A renewed University
For the past couple of years, the University of Oulu has been undergoing renovations. This will continue until 2020. However, already you can see the progress with the creation of the TellUs Innovation Arena, where rooms can be booked for small conferences and speeches, as well as student group work. So, welcome to a brand (re)NEW(ed) University!
Perfect-sized city
Oulu is not as big as Helsinki and it’s not as small as Rovaniemi. With about 200 thousand inhabitants, Oulu is the perfect mix of a town and a city. The Linnanmaa campus area gives you a more town-like feeling, but you can always hop in the bus and go to the city center for a more cosmopolite experience.
Student life
In Oulu, you will find no shortage of student activities. Every Student Guild organizes cultural and recreational events. There are also student groups and events for sports, arts, parties, and language. In September, there is a major festival called Vulcanalia, where renowned artists play live music for the audience during the evening. During the day, there is a student fair at the University of Oulu. You don’t want to miss it!
Beautiful seasons
Oulu has some of the most beautiful sceneries during Summer and Winter. During Summer, daylight is present nearly all the time and the night is extremely short. The weather is perfect for outdoor activities and going to the beach. Additionally, nature is in full bloom, with birch trees full of green leaves everywhere. During winter it is the complete opposite. Snow covers everything and Oulu becomes a paradise of sparkling white. The days are short and the nights long. However, darkness can lead to aurora borealis (Northern lights) which are a truly magnificent sight. Admittedly, the times between these seasons might be a bit rainy. However, the wait is worth it.
Nonexpensive housing for students
The Student Housing Foundation of Northern Finland PSOAS offers about 5500 living places for students in Oulu with affordable rents. You can apply to a studio-, shared-, or even a family-sized-apartment. The water and electricity may be included in the rent in some of the apartments, and the basic internet package is free of charge. Find more information at their website.
