Tuomo Pessi: "I'll be back!"

International programs

February 13, 2012

If someone had told me two years ago, that I will ever live and study in Russia, I would have laughed. But look what happened. On 1st of February this year I arrived at the Finland Railway Station in St. Petersburg. Well, perhaps I came not as celebrated as the bald little man before me in 1917. Nevertheless, I was ready to study the spring term in Russia.

The teachers of the IMARS courses I attended were young, skilled and highly motivated and I could see no trace of the 'Soviet school' education that had worried me a little in advance. Learning Russian language was high on my priority list and that was taken care of at the university by one of the best language teachers I have ever had. As a student of economics and business administration (my major is corporate finance) I naturally wanted to see how the tricks of the trade are learned in this country. I was glad to be able to take part in the economics department’s course in Corporate Finance.

The facilities at the university were good. The computer class was really up-to-date and had all the necessary programs.

A study place like St. Petersburg is just great! I visited museums, concerts of classical and popular music, cinemas, sports events and, well, a number of bars and restaurants. The accommodation was arranged by the university. I lived in the 'kommunalka', a communal apartment. I bet there is no better way of getting to know the «Russian soul» than to live with a couple «souls».

All in all, I was very satisfied with my semester at the European University. I was happy to return home after the spring term spent here, but one day, Russia, I’ll be back!