Experience Finland through Summer School
Gain new friends and experience the best Finnish summer has to offer.
Practical Information
Prepare for your visit to Aalto University Summer School with a list of practical tips.
In addition to choosing the right course for you, it’s good to prepare for your Aalto University Summer School experience with some practical arrangements. We have collected important information and links about accommodation, transportation, and life in the Helsinki metropolitan area to help you plan your summer. Have a look, especially if this is your first time visiting Finland and Aalto University!
Looking for information about course practicalities or the application process? Please see details such as the registration period, grading and estimated workload under each course description.
Visiting Finland
Finland is one of the safest and happiest countries in the world (World Economic Forum 2019, World Happiness Report 2019). While you are discovering the Helsinki area, you’ll get to enjoy the specialities of Finnish design and Nordic cuisine, experience the balanced lifestyle of the locals and feel safe walking around the city and using public transportation at any time of day. No need to worry about language barriers, either. While Finnish and Swedish are Finland’s official languages, English is very widely spoken especially in the capital region.
With a population of around 1.2 million people, Finland’s capital region is small on a global scale. This is beautifully reflected in the amount of greenery and nature. Whether at the Aalto University campus in Otaniemi or central Helsinki, you are never far away from the nearest park, forest or coastline. Visiting in the summertime gives you a great opportunity to spend time outdoors and enjoy the long Nordic summer days!
Accommodation and dining
Aalto University does not offer dormitories, meaning that Aalto University Summer School students must organize their accommodation. Since the Otaniemi campus is serviced by excellent public transportation routes, students have their choice of staying in peaceful Espoo or the energetic central Helsinki.
While student dormitories are not typical to the Finnish university culture, we are happy to recommend nice and safe accommodation options for Summer School students. See some suggestions below.
Please bear in mind that accommodation options can be in short supply during the summer months, so we recommend booking as early as you can and making sure you have somewhere to stay before you arrive.
Short-term accommodation
Accommodation possibilities and options for entry-level and short term needs for staff members. Here you'll find the temporary accommodation solutions Aalto University offers, such as furnished rooms and apartments. Here are also links to some other short-term accommodation options.
Otaniemi campus has a variety of restaurant options ranging from traditional cafeterias and lunch buffets to sushi, pizza and falafels, so you’ll have several options for lunch. However, please note that we do not have a student cafeteria that would be open for breakfast and dinner. We recommend that students book accommodation that either serves breakfast or has a kitchenette for preparing it yourself. Central Helsinki has a lively restaurant scene, and the nearby Tapiola area in Espoo has plenty of options, too.
Getting to Otaniemi Campus
Aalto University Summer School courses are held on the Otaniemi campus, Espoo. Otaniemi is located about 10 kilometres from central Helsinki and easily accessible by public transportation. The Aalto University metro station is located in the heart of the campus. Helsinki Region Transport (HSL) https://www.hsl.fi/en has information on tickets and timetables, as well as a handy journey planner. You can also use Google Maps, which has up-to-date information on public transportation routes.
Campus maps, addresses and opening hours in Otaniemi
Here you will also find restaurants, the map, the Aalto Space mobile app, access control - all practical information on one page! You can also visit the campus virtually.
Travel documents and insurance
Students are personally responsible for obtaining necessary travel documents such as a visa (non-EU nationalities). Aalto University can provide a letter of invitation for a visa for admitted students. Students are obliged to have a travel insurance covering the whole period while they are travelling and studying in the Summer School. Aalto University does not have an insurance covering damages caused by students.
Aalto University Summer School Disclaimer, Code of Conduct and Privacy Note
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information on the Aalto University Summer School website is accurate and up to date. However, the University cannot guarantee the delivery of courses and services without modification, discontinuation or replacement in all circumstances, and therefore reserves the right to make changes without prior notification.
Aalto University has a Code of Conduct to ensure safe, ethical and respectful conduct for everyone at Aalto, including Summer School participants.
Take a look at the Privacy notice of Aalto University Summer School that gives students information on how their personal data is processed and the rights that they have to their personal data in Aalto University.
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