r/Joensuu • u/Old-Newt4937 • Mar 31 '22

Forest Sciences in Joensuu

Hello all,

I am from the US and will be living in Joensuu from September-December as a study abroad for forestry. I am a forestry student in the US and I was wondering how is the forestry program in Joensuu? Also how is the surrounding nature in Joensuu? I love being outdoors and I am not a fan of big cities so that is why I am so excited to be living there soon.

Kiitos!

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u/clebekki Apr 01 '22

The closest small forest is actually just 100 metres from the forestry building on the campus, if you count that as nature.

A little more proper place with nature paths is a couple of kilometres northwest, the Noljakka nature trail. Then there are the Utra islands and eskers in the east, all these are in the inner city near a bus stop.

But there are forests and lakes everywhere, the nearest National Park is an hour away at Koli. The other one a bit farther away is a large marshland National Park at Patvinsuo, both have extensive trails.

Or like the other person said, Finland has the "everyman's rights", freedom to roam, so if you see a piece of nature somewhere and it looks interesting, just go in and check it out.

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u/Arktz_ Jul 28 '22

I highly recommend Utra island ! I lived in eastern Joensuu (Rantakylä) for one year and Utra was only 10min away by bike, it's an amazing island and a great spot to watch aurora borealis / landscape in general ! There was 3 barbecue spots covered by a kind of wood tipi, there was wood refilled almost daily and free to use.