Thinking of studying a semester in TAMK

[u/Beginning-Studio1109]

Im thinking of going into TAMK for a semester on the first half of 2026, the coursed I saw look pretty great and I have heard many great things about the university when it comes to game design classes. However my doubts come from the inmense change of culture and environment once im there. Im from Mexico City and to go to such a chaotic but complete city to somewhere that I see as a more quiet (and civilized) town is honestly quite daunting even if I love the quoet lifestyle most of the time. How much of a change should I expect? What can a student do around town for entertainment? Is nightlife a thing? And are there hobby stores for warhammer and those types of games?

Im also trying to learn as much finnish as I can so im not completely lost, but still I want to ask of emglish is common there.

Im sorry if I sound ignorant with my assumptions, I just wish to clear this doubts off my head and convince my friends thst im not luring them out to the middle of nowhere. Thanks for reading and for any help.

[u/Goatmaster3000_]

I mean, it's like a big city by finnish standards, the third biggest AFAIK. But we are a small country with low population density.

We definitely have nightlife lol it's student city, there's plenty of bars and multiple clubs and stuff.

I'm aware of two game / hobby stores: Puolen Kuun Pelit and Fantasiapelit, and multiple bars / cafes focused on games and stuff. I'm not a wargamer but my impression is that we have a fairly strong nerd scene.

I'm not super clued in on TAMK, but I would recommend looking further into what is available to TAMK students. Like, we also have Tampere University (TUNI), ie the actual university, and I'm not sure how much overlap there is in what courses a TAMK student can take and stuff.

[u/Beginning-Studio1109 → u/Goatmaster3000_]

I understand, yeah I think because im looking at the population numbers from my own perdonal experience, im assuming the size is small. I mean tampere has the same population as one small district in mexico city. I will research more on the nightlife bit, but ehen I was on google maps I tried searching and it did not find anything lol maybe it just maldunctioned. Actually TUNI was my go to option but I found out my college does not have any sort of agreement with TUNI to allow exchange students, anyway so far im content with the courses and classes offered by TAMK. Thank you very much for the help!

[u/Kirvesperseet → u/Beginning-Studio1109]

the size is small

You can walk through the city centre in like 20 minutes but theres like 10 nightclubs, tens of pubs, bars, cafes... During the summer theres multiple open air music festivals and other happenings.

Its a small city but packs in a lot. I dont think having a good party night is a problem.

During the winter the outside actvities are "a bit" limited but the parties continue inside.

[u/Beginning-Studio1109 → u/Kirvesperseet]

Speaking of winter, I looked up and you snow season goes from december to march?

[u/Kirvesperseet → u/Beginning-Studio1109]

Something like that yeah. Thatnks to climate change, it varies a lot. Sometimes we get snow cover in december, sometimes january.

But if you are a outgoing person, snow just means different possibilities for outdoor activities. Ski'ing, snowboarding, ice skating to Siilinkari on Lake Näsi and eating a bun and drinking a coffee. Personally I go hiking in the winter more than in the summer, its calm, quiet and peaceful. Also no mosquitoes.

Ice hockey/skating, ice fishing (you drill a hole in the ice and fish from the hole), driving 20mins to the closest public fireplace spot and grilling sausages and maybe have a beer or two. Fatbike rides are also popular these days, apparently they go well in the snowy terrain. Checking out the northern lights if you are lucky. Or just do what most people do, kalsarikännit and chat online with people.