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The Student Union of the University of Turku
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Package FAQ
The Student Union of the University of Turku
The Student Union of the University of Turku, TYY, is among the oldest
student unions in Finland. Founded in 1922, TYY has been taking a stand
for the students for over 80 years.
There is a student union (ylioppilaskunta) in each Finnish university.
The membership of a student union is by law compulsory for all Finnish undergraduate
students - and for those international students who are studying for a Finnish
degree. It is possible for the exchange students to join a student union,
too.
The Student Union of the University of Turku (TYY) is a public corporation
completely independent of the university of Turku. The role of TYY is to
represent its members, to advance the position of students in society and
provide them with services ranging from consultations with lawyers to parties
and sports opportunities. In addition to the local student unions, there
is a National Union of Finnish Students
(Suomen ylioppilaskuntien liitto, SYL).
Erasmus Student Network
When setting up a trans-European student network in 1989, the founders of ESN
set themselves a clear goal: to improve the standards of international student
exchanges. The Student Union of the University of Turku is an eager member
of ESN. ESN-TYY tries to improve the studying opportunities as well as the
living conditions of the foreign exchange students studying in Turku, e.g.
by organising student mentoring (a.k.a. tutoring) and providing practical
information - on issues related both to studying and living in Turku.
You are welcome to join the TYY section of ESN - no matter where you come
from, and you do not have to be an exchange student. The ESN section in TYY
organises leisure time activities for the international students. Whether
you're looking for a way to organise a hiking trip or a party - in ESN you
will find people who will be happy to help you! In ESN you are the one deciding
what you want to do and experience. Click here for more information about
ESN international or the activities of
ESN-TYY.
Services for International Students
Secretary of International Affairs
The Secretary for International Affairs will be happy to help you during your
stay in Finland. She may not have answers to all your questions - but she
knows where to find someone who does.
The Secretary for International Affairs among other things takes care of
the Starting Package system, trains and supervises the international
tutors, follows up on international policies affecting students, administers
the development co-operation project of TYY and takes part in the University
international affairs. She shares her office - and workload - with the Executive
Board member responsible for International Affairs.
You can reach the Secretary for International Affairs by calling +358 (0)2
276 9615, e-mailing tyy-kvsihteeri@utu.fi,
or just by walking into the TYY Secretariat office, in YO-talo A, ground
floor.
Tutoring
All exchange students are provided with a personal international tutor (mentor).
All the tutors are volunteer students who are willing to help the international
students adapt better into life in Turku and Finland. Your tutor will meet
you at the airport, or where ever you arrived, providing you told him in
advance of your arrival time. The tutor will help you in housing matters,
registering to the university, opening a bank account etc. Your tutor is
not, however, your academic contact person. Each subject should have one
teacher appointed for that task. You will find the name in your acceptance
papers.
If you have practical problems, such as how to find a grocery store, where
to go if you want to change apartments etc. you can always ask your tutor
to help. Your tutor will also know what it is like to be a student in Turku,
where are the best pubs and nightclubs and which parties are a must.
This service is one of the services of the student union. It is organised
in co-operation with the university
international office.
The Starting Package Storage of TYY: Terms and Conditions of Use
1. The Student Union of the University of Turku (TYY) runs the Starting
Package Storage in order to help international exchange students get started
in Finland. The Storage follows the terms of use established by the Executive
Board of TYY. Conditions may be subject to change at the discretion of the
Executive Board of TYY.
2. Packages can only be borrowed by members of TYY. Because of financial
limitations, the Student Union cannot always guarantee a Starting Package
for every exchange student member of TYY. The Starting Package system operates
on a first-come-first-served basis; Starting Packages cannot be reserved
in advance. When renting a Starting Package, you must prove your identity,
as well as present a receipt for the TYY membership fee stamped by the University's
Student Services. The Starting Package is personal and neither the Package
nor any of its contents may be passed on to any other person.
3. A Starting Package may be borrowed for a maximum time of twelve (12)
months. You should note that every year the Starting Package Storage is
closed from Midsummer to the first working day in August and from 18th December
to the first working day after Epiphany (6th January). During those times,
packages cannot be returned. The opening hours of the Starting Package Storage
are posted on the tyy-esn@utu.fi e-mail list and can also be found at the
door of the TYY Office, Student House A, Rehtorinpellonkatu 4A. If you exceed
the maximum time, a fee of 10.00 € will be charged.
4. If an item is not returned, if an item is damaged, or if an item is
not clean upon return, you will pay a fine out of your deposit fee. If you
lose something, you can replace that item, but the new item has to be in
good condition. Please note that any items stolen from a student café
or similar will not be accepted as replacement for broken or missing items.
5. Price list (16.12.2004): The rent for the Starting Package is 15.00
€. When you receive a Starting Package you will also pay a deposit
fee of 65.00 €. The deposit fee is refundable upon return of the complete
and clean package, in the same conditions as when rented.
The fines deducted from the deposit fee for missing items, or any items
which are in bad condition and cannot be used anymore, are:
- quilt, pillow, curtains 20.00 € per item
- saucepan, sheet, duvet cover 10.00 € per item
- sharp knife 7.00 €
- pillow case 3.00 €
- Starting Package box 10.00 €
- plate, knife, fork, spoon, glass, mug, spatula, ladle 2.00 € per item
If an item is dirty when you return it, you will pay a fine of 2.00 € per item.
6. Any questions etc. concerning the Starting Package Storage should be directed to tyy-start@utu.fi.
The Starting Package Storage is located in the Student Village beside the
Student Village Foundation (TYS) office.
The Address is Inspehtorinkatu 4. The storage is in a garage building which
is on the right hand side of the TYS office. There are signs to help you
find it.
If you have any questions, please first turn to the Frequently Asked Questions
about the Starting Package System. If you still have questions you
can contact the Starting Package staff.
Services for All Students
TYY has services open to all members including all international students.
These services include the TYY office, TYY owned cafeterias, TYY library,
free consultations with a lawyer, a loan fund, and general help and concultation
in academic, social and international affairs.
TYY Office
The Finnish student ID cards can be applied for at the TYY office or during
the first weeks of September from the lobby outside the university Student
Services. The processing of the card will take about four weeks.
From the TYY office you can buy for instance phone cards and items connected
to the Student Union. These items include Student Union badges, pins and
T-shirts, as well as the history of the Student Union (only in Finnish).
The TYY office is located in the YO-talo A, ground floor. The office is
open on Mon, Tue, Wed and Fri 10-11 and 12-14; on Thursdays 12-15.
TYY Owned Cafeterias
TYY is the owner of a company called Unica, which runs several student cafeterias
where you can get subsidised student meals, providing you have the Finnish
student ID card. The price of the meal is 2,35€ and it includes a warm
meal, bread and salad as well as something non-alcoholic to drink.
TYY owned cafeterias serving student priced lunches include Assarin Ullakko
(at YO-talo A), Kaffeli (on the University hill), MachiaVelli (in the Faculty
of Education) and Tottisalmi (at YTHS). There are also other TYY-owned student
cafeterias around the campus, serving coffee & snacks.
TYY Library
The Student Union Library offers a wide selection of course books, newspapers,
and magazines - also in English!
TYY is the only student union in Finland that has its own library. The
librarian will be happy to take into consideration your suggestions on course
book purchases. The TYY Library is open 14-18 on Mondays, 10-14.30 Tuesday-Friday.
Lawyers
Twice a week the TYY lawyers welcome the students of all universities in Turku
to discuss and receive information on legal matters, free-of-charge. The
Student Union lawyers are at the TYY Secretariat office twice a week: on
Mondays and Thursdays, 18-19.
Student Loan Fund
The Student Union has a Loan Fund from which all members can apply for small
loans. When applying for a loan you must have someone with a steady income
to guarantee you will pay it back. For more information, please contact
the secretary for Social Policy.
The Student Newspaper
The TYY student newspaper Turun Ylioppilaslehti or Tylkkäri is a
- more or less - weekly paper, published by TYY during the semesters. You
can pick the newspaper from any of the stands around the campus, or if you
live in the Student Village it will be delivered to your home.
The paper is published in Finnish but there is usually a short section
English. These will help you keep up with the most important issues affecting
students.
Also remember to check out the TYY infopage, at the last page of Tylkkäri
where the ESN-section of TYY will advertise forthcoming events.
TYY Structure
The Student Union is run by the Student Union Council, but the day-to day
affairs and decisions are run by the Executive Board and the Secretariat.
The contact information and names of the officials can be found here. For
more detailed information about the functions of trhe Council, Board and
Secretariat please read on.
The Student Union Council
The highest authority in the Student Union is the Student Union Council. The
41 members of the Council have been elected by the students of the University
of Turku for a two year term. All members represent a certain group e.g.
the independents, departmental organisations, faculty societies, political
parties and various interest groups. The Student Union Council elects its
presiding officers, the Executive Board, the officials (e.g. the Secretariat)
as well as student representatives to the University Executive Board. It
also decides on the Student Union´s regulations, budget and the amount
of the membership fee.
All students are welcome to come and follow the meetings of the Student
Union Council. However, to understand the discussions held you should be
able to understand Finnish.
The Student Union Council meetings take place once a month during the semesters,
and they are open to all students. You too can have your say on who should
be in the Council - by voting, providing the Student Parliament election
takes place during your stay
The Executive Board
The daily work of the Student Union is carried out by the Executive
Board. Its six members are student officers, elected by the Student
Parliament for a one-year, half-time posts.
Each board member has one or two specific fields to concentrate on. These
fields are eg international affairs, development co-operation, academic
affairs, social policy, sports, culture and environment. The Executive Board
is headed by a chairperson. The divisions clearly indicate the main fields
of interest in the Student Union, and among the student body, too.
The Secretariat
The Executive Board is assisted by the
Secretariat. The six members of the Secretariat are full-time employees,
generally working on two-year contracts.
The General Secretary is the chief-of-staff. The General Secretary submits
proposals of the Executive Board and the Student Parliament, participates
in interest group activities, and is responsible for the financial matters.
The Secretary for International Affairs works with the international students
at the University of Turku - and advises the Finnish students who want to
study abroad. It is also her responsibility to organize tutoring and take
care of the Starting Packages.
The Secretary for Social Policy takes care of the Student Union's Loan
Fund. It is also his responsibility to follow and influence the discussion
dealing with the students housing conditions, health care and other practical
issues connected to the student life.
The Secretary for Academic Affairs consults and gives advice to students
acting in the university administration. He also keeps up with the general
discussions on higher education, and plays an influential part in the discussion.
TYY also has a Secretary for Internal Affairs and Public Relations, a Financial
Secretary and one secretary working in the office. In addition to the 6-member
Secretariat, TYY has one more full-time employee, working at the TYY library.
Student Union Membership
How to Become a Member and Facts About the Student Card
The Finnish student ID card is usually called Antenna, or just plain opiskelijakortti
- that's the Finnish word for student ID card. The student card is a very
useful thing to have, even if you decide to spend all your time in Turku.
But if you want to travel in Finland - the student card is a must.
To get the card, you have to be a member of a student union, in your case
the Student Union of the University of Turku. The membership is compulsory
for all students stydying for a Finnish degree; for the formal exchange
students the membersip is opitional. Visiting students doing complementary
studies do not have the right to join a student union. The TYY membership
fee for one year (2003—2004) is 76,20 €, for one semester 38,10 €.
The cost of processing the card is 7 €. It may seem to be a steep price
for a piece of plastic, but the benefits you get with the student card soon
outdo the initial cost. For example, on one single round-trip to Helsinki,
by train or bus, you will get almost 25 € discount if you have the student
card.
To get the card, you first have to pay the Student Union membership fee
in a bank. This must be done on a specific bank giro form (with the title
Turun yliopiston opiskelijain maksut). You can get the giro form either
from the TYY office or from the University Student Services. If you stay
in Finland for the whole academic year, pay 76,20 €, for one semester
only, 38,10 €. Remember to pay the 7 € for the card.
Next take the paid giro form with you when you go to register to the university.
The paid giro form will be stamped at the university. Then come to the TYY
office to fill in the Student ID card application form. It will take about
four weeks for the card to be processed. When the card is ready, you can
pick it up from the TYY office. The earlier you order your student card,
the earlier you will get it. The stamped and paid giro form will act as
a temporary Student ID card, you will get subsidised lunches and the services
of the student health care center with it, but not e.g. travel discounts!
The Benefits of Being a Member
Health Care
With a valid Finnish student ID you can use the services of students' health
care center Ylioppilaiden terveydenhoito-säätiö, YTHS. The
center provides students with medical care, dental health care, and mental
health care.
Appointments are available with general practitioners, specialists, dentists,
nurses, counselling psychologists and psychiatrists. Queues are long for
specialists, shorter for general practitioners. Consultations with nurses
can usually be arranged on the same day. YTHS only offers basic medical
services. If you get into an accident or have to be admitted to hospital
the YTHS system will not cover it. For these cases you should have with
you the E111 or E128 forms (EU/EAA citizens) or an insurance. We recommend
all international students to have an insurance in case of emergencies.
You can find the Turku YTHS at Kirkkotie 13, between the campus and Student
Village. The appointments must be made in advance, either by phone (2747
288 for doctors' appointments, 2747 299 for dentists') or by visiting the
YTHS desk, at ground floor. For more information about YTHS please turn
to their web pages.
Shopping and Eating Out
Several restaurants and small shops in Turku give students small discounts.
It's always worth asking, especially in establishments near the University
campus area.
The Kansallinen kirjakauppa bookstore in Hämeenkatu gives 10% discount
with the student card.
When you eat at a restaurant that gives a student discount, you will have
to show your student card before ordering the meal.
Travelling
When travelling in Finland, the student card will give you several benefits
that you cannot get with the ISIC card or with any foreign student ID card.
Non-Finnish student cards do get you student discounts in some tourist attractions,
like museums. But for getting discounts on travel tickets in Finland, the
Finnish student ID is required.
Students with the Finnish student ID card get a hefty 50% discount on both
long-distance train and bus tickets. During the off-season taking a boat
trip to Sweden can be ridiculously cheap, if you have the student ID card.
Eating at Student Cafeterias
Student cafeterias are by far the cheapest alternative for eating, if you are
not willing to cook very inexpensive grub at home. The price for the government-subsidised
student lunch is usually 2,55 €. This sum will cover not only the hot
meal but also a side salad, bread and something non-alcoholic to drink.
You are expected to show your valid Antenna card each time to get the lunch
at student price - without the student ID card the price of the lunch is
more than 4 €.
In Turku there are many student cafeterias on all around the campus area
offering subsidised lunches. The food is cheap and usually delicious in all
of the cafeterias. The TYY-owned Assarin Ullakko (in YO-talo A) is the only
one open seven days a week
Free Time Activities
Faculty and Departmental Organisations
There are a number of subject-oriented departmental and faculty organisations
at the University of Turku. They arrange parties, excursions and discussions,
and often publish small magazines for their members. Most of these organisations
have an executive board, which takes care of the daily work. International
students are welcome to join these organisations - joining one is probably
the best way to meet Finnish students, and to get truly involved in the Finnish
student life!
Student Nations
A system particular to the Nordic countries is the existence of student nations,
osakunta, in some old university towns. The basic idea behind there organisations
is to bring together students who originally come from a particular region
in Finland. The Nations provide their members many services and social activities.
The concept of membership based on regional origin is interpreted very loosely
nowadays - if you wish to join a Student Nation, you'll be welcome. Just choose
yourself a region of origin in Finland!
Other Organisations
With its 11 000 members, the Student Union of the University of Turku has the potential to offer a wide variety of hobbies from theatre to ice-hockey, from photography to role playing. The best ways to find out about the various hobby organisations are the TYY office or Tylkkäri, the student newspaper. International students are welcomed by all organisations to take part. If you want more information do not hesitate to ask the chairpersons of the organisations, your tutor or staff of the Student Union.
TYY also organises various sport and culture events all through the year. All members are welcomed to join, and this includes all international students. Perhaps you would like to try break dancing or fencing? Or have you ever been to opera? Stay tuned to Tylkkäri or the ESN-mailing list for up to date information, also in English. The Student Union has published a guide covering all sub-organisations in English. For a downloadable PDF version click here .
Starting Package FAQ
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about the Starting Package. Please read through them and if you still have questions you can contact the Starting Package staff at tyy-start@utu.fi.
Can I get a Starting Package?
If you are coming to the University of Turku as an official Exchange Student and you have received information of a personal tutor, you will be able to get the package. If you are a degree student coming to study for a degree (e.g. a master´s programme), a researcher or coming here to work you are not entitled to a Starting Package.
Can I reserve a Starting Package in advance?
No, you can not. The Starting Packages will be given out in the order students come to get them. Also we can not quarantee that all students get a Starting Package. Everything is given out in a first come, first served basis so if you arrive later than most students you might have to do without some items.
How and where will I get the Starting Package?
The best way to get information about the opening times and procedures
of the Starting Package is to contact your personal tutor. You need to have
the 60 € deposit with you when you come and get the Starting Package.
You will not be given any part of the package before you have paid the deposit.
We only accept cash.
What exactly does the Starting Package include?
The Starting Package includes: 1 pot (for cooking pasta, making soup etc. in), 1 dinner plate, 1 soup plate, 2 glasses, 1 mug, cutlery (knife, fork, spoon, teaspoon), sharp knife, wooden spatula, curtains, sheets (sheet, duvet cover and pillow case) all packed neatly into a plastic box. In addition to these you can have a pillow and a blanket. There is a limited amount of extra items (frying pans, bowls, plates, coffee makers etc.) in the storage, but we do not recommend for you to count on getting them, since there are only a few things and they will be given to the first people coming.
Should I bring some things with me when I come?
We can not quarantee the Starting Package for everyone and since the storage where we keep them is not open all the time you might have to do without the Package for a couple of days. Therefore we recommend you to have for example a sleeping bag and towel with you. Also if you do a lot of cooking you will have to buy some of the things here in Finland, so if you have space in your luggage and you do not want to buy the things here you might want to bring some cooking things with you. However, we do have some good second hand shops where you can find cutler, plates and other cooking stuff fairly cheaply. The apartments generally do not have any cooking utensils. Some shared apartments and common citchens might have things in them, but do ask your neighbours for permission to use them.
Can I donate some of my things to the Starting Package
Yes. We are glad to take your donations of things you have bought while studying in Turku or brought with you when you came. However, we will not accept anything dirty, broken or in very bad condition. Also we will only accept things that are really usefull (we have a very limited amount of space to store things) like pots, cutlery, plates etc.
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