What on earth is EILC?
The EILC courses are organized for European Erasmus students and courses are funded by the European Union. TAMK organizes Erasmus Intensive Language Course (EILC) for the first time this year. The course goes on for three weeks, from 1.8 to 19.8.2011. There are altogether 18 exchange students taking part in Finnish language course of TAMK. They come from Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, Greece, Austria, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland. Half of the participants will continue their studies at TAMK during autumn semester and the other half will spend the rest of their Erasmus-period in other universities in Finland.
There are also other Finnish language courses in Tampere and they are all beginners’ level courses. University of Tampere organizes three EILC courses and SITR (the Studying in Tampere Region) organizes Summer School for exchange students coming outside of the EU and ILC (Intensive Language Course) for Hungarian students in honor of the 90-year-old diplomatic relations between Hungary and Finland. EILC course of TAMK co-operates with other Finnish language courses, especially on free time activities.
In addition to Finnish language lessons, we organize many cultural activities during these three weeks. Students get to familiarize with Finnish culture and society; experience the heat of sauna, taste Finnish food, watch Finnish movies and much more.
First week is full of first times: first words in Finnish, first time in sauna, first…
On Monday, 1st of August, I saw many curious and smiling faces in the lobby and I have to admit that I (course secretary) was as curious and happy as they were. I had been waiting for this day all summer and finally it was time to kick-off the EILC course. The first day just flew by; there was a lot of information to be passed out, lots of practical matters to be taken care of and getting to know TAMK.
On Tuesday Ms Ulla-Maija Koivula from Social Services lectured about Finnish Society and Culture and in the end of lecture everyone was laughing out loud to YouTube sketch on Finnish drinking habits. In the afternoon the students had their first language lesson. As a result you could hear them using common small-talk phrases like “Mitä kuuluu?” as if they were true Finns.
They actually study here too! On Wednesday afternoon we had a guided sightseeing tour around Tampere. We discovered the most interesting parts of Tampere such as Hervanta suburb, city centre, Finlayson area, Stable Yards and Pyynikki ridge.
Our guide Ritva Haveri offered her knowledge about Tampere and its history.On Thursday we organized a trip to Viikinsaari Island with the EILC course of University of Tampere. There were altogether about 70 of us and the atmosphere was fun and relaxed. Almost everyone tried sauna and swimming, and they seemed to enjoy the heat of sauna and refreshing water of Pyhäjärvi. The day also included some football and volleyball, sunbathing and of course grilling of delicious sausages. The sun shined all day so the weather was in our favour. Our timing was perfect too, since it began to rain when the last of us were leaving the island.
No alcohol allowed to be taken to the island... I guess we have to stick with ice cream then.
You can spot over eighteen people on this picture, which means that University of Tampere EILC members are also visible.That’s all for now. Now I got to hurry to watch a Finnish movie, Moomins and the Comet Chase...
Text:
EILC Course Secretary
Tiia Partanen
Photos:
Tiia Partanen
