Benefits of internationalisation

International expertise is a competitive advantage in the job market. A person with international experience often has stronger language skills and cultural knowledge than others. Living abroad helps you understand yourself and your own culture better, broadens your worldview, and increases your understanding of other cultures and diversity.

International experience also develops many professional skills, such as communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to tolerate uncertainty. These skills are beneficial regardless of the field. For these reasons, international experiences enhance employment and career opportunities, including in international job markets.

 

"Exchange experience is not just a half year of your life - it is a whole life in a half year." -Jenna Tuomimaa, Belgium, Spring 2024

Internationalisation is possible for everyone

Exchange itself doesn’t cost anything, and you won’t pay tuition fees to the host university. If you pay tuition fee to LAB, you will pay it during the exchange as well, but no extra tuition fee is paid to the host university. LAB provides a grant for periods abroad under certain conditions. So, you get an amazing international experience that enhances your career prospects, and you even get paid for it! When else will you have the opportunity to move abroad and get paid for it? Read more about student exchange grants, grants for placements abroad, and other ways to finance your period abroad.

Please note that things like using a wheelchair, having learning difficulties, or having minor children are not obstacles to an exchange period; the exchange experience is made possible for everyone. Additional grants are also provided for special groups participating in Erasmus+ program exchanges.

When the exchange period is planned together with your tutor teacher, it won’t delay your graduation, as all the studies you complete during the exchange will be included in your degree. Depending on the destination, you can also take courses not offered at LAB, thereby enriching your degree in the direction you desire.

You can tailor your international experience to be just the way you want it. Options range from more exotic distant destinations to culturally closer ones like Sweden and Estonia. The duration of exchange periods also varies from a week to a year. Besides going abroad, you can also internationalise in Finland! For example, you can participate in international intensive weeks in Lahti or Lappeenranta, take English-taught courses that include other international students, or join activities like meet a local family, or tutoring for international students. In addition, be active to network with the Finnish students! Read more about internationalisation at home.

"Nobody can take away those memories, moments and connections that you can make or build during the exchange time." -Ida Mettälä, Malesia, autumn 2023

 

Explore the internationalisation opportunities that suit you through the links below. Remember, we at International Mobility Services are here to help if you’re interested in internationalisation but are still unsure about the best way to do it! Check out our contact information and feel free to get in touch! Follow us also on Instagram @labstudyabroad!