Turku Salamanca Paris

TEXT JAAKKO LOUHIVUORI, PHOTO VESA-MATTI VÄÄRÄ

PIIA TUOMINEN HEADED FOR SALAMANCA, SPAIN, TO STUDY BIOLOGY. "I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO REGRETS," SHE SAYS. ILONA HONGISTO PURSUED FILM STUDIES IN PARIS. SHE FELT THAT THE EXCITING PACE OF LIFE IN A BIG CITY GAVE A DIFFERENT APPROACH FOR HER THESIS.

Every year over 600 students leave the University of Turku to spend a study period in another country. It is possible to study abroad via a variety of arrangements – although those who are boldest obtain the necessary information and a place to study on their own initiative, the Socrates/ Erasmus Programme is the most popular path to Europe. The Coimbra Network connects various renowned universities situated in the second largest cities of several European countries. The programme offers degree students the unique opportunity to study in universities such as the University of Heidelberg, Bologna, or Oxford.

Piia Tuominen is studying animal physiology at the Department of Biology. She spent the spring of 2003 in Spain, at the University of Salamanca. "Do I have anything to complain about? Nothing at all. Things went wonderfully, and I can certainly recommend studying in Spain. I never went abroad as an exchange student when I was in high school, so it was rather natural for me to do so now that I was studying at the university. A change of university was good for my studies, and, as a Finnish student, it cost me nothing. Besides, the desire to get to know the Spanish language and culture wasn't the least of the reasons why I wanted to study in Spain," Piia explains.

Language course as a social bridge

The Department of Biology supported Piia when she was applying for the Coimbra Network Programme. The selection criteria took into account letters of recommendation from professors and academic success. Piia thinks that, before leaving, the orientation for outgoing exchange students arranged by the Student Council of the University of Turku and the Web pages of the Universidad de Salamanca were the most helpful sources of information.

After the first few weeks, Piia felt that choosing Salamanca had been a good decision. "The language course for foreigners served as a most effective social bridge. Finally, I felt as if I knew the entire cityI was always saying hello to everyone," Piia says. Foreign students often form a close-knit community, and may have less contact with the locals.

Shorthand exercises in class

Students heading abroad hope that their studies will be recognised at home. However, it is often difficult to compare courses. Before leaving, Piia had planned which courses she wanted to take in Salamanca. "Not all the courses I had signed up for were arranged. I was only able to get information about the available courses after I had arrived. Still, the courses I took will be recognised in Finland as part of my Advanced Studies," Piia says.

Foreign instruction methods may take a Finnish student by surprise. "In class, everybody wrote down every single word the lecturer said. There I was practically the only student looking around and trying to select the essential information for my notes. After the lectures, I had to try and make sense of the word-forword notes other students had taken in shorthand," Piia recalls. Even the lecturers themselves criticised this practice, but it is difficult for both parties to change note-taking habits.

"The image of Finland as a land of advanced technology is definitely accurate. In Turku, we have a great deal of equipment that they do not have in Salamanca. I got laughed at a couple of times when I asked for a counter, which is used in microscopic cell counting. They thought that asking for such gadgets in the laboratory was typically Finnish."

Piia feels that her six-month study period went well. In addition to advancing in her studies, she also learnt more about the Spanish language and culture. "Although I must admit that I did spend more money than I had intended to, I haven't regretted going to Spain for a second," Piia sums up her experience.

Passionate about film

According to Ilona Hongisto, it is possible to combine creativity with scientific work. She is clearly an intelligent young researcher who is stimulated by the exciting pace of life, the films, and the multicultural colleagues she found in Paris.

"I went abroad because I had travelled a great deal. Of course my decision was influenced by all the usual factorsI was interested in foreign cultures and found the French language challenging. However, the most important reason for going to Paris was my research, because film studies are at a very high level there. In fact, you have access to the entire history of film in Paris," Ilona explains.

Ilona graduated from the Department of Media Studies at the University of Turku in autumn 2003. Her Master's Thesis dealt with an experimental film-maker, Maya Dere, and the style of the poetic film. Ilona feels that, due to the rather limited volume of scientific work in the area, the level of film studies is lower in Finland than in France. She is planning to improve the situation as a postgraduate and, in the future, as a researcher.

"It was quite a good idea to spend some time studying abroad at the final stage of my studies, because it also gave me a chance to think more about my own academic goals. It would be interesting to study in another country again at the postgraduate stage," Ilona remarks.

Efficient Erasmus

The Erasmus Programme worked well, which smoothed out many bumps along the road. "Student selection and the process itself were easy, and the Erasmus study period was wellorganised. The only thing that left something to be desired was the information I received from the Université de la Sorbonne Nouvelle. I couldn't get any information about the courses beforehand, and I had to find a hall of residence by myself." With regard to accommodation, the situation in Paris is difficult, and prices are high. "Hunting for a flat takes time and energy," Ilona says. "Luckily, I knew some people in Paris who helped me to find a place, and everything was ready when I arrived."

The Department of Media Research at the University of Turku gave their support to Ilona's decision to study abroad.

Golden opportunities

Ilona studied for six months at the Université de la Sorbonne Nouvelle. Some of the teachers at the university's Department of Film Studies have published books that form part of the course literature in Finland and all over the world. Top researchers regularly teach basic courses.

"I had the opportunity to study in small groups which were directed by world-renowned experts. Resources in general, both in terms of content and practical matters, were very high," Ilona concludes. "Paris gave me the opportunity to outdo myself, both academically and culturally. Writing my Master's Thesis in Paris provided a different approach for my work. I took pleasure in writing it, and the thesis took on entirely new dimensions, which would have been difficult to achieve in Finland."

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