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Con t en t s
Contents
1.
Finland and Åbo Akademi University 5
1.1 Fast facts about Finland
5
1.2 Åbo Akademi University
5
1.3 The City of Åbo/Turku
6
1.4 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
11
2.7 General Information Concerning Studies11
2.8 Libraries
13
2.9 IT Facilities
15
2.10 Photocopying, Scanning & Printing 16
2.11 Language Studies
17
2.12 Grants and Scholarships
17
2.13 Friendship Programme
18
3.
State Regulations and Insurances 19
3.1 Residence Permits
19
3.2 Civil Registration
21
3.3 Insurances (social, medical, private)
22
3.4 Legal Advice
26
3.5 Embassies in Finland
27
3.6 Governmental Aid for Studies
28
4.
Employment Issues
29
4.1 Students, Researchers, Staff
29
4.2 Getting a Job
29
4.3 Taxation
30
4.4 Trade Unions
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
34
5.4 Hospitals
34
5.5 Occupational Health Care
35
5.6 Private Clinics
35
5.7 Crisis Prevention
36
5.8 Pharmacies
36
5.9 Summary
37
6.
Welfare Benefits
38
6.1 Child Day Care
38
6.2 Schools
39
6.3 Social Benefits for Families
39
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
45
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