Exchange Stories

Six continents. Six students. Dive into adventure as your fellow Aaltonians share their exchange stories from around the world.

North America

- Jimi Panula-Ontto

Studying in Canada has been great!

Travelwise, Canada allows many options, such as the national parks, large cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, and the famous Niagara Falls. If you are a nature lover, you’ll definitely find things to do here! I recommend visiting the Banff National Park! If you also want to experience the United States, but don’t want to be there for a whole exchange semester, this is a good way to get the best of both worlds.

As for the studies themselves: Ivey Business School has been interesting, with its focus on case-based learning. In practice, typically one third of your grade is determined by how well you contribute and articulate yourself in class. I really enjoy this way of teaching, it’s been a nice surprise for the semester. It teaches skills in rhetoric, keeps your attention better during classes, and forces you to understand the material before the classes, all of which have compulsory attendance. Missing two lectures is allowed, after that you fail the course.

I’d recommend Canada as a destination to those who want to experience some of the traditional North American college experience, as well as get a wide array of options for travelling and experiences!

South America

- Kiia Tolonen

The vibrant energy of Buenos Aires radiates through the streets of the city. Often called the Paris of South America, it never stops amazing you. Overflowing with culture, history and passion, and in true Argentinian fashion, it never sleeps. Sounds of tango echo as you wander through this city that at first feels almost overwhelmingly large. The more you discover the more it feels like home.

Argentina is often associated with crazy inflation rates and even crazier football culture, and whilst those things are accurate, the country is also so much more. I spent a semester in Buenos Aires, and fell in love with this whimsical country and its people. Argentinians are outgoing, welcoming and open. I had interesting conversations with taxi drivers, travelled through the country with a group of Argentinians, shared mates with people I had just met. Beyond the stereotypes lies a country full of real, genuine people.

In a way, I found so much hope in Argentina, and in South America as a whole. Amid the chaos, people find joy in the simplest things. They take time from their days to appreciate life, to live fully, and be present. I’m deeply inspired by that and can’t wait to return there.

Europe

- Johanna Kakkonen

My choice of exchange destination was already clear in 2013, after I visited Paris for the first time. 11-year-old me was enchanted by the city, and when the chance to go on an exchange came, there was no doubt where I wanted to go.

The city of my dreams did take some getting used to at first (if you’ve seen Emily in Paris, you know the drill). But I quickly fell in love with its ambiance, culture, and delicious pastries. One of the best parts of living in Paris was exploring the city’s history and art. Many museums and attractions in France offer free admission to EU residents under 26, so you learn a lot and save money at the same time.

During weekends and breaks, I took every opportunity to explore as much of France as possible. If you’re doing an exchange in Europe, I highly recommend taking the train to explore your host country in addition to nearby ones. France had so much to offer beyond Paris, and the exchange is the best possible time to explore smaller cities and countryside.

Africa

- Mikael Mattila

I did my exchange at Stellenbosch University in Cape Town. While South Africa might sound exotic, settling was easy as Cape Town has a laid-back, European vibe. That familiarity however is only the surface of a complex and diverse country. Cape Town itself has an amazing nature, filled with winelands, beautiful mountains, endless hiking trails, and stunning beaches.

Studying at Stellenbosch was very different from Aalto. Block weeks meant periods of intense learning, with time allocated to independent study, group work, and some free time I used for travelling.

Living in Cape Town, I quickly noticed how hugely privileged I was. The cost of living was low for me, and daily life was cheap. While the fancy cafés of Seapoint and mansions of Clifton are nice, I encourage you to step out of that bubble. Challenge yourself to learn, listen, and truly get to know the deeper reality of South Africa, strongly affected by the country’s history.

It’s a shame there’s only one exchange option in the African continent. Luckily, Stellenbosch and South Africa are amazing choices, offering unique learning opportunities and unforgettable experiences in a beautiful country full of cultural and natural diversity. Hopefully the School of Business will broaden its cooperation across the African continent in the future!

Asia

- Anni Zhao

What happens when you’re on your own on the other side of the world?

I spent my exchange at Nanyang Technological University in the Southeast Asian city-state of Singapore, where the temperature constantly stays around 30°C during the day, double-decker buses drive on the left side of tree-covered roads, and you can taste the world through diverse offerings of hawker centers. Despite the initial nervousness, it felt incredibly freeing and transformative to be in a new environment - like I could be anyone and do anything.

The most valuable lessons I learned on exchange were not just about studying. Between humid morning walks to class, group projects, and late-night trip planning sessions, I found confidence in small acts: talking to new people from all around the world, navigating my way through unfamiliar sceneries, and saying yes to almost anything. Very quickly, Singapore started to feel like home, and I realized that you can belong anywhere if you just keep an open mind. The world is truly your oyster, and I still frequently remind myself of this even after returning to Finland.

Oceania

- Nella Kankaanpää

I landed in Brisbane in July 2024, ready to start my double degree adventure, and immediately fell in love with the place. Vibrant but relaxed, that’s Brisbane.

My days quickly filled with great barista coffee, sushi rolls, frozen yoghurt, and long riverside walks that always seemed to end with a photo of the sunset. I took the ferry to the Uni (because ferries are a thing there), shared a lunch with bush turkeys and bin chickens, and learned that Bluey, the cartoon, is everywhere.

The only thing missing? A beach. But the beaches on the Gold Coast and nearby islands are fantastic (and public transit’s only 50 cents a trip). Of course, you’ve also got a pool in your backyard, great company and 30°C almost every day.

The year was a dream come true for me. We travelled around Australia and New Zealand, skydiving, surfing, hiking, sailing and snorkelling. And you can’t forget the animals! We immediately fell in love with the hundreds of koalas and kangaroos in the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Oh, and you can’t forget about the quokkas in the Rottnest Island, look them up (it’ll make your day better)!

This was a year I will remember forever <3