Nurmijärvi Campus
The students in the degree programme in adventure and outdoor education will be enrolled at Nurmijärvi campus. The campus is located by lake Sääksjärvi and surrounded by forest areas. There are good connections to the capital city of Finland, Helsinki, which is located just 45 km south of campus. Helsinki-Vantaa international airport, a major European hub for flights to Asia and North America, is only half an hour away by car.
Housing
You are able to book housing at campus in double rooms with a shared kitchen. The rent is 160 €/month/person. For other housing possibilities, please see e.g. HOAS
Please take into account that during the first internship period in Lapland (see also Internships and First year learning environments below) housing is usually provided by the internship hosts. More information will be provided in the acceptance letter.
Meals
The campus cafeteria serves warm lunch from Monday to Friday. There is also a possibility for breakfast and dinner. The closest grocery store is in Rajamäki (a small village about 5 km from the campus).
Free time activities
There are various free time activities available on the campus area, e.g.
– the fitness gym and swimming hall is open daily
– the campus sports hall is available once a week for students’ sports activities
– the campus is located near a lake and surrounded by great running, walking and skiing trails
– there are several bicycles you can borrow.
Read more about studying in Finland
Outdoor Classrooms
In addition to the Nurmijärvi campus and its surroundings, the studies will take place in various authentic outdoor classrooms in different locations in Finland and in Northern Scandinavia. The studies are carried out in lakes, sea, forests, and among the fells and wilderness in Lapland. The Nordic nature will offer a unique and authentic learning environment. Studying is an adventure in itself!
Internships
Through internships and practical training, students have a possibility to practice and develop their skills and knowledge in a workplace context. In Adventure and Outdoor Education at Humak UAS, the organizations for placements are principally selected by the staff members, in order to ensure the intended learning outcomes. Extended periods in a few select organizations is preferred over multiple short periods and several different organizations.
Each internship is built on a strong partnership between Humak UAS and the selected organization, and is supervised and mentored by the representatives of both parties. During the internship periods, housing is usually (but not always) provided for interns.
The first internship period, which lasts approximately three months, will take place in Lapland, Northern Finland, in mid-winter. This internship offers the first year students a possibility to intern for some of the leading nature and adventure tourism companies in Finland, and to gain practical adventure and outdoor educational experience.
During the second year of studying, the aims of the internship period are related to adventure and outdoor education in youth work and NGO-work settings. Students familiarize themselves with different organizations, for example youth centers, in various locations in Finland.
Students are free to decide the location of their third internship based on their career interests and personal preferences. Moreover, students may conduct their final project (Bachelor’s thesis) in association with this last internship.
First-year Learning Environments
Please note that the dates and locations for the academic year 2020-2021 will be updated in the spring of 2020. You can read about the experiences of first-year students (2018-2019) on the Humak Adventure and Outdoor Education blog.
The programme (see also Study Contents) begins at Nurmijärvi Campus on September 2nd, 2019 at 9.15. Below you can find the outline (changes in schedule are possible) of where your studies will be located during the first academic year:
2–13.9.2019 Nurmijärvi campus and its surroundings
14.9–30.9.2019 Äkäslompolo, Northern Finland
1.10–11.10.2019 Nurmijärvi campus and its surroundings
12-20.10 Autumn break
21.10-15.11.2019 Nurmijärvi campus and its surroundings
16.11.2019–8.3.2020 Internship, Northern Finland (Lapland Safaris, various places)
9.3–31.5.2020 Nurmijärvi campus and its surroundings, Southern Finland
More information regarding the summer semester will be provided later.
