‘I fondly remember the year in Pathway programme’

Why did you decide to apply to University Pathway Finland programme?

First, I love Finland. It has a lot of forests and lakes and the most gender-equal society, world-class education, values that emphasize work-life balance and a very pet-friendly environment that suits my dog. Second, the Pathway programme provided one year of remote education allowing me to adapt to university life and get acquainted with Finnish society in advance. This was very humane, and it suited my situation. I had one year to prepare for starting a new life in a very different country, both emotionally and academically.

How was your experience with the Pathway programme?

My experience in Pathway programme has been excellent and I fondly remember the past year. It was full of learning new things and making new friends. 

Do you feel that Pathway prepared you for your studies in Finland? 

Yes. Pathway has been a tremendous help in starting my university journey in Finland and I’m very grateful for that. I was a fashion editor before, and I hadn’t studied any courses related to science and engineering. Pathway helped me to readjust to the fast-paced, high intensity learning environment. 

Second, the mathematics courses were well-structured and bridged the gap between high school math and advanced mathematics. Because I earned 15 credits in advanced mathematics through Pathway, my workload in the first semester of my first year at Tampere University is relatively light, allowing me more time to focus on other courses. 

Finally, Pathway’s Finnish culture and language courses provided me with a lot of knowledge about the country’s culture, climate and language before I arrived in Finland. After arriving, I felt less alienated and adapted easily to studying and living here. Learning Finnish is challenging, but Pathway Finnish language courses helped me establish a connection with the language more easily. Therefore, I think that the Finnish language courses are very meaningful. 

What are your plans for the future? 

I plan to major in Signal Processing and Machine Learning and then pursue a career in related industries, find a job in Finland and settle here. I feel very safe here and my dog enjoys living in Tampere. I want to experience the long winters and the distinct four seasons here. I think it’s quite challenging, but fun. 

Do you have any tips or advice for students who consider applying to University Pathway Finland programme?

Pathway has been one of the best opportunities in my life in recent years. If you like Finland, want to study a profession that leads to good job opportunities at a world-class university, and also can endure some loneliness, then don’t hesitate. Apply to join Pathway! It will bring you many surprises and serve as a gate to a new world. So good luck to all of you!