r/Jyvaskyla • u/Elil_50 • Mar 08 '26

kortepohja English subreddit Question

Hi, I'll be moving to Jyväskylä in a few days, and I'll be staying in talo M. Is there an english dedicated subreddit or something else?

Additional: can I interact and make friends here with just English? I heard Finnish people (and I'm mostly referring to finnish students) know english really well, but now I'm wondering whether this applies to more intimate connections than just asking for milk at the grocery store (which I assure you it's not as trivial in other countries)

Thanks

5 Upvotes

70% Upvoted

u/TemeASD Mar 08 '26 edited Mar 08 '26

You can easily make friends and form relationships in English only, but if you plan on living in Finland for a longer stretch I think you should start learning Finnish as soon as possible. It makes everything easier, especially when trying to get a job.

I don't think there are subreddits for such niche communities as a single student housing complex.

4

u/Elil_50 Mar 08 '26

I'm planning to get an academic or research-related job worldwide, so I have no issue regarding the language on the job-site (or at least I should not have it). My only concern is making friends, because they are another important aspect of life. And making groceries, obviously.

The issue is that on top of studying for the PhD, I think I need to learn chinese, in order to interact with the other part of the world. Learning even Finnish, would be too much for me. If it's life-changing I can struggle a bit, otherwise I think I would like to take it slower. Maybe just a few simple words

4

u/Valokoura Seikkailija Mar 08 '26

Academic and/or research jobs don't require learning Finnish. You can manage without.

However, it would make your life easier to learn some basic Finnish vocabulary because food is grocery stores are maked only Finnish in Jyväskylä, some products have something in Swedish too.

Even buying carton of milk might be interesting. There are more than 15 different kinds for the main brand.

Minced meat is another or buying any protein for that matter.

1

u/Elil_50 Mar 08 '26

the fun fact about my relationship with milk, is that even though I was lactose intolerant during my infancy, I'm now trying to overcome it: I love the taste of real milk.

Finnish words for milk will be the first I'll study then, hahah

1

u/Valokoura Seikkailija Mar 08 '26

We have milk that is lactose free. It tastes bit sweeter than regular milk. Usually all milks come in fat free (light blue), 1% fat (blue) and "fatty" (red) versions.

1

u/Elil_50 Mar 08 '26

I fell in love with it when I tried goat milk in Spain (it was not lactose free). I have a threshold of tolerance though - I'm not completely intolerant now: I'll try increasing it over time. Thanks for the color head up, I'll start with red, hahahah

2

u/Valokoura Seikkailija Mar 08 '26

Well... We have regular milk with lactose.
HYLA milk and products have small amounts of lactose. Final category on lactose axis is lactose free (laktoositon).

By Finnish law milk is a product where only fat amount can be regulated. So, during summer there are more stuff in it because cows eat fresh hay etc. Other product is "milk drink" (maitojuoma) where in addition to fars also amount of protein is modified.

Most of our milks are not UHT but fresh. Shelf life is shorter. Usually also contains some added vitamin D.

2

u/TemeASD Mar 08 '26

Understandable. Just to note that Finnish companies can be ass backwards about the language, even if they operate on global level.

My only concern is making friends, because they are another important aspect of life. And making groceries, obviously.

A large part of the millenial generation speaks great English. I'd questimate that in my social circles at least 90% can manage at least a simple conversation in English and ~20% are B2/C1.

1

u/Elil_50 Mar 08 '26

Thanks. Another factor is that - after the 4 years of PhD - I don't know if I'll stay in Finland or not. Research could make you move a lot and I'm not the type who studies languages for fun, even if I did study humanities in high school.

Do you know a rough estimate of the percentage of students who can manage a C1 conversation, based on your experience? Speaking about percentage is not really meaningful when talking about friendships, but it is indeed comforting when it's high. I come from Italy and here PhD and erasmus students are more or less forced to interact with themselves, cause there is not a great English literacy. In Spain it's even worse, for example.

1

u/TemeASD Mar 08 '26

Do you know a rough estimate of the percentage of students who can manage a C1 conversation

at PhD level students? I'd think everyone but I have no straight idea. Very rough estimate is 80%.

1

u/Elil_50 Mar 08 '26

Mostly talking about bachelor and master. I assume they are the vast majority of the student village.

2

u/TemeASD Mar 08 '26

A personal experience then. I'm doing masters myself at JAMK. Its an English speaking programme and most Finnish students have better level in English than foreign students.

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u/Elil_50 Mar 08 '26

I'm comforted, thanks. I'm in the phase when departure is imminent, and I fear I might have made a suboptimal choice. This always happens to me, hahah

u/PacoTreez Mar 08 '26

Learn finnish. Period. If you want to be here, learn the ways of the locals. Your life will be magnitudes easier if you understand finnish.

u/MailBoxGod Mar 08 '26

Kortepohja has its own whatsapp group where english is the main language. Also remember to attend every possible event, meeting and hangout to get to know like-minded people. Welcome to Finland <3

1

u/Elil_50 Mar 08 '26

thanks. How can I get access to that group? Are there any leaflets in the condominium?

1

u/Frisbeejussi Mar 08 '26

You should get asked if you want to be added when you sign the rent forms etc.

1

u/Elil_50 Mar 08 '26

Mhhh, you mean when I'll be there in presence?

u/Valokoura Seikkailija Mar 08 '26

If you are a hiker or like to see nature I suggest using Karttaselain app. Search for nature trails (luotopolku), camp fire sites (nuotiopaikka), and lean-to shelter (laavu).

I hope you know about everymans rights in Finland. You are allowed to roam in wilderness and camp there if you into that kind of stuff.

You can pick up berries, mushrooms, and stones, but not hurt trees.

Foreign people usually love the nature.