ISYY's Vappu (May Day) Eve programme is now published!

Vappu is the biggest celebration of the year for Finnish students. On Vappu Eve, 30 April, you can attend ISYY's Vappu traditions on both campuses. ISYY gathers all university students to celebrate Vappu together wit our old traditions.

In Kuopio the traditions include the Cleaning of the Tooth (a statue) organised by Dentina ry, the Rite of the Scholastic Passage that will be performed on campus and later the Pool Event at the Kuopio Market Square. At the Market Square we'll wash and cap the Velj'mies statue, nominate the 'Kunniankantajat' of the year, immerse the professor at the pool of Velj'mies statue and we'll hear the Vappu speeches of the Student Union and Student Associations.

Read more and check the schedules from ISYY's website!

International Student, have you already answered to ISYY's Member Survey?

What do you think ISYY should focus on? How has the service been in the Student Union office? Do you know what you get as you pay the membership fee to ISYY? How ISYY could improve its office services or communications? Tell us!

The Student Union of Eastern Finland (ISYY) has launched a member survey, which purpose is to collect information about how familiar our members are with the Student Union and its services, to collect feedback about our services and also ideas how to improve our services and activities.

The survey is open until the end of 19 April 2026 and all those who answered can join a raffle where we will hand out total of eight 50,00 € gift cards to S Group, four on both of our campuses.

Experience Finnish Vappu Celebration in Savo-Karjala Excursion!

Savo-Karjala Excursion is one of the most famous and popular May Day celebration traditions of the Student Union (ISYY). The first Savo-Karjala Excursion was organised in 1990. The event is held every year in Joensuu and Kuopio on 29 April despite the day of the week.

During the Savo-Karjala Excursion, students circle around the North Savo and the North Karelia regions on buses on a predetermined route, which will remain a secret until the buses start their journey, and enjoy refreshments in different bars and restaurants along the way.

To attend the event, it is not required that you can speak Finnish. The most important thing is that you and your friends have fun and you can keep up in the schedule of the bus. If there are English speaking people in the buses, we'll ask the bus leaders to give all the important information about the schedule in English.

Ticket sales start on Thursday 9 April 8 am at Carelia lobby (Yliopistokatu 4, 80100 Joensuu). The remaining tickets, if there are any, will go on sale on Kide.app on the same day at 1 pm. The ticket price is 20 €. One person can buy a maximum of two tickets.

Have you experienced bullying in the university community? Answer to the survey

ISYY is surveying bullying within the university community. The aim of this survey is to gain a better overall understanding of the prevalence and nature of bullying at the university. The responses will help identify areas for development and find ways to reduce bullying and promote student wellbeing.

The results of the survey will primarily be used internally by ISYY, but the collected data may also be used in meetings with university staff responsible for harassment-related matters.

The survey is open until 7 April 23:59.

ISYY Association Days this week!

Looking for a new hobby, community, or maybe some awesome overall patches? ISYY’s Association Days brings together student associations, clubs, and other student organisations on campuses – this is your chance to explore them, and learn what they have to offer!

Where & when?

Joensuu: Today & Tomorrow, in Carelia lobby
Kuopio: Tomorrow, in Snellmania lobby
On both campuses from 10 am to 2 pm

The event is free, and you can drop by between lectures or during lunch. Grab a friend and come to network with us!

ISYY Clubs in Joensuu

ISYY Clubs are open for all of our members. ISYY's club room is located at our office near the city centre (Suvantokatu 6, 80100 Joensuu). The club meeting list will be updated as new club meeting times and locations are confirmed by the clubs.

ISYY Club meetings at Suvantokatu

Monday  4 pm - 9 pm: Magic The Gathering Guild

Tuesday 6 pm - 8 pm: LUOMIO! Literary Arts Club

Wednesday 4 pm - 8 pm: JOOJAKU Japanese Culture Club

Thursday 4 pm - 9 pm: Joensuu Board Gamers

Friday 4 pm - 8 pm: ISYY Chess Club

Other ISYY Club meetings

Monday 4 pm - 6:30 pm: Bible Club (Natura, N110)

Monday 4:30 pm - 6 pm: JEIS Joensuu's Exchange and International Students (Aurora, AU207)

Easter Schedule Changes

SYKETTÄ will be on Easter break from April 2–8, in line with UEF’s Easter holiday.

The following schedule changes apply:

• Group exercise classes are on a break from April 2–8 (exception: Sound Bath & Relaxation on April 8).
• Classes organized by JoenVoLi will be held on April 2 and 7–8.
• Ball sports and regular reservations at Tulliportinkatu school are cancelled from April 3–6.
• Ball sports and regular reservations at Länsikatu school are cancelled from April 3–6.
• Joensuu Areena and Mehtimäki Hall are closed on April 3 and April 5–6.
• Portti54 gym is open as usual.
• Tikkarinne gym is open April 3–6 from 7:00–21:00, otherwise normal opening hours apply
• Aurora gym: April 3–6 access only with a key card, otherwise normal opening hours apply

The Säbäliiga season has come to an end

Registration for the University of Eastern Finlands Floorball league "Säbäliiga" 2026-2027 season is now open!

Team enrollment in English -> ask more from Service Planner Niklas Leinonen (vapaa-aika@isyy.fi)

The application period for UEF Student Ambassadors for the academic year 2026–2027 is now open until 7 April 2026.

We are looking for motivated and enthusiastic students from diverse backgrounds to represent UEF in international marketing and student recruitment. Ambassador tasks include attending webinars and virtual events, participating in marketing and communication activities, and sharing your own experiences of studying and living in Finland with prospective students.
We are also recruiting a UEF Content Creator, whose main focus will be producing video and podcast content for applicant and student communications. All selected students will receive training before starting the role, and the positions are compensated.

If you enjoy meeting people, communicating openly and working independently, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. Apply by 7 April!

Would you participate in a survey?

Resilience, self-efficacy, well-being, and self-regulated learning among university students. The aim of the study is to produce knowledge that can offer insights for the development of university students’ education and support services. The findings may help strengthen students’ professional growth and support them in facing potential challenges in working life.

- Principal Investigator, PhD Saija Sihvola

YUFE Open Day – 2 April 2026, 11:30–12:30

Do you want to build your own personalised European learning path?

Join the Open YUFE DAY webinar on 2 April at 12:30!

During this first live session, you will:

– learn more about the opportunities offered by the YUFE programme

– have the chance to ask questions

What is Open YUFE?

OpenYUFE offers UEF students the opportunity to take academic courses and participate in a wide range of activities across Europe – completely free of charge – while continuing their own degree studies.

First-year student, please complete the HealthStart questionnaire in the Self online service

If you started completing your first degree at an institution of higher education in the spring semester 2026, please complete the HealthStart questionnaire in the Self online service. After completing the HealthStart questionnaire, you’ll receive feedback on your state of health and may be referred to health promotion services provided by the FSHS.

The health examination for first-year students begins with the HealthStart questionnaire, the aim of which is to help you and healthcare professionals check your health status and refer you to the appropriate services as early as possible at the beginning of your studies.

The HealthStart questionnaire examines your physical, mental and social health, as well as the key aspects of your health behavior and factors affecting your health, health behavior and ability to study.

Easter opening hours at the library

Joensuu and Kuopio campus libraries are open on Thursday 2 April from 8 am and 2 pm (customer service from 10 am to 2 pm) and closed from Friday 3 April to Monday 6 April. The library’s 24/7 self-study facilities are open normally.  

Flea Market & Clothing Swap 

Looking to refresh your wardrobe sustainably? We’re back with another Fleamarket and clothing swap event with Mikrovillus Ry and SLC 

You can either sell your clothes by reserving a table for just 3€, where you’ll have your own space to display and sell your items. Or you can swap your clothes by bringing clean, good condition items and exchanging them for something new in the clothes swapping area. You can also simply come by to browse, shop, and discover unique pieces from others. Whether you want to sell, swap, or just shop, there’s something for everyone!

Meet new people & enjoy the vibe

WHERE: Educa E200
TIME: 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
WHEN: Saturday April 11th (11.4.2026)
Selling table: 3€ (limited spots available!)

Bring your clothes, bring your friends let’s swap, shop & save the planet! 

Come polish your classic student activity skills for Vappu by joining the free Student Games event!

During the event, participants will move around various activity stations, and the evening will continue for those interested at Suvas’ meeting and sauna facilities.

You can also join the individual activity stations without registering. 

WHAT: Student Games
FOR WHOM: All students
WHERE: Around the Futura & Metria buildings
WHEN: Wednesday 1 April, 3 PM–6 PM
PRICE: 0 €
ORGANIZER: The ISYY Joensuu Council for Chairpersons

Calling young professionals to explore how futures thinking and innovation can help shape sustainable forest-based economies

EFI’s Young Leadership Programme (YLP) 2026 focuses on adding value locally, drawing on the example of Northern Europe.

The one-week programme combines expert-led discussions with capacity-building activities to strengthen leadership and strategic skills.

Are you ready to shape the future of Europe’s forests?

April market/Huhtimarkkinat, 10.-11.4.2026

The traditional April market will be held at Joensuu Market Square from Friday to Saturday, April 10–11, 2026.

The market will be open on Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and on Saturday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

 Varnitsa barn dance 

The history students’ association Varnitsa will be holding a barn dance event on Friday 10.4.2026 at Kerubi.

The event is interdisciplinary and we welcome international students to come experience Finnish dance tradition. The dress code is black & white. There will also be a live band playing at the event. Tickets are sold on Kide.app. 

Design a patch for the Historical Dances Club!

The Historical & Academic Dance and Music Society of Joensuu is in need of an overall patch!

Create up to two designs that can be put on overalls and/or used as the club’s logo. Submission deadline is 12th of April 2026. The chosen design will be rewarded as a form of commission.

The competition is open for everyone, while only club members have the right to vote. For inspiration, join us in Educa200 on Mondays, 18-20.

Weekly Feed is the English language newsletter of the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY). You are receiving this letter on your email because you are a member of ISYY and are studying at Joensuu campus or because you have joined the mailing list yourself. 

Weekly Feed provides you with current information on matters related to the Student Union, UEF or other organisations close to students, such as FSHS. In addition, the newsletter provides you with information on events taking place at campus or the campus city.

Weekly Feed is published on Tuesdays during the academic year, with the exception of holidays and a few other days. If you do not want to receive the newsletter anymore, you can unsubscribe the letter via the unsubscription link  located on the top of the letter. 

You will find more information on ISYY's newsletters  and data protection on ISYY's website.