Draft:Student culture in Finnish universities

{{Short description|National student culture}}

{{Draft topics|northern-europe|education}}

{{AfC topic|other}}

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File:2018 First of May in Helsinki (32838427317).jpg in Kaivopuisto, Helsinki]]

Student culture in Finnish universities is characterized by a distinct set of traditions, social structures, events, and symbols associated with students in Finnish higher education. This culture is significantly shaped by organized student bodies{{Cite web |title=Student life in Helsinki {{!}} University of Helsinki |url=https://www.helsinki.fi/en/admissions-and-education/international-students/student-life-helsinki |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=www.helsinki.fi |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Student life in Finland |url=https://www.abo.fi/en/study/living-and-studying-in-finland/student-life-in-finland/ |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=Åbo Akademi University |language=en-US}}, namely student unions ({{lang|fi|ylioppilaskunta}}, or {{lang|fi|opiskelijakunta}} for universities of applied sciences){{Cite web

| url = https://www.finlex.fi/fi/lainsaadanto/2009/558#L5P46

| title = Yliopistolaki 558/2009

| website = Finlex

| language = fi

| date = 2009-07-24

| access-date = 2025-04-04

| at = § 46 (5 luku)

| publisher = Oikeusministeriö / Justitieministeriet (Ministry of Justice, Finland)

}}, subject-specific associations ({{lang|fi|ainejärjestö}} or {{lang|fi|kilta}}){{Cite web |title=Killat {{!}} eLUT |url=https://elut.lut.fi/fi/opiskelijaelama/killat |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240119211439/https://elut.lut.fi/fi/opiskelijaelama/killat |archive-date=2024-01-19 |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=elut.lut.fi |language=fi}}{{Cite web |title=Opiskelijajärjestöt |url=https://www.oyy.fi/yhteiso/opiskelijajarjestot/ |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=Oulun yliopiston ylioppilaskunta |language=fi}}, student nations ({{lang|fi|osakunta}}){{Cite web |date=2017-04-20 |title=Welcome to the student nations! {{!}} Osakunnat – Nationerna |url=https://osakunta.fi/frontpage/ |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=osakunta.fi |language=fi}}, and other registered associations, which are usually centered around some hobby or interest. These organizations undertake student advocacy, provide services, and organize social activities.

File:2018 First of May in Helsinki (46865576805).jpg from various subject associations]]

Notable traditions include the nationwide Vappu (May Day Eve and Day) celebrations, considered the principal student festival, and the various types of student events such as Sittning, which are structured academic dinner parties involving communal singing from songbooks ({{lang|fi|laulukirja}}) and specific customs.{{Cite web |date=2019-02-01 |title=Academic dinner parties |url=https://www.ayy.fi/en/student-life/academic-dinner-parties |access-date=2025-04-04 |publisher=Aalto University Student Union}} Prominent symbols are widely used identifiers within the student community, particularly the student overalls ({{lang|fi|opiskelijahaalarit}}). Student overalls vary in colour and insignia based on the field of study, subject association, or student nation which they represent, and are adorned with patches ({{lang|fi|haalarimerkit}}) which often signal affiliations and past participation in events.{{Cite web |last=Stewen |first=Catarina |date=2023-06-28 |title=What's the deal with the overalls you see university students wearing in Finland? |url=https://finland.fi/life-society/whats-the-deal-with-the-overalls-you-see-university-students-wearing-in-finland/ |access-date=2025-04-04 |website=thisisFINLAND |language=en-US}} Another key symbol is the student cap ({{lang|fi|ylioppilaslakki}} and its variants like the {{lang|fi|teekkarilakki}} for polytechnical students), worn mainly during Vappu and academic ceremonies.