 Enjoying the multicultural environment: Chunguang Li
I am a student of Automation Engineering in HAMK University of Applied Sciences. I have studied there for almost three years. It was in 2009 when I came to study in HAMK. The culture is different from my home country, but after a few days I got adapt to this new environment. The atmosphere in HAMK is really great.
My campus is located in Valkeakoski. It is an international campus that has students from various nations. I am living in this multicultural environment every day. It is a great experience to meet such a lot friends from different countries. They are really friendly and I have learned much from different cultures and also my language skills and communication skills have improved a lot.
HAMK makes you enjoy studying there. Not only focus on the theoretical study, but also we have a lot of time to work in our school lab or even project works which maybe have cooperation with companies. The studying become practical and we get interested in it. In every studying year our teacher takes us to visit companies or exhibitions which are related to our working field. This gives us a clear idea what we will do when we graduate as an engineer. The teachers are very friendly and they are always ready to help you when it is needed.
So far I have spent three winters in Finland. The temperature can be -25℃ in the daytime. It is cold and always snowing but it is a good time to try skiing. And also sauna is a better choice in such a cold day.
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First in Exchange – Then as a Degree Student: Cristian Dolha, Romania
My first contact with Finland and HAMK was back in 2007, when I came to HAMK Valkeakoski as an exchange student in the Automation Engineering department. From the first day, I had surprises after surprises, mostly pleasant, of course. Helpful and welcoming staff members, approachable tutors, a warm atmosphere which made me feel good here. So good, in fact, that I decided to move here, and become a degree student (of course, in Automation Engineering). Things only got better and better. It was heartwarming to be remembered from the previous year, even by people I hadn't personally met during my exchange period in Valkeakoski.
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Proper People – Proper Education: Cristian Dolha, Romania
Just like anyone will tell you (including Finns themselves), Finnish people do seem to be quite "closed up", perhaps shy, but that's only before you spend some time around them and get familiar with them. After that, you discover what big hearts and warm personalities they have, even though they may not seem so at first sight. I guess, in more ways than one, Finns are like the Earth: a "cold" and "hard" outer crust covering a soft warm inside. HAMK and Finland are pretty much all I could ever want from a university and a foreign country. It is proper education, proper people, and a proper system which works properly :)
Once you go "HAMK", you never go back :)
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Ms Anne Saarinen
I must admit that when my educational journey at HAMK started, I wasn't fully aware of what automation engineering studies or profession actually involved - I had jumped in head first as an advertisement in the paper caught my eye and sparked my interest. But not to worry, in the following 3,5 years my understanding of automation engineering clarified greatly.
The backbone of my own study experience was an amazing group of fellow students, my own class which day after day was sticking together, supporting each other. The hardest part for me after completing my studies was to leave that all behind. It had been amazing to get to know all these different people and get advise and help when I needed it. Being the only girl of my class I never felt like an outsider and was welcomed as a part of the group with open arms right from the start.
In the faculty of automation engineering there was lots of opportunities for team work which I feel is a definite advantage with the future employers who seem to look for employees with good social and communication skills. In my opinion having a strong emphasis on group assignments and workshops has helped HAMK to produce engineers that have no problem working either as an efficient part of the team or individually.
As a whole the 3.5 years of studying went fast and any obstacles on the way were always cleared without problems. Now as a graduate I can say there are mostly great study memories to cherish.
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Mr Pasi Aittokumpu
Why did you decide to study automation engineering?
- I should probably start by explaining a little about my past and tell a little about myself.
After year 9 I continued my studies at Pyynikki Ammattikoulu which is a school that gives you both a profession and a matriculation certificate. I chose automation technology as my main subject, basically as I had always been very interested in technology of all kinds. After finishing at Pyynikki, encouraged by my uncle I decided to pursue the path of becoming an engineer. I had heard great things about HAMK so it was an easy decision - I sent in my application and - after I got accepted in - looked forward to obtaining my engineering degree in three years.
Everything went very smoothly for me at HAMK. As I had already studied the basics of automation technology and had sat my matriculation examination too, having this basic knowledge definitely helped me with my studies and I was excited to learn more every day on both lectures and laboratory workshops.
How has HAMK degree benefited you in the position you're in right now?
-There has been lots of benefits. Among other things the compulsory internship as part of my studies helped me get a foot between the door at an engineering company where I am today working full time as an engineer. Often at work there have been situations and things where I have been able to use knowledge I learned at HAMK to my advantage.
How did your studies go at HAMK?
- In my opinion my studies went really well for the whole duration of my degree. When i graduated I also received a scholarship from Nokia for my success in my studies that they were giving to one HAMK Valkeakoski student that year.
Would you recommend studying at automation engineering at HAMK?
- I would warmly recommend studying automation engineering at HAMK to anyone interested in technology. You will get a strong knowledge of technology that you will be able to update further once you start working full time. I consider that absolutely essential for doing well in the business once you graduate.
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Mr Toni Saarela
I commenced my studies at HAMK Valkeakoski engineering degree as my goal. In the beginning the studies involved a lot of theory and basic studies, whereas towards the end there was lots of hands-on approach and work shops.
Finally the grand moment came: I graduated and it was time to leave the school and start working full-time. Everything I had learned at HAMK became great use at work - in both design- and business-related matters.
My design position has involved dealing with both paper machine automation and local network technology. Technical skills I have needed in different commissioning and testing procedures. In technical sales position I have also needed my engineering skills in customer service.
On behalf of my fellow class mates and myself I'd like to wish all the students - who are either beginning their studies or studying at HAMK already - success in their studies. Sometimes it might feel like a long and winding road but believe me, in the end it is definitely worth it!
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