Finland is becoming a popular study abroad destination, with its education system recognized in the QS World University Rankings and it's lifestyle appealing to students from all over the globe.
Country overview
Finland, which is part of the EU, neighbours Sweden, Norway, and Russia. With Finnish and Swedish the official languages of Finland, it is essential for young people to learn foreign languages like English, as a very small proportion of the world's population speaks these two languages. This is great news for international students wishing to study in Finland.

The country is best known for its extraordinarily green environment and peaceful surroundings. Accordingly, forestry has historically been the nation's top industry. But the word 'Nokia' probably comes to mind when you think of this high-tech country. Finland is a technology superpower and remains one of the most technologically innovative and advanced countries in the world. Nokia, Finland's largest company, is the number one maker of mobile phones worldwide. Furthermore, Finland boasts the most internet connections in the world. So if technology and communications interest you, there's no better place than Finland.
Education overview
If you choose to study abroad in Finland, you will find yourself in one of the best education systems in the world. With literacy ratesamong the highest in the world, it is evident that this Nordic country makes it a priority to equip people with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in our dynamic world economy. Finland has seven universities featuring in the2010 QS World University Rankings, including the University of Helsinki which places 75=.

The Finnish higher education system consists of universities and polytechnics. While the universities provide the typical bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees, the polytechnics concentrate on providing education in specialized professional fields pertaining to technology and transport, business and administration, health and social services, culture, tourism, catering and institutional management, natural resources, the humanities, and education. Polytechnics differ from universities in that they are not government-owned.

International students make up 5% of the total population at higher education institutions in Finland. Many courses are taught in English, especially those subjects that stand out in Finland's book of strengths:architecture, art & design, and environmental science.

Click here for more information, tips and advice on international student accommodation and university housing.
Pros and Cons

Excellent education system Well resourced schools Good quality of life	High cost of living Cold, dark winters Lack of internationally-recognized schools

International student accommodation
Finnish Student Housing Ltd,www.soa.fi, is an excellent resource for student accommodation information. Student apartments are probably the most popular choice for students seeking accommodation. Rent prices are fair and the facilities are usually close to campuses. Students can live either on their own or with other students ' both Finnish and international. The Finnish Student Housing organization can assist students in finding accommodation before they enter Finland, making for an easy transition. Students wishing to rent apartments privately should note that occupancy in Helsinki is high, so house searching could be time-consuming. Agents' fees can be high so if you get a chance, rent directly from the landlord. The internet is a great starting point for your search.
Weather/Climate
Summer in Finland is warm but winters can be very cold.Helsinki will generally not be as cold as some of the more northern cities, like Sodankyla or Jyvaskyla. Autumn and spring are temperate. The Finnish climate is relatively dry (winter is of course, snowy). The 'midnight sun', characterized by the lack of sunset, and 'twilight' season, when the sun doesn't rise and set, that embrace the other Nordic countries also take over Northern Finland. There aren'tmany countries in the world where you will find such an intriguing atmosphere.
Transport
Public transportation in Finland in the form of buses, trams, metros, and trains is efficient. Driving is also very common and roads are well constructed. Trains also run daily from Helsinki to Moscow and St Petersburg, Russia, and boats travel to Stockholm, making it easy to venture into the other Nordic countries.
Cost*

Item	Price()
litre of petrol	1.30
movie ticket	8.50
sending postcard overseas	0.65
litre of milk	0.75
six eggs	1.00
litre of soft drink	3.00
litre of bottled water	3.00
fast food hamburger	4.00
pint of beer in restaraunt	5.00
club entrance price	5.00
36 exposure film cost	'7.00
four person cabin per week	'200.00

*WorldGuide Index from Lonely Planet
Useful info
Dialing code: 358 Currency: Euro () Time zone:GMT/UTC +2