Stefan enjoys his study at the Oulu University of Applied Sciences

Stefan Dreher, 25, is from Germany and studies medical engineering at the Oulu University of Applied Sciences as an exchange student.

Stefan Dreher and Agnieszka Orzel at Oulu´s market place police.

What and where are you studying in your home land?

I am studying Medical Engineering at the Hochschule Furtwangen University, and that is in Baden-Wuerttemberg, a federal state in the very south of Germany.

How long you have studied in your school?

I have been studying in Furtwangen since spring 2005.

What are the biggest differences between these two schools and studies?

The difference in Medical Engineering is that at home the focus lies more on Engineering (OI Engineering, Surgery & Endoscopy Engineering) and here more in Information Technology (Telemedicine, Image Processing). Because I am more interested in the latter, I am very happy to study here in Oulu.

Why did you want to come to Finland?

I don't know exactly. Partly because of the study, partly to improve my English, and mainly bacause something coming from inside of myself makes me fascinated about the polar region in general ;). And a booklet of OAMK in our school's foreign office at home made the decision really easy: I wanted to move (like a pioneer as far as possible) north, and Oulu seemed one of those points on the Scandinavian map...

Do you like studying in Oulu?

Yes, I like it a lot. Even though many courses offered in English are without presence in school (I am the only exchange student studying Medical Engineering) it is quite interesting.

Stefan cooking in the kitchen.

What are the best things in Finland?

For me, most of all it's the nature. I like it very much that you have so many National parks and hiking areas, and that all the cottages can be used for free. That is not reality in Germany. Highlight was a hiking trip for five days on the Karhunkierros in the autumn break! Dancing is also cool in Finland, even if it is a bit stereotypic I really like the Finnish tango ;) Your traditional food is very enjoyable, and the winter of course.

What did you know about Finland before your exchange period?

That it is dark in the winter and that there are a lot of lakes and a lot of Saunas...

What kind of new things have you learned about Finland?

That it is a noticeable difference when there are living only 15 inhabitants per square kilometer compared to 300 (!) per square kilometer at home in Baden-Wuerttemberg, things are smaller here (city, traffic) and daily life seems to be more comfortable or unhurried for me, and I really appreciate this.

How long you are as a exchange student in Finland?

Until the end of May in the spring term.

What has been the most suprising in Finland?

Hm, that is difficult, maybe that even in a small city like Oulu there are a lot of things to discover...

What you have missed most from Germany?

My friends and my family, nothing else but also nothing more than this ;)