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Åbo Akademi University 2014/2015
WELCOME TO ÅBO AKADEMI UNIVERSITY
Welcome to Åbo Akademi University
We are very happy that you are consideringÅboAkademi University for your stay abroad as an exchange
student andwe will do our utmost tomake your stay a rewarding and enjoyable one. We receive about
250 exchange students annually, and the majority of these study courses lectured in English at Åbo
Akademi University, even though the main language of instruction is Swedish.
Finland is a bilingual country and our university serves the needs of the Swedish minority population
and is important as a symbol and guarantee for theminority culture. Our university has long traditions,
it is internationally well known because of its high standards of education and research, and is situated
in a very special corner of Europe, at the crossroads between East and West. Our university is also the
most internationalizedmulti-disciplinary university in Finland, according to national comparisons. We
can offer you interesting courses, individual tutoring, and a personal university environment.
We think that old academic traditions and ceremonies are important. Many of our departments and
lecture halls are situated in charming and stylish former residential homes; built for private use during
the first part of the nineteenth century immediately after the Great Fire in 1827. On the other hand, our
laboratories and departments in the division for natural sciences and technology are located in quite
modern buildings, such as the ICT Building and Bio City, equipped with the best in their fields. We are
famous for research in several fields of chemical technology and engineering. The Faculty of Arts is
located in
Arken
, where modern architecture and renovated factory buildings have been combined.
The Åbo Akademi University - Vasa campus is situated in the building "Academill" which is an old mill
renovated for the university's purpose. The campus building houses classes for all subjects, creating a
nice environment for students studying different subjects to meet and get to know each other.
In the unique environment that ÅboAkademi University can offer its students, teachers and researchers,
everybody feels at home. Here you can exchange ideas, thoughts and experiences with your teachers
and the other students in an international yet small-scale atmosphere. Our campuses, located around
the cathedral in the heart of the old part of town in Åbo and by the waterfront of Vasa, offer a safe,
democratic, friendly and welcoming environment for our exchange students.
Internationalization is extremely important for a small country and for a minority population. There-
fore we have specialised in creating connections and collaboration opportunities with a great many
universities and research institutes abroad. Our exchange students help enrich our university and
contribute to its further development.
You are all most welcome!
Malin Brännback
Vice-Rector
