SoleMOVE
Every student going for international exchange has to make an online application to soleMOVE before going abroad. More information: www.ramk.fi/en > studying > international activities > student mobility > solemove
To get grants for exchange you must fill in the soleMOVE application.
RAMK email
Student must use only RAMK email during the exchange. Remember to renew your password and empty your email regularly!
Financing the Exchange
Before going abroad remember to take care of the needed financing for the exchange period. RAMK grants do not cover all the expenses of the exchange, thus you must be prepared to use your own savings. Please notice that there might be extra fees for example visas, registrations, deposit etc.
Passport, Visa and Residence Permit
Check that your passport is valid during the exchange period. Also check if you need a visa or a residence permit for your exchange country. Please notice that some exchange universities may require the copy of the valid passport attached to the exchange application.You can have for more information about visa and residence permit from the exchange country’s embassy. Be prepared to apply for the residence permit in good time in advance.
Residence Permit and Work Permit
Finnish citizens do not need a residence permit for staying in the Nordic Countries. If you are international student, please check the requirements for your nationality. In the EU countries the students must register if staying in the country more than 3 months. Students can apply for the permit at the local police or the immigration service of the exchange country.
For the permit you need among others a passport, attendance certificate (letter of acceptance) from your host university, certificate of finance for your exchange study period (for example the documents of the grants, KELA study grants, and money that you have with you/ you can use), passport photos and local money. Check all needed documents from the authorizing body in question.
In some exchange destinations (political situation or other reason) it is recommended to register to local Finnish authorities (embassy), especially if staying in the country for a long time.
In EU region labour force can move freely without work permit. Registration of right of residence (EU citizens) is obligatory if you stay in the country more than 3 months. For other countries, please check the country-specific work permit procedures.
Study Grant Application (KELA)
For more information and forms from
RAMK Financial Aid Committee and the RAMK web pages and also from
www.kela.fi.
Social Security: The European Health Insurance Card (EU Citizens)
EU citizens have the same benefits and duties to social security as the citizens of that country. Apply from KELA the European Health Insurance Card which certifies that you are entitled to the Social Services of the EU. The card is very useful for example if you need hospital treatment.
Travel Insurance
Each student going abroad is obliged to acquire themselves a sufficient insurance that covers for example illness, accidents, repatriation and if needed, liability issues. Ask for more information from insurance companies.
During the unpaid training students are insured with RAMK’s insurance that covers accidents and occupational diseases in working hours.
When travelling, always remember that things can be replaced, but life cannot be.
Travel tickets and travelling timetables
Compare prices of the different travelling possibilities to get the best use of the grants. Affordable student tickets are sold by many travel agencies such as Kilroy Travels and Area. They have offices in numerous countries, which makes changing the tickets easier. Remember to inform travel times to the exchange university / training place and your family.
Student Identity Card
In Finland travel agencies sell International Student Identity Card (ISIC) which entitles to discounts in different countries. Most of the discounts are for travelling, but ISIC can also be used for bargaining about the student discounts when visiting museums etc.
Letter of Acceptance, Proof of Means of Support, Passport photos
Take letter of acceptance, proof of means of support (for example in Finland foreigners are required to have at least 500 € per month); students can use for example a document of the grant, KELA study grant or other assets (bank statement). Take copies of the documents and passport and keep them in a different place than the originals.
Take adequate amount of passport photos with you, at least 5-10 photos.
Accommodation
Remember to take care of the housing-related matters, such as rent, electricity contract, notice of removal, postal services etc. Find yourself an apartment from the exchange destination in good time in advance and keep all the apartment-related documents and agreements (tenancy agreement with tenancy period and price) in safe.
Addresses and Contact Information
Make all needed change of addresses for the period of absence: Post, Registry office, study affairs office. Take with you all important contact information in Finland, RAMK (teacher tutor, international coordinator, International Office) as well as in exchange destination (for example Finnish Embassy) and leave a copy to your family / trusted person.
For the exchange, take with you a list of needed addresses and directions. Pack the list to your hand luggage so that you can take it out easily.
Financial Matters
Find out the most practical way of taking care of your finances in the destination: to open a bank account or to withdraw money from automatic cash dispenser from the Finnish bank account, how to transfer money to the destination etc. Give instructions to your family / trusted person! Make an authorization for your banking matters in Finland. The authorization should include also other things, such as insurance and study grant matters. The authorization document must be signed by two witnesses.
Find out the most convenient way of taking money with you: cash travel cheque, credit cards, VisaElectron etc.
Health Care
Take care of the needed vaccinations and visit the dentist before going abroad. Remember to have your pharmaceuticals with you for the whole exchange period. Take also plasters, basic painkillers, basic lotion etc.
There are specific instructions for Health Care students about the needed vaccinations and medical examinations before and after the exchange: More information from the international coordinator!
Information about Finland, RAMK and the destination
Be prepared to answer the most extraordinary questions about Finland and RAMK. Addresses to sources of Finland-information, please see the links below. If interested in books, Facts about Finland is very useful.
Famiriarize yourself with RAMK brochures and web pages in English so that you know the RAMK terminology. You can also pick up a RAMK information package from your international coordinator of the International Office before going abroad.
Take with you also Rovaniemi information and pictures, for example post cards.
In advance familiarize yourself with the exchange country and culture as good as you can. You can have more information from books and the Internet.
Presents
Be prepared for situations when presents are needed (such as invitation to a party) by taking with you something small, like key chains etc. It is nice to take something that is originated from your own country.