The most popular cities to study abroad in Finland are the top five largest cities in the country, starting with the capital of Helsinki, followed by Vaasa, located on the western coast of Finland.

Ranked as the third most liveable city in the world in 2013, Helsinki is by far the most popular destination for study abroad in Finland. A city surrounded by the sea at the southern tip of Finland, it’s a hub for activity. Students looking for an active academic scene that goes beyond the classroom will be pleased with what the capital has to offer. Theater, music, as well as research programs in economics and social sciences, are popular program types at local universities in Helsinki.

Tampere, located next to two huge lakes and four academic institutions, provides students with the big city feel and small town comforts. The city is convenient for students as everything is walkable. Turku, Finland’s oldest city and first capital, houses one of the two international schools in Finland.

Oulu is one of the larger cities of the north, in Finland and also on a global scale, though it’s home to less than 200,000. Studying in this subarctic spot (expect an average temperature of around 30 degrees Fahrenheit) exposes students to emerging technologies, lectures, and opportunities for lab work. The city is also known for the Air Guitar World Championships.

Jyväskylä, about 270 miles north of Helsinki, is the city for study abroad students looking to do a lot of travel around the rest of the country. The city offers a well developed infrastructure with the balance of green spaces. Sports fans can enjoy a robust variety of outdoor activities from skiing to biking to floorball.

Students looking for a wide range of travel and academics in their study abroad program, can experience Helsinki and a few other European destinations through multi-country program options too.