“A divine opportunity” Rebecca’s Erasmus+ Experience in Finland

Weekend break in Turku

Rebecca Klein undertook an Erasmus+ study abroad in Finland as part of her undergraduate degree at University of Galway. 

I attend the University of Galway and have been studying here for two years. I took part in the Erasmus+ programme from September 2024 to May 2025 at the University of Helsinki.  

I chose to study Arts, which opened a plethora of possible subjects for me to explore. Psychology and Sociology resonated with me the most. I believe these subjects are intrinsically linked and I am intrigued when correlations and patterns emerge between the two. 

How did you learn about Erasmus+?  
As far as I was aware initially, there wasn’t an option for me to do Erasmus+ as part of my course. It was only when my close friends mentioned that there was a presentation being held at the university that I learned otherwise.

It just so happened there were a few spots available, and I immediately wanted to know more. Thanks to a deeper dive on my university’s website, I found all the information I needed.

My Erasmus+ coordinators were most helpful, replying to every email and reassuring me that everything would work out.

What motivated you to do it? 
To me, Erasmus+ felt like a divine opportunity – something only a few get to experience. I had heard about it from people who participated before – the suspenseful build-up, the emotional goodbyes from family and friends – but when they returned, nothing ever seemed the same. It was like there had been a shift in their personality or a reinvention of how they viewed life back home. 

With the fast-changing world, I thought it fitting to take travel opportunities while I am young and have the safety net of my university to help build my confidence by putting myself out there. It was also a chance to assess my strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes in a new environment; in other words, to see how this experience would shape the person I would become. 

In terms of study, the values of the University of Helsinki were particularly enticing – equality, truth, freedom and sustainability to name a few. Helsinki also offers a strong quality of life for its citizens. 

A peaceful sunset by a lake in Rastilla

How did you make friends and network?  
I went into the experience with a heart full of courage and wide-eyed optimism. This approach paid off as on my first day of orientation I met people who I still call some of my closest friends to this day. There were strong energetic sparks between us, and, at that point, we had no idea what serendipitous adventures would lie ahead. 

Trekking through the forests of east Finland

The beginning of my Erasmus+ was the best time to make friends, particularly with fellow Erasmus+ students, as everyone was relieved to have made it to the country safely and ready to bask in it all together. Orientation included multiple group–bonding activities that helped break the ice and offered an easy way into forming connections with local Finnish students. From there, it was easy to create lasting bonds. I met up with friends for coffee, lunch dates, college activities, lectures and would occasionally bump into them on the street. 

A Halloween house party where I got to dress up as Joost Klein

What were the highlights of your Erasmus+ adventure? 
My Erasmus+ adventure took me to places I never thought I would see or experience. Finland is a spectacular country, filled with rich cultural significance, cosy traditions and a very pleasant way of living.  

One of my main highlights would be the saunas – they really are as amazing and addictive as people say they are. There was a traditional outdoor stove-powered one right beside a lake and near my house with free entry. My friends and I would go there almost every week with some beers and chat with the locals. We even helped to chop the wood from time to time. I’ll never forget the feeling of jumping into the ice-cold lake after being parboiled in the sauna.  

The tranquil sauna in the wee hours with a below-freezing lake

Another unforgettable highlight would be visiting Lapland; activities included cross–country skiing, husky rides, saunas, swimming in the Baltic Sea and tucking into the most delicious bowl of salmon soup after a long day of hiking in the snow. What made the trip so magical was the sun never truly rising. As we entered November, the first part of the day was a perpetual state of twilight until sunset, and at around 4pm, the darkness set in. 

Although challenging for my circadian rhythm, the unique, fairytale-like sky will probably keep me returning to Rovaniemi for years to come.

The Northern lights on a crisp night in Rovaniemi

The soundtrack of your stay?  
I love this question because there were so many songs I listened to on Erasmus+ that send chills down my spine when I listen to them now it’s over. The two most memorable songs for me would be Pogo by Digitalism and Snow (Hey Oh) by Red Hot Chili Peppers. I listened to these mainly in semester one during my Lapland trip and in the dark evenings of winter. 

Has Erasmus+ changed you? What lessons and skills did you take home?  
Erasmus+ has definitely changed me – all for the better. Of course, there were some hard times, some situations where I felt helpless – like being locked out of my room in the wee hours and having to get a Finnish locksmith, or needing to navigate healthcare and dental systems in an emergency. However, these experiences are all part of the process of living in a new country; once you conquer these challenges and fears, you can take a step back and see how independent and extraordinarily capable you are. 

When dealing with setbacks, you have to be your own caretaker, advisor and support. So, I developed a much softer way of caring for myself in times of stress and loneliness. The speed of Erasmus+ was something I had to navigate tactfully in order to keep my spirits high and manage my energy better – because with all the opportunities available, you can’t do it all, as much as you want to. 

A snowy beach landscape overlooking the village of Bugøynes in Finnmark

To me, Erasmus+ is very personal because of the sense of independence it gave me, which was something I longed for from my hometown. You have the power to use your time however you wish, with no expectations from people. You are afforded a completely new slate to reinvent and delve into deeper parts of yourself, and I soon realised that there is no right or wrong way to do Erasmus+.  

Visiting the old town in Tallinn, Estonia

Erasmus+ helped me cultivate newfound strength. The dark and cold evenings of the Finnish winter evoked such a calm solitude that my soul had been craving for what felt like a lifetime. I honoured this time by engaging in enormous self-reflection, which was aided by the conservative demeanor of Finns. Helsinki was relatively quiet and the Finnish people were very polite in terms of personal space, always leaving room not only physically, but also what felt like mentally, and this was a breath of fresh air. I think that was the beauty of Helsinki; there were people and places for every kind of person and interesting ways to fulfill your wants and needs.

So, to sum up the lessons learned, I discovered the power of intention, a stronger sense of independence and resilience, and the hidden warmth in physically cold and dark conditions.

A very snowy and blustery town in the tippy-top of Norway

Tell us what you’re doing now.  
I am back at my home university. I still carry the Erasmus+ experience in my heart – the education, life lessons and memories continue to nourish and benefit my life in numerous ways. 

A beautiful lake in the east of Finland during a cabin trip in November

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All photos are reproduced here with permission from Rebecca.

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