Useful Information

Time zone

The Finnish time is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. There is only one time zone covering the whole country. 
Summertime/Daylight savings time (kesäaika) is used from the last Sunday of March to the last Sunday of October.

• In autum 2022, the clocks will be set back one hour on Sunday, 30 October at 4 a.m.
• In spring 2023, the clocks will be set ahead one hour on Sunday, 26 March at 3 a.m.

Electricity

The electrical current in Finland is 220V (230V), 50Hz. Plugs are the two-pin continental size.

Drinking water

The quality of tap water in Finland is very good and it is safe to drink!

Measurements

In Finland the unit of measurement is the metric system.
Metric Conversion Chart

Tipping

A service charge is automatically included in hotel and restaurant bills.

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited in public facilities (schools, trains, hospitals, buses, restaurants, pubs etc.).
Cigarettes are sold only to persons over 18 years of age.

Academic Calender 2022-2023

Autumn semester 18.8.2022 - 16.12.2022 (including orientation days for exchange students)
Autumn semester is divided in two periods:

• 18.8. - 23.10.2022 and
• 24.10 - 16.12.2022

Spring semester 9.1. - 31.5.2023 (including orientation days for exchange students).
Spring semester is divided in two periods:

• spring period 1 9.1. - 12.3.2023 and
• spring period 2 13.3. - 31.5.2023.

Week 10 in March and week 42 in October are school holiday weeks in North Karelia. Those weeks are referred to as self-study weeks at Karelia, which means that there are no classes. Check this, however, with your tutor teacher or international coordinator.

Public holidays 2022-2023

The following public holidays are celebrated annually in Finland. Please note that the dates of some holidays vary from year to year. On these holidays, shops and banks are usually closed and even on the eve of a public holiday, Saturday opening hours are usually followed.