Study: Foreign students isolated from Finnish society

Study: Foreign students isolated from Finnish society
Few opportunities to learn to know everyday life and work

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Foreign students in Finland often remain isolated in their own communities, with little contact with Finnish society.
Matti Taajamo, a researcher in educational science, writes in a doctoral dissertation that he defended at the University of Jyv?skyl? on Saturday, that foreigners studying in Finland need to become much more acquainted with Finnish life and business practices if Finland wants to encourage them to stay in this country to work after graduation.
"The human relationships of foreign students are limited to the student world. They do not get into ordinary Finnish everyday life, so they spend their free time with other foreigners. Nevertheless, the students would like to learn to know Finnish culture better.

For his study, Taajamo interviewed exchange students and other foreign students at the University of Jyv?skyl?, and the University of Art and Design, Finnish students, as well as teaching and administrative personnel in 2000 and 2001.
Foreign students at the University of Art and Design appreciated field trips that were arranged to Finnish companies.
"Companies in Finland do not yet know how to make use of foreign students. For instance, in Jyv?skyl?, the universities markets them to companies, but the companies are not interested. Nevertheless, it would be important for them to become better acquainted with working life and to get trainee positions, so that more foreign students might be attracted to come to Finland."
Students interviewed by Taajamo were especially pleased with a programme at the University of Jyv?skyl? that links foreign students with Finnish families. Taajamo feels that it would be good if the model would spread to the whole country. He emphasises that contact with local families is important for foreigners, especially in the early stages.
"It allows the student to learn about Finnish life, go to the movies, or pick berries in the forest. Families made it possible to talk about cultural differences and the problems that they bring. I believe that there would be enthusiastic ordinary families for this purpose all around."

Taajamo says that Finnish students rarely take part in English-language instruction, where it would be possible to forge good contacts with foreign students.
"Finns are still shy about their English language skills - for no good reason; foreign students think that Finns speak English well."
Taajamo urges universities to increase teaching in English. Some fields do not have any classes in English. "There is still a long way to go before there is a real threat of the disappearance of Finnish."

Although foreign students are disappointed with the lack of friendships with Finns, they feel that the teachers here are easy to approach.
Academic freedom was confusing at first, but when they got used to it, the possibility to plan one’s studies independently felt good. In the case of exchange students, Taajamo feels that Finnish universities have a long way to go before courses passed in Finland will benefit the students in their home countries.


REF: Helsinginsanomat