Student exchange in a city within a city
Text: Anna-Leena Kauppila | Pictures: Tiitu Design
Hugo Garcia travelled from southern France to Kortepohja in February 2025 for his student exchange. ”I’ve lived near the Mediterranean coast and, therefore, it felt quite cold but the human body adapts well to all kinds of environments”, Hugo tells about his arrival.
A city within a city
Hugo had visited Helsinki, Lappeenranta, Tampere and Turku before so he had a vague idea of what to expect, but Jyväskylä was an unknown city to him. To him, Jyväskylä is just the right size. ”What about the Student Village? A city within a city! Everything at our disposal: grocery store, restaurant, gym and other common spaces.” He was positively surprised by the student restaurant, especially. His favourite Kortepohja service is the gym which is suitable for students, clean and well-functioning. Rentukka Gym is available for all Soihtu tenants.
Movie nights with friends
Hugo has stayed in shared apartments in Kortepohja with other exchange students. He has met students from all around Europé and made friends with some of them. ”My best memory is watching movies with friends in common spaces. On the other hand, my own room provided a peaceful and quiet place for studying.” His flatmates were nice and didn’t cause any disturbance.
Hugo thinks student life in Jyväskylä is easier than in France. ”Studying is not as intensive but is distributed more evenly. Group work is encouraged more than studying independently and individually.”
Attracted by the nature
After his student exchange, Hugo started working in Jyväskylä and stayed. ”Here, you are surrounded by lakes and forests everywhere you go. I enjoy my life here more than in France. I decided to stay, get a job and build my life here.” Obviously, he misses his friends and family in France.
Tips for exchange students
Hugo wants to share some tips for new exchange students: ”Enjoy your stay in Jyväskylä and discover the nature surrounding you. If you have an opportunity to stay for the summer, do it! Finland during summer time is awesome! The days are longer and it’s not as cold as many people think. I hope you’ll make great memories like I did. Of course, remember to focus on your studies as well.”
”What about the Student Village? A city within a city! Everything at our disposal: grocery store, restaurant, gym and other common spaces.”
Hugo Garcia, resident of Soihtu
Exchange students at Soihtu
- Soihtu co-operates with Jamk and the University of Jyväskylä to accommodate exchange students.
- Around 220 furnished apartments and rooms in Kortepohja Student Village are reserved for exchange students.
- Most exchange students stay at Soihtu from August until December.
- In June and July, the furnished rooms and apartments can be rented to summer workers arriving in Jyväskylä. Exchange students also have a possibility to stay in Kortepohja for the summer.
Picture: Visual Friday Oy
More News
Student exchange in a city within a city
Text: Anna-Leena Kauppila | Pictures: Tiitu Design Hugo Garcia travelled from southern France to Kortepohja in February 2025 for his student exchange. ”I’ve lived near the Mediterranean coast and, therefore, it felt quite cold but the human...
Changes to Act on Residential Leases from 1 October 2026: What Should Soihtu Tenants Know?
The legislation governing residential leases in Finland will be reformed on 1 October 2026. We will align the tenancy agreement terms of all our tenants with the provisions of the new legislation. As a result, all tenants will soon receive updated tenancy agreement terms to review and sign.
Breathing space in daily life
Text: Anni Pajari | Pictures: Tiitu Design About ten years ago, Raj Tiwari moved from Nepal to Finland. He first studied in Turku, where he quickly grew fond of the atmosphere of the student village of the city. When his studies later continued...