UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI

ISEW 2015 SURVIVAL GUIDE

INTERNATIONAL STAFF EXCHANGE WEEK 2015

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INTERNATIONAL STAFF EXCHANGE WEEK 2015

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SURVIVAL GUIDE 2015 INTERNATIONAL STAFF EXCHANGE WEEK

Cover photo: Dreamstime Updated: September 2015

UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI

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Accommodation is arranged at Töölö Towers, Pohjoinen Hesperiankatu 23. Unless separately agreed with the ISEW team, each participant has a reservation for a single room. The cost for a single room is 329 euro / week (minimum charge). Any additional stay after the week cost 47 euro / day. Please pay for your stay when you check out.

The participants will be picked up every day from the Töölö Towers and escorted to the first site of the day.

Photo: Susanna Kesänen/Visit Helsinki

ACCOMMODATION

It is possible to go ice skating at the Ice Park next to the central railway station.

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CHECKLISTATM’s: ATM’s are available throughout the city - look for the sign Otto.

Contact information: The contact information for your ISEW host team is available in the Participants booklet.

Dress code: Then general dress code for ISEW is casual.

Getting to know one another: Personal introductions will take place at the beginning of the week . We do not require a presentation of your university.

Internet access: All main sites of the University of Helsinki as well Töölö Tower rooms are covered with Wi-Fi or broadband connection. In central Helsinki there is also a huge availability of other Wi-Fi Hotspots. It is also possible to use the Eduroam service while in Helsinki.

Medical assistance: Should you need a doctor or other medical assistance, there is a private clinic and hospital, Mehiläinen Töölö, located just across the street from Töölö Towers. Mehiläinen Töölö has a 24/7 serviceand operates also in English. See http://en.mehilainen.fi/personalcustomers/clinics-and-hospitals for furtherinformation.

Pharmacy: In case you need to visit the pharmacy (apteekki in Finnish), you’ll find several in the city center - look for the green cross sign.

Taxis: A taxi from the airport to the city centre costs around 40 euro. In Helsinki you can either order the taxi by calling 0100 0700 or going directly to a taxi-stand.

Transportation:From the airportFrom the Helsinki International Airport it is possible to take either a train, a bus or a taxi to the city centre. The train, i.e. the Ring Rail Line, operates every 10-20 minutes. The trains are marked with I or P and both take you to the Central railway station in the city centre. As the name suggests, the trains run in a circle, so it doesn’t matter which one you take. The train ticket is 5 euro one-way. Also the Finnair Airport Bus offers a service from the airport to the central railway station. It runs every 20 minutes and the one-way fare is 6,30 euro. The Finnair Airport Bus also comes to the Central railway stations.Getting to Töölö TowersFrom the Central railway station you can take tram nr 2 to Töölö Towers. The tram stop for Töölö Towers is called “Apollonkatu”. For more detailed information on public transportation in the Helsinki Metropolitan Region, please see the Journey Planner (http://www.reittiopas.fi/en/).

Weather: The weather in November is likely to be variable, i.e. sunshine, rain or even snow. The average temperature will probably be around -0,5 °C, please make sure that you have some wind- and rainproof clothing and suitable footwear.

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Photo: Krista Keltanen/Visit Helsinki

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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT HELSINKI

Helsinki, the capital of the Republic of Finland, is a modern city with over half a million residents.

MEETING POINT OF EASTERN AND WESTERN CULTURES Helsinki is situated on the Baltic Sea, surrounded by the archipelago with hundreds of tiny islands. The lifestyle in the second-most northern capital city in the world is full of contrasts and activities in the form of hundreds of events and friendly people. Helsinki’s identity has been formed by cultural influences from both the East and West. Over 450 years of history, several architectural layers and the impact of different periods can be clearly seen in Helsinki. Finnish design has also made the country’s capital city world famous and Helsinki was appointed the World Design Capital for 2012. The beauty of the surrounding nature blends seamlessly together with high-tech achievements, while old traditions mix with the latest contemporary trends. The city centre has many beautiful parks, and the nearby forests offer an ideal setting for peaceful and quiet walks. Helsinki’s rhythm is laid back yet at the same time refreshingly active in terms of both the number and quality of restaurants and nightclubs. Everything is nearby – Helsinki is a pocket-sized metropolis that is ideal for visitors!

TIPS FOR FREE TIMEThe City of Helsinki and the whole metropolitan area offers various ways to spend your free time ranging from sports to cultural events. The city also offers lots of free activities as the museums operated by the City of Helsinki carry no entrance fees. Many museums operated by the state also offer free entrance usually once a week. One of the nicest and most popular ways to discover the City of Helsinki is to take the tramline 2, which basically goes around central Helsinki in a circle shaped route. You can hop on and off when you want to.

Read more: http://www.visithelsinki.fi/en/whats-on/sightseeing-trips-and-guidances

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MUSEUMSMUSEUMS WITH FREE ENTRANCEHelsinki City Museum, Sofiankatu 4. Hours: Mon-Fri 9–17, Thu 9–19, Sat-Sun 11–17. Hakasalmi Villa, Mannerheimintie 13b. Hours: Wed-Sun 11–17, Thu 9–19. Tram Museum, Töölönkatu 51 A. Hours: Daily 11-17.

OTHER MUSEUMSThe National Museum of Finland, Mannerheimintie 34. Hours: Tue-Sun 11-18, Mon closed.Kiasma - Museum of Modern Art, Mannerheiminaukio 2. Hours: Tue 10-17, Wed-Fri 10-20.30, Sat 10-18, Sun 10-17, Mon closed.Ateneum – Finnish National Gallery, Kaivokatu 2. Hours: Tue, Fri 10-18, Wed, Thu 10-20, Sat-Sun 11-17, Mon closed.The Sports Museum of Finland, Olympic Stadium, Paavo Nurmentie 1. Hours: Mon-Fri 11-17, Sat-Sun 12-16.Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, There is free access to the Seurasaari island, the museum is open only during the summer months.Design Museum, Korkeavuorenkatu 23 Hours: Tue 11-20, Wed-Sun 11:-18, Mon closed.

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SHOPPING

Photo: Visit Helsinki/Satu_m_n

POPULAR FINNISH BRANDS TO TAKE HOMEAarikka, Angry Birds, Arabia, Fazer, Finlandia Vodka, Fiskars, Globe Hope, Iittala, Ivana Helsinki, Kalevalakoru, Lumi bags, Marimekko, Marttiini, Moomin, Rapala, Salmiakki candy, Supercell, Suunto, Wild berry liqueurs (cloudberry, cranberry, lingonberry)

SHOPPING PLACESForum Shopping Mall, Kamppi Shopping Mall, Anttila Department Store, Sokos Department Store, Stockmann Department Store, Galleria Esplanad, Markets and Market Halls in Helsinki, Itis shopping center (15 min with the Metro to Itäkeskus), Souvenires and hand made products: Taito Shop, Anne’s Shop, Artisaani, Hakaniemen kauppahalli

OTHER INTERESTING SITESTemppeliaukio Church, Lutherinkatu 3. Open according to activities. Free entrance.Markets and market halls, open-air markets and stalls in the Market Square sell traditional foods and treats, as well as handicrafts and souvenirs.Hakaniemi Market Hall, Hours: Mon-Fri 8-18, Sat 8-16.Swimming and saunas, Helsinki offers you many possibilities to enjoy a relaxing swim or sauna. Read more: http://www.visithelsinki.fi/en/see-and-experience/activities-in-helsinki/swimming-and-saunas

Photo: Paul Williams/Visit Helsinki

INTERNATIONAL STAFF EXCHANGE WEEK 2015

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Stairwell at the Main Library of the University of Helsinki.

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VENUES IN THE CITY CENTRE

1. University Main building, Fabianinkatu 332. University of Helsinki Main Library - Kaisa3. Banquet Rooms, Unioninkatu 334. Restaurant Bryggeri, Sofiankatu 25. Central railway station

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