Impactful and Enjoyable Student Life

Text: Sanna Peräntie
Photos: Elmeri Elo

Studies brought Rakel Ronimus from Kaarina and Eetu Kivikoski from Kankaanpää to Rauma. They quickly found friends, and student events soon became familiar. The sense of community among students is unique.

A strong community spirit, an active student culture and short distances – this is how students described Rauma in Studentum.fi’s 2026 Student City Survey. In the survey, conducted for the fifth time, Rauma achieved an impressive third place.

Rakel Ronimus, 22, and Eetu Kivikoski, 23, who are studying in Rauma, agree with the students who responded to the survey.

– There is a strong sense of community among students, and within the Department of Teacher Education, our matching yellow overalls create a feeling of belonging regardless of field of study or year of entry, says Rakel Ronimus, a second-year Early Childhood Education student at the University of Turku.

Eetu Kivikoski, who is in his first year of Maritime Management studies at Satakunta University of Applied Sciences, nods in agreement beside her.

– We do everything together, and getting to know new people is easy.

Getting to Know the City Through Running

Both moved to Rauma from elsewhere after receiving a study place. Ronimus, who is originally from Kaarina, has relatives living in Rauma, so the city was somewhat familiar to her already. Kivikoski’s previous experience of Rauma was a visit to Old Rauma when he was ten years old.

– I didn’t know much about Rauma beforehand. I knew there was a port, Old Rauma, and that people play ice hockey here. Other than that, I didn’t really know anything, Kivikoski laughs.

I got my friend interested in studying in Rauma and they decided to apply – hopefully they’ll get in. – Eetu Kivikoski

In addition to the city itself, the people were unfamiliar at first. However, they quickly made friends through their studies, and the city has become familiar as well.

– Compared to Kankaanpää, Rauma is a pleasantly larger city, but not too large. Everything is within walking distance, Kivikoski says.

Ronimus has become familiar with the city by going for runs.

– I like to vary my routes, but Otanlahti, with its seaside scenery, is my favourite. Old Rauma in the evening is wonderfully peaceful, and that’s probably what I’ve come to love most about Rauma.

Memorable Student Events

Both are familiar with Kivikylän Areena and Rauman Lukko ice hockey matches, most of which students can attend free of charge when wearing their student overalls.

– I didn’t follow ice hockey at all before, but last season I attended several games with my fellow students. Our group includes supporters of Lukko, Ilves and Tappara alike, Ronimus says.

The Lukko pub crawl event was one of the favourite student events of the past year for both Kivikoski and Ronimus.

– The event offered a full day’s programme: a Rauma–Pori match between students, different activity checkpoints, a Liiga game and an afterparty. There were also plenty of students attending from outside Rauma, Kivikoski says.

SOOL’s Winter Days are among the most anticipated annual events for teacher education students. This year, the event brought students from across Finland to Rauma. Rakel Ronimus was involved in organising the event.

– It was fantastic to bring all teacher education students here and organise a memorable event for them. We received a lot of positive feedback, and some were even surprised by how impressive an event can be organised in Rauma. The event culminated at Kivikylän Areena with performances by Karri Koira and Kaija Koo. It was a truly great experience overall, Ronimus says with enthusiasm.

I like the kind of life students bring to the city. Student overalls are guaranteed to attract attention. – Rakel Ronimus

From Rauma to the World’s Oceans

Although both still have studies ahead of them, they have already had time to think about the future.

– There is a strong demand for early childhood education teachers, and employment opportunities in the field are good. My plan is to work for a while after completing my bachelor’s degree and then possibly continue my studies to become a primary school teacher, Ronimus says.

Kivikoski also sees good employment prospects in his field.

– Artificial intelligence is talked about a lot right now, and we’ve discussed it during our studies as well. However, it can never replace all the expertise and work required in our field.

With a degree in Maritime Management, graduates can work not only at sea but also in ports, shipping companies, shipyards and various specialist positions within the industry.

– A Maritime Management degree is highly respected internationally, and I’m interested in working abroad in the future. Piloting ships or other work that mainly involves travelling the same route doesn’t feel like my thing. I would rather do something varied that allows me to see and experience different places and situations, Kivikoski says.

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