Photo by Terhi Mölsä

With her clean natural environment and the vibrant cultural life, Finland offers an excellent setting for many activities. Finland covers an area of 338,000 square kilometers, of which 10 percent is water and 69 percent forest. There are over 187,000 lakes, 5,100 rapids, and over 179,000 islands, including Europe's largest archipelago. The natural beauty is available to everyone. Everyman is allowed free right of access to the land and waterways, irrespective of who owns the land.

To complement the outdoor activities, Finland has a vibrant cultural life. Altogether 15 professional symphony orchestras, an extensive range of musical festivals, and more than 1,000 museums are but a few examples of the cultural activities available in Finland.

"Although Finns have a reputation for keeping to themselves, I felt incredibly welcomed and awed by the hospitality and friendliness that greeted me here, particularly by my colleagues. Further, I was always busy with much to do and many people to share Finland with. I was quite impressed with the arts scene and attended a number of performances and activties." Jill Green, Fulbright Scholar in Dance Education, Theatre Academy of Finland, 2003-04

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The Fiskars artists' village in Southern Finland Photo by Heather Mae Erickson

The Finnish Fulbright Program offers American scholars and specialists short-term grant opportunities under the Senior Specialists Program or one to two academic semester awards under the Traditional Fulbright Program. The grants are available for all fields except medicine. There are special opportunities in fields such as Electronics, Information Sciences, and Telecommunications Technology or Civil Engineering, as well as for professionals outside the academic world.

"The Fulbright Program in Finland is an amazing experience that I will recommend to American colleagues and students…. The semester was profesionally and personally enriching… The research and lecturing experiences will bring fresh ideas and perspective to my academic career at home. The semester also yielded new collaborations and connections with future promise….". Thomas Allen, Scholar in Geography, University of Turku, 2003-04

Helsinki Cathedral Photo by Heather Mae Erickson

Finnish universities are known for their high standards in both teaching and research. There are altogether 20 universities in Finland: ten multidisciplinary universities, three universities of technology, three schools of economics and business administration, and four art academies. In addition, the Finnish higher education system includes the polytechnics; 29 more practically oriented, often multidisciplinary, regional institutions which particularly focus on contacts with business and industry. Considering Finland is a country of 5.2 million people, the higher education system is a clear indication of the country's commitment to education and knowledge.

"I cannot speak highly enough of my experience here; it has been tremendously positive…. The environment was creative, dynamic, intellectually vital, and personally fulfilling and supportive." Donna Bickford, Scholar in Women's Studies, Åbo Academi University, 2003-04

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Finland is a bilingual country. The official languages are Finnish and Swedish. Increasingly, courses and academic programs at Finnish universities and polytechnics are conducted in English.

"I found it extraordinarily comfortable to live in Finland because so much of the population is competent in English. Certainly all my university connections-staff, colleagues, and students-were totally fluent in English. But even in the shops and on the streets, I very rarely encountered anyone who couldn't or wouldn't speak English to me if I asked." Donna Bickford, Scholar in Women's Studies, Åbo Academi University, 2003-04

A Fulbrighter family Photo by Juha Rahkonen

For Fulbright scholars with a family, Finland is an excellent choice. The school system is considered one of the best in the world. Finnish teenagers' skills in math, science and reading were rated the best among the forty countries assessed in a study of schoolchildren worldwide. English language schools and kindergartens are available in many university cities. Many Fulbrighters have also placed their children in regular Finnish schools, with great success. And Finland is the safest country in the world, according to a recent report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and International Institute of Management Development (IMD).

"My oldest child attended a Finnish elementary school and had an amazing experience there! ... The teachers and principal of the school were extremely supportive and helpful, and the experience has been more rewarding than any of us could have guessed! Through his experience, my son has a new, large interest in languages, geography, (soccer!), and international politics. He has also developed an understanding and appreciation of the culture which I hope continues. His self confidence has grown with the knowledge that he was able to learn a new language and make wonderful friends in a new place. His only complaint is that we have to leave!" Katri Sieberg, Scholar in Political Science, University of Tampere, 2002-03

"This has been one of the best years of my life, and in the life of our whole family." Cheryl Greenberg, Scholar in American History, University of Helsinki, 2002-03

Fulbright Center
www.fulbright.fi

Embassy of Finland in Washington DC
www.finland.org

Ministry of Education
http://www.minedu.fi/OPM/?lang=en

Higher Education in Finland
www.edu.fi

Research in Finland
http://www.research.fi/en

The Researcher's Mobility Portal - Finland
http://europa.eu.int/eracareers/index_en.cfm?l1=8

Finnish Education and Training - Discover Finland
http://finland.cimo.fi/

Virtual Finland - Finnish culture, politics, history, society etc.
www.virtual.finland.fi

A Gateway to Finnish Culture on the Net
www.kulttuuri.net/english

Statistics Finland
http://tilastokeskus.fi/index_en.html

Finnish Tourist Board
www.visitfinland.com

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