Arttur Pennanen, studying to become a physiotherapist: "Movement on the pitch and in studies can be balanced with good planning"
Arttur Pennanen, studying to become a physiotherapist: "Movement on the pitch and in studies can be balanced with good planning"
Arttur Pennanen from Siilinjärvi has always been a sporty person. Volleyball came into his life as a first grader until he switched to beach volleyball at the age of 18. After high school, life took him to Helsinki, where the conditions for playing the sport are the best in Finland.
"When I graduated from high school, I wasn't sure what I wanted to study at first. It took some time to mature my ideas, but I wanted to somehow include sport into my studies. “I came across bachelor’s degrees in sports instruction and physiotherapy, the latter of which seemed like a more versatile career path,” Arttur describes.
Arttur was not previously familiar with the offerings of universities in the Helsinki metropolitan area. He applied to Metropolia because of its good location and seemingly high-quality study offerings, and he started his physiotherapy studies in the spring of 2022.
Physiotherapy students share a love for exercise and well-being
Arttur describes the physiotherapy studies, which focus on people’s functional capacity, health, well-being, and movement, as versatile and interesting. He sees that especially in the early stages of the studies, it is necessary to go through theory. Some practical assignments also involve written analyses. Sometimes measurements or research are conducted, and reports are prepared based on them. But when physiotherapy students get to apply what they have learned directly to work, they truly come to life.
‘The most fun has definitely been the on-site client events. For example, we have planned and conducted water aerobics. On the other hand, studying anatomy has proven to be very challenging and requires a lot of work and practice,’ Arttur reflects.
Like himself, Arttur recommends physiotherapy studies to those interested in exercise and human anatomy. However, according to Arttur, the applicant does not need to be a professional athlete or have any prior skills. He says that students share a love for exercise and well-being. Physiotherapy studies are conducted at the Myllypuro campus in Helsinki, where diverse learning environments and working with companies and clients also offer opportunities for multidisciplinary learning across different degrees.
The other students in the program come from very different backgrounds and are of different ages. There are also career changers who have had a longer working career. However, everyone is like-minded, so regardless of the course, it has been pleasant to work with fellow students from different year groups,’ says Arttur.
Finding time for volleyball and studying with good planning
Arttur feels that combining university studies with competitive beach volleyball has gone smoothly for him. He especially appreciates the personal support from Metropolia’s study counsellors, with whom he has been able to plan and schedule his studies according to his athletic calendar. The teachers have also been flexible when schedules and methods needed to be adjusted due to training or competition trips.
‘I participate in 7-8 international tournaments annually, which can make the schedule hectic. Winter, on the other hand, is the off-season for our sport, and during that time, I have been able to focus particularly well on my courses. In addition to sports and studies, I have also coached beach volleyball for juniors,’ Arttur says about his time management.
Arttur praises the campus location along the metro line in Myllypuro: it is easy to get to school using public transportation. He does most of his training at Urhea in Mäkelänrinne and at the ‘indoor beach’ in Pasila’s Tripla, where it’s warm all year round. He has also become familiar with the freely accessible gym on Metropolia’s campus.
Arttur is visibly satisfied with his studies at Metropolia and feels that the upcoming bachelor’s degree provides a good foundation for a future career as a physiotherapist. He cites the excellent equipment and facilities of the new Myllypuro campus, where learning spaces range from motion laboratories to gait analysis rooms.
The main goal of my athletic career is the Olympics
Arttur’s athletic career has been on an upward trajectory. At around 14 years old, he realized he was doing well and understood that he could reach a high level in the sport. Arttur has represented Finland in youth championships, achieving 5th place in the U-22 European Championships. Additionally, Arttur has won silver and bronze in the Finnish Championships and two 9th place finishes in World Tour events. Currently, he is part of the Finnish national team, and his goal for the summer of 2025 is to qualify for the adult European Championships. His long-term goal is to reach the Olympics, but before that, he aims to be among the top 30 beach volleyball pairs and thus become a professional.
‘I still have plenty of time and many competitions ahead. In the previous Olympics, the oldest beach volleyball player was 45 years old. In our sport, the advantage is the soft playing surface, so the body can hold up well even at an older age,’ Arttur smiles.
Arttur plans to graduate as a physiotherapist in 2026, about a year to a year and a half later than the planned target time. During his studies, he has also completed his military service.
‘I don’t have a precise career plan yet, but it would be nice to work in sports. Maybe during future internships, I’ll figure out which direction I want to go,’ Arttur concludes.