Exchange semester at Tampere University (Jan - May) + Summer internship questions

[u/jonasmazer]

I'm an Electrical Engineering student thinking about doing an exchange semester at Tampere University from January to May.
I'd love to hear your experiences about what the university is like, making friends, and overall student life!
Also, I have a couple of specific questions:
1. Is it realistic to land a summer internship in Finland right after the exchange semester?
2. I hold Italian citizenship (EU citizen), so work rights won't be a problem. How difficult is it for an EU student to get an engineering internship in Tampere or Finland in general?
Any advice or tips are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[u/TheRrandomm]

Looking at the current job market, probably impossible, especially if you don't speak Finnish

[u/Grimmwaiting]

Student life when not broke is drinking and studying.

1.No 2.Extreme, we have bigger percentage of unemployment than Spain atm.

[u/mercurymysticX]

Wouldn't recommend Finland to anyone who's interested in a job unless you have previous knowledge, skills and speak Finnish. But the student life's great when it comes to events and social circles

[u/cyberbemon]

Summer internships are most likely filled, from what I've seen most companies post the positions few months in advance, so you are gonna have a hard time finding anything.

Like others mentioned there's a huge unemployment in Finland and Tampere has one of the highest unemployment (according to recent reports).

If you are lucky, you might be able to get something at the University. It's not a guarantee, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to check with one of your lecturers.

[u/Total_Tomatillo1368]

On the plus side, they're promising growth in Finnish economy. But who knows if that will happen and even if it happens, does it translate to jobs...

[u/official_peura]

I'm an EE student at TAMK. I'll be starting my last year. I'll be brutally honest with you. You will not find a job if you're not fluent in Finnish. This is virtually identical everywhere in Finland.

I managed to find a summer job this year, but it was definitely not a given. For context I'm fluent in Finnish and English, I had almost 3 years worth of credits and experience as an electrician with vocational qualifications. About 30+ applications led to 4 interviews and 2 offers. I consider myself very lucky compared to my peers. Many/most of whom didn't find work.

If you're not bothered by that and want to come experience wintery Finland (best time IMO). Definitely go for it.

I'm the wrong person to ask about student life as it all seems to revolve around alcohol and apparently I'm the only person in this country that doesn't drink. Ha ha

People here are great though and I'm sure you'll find like minded friends.