LET 2022 by Kecheng Zhang

OYY and student rights

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 11:30:41 UTC

https://www.oyy.fi/?lang=en

Interest Societies

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 11:34:39 UTC

https://www.oyy.fi/student-societies/interest-societies/?lang=en

University Sports

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 11:35:42 UTC

https://www.oulunkorkeakoululiikunta.fi/en/sports?calendar&kk=7&pvm=28.7.2022

OYY wellbeing tutoring

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 11:36:38 UTC

https://www.oyy.fi/wellbeing-tutoring/?lang=en

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 11:44:46 UTC

Most students use OP Bank and Nordea. Procedures are much easier in 2022. You can walk in to ask about the required documents for opening an account.

Nordea Bank
Kirkkokatu 6, 90100 Oulu

+358 0200 3000

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 11:45:40 UTC

OP Oulu
Isokatu 14, 90100 Oulu
+358 0100 0500

General Mental Health Tips

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 14:48:46 UTC

https://fi.padlet.com/pauliina_junnikkala/wellbeing

Religion and Chaplain Service

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 14:49:32 UTC

The chaplains also provide professional psychological help. Don't hesitate to try.

https://www.oulu.fi/en/for-students/student-wellbeing-and-everyday-life/religions-and-university-chaplains

Support in Crisis

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 14:51:08 UTC

https://www.mielenterveysseurat.fi/oulu/support-and-help-in-crisis-oulun-kriisikeskus-oulu-crisis-centre/

Social Support

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 14:52:29 UTC

https://www.ouka.fi/oulu/english/social-work-aimed-at-adults

Bus Service

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 14:55:02 UTC

https://www.ouka.fi/oulu/public-transport

Bus would be the most common way to travel around Oulu, especially when you are new to the city or in the winter. The price of an unlimited ride pass is 34.3 euros/month (check Tickets and Fares - Public transport - Oulun kaupunki (ouka.fi) . You can also top up the card with money online or at convenience stores.

You can get a card from Oulu 10 which is located in the city center.
Here is a link to their public transportation website: https://www.ouka.fi/oulu/public-transport/

Here is also a link to the mobile app: https://payiq.net/oulu

Here is also a link to the Oulunliikenne. It's a website where you can look up bus times and track when a bus is going to arrive in real time! It is the most accurate service out there, however, it can be somewhat difficult to navigate at first since you'll need to know the names of the bus stops:
https://jl.oulunliikenne.fi/?fbclid=IwAR1nJqoijh6m_So_hWJ1nIvJ2S5J2oOb9ppxhrK8m_C9eUu9zV6gHu590CM#/schedules/home

Get to Oulu

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 14:55:43 UTC

https://www.ouka.fi/oulu/english/getting-to-oulu

Opening Ceremony 2022

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 14:58:17 UTC

It is schedule on 5th September.
https://www.oulu.fi/en/events/opening-ceremony-academic-year-2022-2023

Annual Registration

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 15:00:14 UTC

https://www.oulu.fi/en/for-students/annual-registration

Covid19

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 15:00:54 UTC

The University Guidance:
https://www.oulu.fi/en/coronavirus

The OYS Guidance:
https://oyskorona.fi/jos-epailet-tartuntaa/

Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare:
https://thl.fi/en/web/infectious-diseases-and-vaccinations/what-s-new/coronavirus-covid-19-latest-updates

Ukraine

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 15:02:00 UTC

https://www.oulu.fi/en/war-ukraine

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 15:08:20 UTC

Before arrival:
Applying for Residence Permit (RP)
Studying in Finland | Maahanmuuttovirasto (migri.fi)

Book a meeting with DVV (Maistraatti) to register yourself and address
Booking — Migri (vihta.com)

Upon arrival:
Come to DVV as scheduled to register
Applying for Finnish ID Card (optional)
https://poliisi.fi/en/passports-identity-cards-and-permits

NOTE! For non-EU/EEA/Switzerland people, when you travel outside of Finland, make sure you bring the passport + RP.

EnterFinland

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 15:10:45 UTC

Please always refer to the official information from EnterFinland, as there might be updates.

https://enterfinland.fi/eServices

Finnish Immigration Service

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 15:12:44 UTC

It is a useful website for immigration issues.

https://migri.fi/en/i-want-to-come-to-finland

PSOAS

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 15:24:39 UTC

This will be your primary way to find housing here in Oulu. Most of the time PSOAS can provide the most reasonable prices. Note that "unfurnished" means the bedroom is empty except for a 3/4 - door wardrobe. The public zones for shared rooms (kitchen, WC, bathroom) of the apartment are equipped with basic facilities (oven, refrigerator...). Luckily, you can find free, second-handed and brand new furniture in multiple ways within a week.

https://www.psoas.fi/en/
Mannenkatu 6 A
90130 Oulu

tel. +358 8 3173 110
asuntotoimisto@psoas.fi

Second-hand Stores

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 15:27:04 UTC

Finnish society appreciates environmentally responsible lifestyles. In second-hand stores, you can find lots of interesting stuff at very cheap prices. The sellers will sterilise the goods so you don't have worry about hygiene.

Online

An excellent FB group where you can buy and sell various things. Everything from pants to furniture you can find here!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/OuluSalePoint/

There is another website with stuff mostly sold by local with reasonable price and quality
https://www.tori.fi/

Offline

Toppila Center
Paakakatu 2, 90520 Oulu
+358 43 2113777
Near the Linnanmaa Campus

SPR-Konti
Tyrnäväntie 14, 90400 Oulu
+358 40 7379527
Finnish Red Cross. Spacious place and lots of stuff updated daily

Oulu recycling center
Kurkelantie 2, 90230 Oulu, Finland
+358 8 55843966
Cheap place for kitchen tools, furniture, clothes and books

Kirppis Aarrearkku
Patteritie 7, 90530 Oulu, Finland
+358 40 4849932
A place not far from university, you can also find there good items for good prices, they sell very different things from kitchen tools to bikes

Järkikirppis
Tehtaankatu 1, 90100 Oulu, Finland
+358 40 7331933
A place where people offer their items for sale and set price for it, you can find good things there, like shoes, winter clothes, household items & routers

Internet

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 15:28:25 UTC

Internet should be provided by PSOAS at every apartment they offer. NOTE: they do not provide a router.

Tech Stores

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 15:29:15 UTC

Gigantti Mega Store
https://www.gigantti.fi/
Kallisensuora 12, 90400 Oulu

SP-Elektroniikka Oy
Merikoskenkatu 12, 90500 Oulu

Power
https://www.power.fi/
Nuottasaarentie 4, 90400 Oulu

Verkkokauppa
https://www.verkkokauppa.com/

Learning Resources

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 15:32:04 UTC

http://venla.info
http://tasteoffinnish.fi/
http://hauskatavata.fi/
http://suomitaskussa.eu/english/#!/kielet
https://www.digitaldialects.com/Finnish/Phrases.htm
https://people.uta.fi/~km56049/finnish/
http://users.jyu.fi/~pamakine/kieli/suomi/sisallysen.html
http://jkorpela.fi/Finnish.html
https://randomfinnishlesson.blogspot.com/
https://yle.fi/aihe/oppiminen/suomen-kielen-alkeet
https://www.finkingcap.com
https://sso.teachable.com/secure/170475/users/sign_up?after_success_url=%Fsecure%2F170475%Fcheckout%2F1092633%2Fspeak-finnish-like-a-boss-basics-of-spoken-finnish

Dictionary

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 15:32:21 UTC

https://fi.bab.la/sanakirja/
translate.google.com
https://sanakirja.org

Game & Tests

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 15:32:58 UTC

http://www.uuno.tamk.fi/
http://iteslj.org/v/f/
https://www.digitaldialects.com/Finnish/Phrases.htm
https://www.mondly.com
http://www.lukimat.fi/lukeminen/materiaalit/ekapeli/ekapeli-maahanmuttaja
https://www.memrise.com
https://www.hellotalk.com

Duolingo

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 15:33:48 UTC

Finnish Culture

kechengzhang — 2022-07-14 15:38:58 UTC

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuBvl8mzPolBzPU9ju4cXsA

Supermarkets

diepnguyen0290 — 2022-07-15 07:29:47 UTC

There are 3 main supermarket chains in Finland. You can find them easily in every district of Oulu.

Lidl
German-based, probably the cheapest one

K Group (K-Market, K-City market, K-Supermarket)
Slightly expensive. Fresh food daily, some sell sushi, tailored-cut pork/beef,...

S Group (Prisma, S-Market, Sale)
Prisma would be the most spacious one, while Sale is normally like a small convenient store

Others
Tokmanni
https://www.tokmanni.fi/
Quite reasonable price. Normally selling household, utensils, clothes, dried food...

Malls

diepnguyen0290 — 2022-07-15 07:40:53 UTC

Valkea
Isokatu 25, 90100 Oulu
In the city centre

Pekuri
Kauppurienkatu 10, 90100 Oulu
Signature with Ikea showroom

Ideapark
Ritaharjuntie 49, 90540 Oulu
Near Linnanmaa campus. Stadium outlet (sport store) nearby

Oulu market Hall

diepnguyen0290 — 2022-07-15 07:46:58 UTC

Oulun Kauppahalli
Kauppatori, 90100 Oulu
In the centre of Oulu, near Oulu library, easily recognized with the fatty guy in front of it.
Selling souvenir, fresh fish, coffee, vegetables...

Library

kechengzhang — 2022-07-17 16:13:15 UTC

You can search for e-materials also.

https://oula.finna.fi/

General Study Support

kechengzhang — 2022-07-17 16:20:24 UTC

They are the useful services provided by the university. Feel free to explore them.

https://www.oulu.fi/en/for-students/supporting-your-studies-and-contact-information-students

OYS

kechengzhang — 2022-07-17 16:22:25 UTC

OYS is the biggest comprehensive hospitcal in Oulu municipality.

https://oys.fi/

Daycare service

kechengzhang — 2022-07-17 16:23:53 UTC

Finland is a country which provides high quality and equal education to kids. The fee is also low, so people can find suitable schools near home.

https://www.ouka.fi/oulu/english/daycare2

City government information

kechengzhang — 2022-07-17 16:30:42 UTC

https://www.ouka.fi/oulu/english/child-health-clinics-and-maternity-clinics

Sports

kechengzhang — 2022-07-17 16:35:24 UTC

https://www.ouka.fi/oulu/english/sports-and-exercise

Culture

kechengzhang — 2022-07-17 16:37:13 UTC

Valve is the city culture centre where you can find information for different groups.

https://www.ouka.fi/oulu/english/general-cultural-services

Library

kechengzhang — 2022-07-17 16:38:36 UTC

The city library provides an alternative place for study.

https://www.ouka.fi/oulu/library/

Tips from an ambassador

diepnguyen0290 — 2022-07-18 19:21:49 UTC

Here the ambassador made a general comparison on 4 banks (OP, Danske, Nordea, S-pankki)
Tips for opening a bank account in Finland | University of Oulu

diepnguyen0290 — 2022-07-19 06:49:37 UTC

UniOulu Ambassadors | University of Oulu

Motiva Ry

diepnguyen0290 — 2022-07-19 06:52:51 UTC

Student organization of Faculty of Education

Motiva ry (wordpress.com)
Motiva International | Facebook

Cycling

diepnguyen0290 — 2022-07-19 07:10:36 UTC

Oulu is a beautiful city for cycling. There are bike paths that lead to pretty much everywhere in Oulu so it is a worth-while investment! You can always find good ones on the FB Market place/Oulu Sale Point/Tori.

Some 2nd hand bike stores in Oulu:
Työpaja Cykkeli
Paakakatu 2, 90520 Oulu, Finland
+358 40 0722600
They also do bike repairs or if you want to save more you can buy the spare parts at the supermarket and bring to them to do maintenance for really cheap price!

Center for Sustainable Development
Sorvarintie 18, 90530 Oulu
0447328034

Tuiran Pyörä (Tuira Bike Repairs)
Merikoskenkatu 3, 90500 Oulu
0405559544

Note: Be aware of bike thief or buying a stolen bike on social media.

Pray

kechengzhang — 2022-07-21 06:54:50 UTC

University Quiet room (hiljanen huone)
can be used for prayer.

Halal shops

kechengzhang — 2022-07-21 06:55:50 UTC

In the University canteens and most city restaurants, there are no signs to remind non-halal food. Muslims can refer to the recommended shops:

1. Tuiran Oriental Shop
https://g.co/kgs/PF7bpi

2. Damsko restaurant (Halal meat, Chicken shop)
https://g.page/damskorestaurant?share

3. Asian Market Oulu

Church

kechengzhang — 2022-07-21 07:16:40 UTC

Lutheran
Oulun tuomiokirkko: Kirkkokatu 3 (the city cathedral)
Tuiran kirkko: Myllytie 5
Pyhän Tuomaan kirkko: Mielikintie 3
Vanha Kappeli: Kajaanintie 1

Catholic
Nasaretin Pyhän Perheen kirkko: LIisantie 2

Orthodox
Pyhän Kolminaisuuden katedraali: Torikatu 74

Mosque

kechengzhang — 2022-07-21 07:18:08 UTC

Oulu Central Mosque: Linnankatu 23

LET study (starts on Aug 29)

kechengzhang — 2022-07-21 07:36:27 UTC

https://www.oulu.fi/en/for-students/new-students-welcome-university-oulu/orientation-international-students#158

New students will be starting their studies on Monday 29th August at 9:00 in lecture hall L1.

A detailed schedule of the first weeks will be updated below and sent to all accepted students in August.

In the first academic week, there will be information sessions, introduction to the university and getting to know what university studies are all about. Your studies will also begin during these weeks.

Be prepared to attend orientation sessions and teaching every day between 8-16.

Very Finnish Problems

kechengzhang — 2022-07-21 13:03:17 UTC

This is an interesting book to provide insights into the highs and lows of fantastic Finland.

Finnish nightmares

kechengzhang — 2022-07-21 13:07:28 UTC

See how Matti is awkward in different situations.

Climate

kechengzhang — 2022-07-21 13:39:34 UTC

Yes, it is very cold (-20°C) in the long-lasting (Oct - May?) winter, but in general, you can get good clothes and shoes at many shops with reasonable prices. Just put on more layers. Thermodynamic, water-/wind- proof materials are more effective in protecting you from the cold.

What you should really pay attention is the darkness. From November it can envelop you like a Finnish bear hug. When the sun takes its vacation, take vitamin D3 and monitor the emotional changes. If you feel lethargic, guilt, not interested in social life, overthinking, pessimistic about everything, irritable, or anxious, then you probably are under SAD (seasonal affective disorder). Some useful tips:

Stay active through exercise
Find some excuses to social and meet someone
Try to do activities under bright light
Let the fresh air rejuvenate you at dorm room
Ask for professional help if needed.

FSHS

kechengzhang — 2022-08-14 20:42:57 UTC

The full name is Finnish Student Health Service (YTHS in Finnish).

You must pay the FSHS fee to Kela then you can access to its health service. More information at https://www.yths.fi/en/news/2022/new-student-welcome-to-fshs-3/

As for the payment method, you MUST do it through online bank transaction. The Kela office in Oulu does NOT accept cash or cheques. More information at
https://www.kela.fi/web/en/healthcare-fee-for-students-in-higher-education

To-do list for the first few weeks

kechengzhang — 2022-08-14 20:51:23 UTC

The student union (OYY) has a pretty brief and clear guideline on what to do. Check it out!

https://www.oyy.fi/checklist-for-first-year-students/?lang=en

DVV

kechengzhang — 2022-08-20 14:49:20 UTC

Apart from Residence Permit, dvv registration makes your life "legal" in Finland. You can unlock e-identification which includes almost all Finnish online services such as police, bank, tax, health, etc (it appears as omakanta, omakela, and so on). (oma means own)

When you register, you will be given a Finnish personal identity code. In Finland, a personal identity code is used to identify persons. The code consists of your birth date and four unique characters. Other data recorded in the Population Information System includes your name, date of birth, gender, citizenship, birthplace, mother tongue and address. In addition, information on your spouse, children and parents may be entered under certain conditions.

For general information:
https://dvv.fi/en/foreigner-registration

Booking the appointment online:
https://isl.ajanvaraus.fi/frontend/

E-identification

kechengzhang — 2022-08-25 08:58:15 UTC

You might get pissed off by this page during the first weeks in Finland. This is the reason why you should register yourself at dvv and try to apply for an ID card at police station. They allow you to unlock online public services as they ALL require e-identification. If you log through your bank account, make sure to unlock the service at the bank.

Finnish online services cover police, bank, tax, health, etc (it appears as omakanta, omakela, and so on). (oma means own)

Services provided by Career Centre of the University

diepnguyen0290 — 2022-11-12 20:31:45 UTC

General Information (drop-in service, elevator pitch, mock interview, 1:1 Guidance, etc.)：https://www.oulu.fi/en/students/working-life/career-centre

Recruitment Events (The event calendar is important): https://www.oulu.fi/en/for-students/working-life/recruitment-events

Workshops (Facts about Finnish job market: CV, application, recruitment procedure, interview, salary negotiation, etc.): https://www.oulu.fi/en/for-students/working-life/career-centre-workshops

Mentoring Programme (Networking matters): https://www.oulu.fi/en/cooperation/mentoring

Popular job-hunting websites in Finland:

diepnguyen0290 — 2022-11-12 20:32:32 UTC