Finding Connection in Kouvola: A French Student’s Experience of Finnish Social Life

Moving from a lively French university city to the quiet town of Kouvola was a big change for Léna Hervé, a 20-year-old Erasmus student. During her two semesters in Finland, she discovered a different kind of social life calmer, more genuine, and full of small but memorable moments.

Vol.28, Issue 09, 14th November 2025 

Interviewer: Hi! Thanks for taking the time to talk with us. Could you start by introducing yourself?
Léna Hervé, 20: Of course! I am a French student currently on an Erasmus exchange in Kouvola, where I am studying for two semesters. In my country, I study business management with a specialisation in human resources, but here I am focusing on international trade.

Interviewer: What were your expectations about social life in Finland before arriving?
Léna: I did some research before coming. I’m used to living in a big, lively student city in France, so I was a bit nervous about moving to a smaller Finnish town. When I read that Finland has around 18 inhabitants per square kilometer, I thought it would be very quiet! I expected people to be shy and not very talkative at first.

Interviewer: How do you see Finnish social life now that you’ve lived there for a while?
Léna: I mostly spend time with other international students, but the Finnish people I’ve met, professors or students at events, are really kind, helpful, and open once you talk to them. In the streets, people are more discreet than in France, but that’s just the culture; it doesn’t feel cold, just peaceful.

Interviewer: What are your favorite places to go out in Kouvola?
Léna: When the weather’s nice, bars like Jollen or Brooklyn Bar are great, especially in the late afternoon when terraces are full of people. For nightlife, the student association Kupla organizes parties that help new students meet people. My favorite place is Las Palmas, a nightclub that hosts international nights on Fridays and Finnish-themed parties on Saturdays: it’s a fun way to experience local culture.

Interviewer: What differences did you notice between the way people go out or have fun in Finland compared to your home country?
Léna: Totally! In Finland, people are much more relaxed and confident when they go out, they really don’t care about being judged. There’s no pressure to look or act a certain way, and that creates a very open atmosphere. Finnish nightlife also feels different: instead of focusing only on nightclubs, many bars offer activities like karaoke, board games, or even video games. They’re more like social hubs where people can just have fun together.

Interviewer: Any memorable nights?
Léna: Definitely the Halloween party at Las Palmas! It was packed with both Finnish and international students, everyone was dressed up, and the atmosphere was amazing.

Interviewer: What advice would you give to future exchange students coming to Kouvola?
Léna: Get involved as soon as you arrive! Join the WhatsApp groups, go to events, and connect with other exchange students, you’re all in the same boat. Don’t be afraid to talk to people. Everyone, including teachers, is welcoming and open-minded. It might not be the most vibrant nightlife compared to big cities, but the community is friendly and genuine.

Interviewer: What did this exchange teach you?
Léna: It taught me to step out of my comfort zone. I used to be quite shy, but here I learned to approach people, build friendships quickly, and embrace new experiences.