In these interviews and short stories, our students talk about what made them choose the programme and their study track, the pros and challenges, student life in Finland and their plans for the future.
After researching the University of Helsinki, I was particularly interested in its public policy and social policy studies. The depth and diversity of the research, ranging from consumer research to topics like digital death and specific policy research on poverty, inspired me to come here.
The challenge is independent work. You have to actively seek help if you face challenges, whether academically or with integration into a new country. The key is to realize what's important to you and actively pursue it.
Studying at the City Center campus makes me feel lucky because I like the area and the general infrastructure. I enjoy studying at the library, not just for its functionality but also because the scenery of Helsinki itself is beautiful.
I was interested in digital media literacy and found that the University of Helsinki and the COS programme would be a good fit in helping me make a connection between my academic journey and working past. Before, I had worked for private companies and their interests, but I now wanted to work for the common people and democratic values.
The programme is very multi-disciplinary. My study track is Global Development Studies, and it encompasses history, politics, economics, anthropology, and sometimes even physics and engineering. The multi-disciplinary approach has been very, very crucial when it comes to looking for solutions to social issues.
I had some biases, like thinking Finnish people might be cold and individualistic. However, I've found that many Finnish students are active, sometimes extroverted, and participate eagerly in classes. They have their own opinions and are very engaged, which has been a good learning experience for me.
What first caught my eye about this programme was that it offered a study track in Social Psychology in English, which was (and still is) one of my favourite fields in Psychology. I believe that multidisciplinary research is crucial to advancing our understanding of the world, and this program is a good place for that.
While it can be tough for an international student to live, study, and work in a foreign environment, I hope that anyone who is considering coming to UH knows that the university has many support systems in place and that its Faculty and staff members (and students!) are always available to help.
My studies have been really practical. We’ve gotten to work with real data and it gives you this sense of actually having confidence of knowing what to do once you step into the working life. This is a drastic change from the theory-heavy Computer Science studies. It suits me really well. I also feel that Contemporary Societies as a study track in general has a really great community feeling to it.
It has been such a thrill to get to know people from all over the world. The teacher’s have been amazing and really helpful. The programme really seems to care about the wellbeing of their students and want to develop it constantly. Just this year we had the first Social Sciences Career Fair to connect students and companies better, which was initiated because us students were asking for an event like this!
I did my first master’s in Sociolinguistics, namely Language Policy in the Context of Ethnocultural Diversity, where researched language shift and language vitality among Sakhalin Koreans. As my thesis and academic interests were on the intersection of sociolinguistics and linguistic anthropology, I decided to get my next education in social and cultural anthropology to study various societal issues from perspectives other than purely linguistic.
It’s mainly you who is in charge of your schedule so the amount of classes during the day varies. I usually have one or two a day, quite rarely more than that. In between the classes, you can always grab lunch (for a very reasonable price!) in one of the UniCafes.
The University of Helsinki and COS have provided me with all the opportunities to build my future and career either in Finland or somewhere else. I find it great that an internship (an obligatory part of the programme) can be done both in Finland and abroad, and there are grants to cover it.
I’ve always been very interested in learning about societies, identities, and cultures, which is why I chose to pursue my Master’s degree in this field. I wanted to attend a programme that would allow me to move between subjects and fields of study and explore my different interests.
The type of work I want to pursue is very relevant to this degree as well. For me to properly research (and work in the fields of) journalism, arts, and culture, it is very necessary to have a grasp on how societies function as a whole. There’s a lot of synergy between all of my courses, and with time I’ve come to realise that everything I study is connected. My studies are predominantly theoretical, but this has given me a solid basis for my research and work.
I chose to study Contemporary Societies because it offered sociology as a study track, and its courses sounded both interesting and varied. With many courses and a lot to do in my spare time, it’s sometimes been challenging to schedule enough time for everything. However, the people have been amazing and welcoming, and I’ve gotten a lot of value out of the courses.
I love Helsinki. I’m originally from here, so it definitely feels like home. It’s not a small town so there’s a lot to do, but it’s also pretty cosy. Since I didn’t do my bachelor’s degree in Finland, alongside many other people in COS, it's been amazing to meet others who have degrees from across the world. On top of that, since I feel like most of the people in COS were new to the University of Helsinki, it's been great to have a ”new start” with others in a similar situation.
I chose to study at the University of Helsinki since I wanted to study social psychology. The study focus in the COS programme matched my interests. Also the idea of living in the capital city attracted me since I was living in a different part of Finland during the application period.
I´ve gained a broad view of society, social psychology, and how I see the world. Every single course has been eye-opening and inspiring, and professors and researchers are always accessible and helpful. I've also got some precious friends with whom I can share experiences and joys. Enjoying high-quality Finnish language classes is also a big advantage of studying at the university.
My career plan is to work in a field related to social science, especially research on gender inequality. Work-related data analysis in the public or private sector would be interesting too. The COS programme has offered me a lot of opportunities to dig up my career interests.
I chose to study in the COS programme because it combined a discipline in the behavioural sciences with critical problems facing the world today. Through my sociology track and inequality pathway, I feel both equipped and inspired to follow my academic passions. Additionally, studying at the University of Helsinki has allowed me access to the resources in a capital city, while still feeling "known" and a part of my faculty.
Though I have thoroughly enjoyed my coursework, the most important thing I have gained during my time at the university has been my friends. The COS programme is set up to facilitate a network of other passionate, international (or internationally-minded) graduate students. In their company, as well as through other organisations at the University of Helsinki, I have been both supported and challenged by the intellectual curiosity that abounds on this campus.
The COS programme has helped me prepare for an international future by introducing me to a European style of social theory, as well as researchers from around the world. The career credits portion of my degree has enabled me to apply for various research internships as well as volunteer with activist organisations as I explore what I want my next steps to be.
I did my Bachelor’s degree at the University of Helsinki and liked studying there. Helsinki is an easy and fascinating city once you get the hang of it and I love the university campus in the city center.
Applying for an international Master’s programme felt like a natural next step to take since I wanted to complete my degree in English and have always enjoyed meeting people from other countries. I wanted to study in an international environment with people with different backgrounds, because it makes studying a lot more interesting, and makes it possible to learn fascinating stuff also outside the lectures. I think that graduating from an international Master's programme will also benefit my career because it gives such a wide perspective to the field of social sciences.
The Master's Programme in Contemporary Societies sounded great because the structure emphasizes questions of inequality and all courses in the Social and Public Policy track were super interesting to me. It has been easy to get to know new people and for those who are interested in student activities, there’s an endless amount of organisations and events happening all the time. Helsinki is big enough that there’s always something new to be found, and small enough to feel like home. Altogether I am very happy that I chose this master’s programme, and would warmly recommend it to anyone!
The University of Helsinki offers multidisciplinary study options across 11 faculties. Studying and cooperation across the fields are highly encouraged.
Would you like to know what students from other degree programmes and academic disciplines think about their studies and life in Helsinki?
As a student in the COS programme, you benefit from the expertise of numerous inspiring scholars with solid teaching experience and broad researcher credentials.