Dennis, a 26-year-old Computer Science graduate from Berlin, recently completed his Master’s at TU Berlin and now works as a software developer in the public transit sector. While his academic path kept him in his hometown, it also gave him the chance to step out of his comfort zone through the Erasmus+ programme — an experience that took him to Helsinki, Finland, and left a lasting impression.
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ㅤㅤFrom Berlin to a Nordic country: Why Helsinki?
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With a desire to explore beyond the borders of Germany, Dennis set his sights on Finland. Drawn by the globally praised Finnish education system and curious about how people thrive in such a challenging climate, Helsinki seemed like the perfect fit.
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It didn’t disappoint. From the moment he stepped onto campus, Dennis noticed something different about the university environment. The atmosphere was surprisingly casual and personal. "Professors were approachable, the class sizes were small, and the overall vibe was more relaxed" than what he was used to in Berlin. It ‘seemed a little less formal and theoretical, and more practical’, he reflected, appreciating the hands-on approach of Finnish academic life.
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Coming from TU Berlin, where courses leaned heavily into theory and the administrative chaos was part of daily life, the organised and student-focused Finnish system felt like a breath of fresh air. The courses weren’t as demanding, but the real difference lay in the quality of interaction. Lecturers took the time to connect with students, which made a big impact on Dennis. This supportive academic environment later proved invaluable as he worked on his thesis back in Berlin.
Daily life in the North
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Dennis’ typical day in Helsinki was simple but rich with meaning. His classes were just a short walk from his home, allowing him to embrace a slower, more intentional pace of life. Afternoons were often spent doing coursework from home or wandering through the nearby forests and neighborhoods. Evenings brought warmth, both socially and literally. His shared apartment, provided by the university, housed seven other students who quickly became his closest friends. Together, they cooked, explored the city, and visited the apartment’s sauna several times a week - a quintessentially Finnish experience.
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The challenge of darkness and the light of friendship
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Not everything was easy. The hardest part? The darkness. ‘Handling the fact that it is dark most of the time in December
was very difficult for me and I never felt like I was able to fully overcome this’. Yet, in the midst of long nights and short days, he found community. Finnish students were initially a bit reserved, but once connections were made, they proved to be warm and kind. Still, it was among fellow international students where Dennis found his deepest sense of belonging.
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The strong bonds formed with other Erasmus participants were one of the most meaningful parts of his exchange. ‘Being thrown into a completely different culture and language with a bunch of strangers created a very strong bond’, he said. It wasn’t just about learning Finnish customs — it was about understanding the cultures of his friends from across Europe and beyond.
More than an academic exchange
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Dennis’ time in Helsinki was more than just a semester abroad. It was a journey of cultural immersion, personal growth, and learning how to feel at home in a foreign place. Looking back, he believes the Erasmus experience is especially powerful for Master’s students. The level of maturity, the academic focus, and the independence of postgraduate life all deepen the impact of living and studying abroad.
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When asked to sum up his time in Helsinki in one sentence, Dennis didn’t hesitate: "My time in Helsinki was all about meeting people from many different countries and learning how to handle being in a totally foreign environment".
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In the end, it wasn’t just about escaping the Berlin routine or seeing what life is like up north — it was about finding connection, navigating unfamiliar spaces, and growing into a more adaptable, open-minded person.
