Who are you and where do you come from?
My name is Roohma Sasikumar Banija and I come from India.
You started studying in the Geotechnical Engineering Master’s Program at Tampere University in autumn 2024. How did you end up becoming a student in faraway Finland?
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, I started thinking about pursuing Master’s education. While I had initially focused on domestic universities, I also wanted to explore the idea of studying abroad, as I felt that experiencing a new country and culture would give me valuable perspectives for both life and career. Although I got admits from different universities, Tampere University was the only place where I got into Geotechnical Engineering specialization, which fit well with my aspirations. Also, Finland’s reputation as the happiest and one of the safest countries in the world convinced my parents and gave them confidence that I would be safe and in a good environment while studying here. I also knew that Finland is known for high quality education, and Tampere University’s focus on research and innovation motivated me.
On a more personal note, I have always liked forests and Moomins which made the idea of studying here very special. I am happy with my choice because so far, it has been a great fit for me.
How have your studies been going, and in what ways have they met your expectations – and in what ways perhaps not?
The studies have been both challenging and rewarding. The program met my expectations by providing courses that connect theory with real world geotechnical applications and learning advanced tools and software were particularly good. I have been able to strengthen my technical skills through assignments and projects. I also got international exposure by being able to study with people from diverse backgrounds. One thing I especially appreciate is the low hierarchy in the university; teachers are approachable and friendly, which makes it easier to ask questions and get support. At first, it was a bit difficult to adjust to the independent study style in Finland, but over time I have learned how to manage it better.
What did you do in the summer of 2025, during the long summer break typical of Finnish study culture? What kind of experiences did you gain during your summer internship?
During the summer of 2025, I got an opportunity to work as a research assistant at Research center Terra within the Geotechnical engineering faculty. This helped me to apply the concepts I learned in class to real research projects and gain hands-on experience. My main task was organizing the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)s of Geotextiles, Geomembranes and other Geosynthetic products for erosion and flood control. It gave me valuable insight into research work and sustainability aspects of these materials. In addition, I also assisted a professor in the TerraDigi group by conducting a literature review on his research topic, ‘Productivity of BIM.’ Through these tasks, I strengthened my technical and research skills in broader areas of civil engineering like digitalization. Later, for a month, I got an opportunity to work as a Laboratory assistant in GeoLA laboratory in our university. I learned to conduct various geotechnical tests like fall cone test, hydrometer test, water content test etc., on soft clay samples from all over Finland. Altogether, these experiences gave me both research and practical laboratory skills, while also improving my independence, technical knowledge, and teamwork abilities.
How much Finnish have you learned so far, and do you plan to continue studying the language – if so, how?
I have been studying Finnish since I started my master’s, and I am currently taking Suomi 5 course offered at the university. I think it is at level A2 at CEFR skill level, and I plan to take all the courses offered at the university, which is till Suomi 8. Learning Finnish has been both challenging and interesting, and I definitely plan to continue improving my skills by taking more language courses offered by other institutions. It will help me to integrate well into society in my daily life and also for future career opportunities here.
What are your current plans for the future: 1) for the coming year and 2) for a longer time span?
For the coming year, my main focus is to successfully complete my master’s courses and thesis while also gaining more practical experience. In the longer term, I hope to build a career in geotechnical engineering, working on projects related to my studies and improving my technical skills. Also, I would be happy to continue my professional journey here in Finland.
Who are you and where do you come from?
I am Yohan, 28 years old, originally from Sri Lanka, a small island located close to India.
You started studying in the Geotechnical Engineering Master’s Program at Tampere University in autumn 2024. How did you end up becoming a student in faraway Finland?
Several factors influenced my decision to come to Finland as a student. The most important one was during my 3rd and 4th years of my bachelor’s degree, when I met an incredible professor and mentor who taught me several geotechnical engineering courses. I worked with him on my undergraduate thesis, which sparked a strong passion for geotechnical engineering. That was when I realized I wanted to pursue further studies in this field.
I was looking for opportunities to study abroad. One of my friends was already in Finland and recommended it as a great place to study and build a career, though he also mentioned challenges such as the language barrier. After doing some research, I applied to several universities, and I was fortunate to receive a full scholarship from Tampere University. That was a clear sign that Finland—specifically Tampere—would be the next step in my academic journey.
How have your studies been going, and in what ways have they met your expectations – and in what ways perhaps not?
So far, my studies have gone very well. From the beginning of my Master’s program, I set a target to complete as many credits as possible in the first year. This meant a heavy workload during the autumn and spring semesters, but in hindsight, it was a great decision. Now, I only have my thesis and two additional courses left to complete the 120 credits required for the degree.
Compared to my home country, the study system here is quite different. Two aspects stand out as very positive:
- Practical application: The theories and concepts taught in courses are closely connected to real-world industry practices, which makes learning very meaningful.
- Flexibility: In Sri Lanka, deadlines were very strict, and the study plan was fixed. In Finland, we have the freedom to create a personal study plan, and even if a deadline is missed, it’s possible to discuss it with the teacher and resubmit. This flexibility makes studying less stressful and more enjoyable.
What did you do in the summer of 2025, during the long summer break typical of Finnish study culture? What kind of experiences did you gain during your summer internship?
During the summer, I worked as a full-time summer trainee at Destia Oy starting from May 12th. Since it was my first professional work opportunity, and in such a large company, I was a bit nervous at first. However, the Geo Design team at Destia was very welcoming, and I quickly adapted to the work environment.
My main tasks included slope stability calculations, settlement analysis, supported excavation calculations, and preparing design reports. I also learned how to derive soil parameters for soft soil based on laboratory test data and sounding results. The tools I mainly used were PLAXIS 2D, PLAXIS 3D, GeoCalc, GeoStudio, Tekla Civil, and AutoCAD Civil 3D. Overall, it was a very valuable experience that deepened both my technical skills and understanding of the Finnish work culture.
How much Finnish have you learned so far, and do you plan to continue studying the language – if so, how?
I have been studying Finnish through the language courses offered by the university. In total, there are eight courses, one per study period. Although they are not very intensive, they are helpful for learning the basics and staying in touch with the language while focusing on studies. So far, I have completed four courses, I am currently taking the fifth, and I plan to finish the remaining three as well.
After graduation, I intend to continue learning Finnish because I believe it is essential for building a career in the infrastructure industry here.
What are your current plans for the future: 1) for the coming year and 2) for a longer time span?
For the coming year, I will continue working at Destia on a zero-hour contract, which allows me to work alongside my studies. I also plan to start my Master’s thesis at Destia, most likely in January 2026.
In the long term, my goal is to build a successful career in the Finnish infrastructure industry, with a focus on improving my expertise in numerical modeling of geotechnical problems. I hope to settle down in Finland, grow professionally, and establish myself as a geotechnical engineer in this beautiful country.
Who are you and where do you come from?
My name is Darshana, and I come from Sri Lanka.
You started studying in the Geotechnical Engineering Master’s Program at Tampere University in autumn 2024. How did you end up becoming a student in faraway Finland?
I graduated in 2023 December with BSc in civil engineering, and I was already planning to move out. I applied to Tampere University with some other universities in Europe. I wanted to learn geotechnics since I find it more interesting to learn than other civil engineering disciplines. Yes, I took some risk coming to an unpopular destination, but fortune favors the brave!
How have your studies been going, and in what ways have they met your expectations – and in what ways perhaps not?
Studies have been going great. It was a bit of a challenge at the start to digest some concepts related to Finnish geotechnical practices, since what I had learned in previous studies bit differ from what I had to learn here. I enjoyed all the geotechnics courses I took, I learned as much as I could, and tried to prepare myself good enough to work. But there were some courses that got me thinking, why must I learn this at all, and I guess that is normal. I think the university had prepared the courses as best as they could, considering this is the first time they have taught international students.
What did you do in the summer of 2025, during the long summer break typical of Finnish study culture? What kind of experiences did you gain during your summer internship?
I worked as a trainee at Ramboll, Tampere. I worked with the geotechnical department and had the opportunity to work on some interesting projects under experienced people. The courses I took helped me to do my work smoothly. I was able to practice what I learned and saw how they apply in real cases. I learned a lot of new stuff as well and got to know some people also.
How much Finnish have you learned so far, and do you plan to continue studying the language – if so, how?
I have taken 4 Finnish language courses so far at the university and on the 5th one now. I plan to take all the 8 courses offered by the university.
What are your current plans for the future: 1) for the coming year and 2) for a longer time span?
For the coming year, plan is to finish the degree smoothly in time and do a good job with the thesis. I hope to continue working after graduation, if everything turns out to be good.