Page 35 - Åbo Akademi University brochure 2024-2025

Student

Experiences

My name is Oona Särmä, and my Why did you choose
previous degree is Bachelor of Arts in
Political Science. I lived in the United Social Exclusion?
States when I was studying my Bach- Social exclusion has been indirectly
elor's. Originally, however, I am from part of my studies already before
Turku, Finland. my Master's, as my research interest Why should one
is in gendered exclusion and dis-
crimination against refugees. As I study in Finland?
How did you come was checking the programs offered I think student life in Finland is great.
up with the idea to at ÅAU in English, Social Exclusion There are lots of student activities and

study in Finland? caught my eye immediately. I was organizations to get involved in. It
not sure, at first, if it was the degree also offers a beautiful environment, as
When I embarked on my studies I wanted to study. I decided to apply the cities are entangled with nature,
abroad, I did not think I would return nonetheless, and since I started my and forests or bodies of water are
to Finland for studies - I wanted to studies I have learned how versat- never too far away. In terms of the
travel and experience living abroad. ile and complex the issue of social studies themselves, group sizes in
When finishing my Bachelor’s drew exclusion is and how it crosscuts so Finnish universities are comparatively
close, however, I started to think of many fields and areas of study. It was small which allows for more dialogue
returning to Finland to do my Mas- definitely the best choice for me - it and personal engagement. I feel that
ter's. The thought of the high quality has challenged my approaches and in my studies the teaching has overall
of education, peace and quiet of Fin- assumptions in unforeseen ways and been highly personalized to my aca-
land as well as the lively student life provided me with tools that will be demic and professional needs and
appealed to me specifically. invaluable in the future. interests.

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