Coming to Oulu has been one of the best things in Utku Dogdu's life

When Utku Dogdu received his Bachelor's degree in eletrical and electronics engineering from Koc Unicersity in Turkey in June 2022, he was already taking the next step in his studies. He had decided to enroll in the University of Oulu's Electronics Master's programme. By the end of August, he had relocated to a new city up north, away from the busy metropolis that is Istanbul.

Dogdu had been looking for opportunities to study abroad and his professors in Istanbul had thought Oulu would be a very nice fit for him.

“Finland is a technology country and Oulu is a technology city. They told me that the programmes are very good at the University and that there will be a wide range of work opportunities as an electronics engineer”, Dogdu says.

The Oulu programme includes communications technology in addition to electronics, which Dogdu has a background in. He welcomes this variety of subjects in his new programme and has been enjoying the courses.

“I settled into the programme very easily as the Turkish system is very similar to the Finnish system. As far as course content goes, we take many different perspectives to electronics: some are physics-based, some math-based, we take electromagnetism courses and so on. There are practical courses as well as theory and I really enjoy having this variety of viewpoints”, Dogdu muses.

Having spent his first autumn in Oulu and entering winter, he says he is also well-accustomed to the environment.

“The cold sometimes gets to me, but then I just have to dress accordingly and it is not a big deal. I think that Finland suits me personally very well. I share same characteristics with the Finns, being a little bit quiet and respecting other people's space. Finland is a very safe country to live in, I have no hesitations about living here.”

Dogdu is one of the Finland Scholarship recipients of 2022 and he says the scholarship has been a big help to him.

“When I was researching online about different programmes and universities, I came across information about the scholarship. When I was accepted, the scholarship was one of the deciding factors for me to come here”, Dogdu says.

Dogdu says he has been very happy with his decision to come to Oulu.

Text and photos by Janne-Pekka Manninen

Next application period for international programmes will take place on 3-17 January 2024 for studies starting in autumn 2024.

Applications are made online at studyinfo.fi . Please indicate your willingness to apply for the Finland Scholarship when you fill in the online application form.