Transitioning to life in Finland can also come with challenges: navigating a new city, adapting to local customs, managing finances, and even learning the Finnish language can seem daunting at first. Thankfully, the right set of apps can make life as a student in Finland much easier. From managing public transport and communicating with friends to handling your finances and accessing university resources, there are a number of essential apps that will help you make the most of your time in Finland. In this blog, we’ll cover the most useful apps for students on Finland study visa—whether you’re living in Helsinki, Oulu, or anywhere in between!
Navigating the City & Transportation in Finland
Finland’s cities are well-connected, and getting around is straightforward if you have the right tools. These apps will help you navigate public transportation, find the best routes, and even explore Finland on foot or by bike.
Reittiopas
One of the most important apps to download when living in Finland is Reittiopas. This app provides real-time information on public transport routes and schedules in major Finnish cities like Helsinki, Tampere, and Turku. Whether you’re taking the bus, tram, metro, or train, Reittiopas will help you plan the quickest and most convenient journey.
HSL (Helsinki Regional Transport)
If you’re in Helsinki, the HSL app is essential. It offers information on public transportation in the Helsinki region, including real-time updates for buses, trams, the metro, and trains. You can also use it to buy tickets and see schedules, making it incredibly convenient for getting around the city.
Taksini & Taksi Helsinki
While public transport is great in Finland, sometimes you might prefer a taxi or ride-hailing service. Taksini and Taksi Helsinki are both available in Finland’s major cities and offer an easy and quick way to get from one place to another, especially during late hours when public transport might not be running.
City Bikes (Helsinki and other cities)
For environmentally-conscious students on Finland study visa or those who enjoy cycling, the City Bikes app (available in Helsinki and several other cities) allows you to rent a bike for short trips. You can pick up and drop off bikes at stations around the city—ideal for getting to class or exploring the local area.
Komoot
Planning a hike or cycling trip in Finland? Komoot is a fantastic app that helps you find the best hiking and cycling routes in the Finnish wilderness. Whether you’re exploring national parks or smaller nature reserves, Komoot will guide you along beautiful paths and trails.
Communication and Socializing in Finland
Living in a new country means forming new friendships and staying connected with people back home. These communication apps will help you stay in touch with your friends, family, and new Finnish friends.
- WhatsApp & Telegram: Although Finland has its local messaging services, WhatsApp and Telegram are still the go-to messaging apps for international students on Finland student visa. Whether it’s for group chats with classmates, chatting with your family back home, or staying in touch with new friends, these apps are widely used in Finland and are free to download.
- Signal: For those who are more privacy-conscious, Signal is a secure, encrypted messaging app that ensures your messages remain private. It’s a great alternative for students who prefer a more secure way of communicating, especially when dealing with sensitive topics.
- Jodel: Jodel is a popular app among university students, offering a platform for anonymous communication within academic communities. It allows users to post and ask questions on a wide range of topics, from practical tips and local news to discounts and events, all without revealing their identity. The app is location-based, meaning it displays posts relevant to your current area, so if you’re traveling to a different city, you’ll see content specific to that location. Additionally, Jodel has a private chat feature where users can connect directly with one another. Widely used by both Finnish and international students, it serves as a social hub for university life in Finland.
- Tandem: Language exchange is a fantastic way to learn Finnish while helping others with your own language skills. Tandem connects you with native Finnish speakers who are looking to learn your language, creating a mutual learning environment. It’s a great way to practice speaking Finnish in an informal setting.
Study in Finland & Academic Resources
To succeed academically, you’ll need tools to organize your studies, manage deadlines, and collaborate with classmates. These apps will help you stay on top of your coursework and university life.
- Notion or Evernote: For students who love digital note-taking and organization, Notion and Evernote are two excellent choices. Both apps allow you to create organized study notes, set reminders, and collaborate on projects with other students. With their flexible formats, you can easily adapt them to suit your personal study style.
- Google Drive: Google Drive is another essential app for students. Whether you’re collaborating on a group project, storing notes, or sharing documents with professors, Google Drive offers cloud storage that you can access from any device. It also includes Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, which are great for creating and editing documents on the go.
- University-Specific Apps: Many Finnish universities have their own dedicated apps or student portals that offer information about your courses, schedules, grades, and campus events. Make sure to check if your university offers an app or a student portal app that can help you stay connected to your academic life.
Finnish Language Learning
Finnish can be a tricky language to learn, but these apps will help you start understanding and speaking Finnish more confidently.
- Duolingo: One of the most popular language-learning apps worldwide, Duolingo is a great place to start if you’re learning Finnish. Its bite-sized lessons and game-like structure make learning vocabulary and grammar fun and engaging.
- Babbel: For a more structured approach, Babbel offers Finnish lessons that focus on everyday conversations and practical language skills. It’s ideal for those who want to get a good grasp of the language quickly.
- Lingvist: Lingvist is another language-learning app that personalizes your lessons based on your progress. It’s particularly useful for improving your Finnish vocabulary, as it adapts to your learning speed and focuses on words you need the most.
- Google Translate: While not ideal for full conversations, Google Translate is a great tool for quickly translating words or phrases, especially if you’re in a situation where you need immediate help understanding or communicating in Finnish.
Shopping & Food Delivery in Finland
Living in Finland as a student often involves shopping for groceries and ordering food—especially if you’re cooking for yourself or craving a late-night snack. These apps will make it easy to shop for food, order meals, and find the best deals.
K-Ruoka & S-Market
Two of Finland’s largest grocery chains, K-Ruoka and S-Market, offer apps that allow you to browse products, check prices, and even place online orders. They also provide information on discounts, weekly offers, and promotions, making it easier to shop on a student budget.
Wolt & Foodora
When you’re too tired to cook or want a treat, Wolt and Foodora are the go-to food delivery apps in Finland. Both apps offer a wide variety of restaurants and food options that can be delivered straight to your door—perfect for those late-night study sessions or lazy weekends.
Financial Management during Study in Finland
Managing your finances is a crucial part of studying abroad. These apps can help you track your spending, manage your bank account, and keep your finances in check.
- N26 and Revolut are mobile banking apps that are especially useful for international students on Finland study visa. Both offer free or low-cost currency exchange and allow you to manage your money in multiple currencies, which is helpful when transferring funds between Finland and your home country.
- Google Pay and MobilePay are popular mobile payment apps in Finland, allowing you to transfer money, pay bills, and make purchases with your smartphone. Many students use these apps for everything from splitting the bill with friends to paying for groceries.
- Both Spendee and Mint are budgeting apps that can help you track your expenses, create a budget, and save money. They link to your bank accounts and give you a clear overview of where your money is going—an essential tool for managing your finances while studying abroad.
Navigating Healthcare & Well-being in Finland
Health and well-being are a top priority when living abroad. These apps will help you navigate healthcare, stay active, and take care of your mental health.
- The Kela app is an essential tool for international students study in Finland. It allows you to manage your Finnish health insurance, track reimbursements, and access social services. If you’re receiving healthcare benefits or need to check your insurance status, Kela’s app is your go-to.
- For mental health support, apps like MindUp and TalkSpace offer mindfulness exercises, stress-relief techniques, and online therapy. Studying abroad can be stressful, so having access to resources for mental well-being is crucial.
Finland Local Services and Utilities
Living in Finland involves dealing with local services, paying rent, and managing everyday utilities. These apps will help you stay on top of these tasks.
- If you’re renting an apartment through Lumo or VVO, their respective apps allow you to manage your housing, pay rent, and report any issues with your apartment.
- fi is a portal that connects you to all essential Finnish government services. You can access healthcare, find information about taxes, and apply for various services, making it a must-have for international students on Finland student visa who need to stay on top of their legal and financial obligations.
From public transportation and socializing to managing your finances and staying healthy, these essential apps will help make your life as a student in Finland easier and more enjoyable.
West Highlander Immigration – Consultants for Student Visa for Finland
West Highlander Immigration is a Chandigarh-based consultancy for study-abroad programs in Finland. With over 19 years of experience, Ms. Parwinder Kaur, an ICEF-trained agent counselor is your best shot at a successful visa application process.