For Finnish Education Students


Feel the UP!
If you are open minded, adventurous and curious to see the kind of part of the world you never think would exist, this practical training in the Upper Peninsula might be made for you. It's far from New York, California, Florida, Las Vegas and other self-evident travel resorts in the USA - not only by distance, but only by its' presence too. UP is not always the prettiest and glossiest, but at least it's genuine and honest. And that's why you should get to know it.

The Finnish trainees of all past springs, 2012-2014, have been very satisfied for the experience in UP. This kind of journey requires certain self-help and activeness by yourself, but all the program partners will give you a wonderful support to take care of all practical things. 

For future students, we can make it a little easier and they can learn from our experiences and make more out of it. Here is some information and links we found useful during our stay in Hancock. 


BEFORE YOU LEAVE



VISA 

 

If your stay in USA is shorter than 3 months, there's no need for Visa, because Finland is part of the Visa Waiver Program. All you have to do is fill the ESTA-form (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) online 72 hours before the trip. ESTA costs 14 $ and can be paid with credit or debit card online. More information you can find here:

ESTA doesn't guarantee that you will get into the country though. Prepare for standing in passport line for a long time when arriving to the US - and having your pictures and fingerprints taken. So don't book the continuation flight within three hours, especially if you have to also get from one airport to another in that time... Based on earlier experiences, it may cause panic!

INSURANCES 

 

In the US it's not cheap to get sick, so make sure you have comprehensive travel insurances. Preferably one which covers also private health care! Usually basic travel insurances in Finland cover the first 45 days of the trip and if you stay longer you will have  to pay some extra beforehand. If you are a member of Akavan Erityisalat or SOOL you already have travel insurance, but make sure you have everything covered before you leave! More information at:  
SOOLin vakuutukset


FLIGHT ROUTES


Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX) is the only airport nearby Hancock, about 10 minutes drive. Flight from Chicago arrives and departs twice per day (afternoon and after midnight) so the simplest flight route from Finland to your destination goes through awesome Chicago, the Windy City. Allow yourself enough time to meet that city, either when arriving to the States or when getting back home. It's worth it!

Chicago - you can't cross it

To get the cheapest flight tickets, internet is studded ticket search engines. Usually, the earlier you could book your tickets, the better prices you will get. 

Prepare for flight delays and even cancellations when travelling at winter time to Michigan. Every year students' have had to travel totally about 70 hours because of the snow storms in UP or because of some technical issues. But travelling is an experience among others and positive attitude will bring you through the obstacles!

 

WHEN IN THE UP



CONNECTIONS

 

Finlandia Hall.
Well... Let's say that Skype is the best option if there's a need to relieve home sickness. Calling with a Finnish operator is not cheap across the sea to any other phone. One option is to buy a prepaid connection and a cheap phone (if you don't have smartphone, that accepts US prepaid SIM-card) from Walmart if you want to be able to call and text locally. When arriving we thought we don't need them so we didn't get them for start, but now - I would recommend getting a prepaid from AT&T Houghton. When talking about internet connections, if you stay in Finlandia Hall, they have their wireless LionNet that works fine and makes life easy.

Free wireless connections (WiFi) are getting more and more common anywhere you are - for example fast food restaurants, bigger malls and bars have nowadays their own WiFi -connections.

DRIVING

 

Great number of traffic signs reminds
you about all important rules
If you are planning on driving a car (come on, you're going to the US - of course you want to drive a car!) it is recommended to have the official translation of the Finnish driving license that you can order from the Finnish Autoliitto's website. The translation costs 14 € and you can order it from here: Autoliitto - USA-liite. It's not mentioned on the website, but you can send the copies with signatures also using e-mail (autoliitto@autoliitto.fi). So don't bother buying stamps and envelopes. Car rental companies don't require that international license, but Police might ask that, so play it safe. 

The USA is maybe the easiest country to drive by car – and actually it’s also the easiest way to move from a place to another, especially in UP, where public transportation is not very well organized. Traffic is well-defined and frequent traffic signs on the road will guarantee that you will be always “on the map”.

Driving is easy - even in a big city!

..not to mention sympathetic county roads

 
In Hancock area there’s two international chain companies (Alamo and National at Houghton County Memorial Airport) who offers car rental services and there are also some private companies in the area too (like Sayen’s Auto Sales). Private companies are the best solution for the small-scale use and one day -trips, and their prices are cheaper for that. But almost without exception they all have some mile limits per day (for example 100 miles + 50 cents per every extra mile), so for longer trips it’s recommended to use services offered by chain companies.

Even though a price of gasoline has climbed notably in the USA during last ten years, is fuel still ridiculous cheap for Finnish. Gallon (3,8 litres) costs under 4$, which means 0,7e per liter!

Drive safely and respect the rules – cops are dense on the road!
 

MONEY AND TIPS

 

A credit or a debit - that is the question. In Michigan, we had no trouble using Mastercard Debit or Visa Electron but if you have a combination card (Credit/Debit) the debit function didn't usually work. And when using the Visa Electron you have to use it as a credit card - whatever the reason, but then it works. If you are going to rent a car or have a hotel room, a credit card is always needed!

Cash, a credit card, a toothbrush and a passport
- what else you need?
You can get cash from ATM's, which appear densely on the streets, gas stations and food markets. Some of them take usually little fee (like 3$ of your withdrawal).

Having cash is not only recommended - it's even required in some state of affairs. A local Taxi, for example, in Hancock accepts payments only in cash. Cash is also mostly the easiest way to pay your tips.

A tip is important part of service culture in the USA, unlike in Finland. A tip is not a bonus for your service worker - it is often his only salary, so don't forget it! Usually, amount of tip is 15-20 % of a final tab, depending on your satisfaction about the service and about the price level in that place. In fast food places, where food is not served to the table, you don't have to pay a tip. If you forget to pay a tip, your waitress or luggage carrier thinks that his/her service was worthless and you show that by leaving without giving a tip.


ACTIVITIES

 

If you are into athletics, you will like it there in Hancock area and you WILL feel miserable in Finland afterwards in this. Team sports are a big deal at least in Finlandia University - like every college and academy in the USA - and it brings a great spirit to the whole place. When the hockey season is over the baseball season starts, not to mention basketball, soccer and football that is apparently becoming a part of Finlandias selection. There are a lot of games to see and there are a lot of enthusiastic people watching them too!

Finlandia Lions Website

Team sports are an important part of North-American culture. Even though you are not a sports fan, you got to experience the atmosphere in professional sports event, because that's something that never exists in Finland. Chicago Blackhawks vs. Minnesota Wild, Stanley Cup Playoffs 2013.


Paavo Nurmi Center, part of Finlandia campus and just next to Finlandia Dorm, offers you facilities for everyday exercise. There's a versatile weight room for free use and sports hall for basic indoor sports. Not forgetting sauna, which relieves your homesickness after a true workout! Michigan Tech Campus, other side of Portage Lake lift bridge, offers you more possibilities for sports activity. They have at least climbing wall, indoor tennis courts and swimming pool. 

By ATV you can explore the awesome nature of UP.
The same trails are on hand by snowmobiles
winter time. Eagle River, Lake Superior.
Upper Peninsula is very well known area for varied outdoor sports. Snowmobiling is a huge business there at winter time and the same trail complex (trails go even through the city!) is on tap for ATV (four wheeler) users at summer time. There's available several rental companies, where you can rent an off-road vehicle even for the whole weekend with a budget price! And when snow melts on the road, cyclists jam the road that leads to Copper Harbor, the one of must see -places in the area!

Fishing, hunting, hiking, canoeing.. if you spend time later spring in UP, there are almost unlimited possibilities for different wilderness activities too. Nature is beautiful and you'll find some locals who can help you to get by those activities easily.

If you want to do some winter sports, Mont Ripley Ski Hill is within 5 minute drive from Finlandia University! Prices of snowboard/ski rental and tickets are cheap (ca 20$ each) but it's in your own consideration if you'd rather have your own boots and board/skis there. Slopes and views to Houghton area were worth getting up there! There is a couple of other ski centers in Keewenaw, for example Mount Bohemia almost on the top of the peninsula less than an hour drive from Hancock.

A view from Mont Ripley to Houghton.

Here are some activities also worth trying:
Call Neil's - it's the cheapest and easiest way to move in
neighbouring area, if you don't have own car for use.
Passenger train transportation ended already decades ago in Hancock and regular bus lines operate quite rare to other cities (http://www.greyhound.com/). An only local public transportation system that operates in the city, is mini bus, but almost with the same price you can use local taxi service.

So if you don't have a car and your not up for a walk, make sure you have Neil's phone number in your phone book! Neil's taxi (906) 482-5515. And remember to take cash with you! And to give 1 dollar tip for your driver..



Houghton downtown is just walking distance away from Hancock.

During semesters, night life is even surprisingly rich in Houghton side. There's a couple of nice local brewery pub's, like KBC and Library. Downtowner Lounge is maybe the best place for those, who want to see TV-sports and eat real American bar food at the same time! The Continental Fire Co is the only true night club in the area.

WEATHER


Snow storms could be HEAVY, even in late April, like year 2013. 30 cents per night wasn't unusual that spring
Huge waves in Lake Superior
Prepare for the weather that is very varying and difficult predictable. When the trainees March 2012 had chance to enjoy unusual warm weather and early spring in UP, were snow storms infesting even late April for another two years. If you don't want to buy everything from the States, remember to pack clothes and equipment for at least three seasons! One day could be heat and two coming nights maybe frost or snowy. And the storms, thanks to the great Lake Superior, could be unprecedented for yours truly Finnish, so respect the forecasts!


 

OTHER LINKS

City of Houghton
The Keewenaw Peninsula
The Village of South Range
The Daily Mining Gazzette (Follow local news and weather)

If you feel like you need more information, please contact! Contact information can be found on the "About the Program"-page.