Exchange destination: Savonlinna

In Savonlinna, student housing is arranged by the student housing organisation SAO (Savonlinnan Opiskelija-asunnot Oy).

The student housing situation in Savonlinna is good. The international coordinator will book a room for you through SAO before your arrival. Before signing the lease for the student apartment you are required to pay a deposit of 110 EUR, which SAO will return to you when you move out, provided that you have paid all rent dues and kept your flat clean and in good condition. You will be given the keys to the student apartment by your tutor student upon your arrival.

You will be living in an ordinary student house with Finnish and foreign students. In most student halls of residence, each student has a room of his/her own but shares the kitchen and bathroom with 1 – 2 other students. The student halls of residence usually have well-equipped common rooms (sauna, laundry room, club premises, etc.). However, there are no catering services at the student houses. Most student houses are centrally located (10-15 min. by foot from the university campus).

The rents for a single room vary (appr. 350 EUR) depending on the location of the apartment and on the size of the room. You can also share the same room with another student (about 220 EUR per student). The rent is paid once a month in advance. You can pay the rent with forms you get from SAO for each month or through the Internet if you have your own Finnish account. It is important to use the correct reference number of the month! The due date for the rent is always the 5^th of each month. You can also pay the rent to SAO office in cash (but then you should have the exact sum of money with you). The rent includes water, heating, electricity, furniture, bed clothes (duvet, pillow, sheets), basic kitchenware and the use of sauna and washing machine.

Savonlinna is an ideal place for enjoying peace and the beauty of nature but it also offers various opportunities for spending active leisure time. The swimming hall of Savonlinna is located just behind the Savonlinna campus of Xamk. In addition to swimming, there are also possibilities for going in for other sports at the swimming hall, e.g. hydrobic, fitness training and tennis. The swimming hall is usually open daily but as the opening hours vary depending on the time of the year, please, check the opening hours separately. By showing the registration certificate you will get a student discount.

The Savonlinna bowling hall is located in the building of the Hotel Pietari Kylliäinen on the main street Olavinkatu. The bowling hall is a five-lane hall with the possibility of glow bowling. You can also rent bowling shoes there. The price for one lane is about 10 EUR / hour. Prices vary depending on the day and time. Fysio for Fitness and Ladyline offer good facilities for fitness training.

The Tanhuvaara Sports Institute is situated approximately 15 km from Savonlinna. It is a centre for sports, recreation and physical training. A frequent bus service will take you there if you want to play tennis, squash, badminton (book beforehand), ski (cross-country), swim or do any other sports. They also have swimming pool, saunas, jacuzzi, gym, indoors track, etc., in Tanhuvaara.

Besides possibilities for sports, Savonlinna has two cinemas and different types of restaurants for spending pleasant free time. You can read more at VisitSavonlinna.