The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland
In addition to providing services for international students, ISYY promotes internationalisation among the student body. Internationalisation during your studies is a good way to meet new people, learn about different cultures, improve language skills and get experience in working in a multicultural environment.
ISYY encourages all students to become more international. You will find information about exchange studies and international traineeships from the student handbook, Kamu.
UEF//Kamu, opens in a new tab: Study abroad
ISYY has clubs that organise activities for both Finnish and international students. ISYY clubs are open for all ISYY members so you are warmly welcome to join the activities.
If you do not find a club that interests you, you can also establish one by yourself! You will find the contact information of all existing clubs as well as instructions on how to establish a club under the ‘Recreation’ section.
Isyy.fi, opens in a new tab: Club activities
Language Cafés are informal language classes taught by students for students in an informal and friendly environment. The Cafés are based on volunteer work and they give students an opportunity to learn or teach a language they are interested in. It is possible to earn ECTS credits by being a participant (1 ECTS) or a leader (2 ECTS).
Isyy.fi, opens in a new tab: Language Cafés
Some student associations have an International Affairs Coordinator in their board who promotes internationality in their association. Becoming involved with your own student association is a good way to network with like-minded people. The International Affairs Coordinator can, for example:
If you would like to develop your association's internationality further, feel free to contact ISYY’s board member responsible for international affairs or ISYY’s Coordinators of International Affairs and ask for tips.
Isyy.fi, opens in a new tab: Executive Board Contact Information
Isyy.fi, opens in a new tab: Staff Contact Information
ISYY gives out grants for student associations, campus associations and ISYY clubs for international activities every year. The application period is at the beginning of each year and ISYY publishes a separate call for this grant. ISYY prefers to give the grant to projects that focus on long-term goals and promotion of internationalisation among the student body. Please note that you cannot receive this grant for projects that have already received this grant in the past.
The project must include at least 3 of the requirements mentioned below in addition to promoting internationalisation:
Associations or clubs that have received the grant for their internationalisation project are required to file a report to ISYY evaluating the activity’s success. Activity plans and reports will be published on ISYY’s website, where they are available as models and framework for other associations or clubs to use. You can find the previous grant reports below.
Isyy.fi, opens in a new tab: Dinner in the dark (PDF)
Isyy.fi, opens in a new tab: Orienteering event (PDF)
Isyy.fi, opens in a new tab: Think Drink on European Identity, Kuhasalo Treasure Hunt and BBQ and Movie Screening (PDF)
The university provides international students with a tutor on both campuses. Application period to become a student tutor is usually in January or February. Read more about how to become a tutor for international students on Kamu.
UEF//Kamu, opens in a new tab: Student Tutoring for International Students