: info@erottajanpuisto.com
www.erottajanpuisto.com

Hostel Lönnrot
Lönnrotinkatu 16 D
00120 HELSINKI
Tel: +358 9 693 2590
Fax: +358 9 693 2482
E-mail: hostel@saunalahti.fi
www.hostellonnrot.com  

Hostel Academica
Hietaniemenkatu 14
00100  HELSINKI
Tel: +358-9-1311 4334
Fax: +358-9-441 201
E-mail: hostel.academica@hyy.fi
www.hostelacademica.fi

References
CIMO Publications: ’Living in Finland’, 2005

Dahlgren, Maija and Marja Nurmelin: “A Survival Guide to Finnish Sauna, Sisu & Sibelius for Businesspeople”. Yrityskirjat Oy, 1999.

Snyder, Russell and Pertti Anikari: “ The Lighter Side of Finland for Businesspeople”. Yrityskirjat Oy, 1999.

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland: “Virtual Finland – Your Window on Finland”. http://virtual.finland.fi .

Oy Yleisradio Ab: “Find Finland: How to become a Finn”. Opetusjulkaisut, 1992.

Lonely Planet: “Scandinavian Europe”. Victoria: Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd, 2003.