4. Rules and guidelines
Student housing has own rules and guidelines to which people often appeal. The rules are the same for both Finnish and foreign students, and one is not exempt from them by not knowing them. It is impossible to house thousands of students in student flats unless there are rules and they are followed.
It is very important to follow agreed rules and times in Finland. This is actually a cultural characteristic, especially compared to cultures where rules and times are suggestive.
It pays off if the international student is him/herself active. It is possible that nobody has thought of how the international student understands or finds the rules connected to student housing or in which way they are taught to him/her. Moreover, each culture has unwritten rules which are difficult to explain, since these come naturally to people within that culture.
Each student housing community has its own modes of operation and practices, but many things are also shared. There are a few guidelines to student housing below, which generally apply for housing and living within the whole of the country.
4.1. Rules to dormitory living - agreed upon together
Living in a cell apartment is about learning how to live together. One can learn from others as well as also teach. The keys of success lie in the respect and appreciation of the fellow tenant.
It is difficult but possible, as well as necessary, to agree on common rules concerning living together. One should strive not to only go through rules, but also to discuss personal habits regarding life, living and communication. Ways of discussing in a conflict situation may vary. Some cultures are more head-on, in other cultures people try to avoid direct conflict to the last. Remember that it is difficult to guess what you are thinking if you don´t say it out aloud.
Tenants in a cell apartment may have different views on the border between personal and common space. Problems may arise from, for instance, if everyone fits in the kitchen at the same time or how much time and space may be used in the common areas. It is also good to settle on these issues.
Although the kitchen and bathroom are in shared use, each tenant takes care of his/her own things and uses his/her own things. This rule can be forgotten if the flatmates agree differently.
4.2. Cooking
Students representing different foodcultures often cook in different ways according to what they are used to. Byproducts of cooking, such as sounds and smells, should be discussed and agreed upon, so that nobody has to suffer smells they find unpleasant. It is also good to reflect on if eating should be done together or at different times. Remember also that constant entertaining of dinner guests or noisy cooking can drive some tenants away from the common areas.
4.3. Cleaning and hygiene
In Finland the student housing community does not see to the cleaning of the common areas, but all the cell tenants are responsible for the cleanliness together. Everyone washes his/her own dishes - with personal dishbrushes and immediately after eating. Also the stove, oven and countertops must be cleaned if they have been used in the cooking. Naturally everyone only eats his/her own foods from the refrigerator.
The tenants also take care of the removal own their own garbage from the flat. The tenants also, for instance, might use their own toilet paper. The cleaning shifts of the common areas are well to be agreed upon with the other tenants immediately after the tenancy has begun. If the common areas of the cell apartment do not stay clean, the student housing community sees to the cleaning of the areas and bills all the tenants. Further information on cleaning in student housing can be found at www.tys.fi/cleaning, instructions.
4.4. Smoking, alcohol and drugs
Smoking in the common areas is allowed only if all tenants in the cell apartment agree, so discuss the matter with your flatmates before lighting your first cigarette in your common kitchen. Finland has one of the strictest cigarette laws in Europe and it is also followed. Smoking indoors in private flats is rather unusual. In Finland people smoke in the streets, yards and on balconies - even in the winter.
Alcoholic beverages are sold in Finland to people above 18 years of age. Finnish drinking customs have become more like that of Central Europe during the recent years, but especially on the weekends drinking for drunkedness is usual.
Possession and use of drugs are crimes according to Finnish law. In addition to the stipulated penalty the crime can lead to instant returning to the homeland.
4.5. Greetings
The Finnish communication customs may feel strange. Many Finns don´t necessarily greet in staircases or in the elevator. This does not mean that the other one isn´t liked, rather, people who don´t greet their foreign neighbours in all probability don´t greet anybody else either.
In Finland it is customary to be silent if there isn´t anything special to say. Silence is viewed rather as a positive than a negative thing.
4.6. Rules for visiting and partying
One should take into consideration the other tenants´ need for peace while studying and comfortableness. The flats usually have a silence stipulated by rule between 23:00 and 06:00 (11 p.m. and 6 a.m.). The student housing community has clubrooms and common areas for bigger parties and regular gatherings which can be rented at a low price. These spaces must also be carefully cleaned after use and the rules of conduct have to be followed here too. You can enquire about these facilities at the student housing community.
4.7. Position of women
It may come as a surprise for some foreign students that many people deciding of housing and student issues are women. This cultural difference is emphasised when unpleasant decisions are made concerning the tenant. A female employee has the authority to act and make decisions and these decisions have to be followed.
Up
