Before Arrival

• Read carefully the Exchange Student Guide. It gives you detailed information about all the issues covered in this checklist.
• Fill out the HAAGA-HELIA Exchange Student Application and send a signed copy to HAAGA-HELIA International Services.
• Apply for accommodation as soon as possible. Students are offered accommodation on a first come, first served basis.
• If you are not an EU/EEA citizen, apply for a residence permit well in advance. Remember to obtain appropriate health insurance and attach details of it to your residence permit application. For further information please see: Finnish Immigration Service.
• Confirm the accommodation offer sent to you and make the deposit payment by the given deadline.
• Fill out the Arrival form by the given deadline.
• Enroll for courses through the WinhaWille course registration system.
• After course registration fill out a learning agreement, get it signed by the study counselor of your home institution and bring it with you to Finland.
• If you are an EU/EEA citizen, obtain a European Health Insurance Card from the local social security office in your home country and/or acquire private medical insurance.
• If you come from a country outside the EU/EEA, obtain private medical insurance.
• Write down the mobile phone number of your tutor and take it with you. Call him/her if you do not find each other or if your travel plans change at the last minute.
• Remember to bring with you some warm, rain- and wind-proof outdoor clothing as well as some lighter clothing for warmer seasons.

Your first days in Finland

• Upon your arrival you will receive an info package containing all the important forms, documents and your apartment keys (if you are living in a HOAS room). Keep the info package always with you during the first days.
• ONLY for Porvoo and Vierumäki: Sign your tenancy agreement.
• Participate in the compulsory orientation and get useful info about living in Finland and studying at HAAGA-HELIA.
• ONLY Helsinki: Apply for a travel card at HSL Public Transport Office. A travel card application form will be in your welcoming package..
• If you are an EU/EEA citizen, apply for the right to reside in Finland at the Immigration Services of the Police Station (that is, if your stay in Finland exceeds 3 months and you are not a citizen of a Nordic country).

Before going home

• Make sure that your rent and other bills are paid.
• ONLY Porvoo students: Give notice on your tenancy agreement one month before your departure if you do not have a termination date in your contract.
• Clean and empty your room and common areas of your personal belongings before moving out, not forgetting the storage area and balcony.
• Return all the library books you have borrowed.
• Close your bank account if you have one.
• If you need a signature on some documents and/or a certificate with the exact dates of your arrival and departure, please stop by at the International Services personally to get it.
• Return your apartment keys on the final day of your tenancy agreement to the housing office. If the last day of the month is a public holiday or weekend, then moving day is the next working day.
• Fill in the HAAGA-HELIA exchange student feedback form that will be sent to you by e-mail.