"Enjoy the diverse weather, people and studies"

Jessica Powell from Florida

Jessicas advice to you is “Come and enjoy the diverse weather, people and studies!”.

Jessica Powell is from Florida, USA. She studies Human Ageing and Elderly Services (HAGEL), an English speaking program at Arcada University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki. Jessica came to Finland four years ago when her husband got a job in a small worldwide company in Finland.

Why Arcada?

After being in Finland for two years Jessica started to look for different schools. She chose Arcada because it was the only university of applied sciences (UAS) that had a degree program in HAGEL. Previously she had completed a degree in early childhood education and now she wanted to study something opposite to that to broaden her view.

When she applied she knew that Arcada was a Swedish speaking and an international UAS and she really liked the fact that there are a lot of international students and staff at Arcada. Jessica felt it would be easier to study at Arcada because it was a Swedish speaking UAS and “you don’t have to be Finnish there”.

What was it like to come to Helsinki and Arcada?

Jessica felt it was easy to get around in Helsinki. Everyone was very helpful and friendly and most of them spoke English. Now she has many friends of many different nationalities for which she thanks Arcada. What she misses most about USA is the food, but otherwise the transition to Finland has been very easy.

Studying at Arcada

Jessica thinks studying at Arcada is very different from studying in USA. In USA you work individually and are tested quite often, whereas studying at Arcada is more relaxed. Here she feels she can talk with the teacher directly and they do a lot of group assignments. She thinks working in groups is a good thing because you are forced to get to know others take their different views into consideration, as you have to do in work life. Beyond that the teaching staff represents many different nationalities and backgrounds. Jessica also finds the UAS’ facilities well structured and modern.

What to do in your spare time

Jessica recommends new students coming to Arcada to get involved in the many student activities that you find at Arcada. To facilitate the integration of new students at Arcada there are different cruises, parties, sports activities etc. that you can participate in. There is also a student café where you can hang around, play board games or have parties.

Jessicas advice to you is “Come and enjoy the diverse weather, people and studies!”.

"Enjoy the diverse weather, people and studies"

Jessica Powell is from Florida, USA. She studies Human Ageing and Elderly Services (HAGEL), an English speaking program at Arcada University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki. Jessica came to Finland four years ago when her husband got a job in a small worldwide company in Finland.

Why Arcada?

After being in Finland for two years Jessica started to look for different schools. She chose Arcada because it was the only university of applied sciences (UAS) that had a degree program in HAGEL. Previously she had completed a degree in early childhood education and now she wanted to study something opposite to that to broaden her view.

When she applied she knew that Arcada was a Swedish speaking and an international UAS and she really liked the fact that there are a lot of international students and staff at Arcada. Jessica felt it would be easier to study at Arcada because it was a Swedish speaking UAS and “you don’t have to be Finnish there”.

What was it like to come to Helsinki and Arcada?

Jessica felt it was easy to get around in Helsinki. Everyone was very helpful and friendly and most of them spoke English. Now she has many friends of many different nationalities for which she thanks Arcada. What she misses most about USA is the food, but otherwise the transition to Finland has been very easy.

Studying at Arcada

Jessica thinks studying at Arcada is very different from studying in USA. In USA you work individually and are tested quite often, whereas studying at Arcada is more relaxed. Here she feels she can talk with the teacher directly and they do a lot of group assignments. She thinks working in groups is a good thing because you are forced to get to know others take their different views into consideration, as you have to do in work life. Beyond that the teaching staff represents many different nationalities and backgrounds. Jessica also finds the UAS’ facilities well structured and modern.

What to do in your spare time

Jessica recommends new students coming to Arcada to get involved in the many student activities that you find at Arcada. To facilitate the integration of new students at Arcada there are different cruises, parties, sports activities etc. that you can participate in. There is also a student café where you can hang around, play board games or have parties.

Jessicas advice to you is “Come and enjoy the diverse weather, people and studies!”.

Fields of focus

The objective of the programme is to prepare multiprofessionals to face the challenges of planning and providing care and services for the increasing population of elderly people. Students will develop an understanding of human ageing and of the large organizational context of care. The programme emphasizes sensitivity to the complex problems, strengths and needs among older people. The integration of social services and health care will be emphasized throughout the curriculum.

The approach of the studies is interdisciplinary. The basis of the programme is the older person from whom the perspective is expanded to the environment including living conditions and the sources to quality of life. Sensitivity to the complexity of the strengths, demands, needs and difficulties that exist among older people, are focused upon. The integration of social services, health care and rehabilitation will be emphasized throughout the curriculum. Students undertaking this programme will also study the innovations currently being made in the field of gerontechnology. The extension studies in the final year offer students to deepen their knowledge in leadership and management and/or rehabilitation.

Furthermore, graduates will be exposed to ethical challenges and dilemmas and will gradually broaden their perspective and deepen their understanding of professional ethics and human diversity. The studies are both theoretical and practical, preparing for multi-professional work. The professional competences in the Human Ageing and Elderly Service programme are Human Ageing, Multi-professional client work, Gerontechnology, Professional ethics and human diversity, Leadership and management, and Research and development.

Career opportunities

Possible employers for graduates from this programme are municipalities, voluntary institutions, private companies or the graduate can become an entrepreneur. After finishing this programme you can work with planning, consulting, service production and product development in a leading position within elderly service/care institutions.

Possibilities for further studies

After completing the Bachelor’s degree, students can continue studying at a university in Finland or abroad.

Student exchange

Arcada has a network of 90 institutes of higher education worldwide. If you are interested in completing part of your degree abroad, this is a unique chance to travel and go on student exchange! In the Study Guide you can find the list of Arcada’s partner universities and read reports by incoming and outgoing exchange students.

To find out more about the programme, please read more in the Study Guide.

The degree programme in a nutshell