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Fresher’s checklist for exchange students
The first days and weeks at the University are usually an absolute avalanche of events. On the first day, you’ll meet your tutor and attend the introduction to the University, studies, and academic life. Your tutor is a volunteer who has studied at the university for at least a year. The University of Vaasa is a close-knit community, and help is always available on request.
VYY also organizes student parties where all new students of the University of Vaasa are welcome.
Here are some things you should take care of as soon as possible:
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You can get VYY’s digital student card through the Slice app to access hundreds of student discounts and benefits. The Student Union membership fee is otherwise voluntary for exchange students, but if you want a student card, you have to pay the fee. Read more about the student card.
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If you decide to pay the membership fee, you can also order and buy a plastic student card. Please read the instructions on our student card page carefully before ordering the plastic card!
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Find an apartment. You can apply for one at the Student Housing Foundation in Vaasa VOAS.
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Notify the post office if you would like to forward your mail to your Finnish address.
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Remember to sign an electricity contract for your apartment if needed. You can find one with e.g. our affiliate partner Vaasan Sähkö.
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Check if you need home insurance for your apartment. You can find one with e.g. our affiliate partner LocalTapiola Pohjanmaa.
First things to do at the beginning of the semester:
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If there’s anything you’d like to know, ask questions from your tutor or the Student Union. We are here to help you!
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Join the new students’ WhatsApp group to get to know other freshers and learn about events during the fresher spring. You will get the link to the group from your tutor.
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If you order a plastic student card, make sure to get your academic year sticker for it. You can get the sticker from the Student Union Service Office. If you use the digital student card through the Slice application on your smart phone, no sticker is needed.
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Follow VYY and your subject association on social media and subscribe to VYY’s newsletter to stay up to date with important information and current events related to student life.
International degree student’s checklist
The first days and weeks at the University are usually an absolute avalanche of events. On the first day, you’ll meet your tutor and attend the introduction to the University, studies, and academic life.
The University of Vaasa is a close-knit community, and help is always available on request. Your tutor is a volunteer amongst the students.
VYY also organizes student parties where all new students of the University of Vaasa are welcome.
Here are some things you should take care of as soon as possible:
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Enroll to the University and pay the Student Union membership fee.
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Download Slice from Google Play or AppStore for a free student card. You can find more information about the digital student card on our membership page.
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You can also order and buy a plastic student card. Please read the instructions on our membership page carefully before ordering.
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Apply for the student financial benefits provided by Kela.
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Pay the healthcare fee for students in higher education to Kela by 15 March 2026.
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Find an apartment. You can apply for one from the Student Housing Foundation in Vaasa VOAS.
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Notify the post office Posti and the Digital and Population Data Services Agency about your move and change of address.
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Remember to sign an electricity contract for your apartment if needed. You can get one from e.g. our affiliate partner Vaasan Sähkö.
-
Check if you need home insurance for your apartment. You can get one from e.g. our affiliate partner LocalTapiola Pohjanmaa.
First things to do at the beginning of the semester:
-
If there’s anything you’d like to know, ask from your tutor or the Student Union. We are here to help you!
-
Join the new students’ WhatsApp group to get to know other freshers and find out about events during the fresher spring. You will get the link to the group from your tutor.
-
If you’ve ordered a plastic student card, make sure to get your academic year sticker for it. You can get the sticker from the Student Union Service Office. If you use the digital student card on your Slice application, no sticker is needed.
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Sign in to use the Finnish Student Health Service FSHS’s Self online service. The Self online service allows you to communicate with the FSHS regarding your health.
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Follow VYY and your subject organization on social media to stay up to date on current issues and events.
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Subscribe to VYY’s newsletter to receive info on current events and issues straight to your e-mail inbox.
Download your electronic student card!
With your student card, you can access numerous benefits and services.
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