South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences - XAMK (reviews)

I’ve had a very positive experience with my university over these three years. First of all, I like the university environment as it is open to international students. I think the bilingual opportunity to study nursing programme itself proves it. The digital learning platforms were easy to use. The teachers were very supportive and approachable although the syllabus was very comprehensive. We were always given positive feedback.

The modern simulation facilities and fully equipped hospital settings helped me to actively participate in clinical practices. The extensive practical trainings helped me to develop working life skills as well as Finnish language skills. The possibility to complete short exchange programmes abroad was also a great opportunity to learn from each other.

Studies included wider variety of assignments such as visits to nursing homes, group projects, presentations, simulations, games. Most importantly there was an integration coordinator who supported international students to adopt to Finnish culture eg. participate in hobbies, sports, clubs, language cafes etc. Also additional support was given to acquire the required skill set for future working life eg. CV writing, hygiene passport.

Moreover, students’ health was given priority. Student health nurse and well-being support services were available. I enjoyed my university life very much due to all of the above mentioned support systems and would definitely recommend it for international students who are seeking for career focused education.

Studying nursing at Xamk has been a practical and rewarding experience to me regardless of my previous background in-terms of profession. The programme strongly focuses on hands-on skills, simulation training, and clinical placements, which has helped me connect theory directly to real nursing practice. The teachers are supportive and approachable, and the learning environment encourages growth both professionally and personally, being able to also learn a new language (Finnish) within a short period of time with the help of Xamk has been a great milestone to me. Overall, Xamk has prepared me well for working life in healthcare.

Supportive teachers, practical learning, and a great study environment. Highly recommended.
The goal of the teaching is to produce industry ready graduates to be more specific my study program BSc. Nursing is made of about 1/3 field practice together with on campus simulations and theoretical classes which comes along with assignments and exams. All this in effort to producing the finest of nurses.

I am currently a student at XAMK Kotka, and my experience so far has been very positive. All the professors are helpful, understanding, and make learning comfortable and encourage us to do our best.

Our language teacher is also very supportive and patient, which makes learning much easier and more enjoyable. In addition, we have an integration in-charge who works extremely hard to help international students integrate into Finnish culture. She puts a lot of effort into organizing activities and guiding us through the process. Hats off to her dedication and commitment!

The university focuses strongly on practical skills, which prepares students well for real working life.

I am a third-year nursing student at Xamk University in Finland. Xamk offers a practical and student centered learning environment. The teaching focuses strongly on real life clinical skills, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice. The university provides modern simulation labs and supportive teachers who guide students throughout their studies. The international atmosphere and strong connection with healthcare institutions help students gain valuable practical experience. Overall, Xamk prepares nursing students well for professional working life.

I think choosing Xamk is one of the best decisions that I have made. To be honest, initially, I was feeling unprepared and anxious about what is going to happen, but once the college started, it was awesome. The classes, teachers and specially group works. It boosted my confidence to speak up. No one forces you to do anything, its you and honestly if you use every opportunity and give your best, you will get so much out of this program. We have practical training and advance training which is the best part where you can actually get experience in real life working environment and prepare you for professional growth. I love my life here, I am in my second year and I always want more to learn and grow.

My experience studying Nursing at Xamk, Kotka Campus has been exemplary. I particularly love how practical our programme is. Every semester, we spend a bit of time on campus as well as doing internships in different places like in the hospital, elderly care homes or in outpatient clinics. This allows us to practice the theory we learn in the classroom almost immediately. Similarly we have a mii hospital and a simulation lab where we can come up with different mock scenarios we may experience in the real world and practice them in school.

Other than academics, our campus is very focused on extra curricular activities as well. I’ve participated in many activities, from cooking, a board game club, swimming, foraging and even a language café where we practice our Finnish with native Finnish speaking Students and staff.

The location of our new campus is also ideal being a walking distance from the bus station and pretty much of all Kotka city center.

Our teachers are also great and very approachable as is all of the staff body in Xamk.

I’ve enjoyed my time in Kotka very much most of which I can attribute to my experience studying at Xamk.

I graduated from South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (XAMK) in 2021 with a degree in Environmental Engineering. I actually never left after that — I stayed to work on creating online courses and later moved into education export. So I’ve experienced this place both as a student and as a staff member.
I know the degree is now more focus on water and sustainability, so I tried to write more general impressions.

What I really liked from the start was the structure of the program: you can shape it around your interests. For example, I realized pretty quickly that I wasn’t passionate about the hardcore engineering side but loved the environmental and social aspects. I started tailoring my assignments, internships, and thesis to communication and education. The teachers were fine with that and gave me space to explore. That flexibility made my studies feel light and meaningful — I was genuinely studying what I loved.

The exams aren’t too difficult if you follow the curriculum. There might be heavier semesters, but it depends a lot on your background. I personally struggled with some forestry courses but was able to ask my teachers to adapt the exam — and they did. If something felt too easy, I just used the time to learn extra things through YouTube or other resources.

Finnish teaching style isn’t about pouring knowledge into your head — it’s about guiding you to build your own foundation. Teachers give you the structure, but the learning part is up to you. This might not fit everyone, but if you learn how to adapt, you will easily navigate your way forward.

Realistically, part-time work is hard to find in small towns like Mikkeli. Some people get lucky, but I wouldn’t count on it as a main source of income. I tried teaching English on the side, but most students just focused on their studies, finished their degree, and then applied for internships and thesis opportunities to get their first job. That’s the more reliable path here.

There is career support, but it’s not going to hand you a job. A lot depends on your own networking, persistence, timing, and sometimes luck.

Mikkeli is small, and that’s actually part of its charm. You see the same faces in the shops and on the streets. The cashiers know you. You bike everywhere. It’s calm, slow, and very close to nature — lakes, forests, fresh air. If you need a fast-paced city, Helsinki is a few hours away and you can move there after your studies.

Amenities are pretty standard for Finland — functional, not flashy. Dormitories are fine, nothing fancy, but they give you a good starting point. Labs for environmental studies are well equipped, especially for people who like the technical side. I wasn’t personally into microbiology or chemistry, but others appreciated it more. I liked that some lectures took place outdoors and that many assignments were done in collaboration with real companies.

This degree gave me a foundation strong enough to build my own path. I ended up representing youth at United Nations climate conferences and working as a consultant with World Bank. But no-one gifted me these opportunities, I tried using what’s available to build my skillset and CV. And XAMK offers plenty if you know how to look for them: exchange programs, startup accelerators, project-based work, real-life cases.

Studying at Xamk has truly been a rewarding experience. I really appreciate the incredible support we receive from our lecturers and staff in general. The nursing teachers are dedicated, approachable, and always ready to guide us whenever we have questions. It’s clear that they genuinely want us to grow into professional nurses with strong ethics and empathy.
Our campus is modern and well-equipped. The simulation hospitals are amazing, allowing us to train in realistic environments that prepare us well for working in real hospital settings. Every practical class feels meaningful because we get to apply what we learn directly.
The teachers genuinely care about our progress. We are also learning Finnish, and our lecturers continuously motivate and support us in developing our language skills, which is so important for our future careers.
The social, mental health, and cultural integration teams also deserve recognition. Their events and activities have made adapting to Finnish culture much easier and more enjoyable. They truly help international students feel at home.
I am deeply grateful to Xamk for providing such a supportive and inspiring environment, hard to find in superior education! It makes me very proud of my choice to study here!