Supervision of interests

Despite Finland's steadily progressing internationalization, Finnish society can still be a challenging place if you don't know the Finnish language and culture. You may experience difficulties in protecting your rights especially if you haven't spent much time in the country. This is where the Student Union comes in: it is Tamy's purpose to supervise the interests of students. To make sure the rights of international students are protected as well, Tamy has an international affairs sector that fights for the international students' cause.

Moreover, Tamy's international affairs sector strives to promote the internationalization of Finnish students at the University. In order to support the internationalization of students, it is vital that the University offers enough language and communication studies, arranges student exchanges and other means of internationalization and makes it easy for students to incorporate their studies abroad into their degree.

International students

Every year, just under one thousand international students come to the University of Tampere. Approximately half of them are degree students taking either a lower or a higher university degree in Finland. The other half are exchange students whose stay in Tampere is much briefer. Most exchange students are Erasmus students, but some come to Finland through bilateral exchange agreements and a few have obtained their places of study independently.

Everyone studying towards a degree at the University of Tampere is automatically a member of the Student Union, which means that all international students are entitled to all of Tamy's services as well. Tamy even offers its international members a few services that are intended especially for them: the English-language mailing list IS-list and the Starting Kit kitchenware set that international students can rent for a €20 fee.

Social welfare affairs

Tamy's Committee for International Affairs did a survey on the Tampere region banking services available for international students. The survey was conducted by interviewing the banks' staff and management. The banks are divided into two categories: banks recommended for students who stay in Tampere less than five months, then for students who stay longer.

Students staying for less than 5 months:

Tampereen Seudun Osuuspankki

- English-language service available.
- Open an account and grant a Visa Electron card also for those staying less than 5 months in Finland.
- Grant netbank user IDs if you have a Finnish identity number and monthly income.

    Nordea Bank

- English-language service available if you book an appointment in advance.
- Open an account and grant a Visa Electron card also for those staying less than 5 months in Finland.
- Do not grant netbank user IDs for those staying less than 5 months in Finland.

    Eräjärven Säästöpankki

- Open an account and grant a Visa Electron card also for those staying less than 5 months in Finland.
- Grant netbank user IDs also for those staying less than 5 months in Finland, but the service is in Finnish.
- All material is in Finnish, so bring your tutor along!

    Kurikan Osuuspankki

- Open an account and grant a Visa Electron card for those with a Finnish social security number.
- Grant netbank user IDs also for those staying less than 5 months in Finland, but the service is in Finnish.
- All material is in Finnish, so bring your tutor along!

    Aito Säästöpankki

- Open an account and grant a Visa Electron card also for those staying less than 5 months in Finland.
- Grant netbank user IDs also for those staying less than 5 months in Finland, but require regular income.
- All material is in Finnish, so bring your tutor along!

Students staying for longer than 5 months:
    
    Nordea Pankki

- English-language service available if you book an appointment in advance.
- Open an account and grant a Visa Electron card.
- Netbank user IDs available within 3-6 months, but be sure to mention you have regular income!

    Sampo Pankki

- Open an account and grant a Visa Electron card.

- English-language service available if you book an appointment in advance.
- Invoices should be paid at the bureau or with netbank user IDs either at home or in the bureau, because Sampo Pankki no longer utilises ATMs.
- Netbank user IDs available within 3-6 months, but be sure to mention you have regular income!
- Online banking services available in English.

    Tampereen Seudun Osuuspankki

- English-language service available.
- Open an account and grant an OP Visa Electron card.
- Grant netbank user IDs if you have a Finnish identity number and monthly income.

    Handelsbanken

- Open an account and grant a Visa Electron card if you are staying in Finland for longer than 5 months.
- The only bank to charge those under 26 years of age a monthly fee for a Visa Electron card (EUR 3/month). The card cannot be used for internet purchases.
- Account and netbank user IDs are free of charge.
- Grant netbank user IDs automatically for all customers, but the service is in Finnish.

    Eräjärven säästöpankki

- Open an account and grant a Visa Electron card.
- Grant netbank user IDs, but the service is in Finnish.
- All material is in Finnish, so bring your tutor along!

    Kurikan Osuuspankki

- Open an account and grant a Visa Electron card if you have a Finnish social security number.
- Grant netbank user IDs, but the service is in Finnish.
- All material is in Finnish, so bring your tutor along!

    Aito Säästöpankki

- Open an account and grant a Visa Electron card.
- Grant netbank user IDs, but require regular income.
- All material is in Finnish, so bring your tutor along!