"I heard from one of my friends, that one way of becoming a psychologist was to study social sciences first, so that’s what I did. After the first two years of studying in Metropolia I knew that I didn’t want to pursue psychology as a career anymore, and that I had found my purpose in social services."
Read the introduction below.
Who are you and what are you studying?Hi everyone! My name is Anni Lipsanen, and I’m from Finland. I’ve lived in Helsinki all my life, and I love to call this city my home! I’m currently in my third year of my Bachelor of Social Services degree program, so I still have around 1,5 years left my studies. I started in Metropolia in the fall of 2021 after having applied to Diak and Laurea as well, but I chose Metropolia because of its status as the biggest UAS in Finland. I believed that because of its size, this school would have the most to offer to me, and so far I’ve been right! I also love the fact that my university is in Eastern Helsinki where I live.
I went to high school in Kallio, and really got into psychology. I took a few gap years between graduating and going to university, because I wasn’t completely sure on what I wanted to pursue; everything from linguistics to educational sciences was vastly interesting. Eventually I heard from one of my friends, that one way of becoming a psychologist was to study social sciences first, so that’s what I did. After the first two years of studying in Metropolia I knew that I didn’t want to pursue psychology as a career anymore, and that I had found my purpose in social services. This has been made possible by both the motivating courses we have, but most of all the student activity that I’ve gotten to participate in. I’ve found my passion in tutoring, and organizational work, and my dream as of now is to become the President of the International Federation of Social Workers, whose European president I have already met!
Metropolia has offered me numerous networking opportunities both from student activities, but also by hosting seminars and fairs at our school that are specifically meant for us students. We have many visitors from working life who have graduated from our school, and we’re constantly presented with new possibilities in where to work once we graduate. All the projects we have with different universities and employers, both in Finland but also all around the world, make me really feel like my possibilities for the future are endless!
My favorite place in all of Helsinki might be the beach next to my house, where I go swim everyday during the summer called Marjaniemen uimaranta. The area where I live in general, Roihuvuori, is a lovely place that I recommend everyone in Helsinki to visit! We have a Japanese-style cherry tree park, where the Roihuvuori association hosts our annual Hanami-festival every May. The park has a section which has been designed in a Japanese style, which is also beautiful and worth a visit even when the cherry trees aren’t blooming. I think Eastern Helsinki might often not have the best reputation, but the nature and diversity here makes it a really nice place to live. The coziness I feel in this area also reaches our Myllypuro campus; I like to spend time at school because there are so many places in all floors where one can sit down and relax, do assignments, or just hang out with friends. When I spend long days at school, for example training tutors, I like to go and play our grand piano in the cafeteria. It gives me quite a magical feeling sometimes.
Most of my time outside of lessons is spent in different student activities, such as tutoring, head tutoring, in our student association MysteRy, in various clubs such as Queerpolia and Tabletop, and being a student representative in our welfare degrees. Other than that, I like wandering around the city finding new cute coffee shops or bubble tea cafés, and listening to K-pop. I also play the piano and dance occasionally.
Instagram: @pancakepaintings