Finland is known for its unspoiled natural scenery, vast areas of lakes and forests, saunas and the midnight sun as well as for clean modern cities showcasing great architecture and design and a rich variety of cultural activities. A world leader in technology, Finland has one of the highest standards of living in the world. International Student Exchange Program has partnered with universities and colleges around the world to provide students the opportunity to have an immersive and affordable study abroad experience. The University of Iowa is a member of ISEP and thus UI students are able to study for a semester or an academic year at University of Jyväskylä.

Academic Program

All coursework is in English. In most Finnish institutions a "block" system is used for courses meaning students take one course intensively for several weeks. Courses/blocks may overlap by a week so, or may not. UI students should choose one or two courses for each block as they will not be able to take more than one or two courses in a specific block of time. The key for course codes at the University of Jyväskylä are:

Basic Level - xxxPxxx

Intermediate Level - xxxAxxx

Master's Level - xxxSxxx

A list of courses offered to exchange students in English can be found on the University of Jyväskylä's Courses for exchange students website.

Cultural Activities

UI students will want to join the University of Jyväskylä's student union JYY. The student union or JYY will provide you with your Frank Card, which is proof of your student status. With a valid Frank Card a student is entitled to, among other things, student-priced meals, public transportation discounts and the servies of the Student Health Care Foundation, plus online discounts. JYY also promotes students' community activities through student organizations. More information can be found on JYY's website Organizational and Hobby Activities.

Dates

Fall Semester is typically from late August through December

Spring Semester is typically January through June

For More Info

Steps to Studying Abroad

1. Before initiating an application with ISEP, students must complete a Discover Study Abroad session at the University of Iowa.
2. After completing the Discover Abroad session, students must call the Study Abroad office at 319-335-0353 to be assigned to the appropriate study abroad advisor.
3. Once assigned, students must meet with their study abroad advisor to receive program application instructions.

Study Abroad
1111 University Capitol Centre
Iowa City, IA 52242

Phone: 319-335-0353
Email: study-abroad@uiowa.edu

University of Jyväskylä

The university was established in the 1860's as a teacher training college. It is now a top-ranked university characterized by a high level of technological sophistication, active international cooperation and teaching that is constantly developing to meet the challenges of future professions. It has three campuses with the main campus located int he city center, the Mattilanniemi Campus on the shore of Lake Jyväsjarvi, and Ylistorinne Campus on the opposite chore of the lake. The Mattilanniemi and Ylistorinne campuses are connected by a bridge.

Jyväskylä

The city of Jyväskylä is located 170 miles north of Helsinki in the western region of Finland's "Lakeland". It is the third largest city in Finland with a population of approximately 140,000 inhabitants. It is an ideal city for sport and physical recreation as there are more than 200 different venues for sport and leisure activities including a wide choice of maintained trails and recreational facilities within walking distance. Although the city is only 300 miles from the Arctic Circle, it experiences similar winter temperatures to Iowa with average high temperatures in the mid-20°s, but summer months are cooler with average highs around 65°-70°.

Finland

Finland is located in Northern Europe and borders, Sweden, Norway, and Russia. It's capital is Helsinki and the country has a population of approximately 5.5 million people. Finland was largely an agrarian country until after World War KK when it rapidly industrialized and developed an advanced economy. It built an extensive welfare state based on the Nordic model which resulted in widespread prosperity and a high per capita income. Finland became a member of the European Union in 1995. The Finns' love for sauna (pronounced ***) is unprecedented. Nearly all Finnish houses have either their own sauna or in multistory apartment houses, a "timeshare" sauna is available.

US Department of State Country Information

The US Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.

Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to help decide whether traveling to any given country is right for you. Non-US citizen travelers may also wish to seek guidance from the embassy of their country of citizenship. The UI International Travel Policy for Students addresses restrictions on student travel to high-risk locations and engagement in high-risk activities abroad.

Living Arrangements

ISEP programs allow UI students to swap spots with a student from another ISEP member institution. In doing this, UI students are provided housing (usually a shared furnished apartment) and meals (usually in the form of a stipend) by the host university.

Passport

US Citizens

If you do not have a passport, it is important that you apply for one as soon as possible to ensure you receive it before the program begins. US citizens can find more information about how to apply for a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

Students with a valid passport should check the expiration date. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months AFTER the anticipated return to the US from studying abroad. If your passport is not valid for at least 6 months after your anticipated date of return to the US, you must renew your passport before applying for a visa or leaving the United States.

US citizens can find more information about how to renew a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

Travel Arrangements

Students make their own travel arrangements to arrive in Jyväskylä. Arrival information along with new student orientation programs will be provided by the University of Jyväskylä in the acceptance package to the program.

Local Transportation

The green "Linkki" buses take care of the local transportation in Jyväskylä. Public transportation of the Jyväskylä region is organized by the City of Jyväskylä. Linkki public transportation information can be found on the Linkki website.

Eligibility

This program is open it UI students who fulfill the following requirements:

Cumulative GPA of 2.75

In good academic and disciplinary standing at the University of Iowa

Good academic and disciplinary standing - It is the policy of the UI Study Abroad office that all students who study abroad must be in both good academic standing and good disciplinary standing at the time of their application. Students who, even after being accepted into a program, are put on either academic and/or disciplinary probation for any period of time overlapping with the study abroad program dates are ineligible to study abroad. In these cases, students must forfeit their acceptance and will not be allowed to study abroad. Any student who must forfeit their acceptance and/or attendance on a study abroad program due to a probationary status is wholly responsible for any and all financial expenses incurred.

Students do not need to have any Finnish language knowledge to participate in this program.

Cost

Costs charged to the U-Bill

• Application fee (charged at the time of application, before financial aid/scholarships disburse)
• UI Tuition and Fees (charged shortly before departure)
• Course Fee- Includes room and board at host institution (charged shortly before departure)
• University of Iowa Study Abroad Administrative Fee (charged shortly before departure)
• The mandatory Iowa Regents International CISI Health Insurance (charged shortly before departure)

Out-of-pocket costs (not charged to U-Bill)

• ISEP Application Fee (paid at the time of application)
• ISEP Exchange Placement Fee (paid when accepting placement at the host university)
• ISEP Health Insurance (paid when accepting placement at the host university)
• Food (paid by student at their discretion while abroad)
• Round trip airfare (paid by student directly to travel agent or airline- approx. 6-8 weeks prior to departure, before financial aid/scholarships disburse)
• Local transportation (paid at student’s discretion while abroad)
• Passport (paid by student prior to departure, before financial aid/scholarships disburse)
• Consular and visa fees (paid by student prior to departure, before financial aid/scholarships disburse)
• Textbooks, copyright permission fees, course packets, and other course-related materials (paid upoon arrival to your host country)
• Medical exam/immunizations (paid by student as needed prior to departure, before financial aid/scholarships disburse)
• Personal expenses and personal travel (paid by student as needed while abroad)
• Rental or purchase of required cell phone- does not include usage fees (paid as needed while abroad)

Cost Sheet

The cost sheet outlines the total estimated costs associated with participating in this program and can be used for financial aid and planning purposes. They include fees charged on students’ U-Bill as well as out-of-pocket expenses. Actual out-of-pocket expenses will vary from individual to individual. Quoted estimates are conservatively high, yet realistic.

Costs for future sessions are usually similar to the current session, however students can expect a modest increase in overall costs each session.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Most financial aid (scholarships, grants, and loans) is applicable to study abroad programs. Please check the Study Abroad website for information on financial aid and how it may be applied to studying abroad. You are also encouraged to speak with someone at the Office of Student Financial Aid to explore financial aid options. Scholarship opportunities exist for study abroad participants. Please explore Study Abroad’s websites for UI Study Abroad Scholarship Opportunities, and Non-UI External Awards.

ISEP offers scholarships as well. Please visit ISEP Scholarships website to find out more about their scholarships.

How to Apply

Steps to Studying Abroad

1. Before initiating an application with ISEP, students must complete a Discover Study Abroad session at the University of Iowa.
2. After completing the Discover Abroad session, students must call the Study Abroad office at 319-335-0353 to be assigned to the appropriate study abroad advisor.
3. Once assigned, students must meet with their study abroad advisor to receive program application instructions.

Students will need to complete a University of Iowa Study Abroad application and an ISEP Exchange Application. After creating an account with ISEP, students must request permission to start and ISEP application. Permission will not be granted if the student has not met with their UI Study Abroad Advisor. Final admissions decision is made by the host university.

Application Deadline

February 1 for fall semester/academic year and August 25 for spring semester.

Acceptance & Confirmation Materials

ISEP Acceptance

Once your complete application to your host university has been accepted, ISEP will send you an Acceptance Package. The Acceptance Package needs to be thoroughly reviewed and officially accepted by you. Once you accept the placement, you will be required to pay the ISEP Exchange Placement Fee and enroll in ISEP Insurance.

Preparation

It is highly recommended that students review the following information:

Health & Safety Planning

Iowa Regents CISI Health Insurance Information

Health Abroad

Safety and Security Abroad

Visa

Finnish Immigration Service (information about residence permit for studies)

Diversity and Identity Abroad

Race and Ethnicity Abroad

LGBTQ Identity Abroad

Students with Disabilities Abroad

First-Generationa and Non-Traditional Students Abroad

Orientation

In order to prepare for your time abroad, you are required by the University of Iowa to complete two orientations. In addition to orientations provided UI Study Abroad, your host institution will instruct you on their orientation process.

Online Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation

You are required to complete the International Programs online “Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation” course distributed through ICON prior to departure. This orientation is mandatory for all students going abroad under the auspices of the University of Iowa. It covers many practical matters about living overseas, such as health and safety, communication, money, goals and much more. You will be enrolled in this course by International Programs and an email will be sent to you once enrolled. If you have any questions you can email safety-abroad@uiowa.edu.

Program-Specific Orientation

This orientation will be facilitated by your study abroad advisor and will cover content specific to the University of Iowa including, but not limited to, billing, insurance, the Credit Approval Form (CAF), and transcripts. It could be conducted in a group setting or one-on-one depending on the type of planned activity abroad. Your study abroad advisor will send you more information about this mandatory in-person session.

Host University Orientation

Many ISEP universities will host Orientation sessions upon your arrival to their country. These orientations may be anywhere for a day long session up to a week long orientation.