International Students Have Too High Expectations

Recent results from the International Student Barometer Survey (ISB) show that the arrival process of the international students at the University of Tampere is the one of the best in the world. This process starts when a student is accepted and covers their arrival and first weeks in their destination. During this period, the new arrivals receive a lot of support, including the help from their tutors.

The survey was conducted by the International Graduate Insight Group, an independent benchmarking and consultancy service, and the target group consisted of international students in 227 institutions of higher education around the world, including Finland and Tampere. "We had satisfaction ratings close to 100% for the first weeks. Our international tutors are motivated and competent, and we offer free tutoring, while some of the universities in the UK, for example, charge for this service," says Ms Varpu Jutila, TamyÂ’s Secretary for the International Affairs.

The University of Tampere did well in other areas of the survey, as well, but some improvements are still needed. The lowest scores came from employment opportunities, career advice and the post-graduate studentsÂ’ opportunities to teach. Ms Jutila thinks the reason behind these low scores could be the international studentsÂ’ high expectations that arenÂ’t met by the UniversityÂ’s information and employment services. The Coordinator of International Education, Ms Leena Uski, and the Head of Academic and International Affairs, Mr Mikko Markkola, who were in charge of commissioning and coordinating this survey, agree with Ms Jutila.

"Students might have false expectations about their chances of finding work here. We need to inform the prospective students that getting a job here is not easy and that knowing Finnish is often essential," says Ms Uski.

The University of Tampere Career Center does not offer services for international students, although this situation is likely to change. Â’The Workplace Pirkanmaa project has helped the international students to find jobs, but this project is about to end. We will, however, continue this work within the University of Tampere," says Mr Markkola.

As an example of how difficult it is to find work in Finland, Ms Jutila mentions the article in Iltalehti on Antoinette Batumubwira who, despite her background, could not find work here. Back in Burundi, she became the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The situation of the Russian Margarita Khartanovich sounds very similar. She is currently studying for the second year in the MasterÂ’s degree programme in Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Tampere, but this 25-year-old student also has two previous degrees from Russia - one in Linguistics and another in Communication. In addition, she has worked in London and Moscow, teaching English and doing television and advertising agency work.

"My only income at the moment comes from teaching English to Russian students via Skype and the support I get from my parents. I have sent out hundreds of job applications, but even though IÂ’ve had some interviews and even made it on some of the shortlists, I still havenÂ’t been hired for any job. IÂ’ve applied for everything you can imagine and would accept any work," Khartanovich complains.

The Finnish Immigration Service requires proof of means of support from students arriving from outside the EU and EEA countries. They must be able to prove they have at least €500 per month for the duration of their stay or at least €6,000 to show on arrival.

"Students, however, think they can easily pick up temporary work here. The immigration rules are bypassed by borrowing the required amount and returning it after the checking. When students fail to find work, they can get into serious financial difficulties. Besides, €500 wouldn’t be enough to cover the living expenses, even if you did have that amount on your account," Ms Jutila says. To make matters worse, an international student is not eligible for government guarantees for a student loan in Finland, and according to Ms Jutila, a common misconception is that the University offers students financial support.

The study also showed that the number of friendships formed between Finns and the international students in the University of Tampere was lower than the study average. Friendships made during the intensive tutoring period, which otherwise received positive feedback, begin to fade because all the international students are housed together in the same location. "We should avoid creating international student ghettos, especially if the students themselves donÂ’t want them. Additionally, the Student Union together with the student associations should announce their events in English, to attract both international and Finnish attenders," Ms Jutila concludes.

Ville Ilkkala