In one of my other articles, I talked about the advantages and disadvantages about living by your campus area (read Is living by the campus always the best choice? – A Student´s Perspective). For me, I have lived both by the campus and in Helsinki. I found my way of commuting to HAMK Hämeenlinna campus while living in Helsinki. I’ve learned a lot about the best ways to travel between the two cities. In this article, I want to share with you my experience and hope that this will inspire you in deciding on where to live while studying at HAMK.
For commuting to my campus from Helsinki, here are my top three options, along with some additional factors to consider:
- Own car or carpooling: If you have the financial means, owning a car or sharing one with classmates is a convenient way to travel. You can split the gas bill and travel according to your own schedule. However, it’s important to consider the cost of gas, parking, and other relevant things.
- Train – VR: This is the best, quickest, and most affordable way to get to HAMK. Train schedules are convenient and there is even a student discount available. If you purchase monthly tickets, the discount is even bigger. However, depending on where you live in Helsinki, the distance from your home to the train station may be a factor to consider. If it’s a long walk or requires multiple transfers, it may be more difficult to stick to a regular schedule. Additionally, during the winter months, it can be challenging to commute to HAMK in snowy or icy weather.
- Bus: Although buses are an option, they are not optimal for attending classes as the schedules are not always suitable. The prices can also be higher compared to trains. However, if you live close to a bus stop and the schedule works for you, it may be a good option to consider.
Personally, I spend around €300 per month commuting to HAMK and I take the Intercity train 99% of the time. However, there are times when I feel lazy and have trouble waking up early for class. This has led to me missing some special events and even falling behind on my studies. If you struggle with time management, commuting from Helsinki to HAMK may add an additional challenge to your schedule.
When deciding on the best way to commute to HAMK, it’s important to consider your own preferences as well. Some people may simply prefer living in Helsinki and are willing to tolerate the longer commute. Others may value the quiet atmosphere of Hämeenlinna and prefer to live closer to campus. Ultimately, it’s up to you to weigh the pros and cons and decide what works best for your situation.
Dear HAMK International students/alumni, if you are interested in sharing your living and leisure time activity experience, please contact Talent Boost mentor at qingyang.li@hamk.fi.
- Editor
- Qingyang Li, Talent Boost mentor from HAMK International
