2
Con t en t s
1. Contents
1.
Finland and Åbo Akademi University 5
Fast facts about Finland
5
1.1 Åbo Akademi University
5
1.2 The City of Åbo/Turku
5
1.3 The City of Vasa/Vaasa
6
2.
Getting started at the campus
7
2.1 Offices of Åbo Akademi University
7
2.2 Student Union of Åbo Akademi University
(Åbo Akademis Studentkår, ÅAS)
8
2.3 Exchange Students
9
2.4 Degree Students
10
2.5 PhD Students
10
2.6 International Trainees and Visiting
Students
10
2.7 General Information Concerning Studies11
2.8 Libraries
12
2.9 IT Facilities
14
2.10 Photocopying, Scanning & Printing 15
2.11 Language Studies
16
2.12 Grants and Scholarships (Apurahoja /
Stipendier)
16
2.13 Friendship Programme
17
3.
State Regulations and Insurances 19
3.1 Residence Permits
19
3.2 Civil Registration
20
3.3 Insurances (social, medical, private)
21
3.4 Legal Advice
25
3.5 Embassies (ambassad/suurlähetystö) in
Finland
27
3.6 Governmental Aid for Studies
27
4.
Employment Issues
29
4.1 Students, Researchers, Staff
29
4.2 Getting a Job
29
4.3 Taxation
30
4.4. Trade Unions
(fackföreningar/ammattiliitot)
32
5.
Health Care
33
5.1 The European Health Insurance Card 33
5.2 Municipal Health Care Centres
33
5.3 The Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS)
33
5.4 Hospitals
34
5.5 Occupational Health Care
35
5.6 Private Clinics
35
5.7 Crisis Prevention
35
5.8 Pharmacies (apotek/apteekki)
35
5.9 Summary
36
6.
Welfare Benefits
37
6.1 Child Day Care
37
6.2 Schools
38
6.3 Social Benefits for Families
38
7.
Housing
41
7.1 Housing in Åbo
41
7.2 Housing in Vasa
42
7.3 Private Market Flats
42
7.4 Practical Matters Related to Housing 42
7.5 Recycling
44
8.
Travel and Transport
47
8.1 Biking
47
8.2 Buses, Taxi, Car Rental and Trains
47
8.3 Accommodation
48
9.
Services
49
9.1 Bank Services
49
9.2 Post
49
9.3 Telephones
50
9.4. Internet connection
50
9.5 Eating and Drinking
50
9.6 Other Services
51
