Exchange destination: Savonlinna
Welcome to Savonlinna!
Savonlinna is a small town in eastern Finland with approximately 36,000 inhabitants. The population of the entire region is about 55,000. The Savonlinna region is situated at the heart of Europe’s most extensive lake district. The town itself is built on a chain of islands; around 40 % of the surface area of Savonlinna is covered with lakes and ponds.
Savonlinna in brief
Olavinlinna Castle, founded in 1475, serves as a reminder of Savonlinna’s colourful, though often brutal past. The founder of the castle was Erik Axelsson Tott, a Swedish viceroy and the commandant of Vyborg Castle.
The massive castle was built to defend the border of the Kingdom of Sweden, which at the time incorporated Finland, from attack from the East. The site chosen for the castle was a rocky islet in the strategically important strait of Kyrönsalmi.
Gradually a trading settlement sprung up around the castle, and in 1639 Count Per Brahe, the Swedish governor-general of Finland, granted the settlement its town charter.
- Nowadays, Olavinlinna Castle is a venue for the world-famous Savonlinna Opera Festival.
The Savonlinna region consists of several municipalities. Savonlinna itself was a popular spa and tourist town already during the last century, and in recent years it is known especially for its Opera Festival. Other notable locations or events are include:
- the Kolovesi National Park in Enonkoski,
- the world’s largest wooden church in Kerimäki,
- the ridge area and Lusto, the Finnish Forest Museum, in Punkaharju,
- the rowing competition called Suursoudut in Sulkava.
- the Linnansaari National Park by Lake Puruvesi, which offers many possibilities for fishing, and
- Savonranta, an ideal place to enjoy peace and the beauty of the nature.
Orientation before studies
The International Services of South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences welcomes the new incoming exchange students by organizing orientation days before studies begin. During this orientation, exchange students get information, for instance, about their study possibilities and campus facilities, meet university staff members, visit Olavinlinna Castle, etc. You will also get to know tutors who will help you to settle down and feel comfortable in the new environment.
The orientation programme is organised depending on the arrival of the incoming exchange students. Exact information will be given closer to the beginning of your exchange period.
During the orientation days on campus we tell more about:
- South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences
- International coordinator, departmental coordinator, teaching staff and tutors
- Student and library services
- Student registration and computer system, and student e-mails
- Health care services
- Living in a multicultural environment
Accommodation
The student housing situation in Savonlinna is quite good. Here, student housing is arranged by the Savonlinna Housing Service (Savonlinnan Asuntopalvelu). You can contact the housing company directly by e-mail – asuntopalvelu(at)savut.fi – about your wishes concerning your accommodation, the rent and the rental agreement, etc. The key to the student flat will be given to you by your tutor student upon your arrival.
Most exchange students live in an ordinary student house with Finnish and foreign students. In most student halls of residence, each student has a room of their own but shares the kitchen and bathroom with 1–2 other students. The student halls of residence usually have well-equipped common rooms (sauna, laundry room, club premises, etc.). However, there are no catering services at the student houses. Most student houses are centrally located (10-15 min by foot from the university campus).
The rents vary depending, for instance, on the location and the size of the accommodation. The rent for a 1-room flat is appr. 400 EUR/month whereas the rent for a room in a 2-room flat is appr. 320 EUR/month. It is also possible to share the same room with another student. The rent includes water, heating, electricity, furniture, bed clothes (duvet, pillow, sheets), basic kitchenware and the use of sauna and washing machine.
Getting to Savonlinna
The distance from Helsinki to Savonlinna by road is 335 km. From Helsinki airport you can either fly direct to Savonlinna airport or take a train or coach from the airport or centre of Helsinki.
By Plane
There are flights between Helsinki and Savonlinna on weekdays. The flying time from Helsinki airport to Savonlinna airport is about 55 minutes. Flights can be booked without a service fee at norppa.aero or at finnair.com (if your trip includes a connecting flight from Helsinki by Finnair). If you buy the tickets at Finnair, your luggage will also be automatically transferred through to the connecting flight.
However, please note that the citizens of non-EU-countries have to pick up their luggage at Helsinki airport and take them through the customs because there is no customs in Savonlinna.
By Train
An express train journey from Helsinki airport to Savonlinna takes about 5 hours (change trains at Tikkurila and Parikkala). Please note that there are two train stations in Savonlinna: Pääskylahti station and Kauppatori station (the end stop in the centre of Savonlinna). If someone is coming to pick you up from the station, please inform at which train station you will get off. For timetables and fares, please see the website of the Finnish railways.
By Coach
There are several coach connections from Helsinki to Savonlinna every day. Depending on the route, the coach travel takes from five to eight hours. For coach timetables; please see the the websites of Matkahuolto Travel Services and Onnibus company.
Insurance
All incoming exchange / dd-students need to have a personal insurance with a full 3rd part liability and health coverage for the entire stay in Finland including traveling days. If you intend to study in Finland for one year take out a one-year insurance policy. Be sure to renew your insurance policy prior to expiry. Make sure not to terminate your insurance policy, or you will have to cover your medical and hospital expenses yourself.
EU/EEA and Swiss residents
In addition to your personal insurance, you need to have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for your exchange period. By presenting the European Health Insurance Card, you can prove your right to necessary medical treatment in another EU or EEA country and in Switzerland. With the card, you can get medical treatment if you become suddenly ill or have an accident. You can also get medical treatment if you have a chronic illness that requires medical attention. The card also gives access to necessary treatment during pregnancy and childbirth.
The European Health Insurance Card is recognized within the public health care services as well as by private doctors and hospitals that have signed a health insurance agreement.
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss residents
As a student, you will be responsible for your illness-related expenses in Finland. For your residence permit, you will need private insurance to cover your medical and pharmaceutical expenses. The accepted students are sent the instructions of Finnish Immigration Services including information about the requested insurance.
Free time activities
Savonlinna is an ideal place for enjoying peace and the beauty of nature but it also offers various opportunities for spending active leisure time. The swimming hall of Savonlinna is located just behind the Savonlinna campus of Xamk. In addition to swimming, there are also possibilities for going in for other sports at the swimming hall, e.g. hydrobic, fitness training and tennis. The swimming hall is usually open daily but as the opening hours vary depending on the time of the year, please, check the opening hours separately. By showing the registration certificate you will get a student discount.
The Savonlinna bowling hall is located in the building of the Hotel Olavi on the main street Olavinkatu. The bowling hall is a five-lane hall with the possibility of glow bowling. You can also rent bowling shoes there. The price for one lane is about 10€/hour. Prices vary depending on the day and time. In addition to the swimming and bowling halls, there are also several gyms offering good facilities for fitness training.
The Tanhuvaara Sports Institute is situated approximately 15 km from Savonlinna. It is a centre for sports, recreation and physical training. A frequent bus service will take you there if you want to play tennis, squash, badminton (book beforehand), ski (cross-country), swim or do any other sports. They also have saunas, a swimming pool, jacuzzi, gym, indoors track, etc., in Tanhuvaara.
Besides possibilities for sports, Savonlinna has two cinemas and different types of restaurants for spending pleasant free time. You can read more at VisitSavonlinna.
BYOD – Bring Your Own Device
Use of student’s own device in studies
Xamk follows the BOYD policy which means that students primarily use their own devices like laptops and smartphones in their studies.
Student union
The student union Kaakko is a service provider and lobbying organisation for students at Xamk. Kaakko’s role is to ensure that students’ voices are heard in every decision-making organ of Xamk. Together with Xamk, Kaakko arranges various leisure time activities. Kaakko is also responsible for coordinating the tutor activities and it arranges a few big parties for all students during the academic year.
All exchange students are welcome to join our Student Union Kaakko and benefit from being a student of Xamk.
Contact information
Contact information for incoming exchange and double degree students to Savonlinna:
Studies & internships:
Ms. Lea Reponen
Savonniemenkatu 6
57100 Savonlinna
Finland
lea.reponen(at)xamk.fi
+358 50 312 5072
