OPTIEM – Oulu Presents The Industrial Engineering and Management

Optiem is a student organization that consists of Industrial Engineering and Management students in the University of Oulu. The guild is for the students and its’ goal is to help students with study related topics and organize events to balance studies with social life. Below you can find useful links and if you have any questions, you can be in contact with our guild’s international manager shown here.

Experience from an exchange student

It’s the 8th of December 2025 while I am writing this and I’m still here in Oulu, a place that almost feels like home.

When I arrived, in the end of August, Miska, OPTIEM’s International affairs coordinator, met me at the airport and guided me home. That first impression of Finnish people had already won my respect. The first days are a mixture: you’re new in town, still experiencing what’s it like to live in a completely different place (bear in mind I come from Portugal), getting to know people and connecting with nature; all of this with a gorgeous sun that lasts until 9pm.

Then, daily life starts.

Regarding the courses I’ve taken in, they’re interesting, promote your critical thinking and, compared to Portugal, I’ve got to admit they’re easier :). Assessment mainly relies on individual/group assignments, though you may have to do one or two exams.

Food at the university is ok and super cheap (you can eat for 69 cents).

Relatively to transportation, I’ve ridden a bike (that I purchased for ~60€) for the first 2 months, and then sold it and started taking the bus for the last 2, as the cold approached (monthly pass is 52€).

In terms of accommodation, I’ve rented an Airbnb together with my girl and it costed us around 800€ per month, which we considered ok, when comparing to PSOAS apartments. Cost of living is slightly higher compared to my home country, but it’s manageable. I’d say I spent, on average, 200€ monthly on groceries.

I have to note that the ERASMUS spirit here in Oulu has beaten my expectations (and it’s even better if you’re living at the PSOAS apartments). People really value the international experience and there are tons of activities that ESN Oulu organizes.

The country is beautiful. Here, I’ve certainly created unforgettable memories. From hunting auroras to swimming in the lake, to hiking in Lapland’s snowy mountains, you’ve got it all in Finland. Apart from that, I’ve also gotten the chance to visit Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo and the beautiful Lofoten Islands in an amazing trip organized by ESN. Since one picture is worth a thousand words, I’ll let them speak by themselves.

As I approach the end of my stay, I feel this was one of the most enriching experiences of my life, and I’ll remember it with special care.

If I wasn’t supposed to be short, I’d be here writing for a whole hour. If anything caught your curiosity, feel free to reach out to me through my LinkedIn.

// Martim Oliveira

https://www.linkedin.com/in/martimmoliveira/

ESN – Erasmus Student Network

Experience from international student Ammar about ESN

I landed in Oulu in August 2016, a week before my orientation. I was roaming around the campus and saw many posters of ‘Join ESN’ and other material with ESN promotions. In orientation, there was a presentation by student organizations and then I knew I should be a part of ESN. I got my ESN card, which gives me discounts in many places and free privileged entry in ESN nights and parties.

I was enjoying the ESN experience, and trust me ESN is just not for exchange students. It is for everyone, whether you are a Finnish student, or international or exchange, you can go to ESN events and have fun. This was what I was doing and then one day I decided, I have many ideas, why shouldn’t I join it and maybe contribute more.

I talked to the vice president of ESN via email, and explained my interest and they welcomed with open arms. I was called an ‘Active Member’ like other 30 students who voluntarily worked for ESN. Since becoming an active, I have volunteered when I liked, never disturbing by schedule, met new people and learned whole lot of new things. Things which were not there in any curriculum, multi-cultural leadership, voluntary experience, time management and how to have fun.

I am now a Board Member in ESN Oulu, and will be working as a Project Coordinator for the year 2017. But in this 4 months of my time in ESN, I have gained/learned/experienced these things:

1. Learned about Finnish customs/traditions. e.g. Pula Baking, Sit Sit parties, Ice Hole Swimming

2. Travelled with so much diverse and international students. e.g. trip to IKEA, Stockholm.

3. Established a sense of working in with people with different cultures, different values. e.g. ESN team which is of more than 15 nationalities.

4. Made new friends, and trust me you need to do so when you come to a new place. You won’t feel weird going to a party, because there will always be someone you can hangout with and have fun. We use to have great socializers, once in a month with great food, movie night and getting to know each other.

So, it’s your choice whether you want to become a volunteer, enjoy, have ESN perks or just be a normal student and only enjoy. I liked the second part but trust me first part is so much more fun.

In ESN, you will always be compensated, appreciated and valued for your work. It is a nonprofit volunteer organization, but it has multiple partners, which gives you discounts, gift cards, vouchers and chance to travel to exciting destinations. 🙂

– Ammar