What you should include on your luggage for Finland?

At the moment, you all might be wondering what to buy and what not to bring to Finland. So, I have prepared a shopping list for you all by including the stuffs what you must bring.


SHOE AND SOCKS

1. Snow Shoe - 1 Set
2. Sports and Warm Shoes like HiTech shoes - 1 Set
3. Light casual shoes like Summer shoes - 1 Set
4. Summer Sandal - 1 Set
5. Socks (Very Warm) - 5 Set
6. Socks (Medium) - 5 Set

PANTS

1. Jeans Pant - 5 set
2. Cotton pant - 1 set (Optional)

Being cold country, Jeans are all time favorite here. So, Cotton Pant are not preferable.

T-SHIRTS

1. Winter T-Shirts - 4; (Very Warm, full sleeve)
2. Summer T-shirts - 4; (Full and Half Sleeve; similar as you wear in Kathmandu)
3. Thermocot - 2 sets (Thermal Inner wear for Winter; can be found in Nepal Wool House, Bhotahiti)

SWEATERS

1. Very Warm Type - 1
2. Medium - 1
3. Thin (Summer Type) - 1

JACKETS

1. Very Warm and Multi-layered Jacket -1 ( North face type)
2. Warm jacket -1 (Like the one you wear in Kathmandu during Winter)
3. Hood (Warm) - 1 (Optional)

CAP AND GLOVES

1. Cap (Topi) covering ears -2 (Might be Woolen Topi; do not think about Fency; you feel the fashain during Winter at -30 degree)
2. Gloves - 2 set (Warm; very warm and comfortable to ride on Bicycle as well)

OTHER CLOTHING

1. Normal Cloth set for wearing inside the room - 2 set (Since all of the rooms will be heated and temperature maintained; average cloths as you wear in Kathmandu during Summer will work for all seasons.)
2. Half pant/Trouser - 1/2 set
3. Bed Cover (tanna) - 1 set
4. Sports Wear (Optional)
5. Towel - 1

BAG/MOBILE/OTHERS

1. Mobile set - 1 set (Mobiles are relatively expensive here than in Nepal).
2. Bag (backpack) - 1 (It is better to think about laptop bags to be carried back side so that you can comfortably ride bicycle as well).
3. Memory stick (pen drive) - 1
4. Ball pen - 1 dozen
5. Hair Cutting Machine/Scissor - 1 (Hair Cutting is really expensive here)
6. Umbrella -1
7. Raincoat -1

UTENSILS

1. Pressure cooker - 1 (medium size; might be of 2/3 Ltr.; while packing separate the cover and pack on luggage bag; do to close the cover of pressure cooker)
2. Multipurpose non-sticky frying pan
3. Plate, Spoon, glass (though these items are widely available on second hand stores as well, but it might not be easily available on your city; so it it better to bring minimum required set)

COSMETIC

1. Shaving Set (Shaving Cream, razors; also include extra razors)
2. Toothpaste and brush 2/3
3. Shampoo - 1/2 (larger)
4. Bathing gel/soap - 1/2 (larger)
5. Nail cutter - 1
6. Perfume - 2/3 (Optional)
8. Chip stick or lip guard (MUST for Winter) - 2/3

MEDICINE PACK

Bring general purpose medicine pack (tablets for Cetamol, Asprine, Metronidazol, Betadin, Aciloc , bandage, Handyplast, Cuttons, Thermometer) since medicines are really expensive here and can not be bought without prescriptions. Medical expenses is really high in Finland.

SOUVENIRS AND GIFT ITEMS

Yes, do not forget to bring a flag of Nepal. Also, include some souvenirs related to Nepal, it would be much helpful to freshen up the memory of your family, friends and Nepal. Also bring some gift items like postcards of Nepal, symbolic gift objects about Nepal. It would be useful for gifting your International officers, your professors and international friends. They could be also very good attractions for foreigners on cultural programs. Do not forget to visit Nepal Tourism Board at Bhrikuti Mandap; they will also give you a pack of stickers and postcards related to Nepal; free of cost.

What about books and Stationary?

You need not to bring any books to Finland. Libraries of Colleges are well equipped and flexible enough that you can manage with library books. Moreover, online reading is the most common way of study here. So, the importance of printed books are really minimal during studies.

About Copies or notebooks, you need not to bring any. Though notebooks are very expensive here, you can manage with blank sheets (A4 Paper) by converting them to notebooks. Your luggage weight is the main obstacle to bring notebooks.

About, pen, it is better to include minimum a dozen of good ball pens. You can also include highlighters, staplers with pins, paper tape, gum etc if you use them often.

What about Foods?

We eat Nepali dal-bhat daily as our main meal. So, don't worry about regular foods. But, spices of curry, chillies and typical Nepali foods are almost impossible to find. However, there are Indian Shops in most of the towns and cities and they sell all kinds of spices, chillies and all kinds of Indian stuffs (which are quire similar to Nepali taste); but my personal experience with them is that they could be better than Finnish spices but they can not give you the real taste of Nepal. So, I suggest you to pack enough amount of curry masala, other spices and chillies as well. It is better to include some dry meats, your favorite typical nepali foods and related iteams as well. You will miss the Momo here.

What about electronic goods like laptop or computer?

Electronic Goods are not so cheaper here. So, I suggest you either to bring a laptop from Nepal itself OR to manage for first few months here without computer since you will have laboratory in college where you can wisely use computers. Even some colleges issues Laptop to students from their libraries. Later, after making a good saving amount, you can buy a new one here.

You can also buy second hand computer and laptop here if you wish. Buying second hand is also a good idea; but if it causes any small problems, maintenance is really a difficult problem. So, think twice and check the laptop properly before buying a second hand one.

MBA and other Master Level Business Degree in Finland

I have recently completed my Bachelor's in Information Management (BIM) form St. Xavier's  College. I have even worked as an Intern in Himalayan Bank Limited for about 6 months. I was Involved in a project named as Personal Information System (PIS)  and Library Management System (LMS). I have learned the data base system of human resource department and have developed my Interpersonal skills working over there.

 

I am a self motivating person having interest in banking sector so I want to do MBA in Finland and as My parents can not afford much more for my further study I even need schoolarship Programme for my further study. So I need much more information regarding this. I have 3.29 grades in My BIM.

Dear Friend, thanks for mailing me.

Since you are interested in MBA program, let me tell you some of the primary informations about MBA and Business degrees in Finland.

1. Most of the Master level Business programs including MBA demands minimum of 2 years of Experience after Bachelor degree. Since you did not mention when you graduated in BIM, I can't tell you whether you are qualified for all colleges or not. Also, your role on the project is not clear. Whether you are involved as developer or managerial tasks. It is also considered during admission decision. If you do not have minimum of 2 yrs of degree and managerial experiences, you might not qualify on all of the business colleges of Finland. But, don't worry,  if you can convince any of the professor of the universities, these matters are considered and you can be accepted for admission.

2. Most of the Business degree in Finland are considered very good on Europe, so getting admission is not easy. Even, if you get admitted, they demand and occupy much time during your studies; so you might not maintain part time or weekend jobs during your studies due to heavy study load. But, it does not mean study is very hard. Study is relatively easy, but it is occupying.

3. After your degree, you have really good scope here in Finland as well as other European countries. Even, during your summer breaks, there are chances of getting jobs in reputed companies  if you are doing MBA or related master level business degree.

Now, coming to your queries, 

You can negotiate with your university about Scholarship, and as much as I know; most of the business colleges provide scholarship to limited students. Since here is no tuition fee, the scholarship will be to cover your living expenses here. So, the best process should be start sorting colleges and communicate with professors and admission office about admission, scholarship and job issues. If college could not provide you but can offer you a in-campus job, which is less occupying, it could be another way to cover your living expense here. There is also chances of working outside as part time for 25 hours a week, but, as I told above, it will somehow hamper your performance on your studies since MBA degree is very occupying. Anyway, it depends upon yourself as well. Some students could manage very good studies as well as job as well. It is all depends upon your personal caliber as well.

Some polytechnics also offer MBA and Business degrees. So, browse through the list of Polytechnics to explore them:  Polytechnics in Finland

I would suggest you to make communicate with following university colleges as well along with Polytechnics. Following university colleges are considered very good for Business Degree:

Helsinki School of Economics (HSE)
Turku School of Economics (TSE)
Lappeenranta School of Business
Hanken Swedish School of Economics and Business Administration

Best of Luck !!

Housing, Job and Flight Information

Dear Friend,
 
Thank you so much for answering me with all of my queries. But I'm still stuck with some please answer it again as usual:
 
1. I have booked a room from Housing They have asked me to deposit the money that is 250 Euros by the end of June. Kindly find the details from the attachment herewith and suggest what I should be doing??

Dear Friend, As I saw the attachment, they have reserved a room for you. You tell them that you are coming to Finland on the end of August, then you will be able to provide the deposit amount since it is not possible to pay electronically from Nepal. They will agree with it.

 

2. You have mentioned in ur reply that I will be carrying 6000 Euros and it should be preety enough But I would also like to honest and inform you that there is no doubt that I will be carrying it but.. I would be arranging only some part on my own but the rest is some kind of loan and interest is to be paid This is why I would like to lessen my parents burden if I could immediately get a job at the earliest. Is it possible to apply for a job from here itself or Is there a possibility for the university to arrange some kind of little job just to cover my fooding+lodging or Is it possible to extend some kind of help in getting a job.

Yes, you can apply jobs from there. But, it is almost impossible to get from there since Finnish companies wants physical presence. So, they will confirm only after interviewing you here face-to-face. You can ask with university as well about the jobs as you mention. But, it is really rare to get jobs inside the university for non-Finnish people. But, there is no harm on trying. Try it. Who knows your luck. Might be you will get one. Best of Luck !!

 

3. I know You will deny this offer of mine but please could you give me ur Address and contact number Me kind of very nervous.Just a wild guess are you in Helsinki??

I am sorry my friend, this is only the question which I don't prefer to answer. I am sorry  !!
 

4. Kindly if possible send me a mail mentioneing the procedures you went there or the cheapest and best way to get there Please.

I could not understand your question properly, if you mean flight route, I came on KTM-DEL-MOS-HEL route. But, I suggest you to come here by Finnish Air with the route of KTM-DEL-HEL. It is the cheapest and very good flight. Austrian Air could be another alternative.

Process of Bank Draft

Hello Fren,
Howz going on. Now I am waiting for resident permit to come; do you have any idea how long it will take.
After conformation of resident permit we have to make a draft, so could you please mention how we can prepare such draft. You know I am for Tampere, so in the name of which bank I should prepare a draft so that I will get it back easily. If possible please provide detail information.
Thank you in advance, I'll be waiting for your reply.

 

Normally, decision of Resident Permit takes 30-50 days. Embassy itself does not issue the Resident Permit. Embassy just coordinates between Student (applicant) and Immigration Office; also there will be high traffic of applicants during these period. So, it takes so long period. It is said to take maximum 12 weeks but generally, it is issued within 30-50 days.

Once your decision of Resident Permit is made, you will be informed by Embassy on your phone number. Then, you need to go to Embassy and college a letter to prepare draft. Then, you need to go to Ministry of Education along with that letter to make permit for Euro Exchange. Then, with the permit issued by Ministry, you can go to bank of your interest or your comfortable bank to prepare bank draft.

As per my experience, Bank of Kathmandu is the cheapest one to make draft. Nepal Investment Bank and Nabil Bank are also very cheap for draft. Other banks might be more cheaper as well, but I don't know about them. You need to explore it yourself.

You will prepare the draft on your own name, NOT to the name of college or any other bank name. Once you arrive here, you will open a bank account on a local bank here. During this period, you will deposit this draft on your own account. So, this amount will always remain on your own account. It is just the process of transferring amount from your account from a bank of Nepal to your account of bank of Finland.

College Admission and Resident Permit

Well,
I have been sent acceptence letter from VAASA UAS.I went through all the papers but the forms are totally confusing esp. the enrollment and medical statement.Some of my friends says that the medical statement is not required.Is it so? Do I have to post all the certificates along with the confirmation? Is medical statement to be sent along with that confirmation?Is that medical statement form posted by the  VAASA really compulsory?

You do not need to send Health Insurance to college. While sending your confirmation, just fill that form and sent it. If this form asks for academic certificates, include the photocopies of your certificate as well. But, in normal cases, academic certificates are also not required. Just fill the confirmation and sent it back. Health Insurance is required to apply visa at Embassy; but not to college.
 

Another thing, I have been selected as placement in VAASA UAS,does that means I am only selected there? I have been told that TURKU is better that VAASA.I have VAASA as my 1st option,Turku as my 2nd option and HAMK as my 3rd option.Can't I choose the best university from these options myself. If I am to choose from these 3 options,which do you think will be convinient for me?

Yes, it means you are selected to VAASA UAS. Congratulations !! But, now you can not choose the option since you are already selected to VAASA and other colleges have not offered you admission. So, you don't have any other choices.
 

How long it will take to get visa from Finnish Embassy after we submitt the form? Is it true that it might take 12 weeks?

 

Normally it takes 30-50 days since Embassy itself does not issue the Resident Permit. Embassy just coordinates between Student (applicant) and Immigration Office; also there will be high traffic of applicants during these period. So, it takes so long period. But, it does not take 12 weeks. It is said to take maximum 12 weeks but practically it is issued within 30-50 days.