City by the sea
Kotka is the second largest city in Kymenlaakso region. It is located on the coast of the Baltic Sea, the Gulf of Finland, at the estuary of Kymi river. Kotka is known by its port, industry and maritime festivals. Kotka is also known as a multifaceted city of educational institutions and culture.
Kotka in brief
Kotka was founded in 1879. Now the population is about 51000. The area is 950 km2, but most of it is water, 272 km2 is land. Kotka is located 130 km east from Helsinki and the highway E18 runs through Kotka all the way to the Eastern border. In the city there are two centers, Kotkansaari (the Isle of Kotka) and Karhula.
The characteristics of Kotka are based on the sea and Kymi river. The Port of HaminaKotka is the biggest universal, export and transshipment port in Finland. The main traffic consists of timber, paper, metal and stone.
Kymi river is famous for fishing, you may catch salmon, pike, whitefish, perch, pikeperch. There are also many possibilities to paddle and shoot the rapids in the river. The archipelago of Kotka consists of tens of islands.
(c) City of Kotka
Please, check www.visitkotkahamina.fi , www.kotka.fi and in Wikipedia Kotka for more information about the city and region.
In Kotka campus we offer studies in English in these exchange programmes:
Every year we host some 30-60 international exchange and double degree students and trainees in Kotka, what makes the atmosphere in the campus truly international. International students closely collaborate with the local students both in educational and free time activities.
Please notice, that official academic year is 1 August – 31 July.
But:
Autumn semester studies begin end of August and finish before Christmas.
Spring semester studies begin early January and continue until the end of April OR May, depending on which programme you are studying in.
See more: Kotka campus
The International Services of South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences welcomes the new incoming exchange students by organizing Welcoming orientation before studies begin. The purpose of this Welcoming orientation is to introduce the people, facilities as well as tools and platforms used during the studies.
Spring semester 2024 Welcoming day orientation on Monday 8th January 2024.
During the Welcoming Day in campus we tell more about
And Exchange students meet departmental academic contact persons with whom they go through the Learning Agreements & timetables, enrolling for the courses and other academic matters.
Xamk Digital Environment – Online Orientation courses for new exchange students will be open on 15 December, the log-in information (Xamk username & password) will be sent by text message to accepted students.
Online orientation course 1: Digital environment 2023 – Digital tools (link will be updated in December)
Online orientation course 2: Orientation 2023 – Studying and services (link will be updated in December)
Welcoming Days programme (August 2023)
Incoming Trainees will have their own orientation with Anna-Maija Uusoksa before starting in training places, and we highly recommend you to arrive well in advance (to get bus cards, timetables and other important matters in order).
Accommodation provided by THE Roomz
Exchange and double degree students, who study in Kotka 1 or 2 semesters, are accommodated in a cozy student dormitory / hostel in Mussalo, Savottakuja 3, 48310 Kotka. The service provider and administrator is THE Roomz The Hospitable Experience. Distance to Xamk Kotka campus is about 3 km and bus stops to/from campus & city center just about 100 meters away. By the hostel you can also find the City bike station (Kaakau / Donkey Republic) during April-October.
The rent is 390 € / month for a smaller room and 425 € / month for a bigger/shared room. The rooms are furnished and ready for moving in and each room has a bathroom.
The rent includes furniture, electricity, heating, water, use of common spaces, kitchenware, Wi-Fi, bedclothes and towels, sauna, trash collection and laundry room.
Our dorm has an active community that regularly organizes social events and activities for students and it offers exchange students a safe, homely and comfortable living solution that supports academic and personal growth. We also celebrate some Finnish traditions at THE dorm.
Our mission is to make you feel like home away from home.
NOTICE:
Accepted exchange students will receive more detailed information and link to accommodation application mid-November 2023. If you have questions concerning the accommodation, please contact THE Roomz by e-mail info@roomz.fi
Lentokentältä Helsinkiin – From airport to Helsinki
Helsinki-Vantaa airport (HEL) is located about 20km from Helsinki City center. You can travel to city center either by bus or by train. Buses leave in front of the terminal (follow the signs). To the railway station, you need to take the escalators or elevator down (follow the signs).
Notice: you need to buy your ticket beforehand if you travel by train. HSL is taking care of public transportation in Helsinki area. You can buy a ticket from a ticket machine (at the railway station of Helsinki-Vantaa airport) or by uploading HSL App from App Store. The same tickets are valid in buses and trains in Helsinki region (but not outside the area). To buy a ticket from the airport to the city center choose the region ABC ticket.
Kotka is situated some 130 km from Helsinki, and 60 km from EU border. Depending on where you are coming from, there are different means of transport you might find convenient:
Please notice:
we arrange pick-up services from Kotka (Sutela) bus stop OR Kotka train station for exchange students arriving 1-5 days before the Welcoming Days/ beginning of studies or Training. The pick-up can be arranged Monday -Friday between 8.00-21.00 and you should inform us at least two weeks before you arrive.
From the airport to Kotka by train
From Kamppi Bus Station to Kotka
Train I or P to Helsinki Railway station + short walk to Kamppi Travel center
Helsinki – Kotka: Onnibus
We arrange pick-up services from local bus stations: Kotka (Sutela) or Kotka Train station, for all incoming exchange students who arrive 1-5 days prior to the beginning of studies. Please, note that the pick-up can be arranged only between 8:00-21:00.
Fill in the arrival formYou need to have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for your exchange period.
In addition, you need to have personal insurance, with a full 3rd part liability and health coverage.
As a student, you will be responsible for your illness-related expenses in Finland. For your residence permit, you will need private insurance to cover your medical and pharmaceutical expenses. Please attach the insurance certificate to your application
TRAVEL INSURANCE
NOTICE: Make sure you have the Travel insurance cover from the day you leave your home until you return after the exchange period.
Kotka and its neighbouring towns (Karhula, Hamina, Kouvola etc.) are well-known for their sports facilities. In general, Finns are enthusiastic about participating actively in sports events as well as being spectators. There are several sports grounds, sport halls and swimming pools in the Kotka region. Ice-hockey (JÄÄKIEKKO), cross-country skiing (HIIHTO), downhill skiing (LASKETTELU), basketball (KORIPALLO) and volleyball (LENTOPALLO) are very popular as well as Finnish baseball (PESÄPALLO) and football or soccer (JALKAPALLO). There are also opportunities for e.g. golf, bowling, riding, tennis, etc. Xamk has excellent facilities for indoor sports, e.g., students can play volleyball, badminton, tennis etc. free of charge.
There are also many cultural events in the Kotka region; very active Town Theaters, several other theater groups, orchestras and choirs, art exhibitions, movie theaters. In addition to the usual cultural services, there are also several summer festivals taking place regularly in nearby Kotka. One of the best known is the Kotka Maritime Festival (4 days), this takes place at the end of July and brings to Kotka more than 100 000 visitors during one weekend.
In Kotka you get a chance to feel the Finnish nature easily..
Xamk follows the BOYD policy which means that students primarily use their own devices like laptops and smartphones in their studies.
The student union Kaakko is a service provider and lobbying organisation for students at Xamk. Kaakko's role is to ensure that students' voices are heard in every decision-making organ of Xamk. Together with Xamk, Kaakko arranges various leisure time activities. Kaakko is also responsible for coordinating the tutor activities and it arranges a few big parties for all students during the academic year.
All exchange students are welcome to join our Student Union Kaakko and benefit from being a student of Xamk.
Contact information for incoming exchange and double degree
students to Kotka:
Studies & internships:
Ms Sari Pieviläinen
Pääskysentie 1
48220 Kotka
Finland
sari.pievilainen@xamk.fi
+358 44 7028236
