Semester in Finland

The semester program lasts five months. It will give you a chance to spend a bit more time in Finland than just a summer but a bit less than a year. You will start to understand the Finnish mentality alreaydy and perhaps even learn the language! But choose wisely - the seasons are very different in Finland so coming in August and coming in January are totally different experiences!

Semester program 2012-2013 dates:
Arrival: August 1, 2012 OR January 4, 2013
Departure: January 4, 2013 OR by June 30, 2013

What does the program in Finland include?

- An arrival orientation (compulsory, no additional fees)
AUGUST ARRIVALS: Students travel to the arrival orientation straight after their arrival to the Helsinki-Vantaa airport. The orientation lasts for four days. The arrival orientation will be held in Anjalankoski, in the Camp site of Anjala, surrounded by the nature. In addition to getting to know all the interesting people from around the world, you will be prepared to your stay in Finland and of course to meet your new Finnish family - at the end of the orientation you will meet your Finnish family for the first time!

JANUARY ARRIVALS: Students first go to their host families. After a few weeks, at the end of January - beginning of February, you will have your arrival orientation together with the year students' mid-year orientation. This means that you will get to meet all the others living around you and perhaps they can give you some good tips from a local point of view already!

The arrival orientation includes sessions about the basic principles of YFU and about the culture, family life, school and customs in Finland and August arrivals will also get a basic introduction to the Finnish language (January arrivals get a teach-yourself-Finnish package). You will have a chance to try the Finnish sauna and Finnish YFU students tell you how young Finns live their life. This orientation is compulsory.

- A re-entry orientation (compulsory, no additional fees)
The re-entry orientation is held in May-June and it is organised locally by volunteers. The orientation lasts 1-2 days. The orientation will help you to analyse your experience, to share your thoughts, joys and worries with other students and of course help you get prepared for you departure. It is an excellent chance to talk with others who understand exactly what you are going through! This orientation is compulsory.

- Regional events (optional, possible additional fees)
Volunteers, i.e. Finnish young people who have been on exchange themselves, host families and others, will be happy to meet you near your hometown and they will organise some activities year round. In most of the corners of Finland there are regional directors, who coordinate activities and events and invite you to different kinds of get-togethers. These events are optional and you might have to pay a small sum for certain activities, if you want to join.

- YFU trip to Tallinn, Estonia in December (optional, about 100-120 euros)
Every year YFU Finland organises a trip to Tallinn, Estonia in mid-December. You will get the chance to see the beautiful southern neighbour of Finland in its lovely Christmas decoration. You will get to see different attractions in the Old Town, explore a different Northern capital and spend some time together with your new YFU friends from all around the world. The trip is optional and will be organised if there are enough participants. Students are responsible for the costs of the travel to Helsinki.

- YFU trip to Lapland in March/April (optional, about 370-450 euros)
In March-April YFU Finland organises its traditional trip to Lapland, to the skiing resort of Pyhä. It is a six-day long trip and you will get to explore Lapland - trying a reindeer sleigh ride, a husky ride, meeting the Santa Claus, learning about Aurora Borealis and of course you will have the chance to try skiing. The trip is always a whole lot of fun, starting from the very first meters of the long bus ride! The trip is optional and will be organised if there are enough participants. Students are responsible for ski rents and travel costs from their host family to Helsinki, Jyväskylä, Oulu or Rovaniemi

In addition, in your home country you will have lots of more to do and try. Look up your local YFU office on www.yfu.org and contact them to ask more about the application procedure and schedules!