How do you know?

[kyrasantae]

People at the exchange program office tell me that there's a vague chance that I could conditionally qualify (because of my grades) for this, though I wonder whether it's wise to do it this summer or wait until I decide whether I'm going to go into education (where it seems the courses will be more relevant) or not.

In any case... money is an issue, since travel and living expenses aren't covered, and as you may very well know...there'd be *so* much stuff I'd buy there :P (do they do tax refunds for foreigners?)... and convincing anyone significant would be difficult (especially because the courses wouldn't count towards my degree), unless I got the conditional acceptance first. I think.

It's only four weeks, but there's only so much one can ask for and realistically hope to get.

But how do you know what you can't do until you try?

Comments

[krikkert.livejournal.com]

Presumably they refund the VAT (Value-Added Tax) upon departure, although you would have to ask Finnish Customs about this (from their website I get the mail address kirmo@tulli.fi). This is only done after departure, they'll either send you a cheque or wire the money to your bank account. You'll have to pay VAT while there.

Presumably they have somewhat the same rules as Norway and Sweden, so you'll only get VAT refunds on stuff worth more than circa $40 CDN, and only on non-consumable items.

Personally, though, I think you shold try. I went to Canada, and got burned -- I wouldn't have it any other way, and I still intend to return. :-)

[kyrasantae.livejournal.com]

I guess the deciding factor is whether they'd be willing to pay for a month abroad where I won't even be taking anything that counts toward... well... anything, really. It sez here that accommodation is ~250€ and tuition is free but there's still registration and other living costs. And airfare.


...and to what poses itself as a benevolent dictatorship, a chance to lose me forever to the ideas and heart of another land.

[krikkert.livejournal.com]

You will never truly appreciate what you have before you've been away.

[mostlycrazy.livejournal.com]

Go for it! School gives you so many great opportunities like this that you just don't get once you're done!!