Happy Tuesday!

Spring semester has begun! ISYY is back at your service after the holidays.

As a Student Union member, you can borrow sports equipment, such as ice skates, skis or badminton rackets from the ISYY office. Check out the sports equipment selection on our website. You can find our office opening hours and address below.

Remember to dress warmly if you decide to exercise outdoors! If you prefer indoor exercising instead, check out SYKETTÄ Sports Services' group exercise calendar and consider buying a membership for the spring semester.

You can try out the SYKETTÄ classes for free during weeks 3-4! Just create an account and sign up to the lessons via the SYKETTÄ website.

Kind regards,
Joona Rantala | Coordinator of International Affairs, Joensuu Campus

ISYY office in Joensuu 

Opening hours:

•     Mon, Tue: 10–12, 13–15
•     Wed: 12–16
•     Thu: 10–12, 13–15
•     Fri: closed

Office services:

• Customer service in English

• Purchasing SYKETTÄ University Sports Services membership

• Term stickers for plastic student cards

• Book exchange shelf

• Free ISYY student calendars

• Sports equipment and board game loans

• ISYY and UEF merchandise for sale

• Second-hand kitchenware for sale

Suvantokatu 6, FI-80100 JOENSUU, FINLAND
toimisto.joensuu(at)isyy.fi
Tel. +358 (0) 44 576 8449

New face at ISYY Joensuu office, welcome Timi!

Timi Huotari started as a Membership Service Specialist substitute at ISYY Joensuu office. 

– Lovely to start the year at ISYY! I’ve worked actively as a student association member before, so helping and guiding other students through the Student Union does feel like my thing, comments Timi.

Timi is substituting Hannele Mirola, who is serving as Deputy Secretary General during the ongoing recruitment process. The new Secretary General’s employment is intended to begin in early March.

Tell us who should receive a recognition from ISYY? 

You can now suggest a candidate to receive a recognition at the ISYY Annual Celebration this spring! Suggestions must be sent by 18 January.

Every member and alumni of ISYY has the right to suggest a person to receive a Medal of Honor, Golden and Silver Medal of Distinction and Medal of the Student Union. The delivered suggestions will be forwarded to ISYY’s Committee for Recognitions and they will prepare the suggestion for the ISYY Executive Board. The final decision of the acknowledgements will be made by the ISYY Executive Board.

The start of ISYY’s Language Café activities in spring 2026 is nearing!

Do you want to learn a new language, brush up on your old skills and meet new people or for example teach your native language to other students? Language Cafés are the perfect opportunity for you! You can also gain ECTs from the activity, whether you are participating as a learner or as a teacher.

The idea of the language cafés is to provide an informal platform for students to both learn and teach languages in a relaxed manner. If you complete a couple of assignments during the Language Café -activities, you can earn 1 ECTS as a participant and 2 ECTS as a teacher of a café.

Join the Language Café info session on Wednesday 21 January from 9 am to 10 am on Google Meet to find out more! 

ISYY is recruiting

The Student Union has two open vacancies at the moment. ISYY is now recruiting:

• Secretary General, work place at Kuopio or Joensuu campus. Application period ends on 16 January 2026 at 3 pm
• Specialist for Interest Advocacy, work place at ISYY Joensuu office. Application period ends on 25 January 2026 at 11.59 pm

Calls for the vacancies are published in Finnish on the ISYY website. Both jobs require excellent Finnish skills.

ISYY Club Meetings

All currently listed club meetings are held weekly in ISYY's club room at ISYY's office located 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.

Magic The Gathering Guild Mon 3 pm - 8 pm

Luomio! (Literary Arts Club) Tue 6 pm - 8 pm

JOOJAKU (Japanese Culture Club) Wed 4 pm - 8 pm

Joensuu Board Gamers Thu 3 pm - 8 pm

ISYY Chess Club Fri 4 pm - 8 pm

Free Trial Period

At the beginning of each semester in autumn and spring, SYKETTÄ offers the opportunity to try sports services free of charge, without a valid SYKETTÄ membership. This spring, the free trial weeks take place from 12.1.2026.

During the free trial weeks, you can participate in classes and sessions listed in the sports calendar without a valid membership. However, registration is required for every class and session, also during the free trial period.

New users must register in the SYKETTÄ mobile app or on the SYKETTÄ website before using the services. Are you a new user? Check out SYKETTÄ ABC, where you’ll find instructions on registration, purchasing a membership, and signing up for classes.

Students’ Karelia Classic 2026

Students from the University of Eastern Finland and Karelia University of Applied Sciences will compete for the North Karelia Student Volleyball Championship for the first time at the Students’ Karelia Classic event on Sunday, January 18, 2026, starting at 11:00 AM at Joensuu Sports Hall (Koskikatu 12, Joensuu).

Come along to watch, cheer, and enjoy this free sports event!

Preliminary schedule

• 12:00 PM – Doors open
• 1:00 PM – Match starts
• 3:00 PM – Event ends

The Winter Cycling Challenge Has Kicked Off!

SYKETTÄ is taking part in the Winter Cycling Challenge, which runs from 1.1- 28.2.2026. Students and staff from the UEF Joensuu campus and Karelia University of Applied Sciences are welcome to join the Joensuu SYKETTÄ team.

The Cycling Challenge is a friendly competition between companies, workplaces, departments, associations, clubs, or any kind of teams. Participants record their cycling kilometres, which then contribute to their team’s total distance.

By using the Strava and Polar Flow integrations, kilometres and minutes can be transferred automatically to the calendar. Kilometres and minutes cycled on previous challenge days can also be added retroactively. 

Are you looking for a workout buddy?

The Workout Buddy service is offered by SYKETTÄ university sports for higher education students who want to be physically active and are looking for someone to exercise with. The goal of the service is to connect students who share similar interests in different types of sports and activities.

In the Workout Buddy application, you can tell us what kinds of sports interest you and what kind of exercise companion you’re looking for. We’ll contact you once we’ve found a suitable match. You don’t need to have an active SYKETTÄ membership to take part in the Workout Buddy service.

By filling out the workout buddy application, we’ll help you find the right exercise partner for you!

Student Tutors Needed for Next Autumn Semester! 

Would You Like to Be a Student Tutor? 

Apply to be a tutor! If you study in a Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree programme at UEF and are interested in helping the new students in Autumn Semester 2026, you can apply as a student tutor. 
 
The student tutor helps the new students to have a smooth start for their studies. All the new students have a student tutor. And each tutor has a group of tutees. Tutoring offers many opportunities to learn, for example to develop your communication and coordinating skills. The tutors will be trained for the job, and they will receive credits and a certificate on tutoring.  

The application period starts on 19 Jan.

If you study in a Bachelor's or in a Master's Programme and are interested in volunteering as a student tutor for next Autumn Semester – Come and Learn About Tutoring at Our Pop-up Points!

Tutor Recruitment Starts on January 19. Would you like to know what a student tutor does and what it’s like to be a student tutor? Or are you wondering how tutoring can support your studies? Now you have the chance to ask and chat with us!

At the pop-up points, you can:

• Ask about tutoring and the role of a tutor
• Get more information about the tutor recruitment process
• Hopefully hear experiences from current tutors

Where and when?

• Wed Jan 21, 11:00–13:00 at Carelia
• Thu Jan 22, 10:30–12:00 at Futura

Come and say hi on campus! You’ll get information, tips, and answers to all your questions about tutoring.

Study Buddies group on Joensuu campus

In the Study Buddies group, you get to study together with others and try out the Pomodoro technique. In the group, everyone will work independently on what is currently timely in their studies, be it writing, reading or other types of assignments.

The Study Buddies group is open for all UEF students on the Joensuu campus. You do not need to register beforehand, you can just show up.

UEF Career Services Working life pop up

Are you wondering how to accumulate work experience?

Join us to generate alternative ways to gain more working life experience!

• Tuesday, 20 January
• from 11:00 to 13:00
• The ground-floor entrance halls of Carelia and Snellmania.

- UEF Career Services

UEF Trainee 2026 Positions are now open!

UEF Trainee Programme provides paid internship placements to international degree students (bachelor´s and master´s students) of UEF. In the programme, international degree students have a chance to work at placements provided by our collaborators for two months (or four months half time). The application period is open until 30th January 2026 (by 16.00 hours Finnish time). You can apply simultaneously, in the order of your preference, up to three different placements by using application form. The selection of candidates is done by the provider (employer) of the training position.

You can see the open positions here. The training can be done anytime during the year 2026. To be eligible you need to be registered to one of UEF degree programs as an active student when you apply. You are still eligible if you graduate before or during your training period.

Enrolment to the Pathways to Career Competence and Networks, 2 ECTS, course is now open!

Talent Hub Eastern Finland project is recruiting students to join Future Talents team. The main goal of the team is to foster cooperation between international study programmes, local companies, and organizations to create collaboration such as internships, project work, case studies and thesis topics. In a way, the Future Talents team works as a representative of the university by marketing and selling the skills and expertise of study programs and students.

Being part of the team begins by completing 2 credits orientating course Pathways to Career Competence and Networks. Successful completing will open the possibility to participate in the Future Talents Team project (3 ECTS) later on the spring.

The course is mainly targeted for students of international degree programmes (bachelor´s and master´s) also doctoral researchers can apply (max intake 40). Timing of the course is 11.02.2026 - 24.03.2026

Student, find power and purpose for your career and register to career planning and job seeking courses for the spring 2026!

Are you wondering about your future? Where will I find work? How will I be convincing in the job interview? What can I do with my degree? What are my strengths? Am I in the right field? What should I study as a minor subject? What rights and obligations do I have as an employee?

Students pondering about their future directions or seeking traineeships and employment are troubled by many questions. Nevertheless, don’t worry! Practical guidance, knowledge and support is there for you on the career planning and job seeking courses offered by UEF Career Services.

Registration for spring 2026 ends on 15 January 2026

Registration for spring 2026 ends on 15 January 2026. Please, check in Peppi under “Attendance data” if you have already registered for spring semester as present or absent.

All bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral students must register as being present or absent at the university within the registration period.

If a student fails to register for spring 2026 within the registration period so by 15th of January 2026, the student needs to apply for reinstating their study right and pay the handling fee of 50 euros. So remember to register within the registration period in OILI registration service! You can also change your registration for spring from absent to present in OILI within the registration period.

Remember to pay healthcare fee for higher education students in OmaKela

You can now pay the student healthcare fee for the spring and autumn semesters of 2026. The fee is 35.35 € per semester, and 70.70 € for the whole year 2026.

The due date for the fee for the spring term is 15 March, if you register as attending by 31 January. If you register as attending for the spring term on or after 1 February, the due date is 31 July.

If you do not pay the healthcare fee by the due date, Kela will send a reminder. If the healthcare fee is paid after the due date, Kela will charge a fixed late-payment charge 5,00 €.

Minor changes to campus restaurant meal prices starting January 1, 2026

Due to the regulation on meal subsidies and changes in value-added tax, adjustments have been made to lunch restaurant meal prices as of January 1, 2026.

• The price of student lunches remains unchanged.
• Staff and guest meal prices will increase slightly.
• Other prices have been slightly adjusted due to the VAT change.

Joensuun Ellin Kodit office has a temporary new address during renovations

Starting from January 5th 2026, customer service of Joensuun Ellin Kodit has moved to temporary premises due to a renovation. Their office is currently located at Muuntamontie 5. Please check their office opening hours from their website. 

Joy Choir auditions on Jan 26th

The representative choir of the University of Eastern Finland, Joy, organizes an audition on January 26th between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., in the classroom AT100! You do not need previous singing experience to participate.
We are primarily looking for basses and tenors in the spring, but sopranos and altos are also welcome!

If you are unable to audition on the 26th, or you have any questions, please contact us via: uefkuorojoy@gmail.com

More about us at https://joykuoro.fi/en/tule-mukaan/

International Music Nights spring 2026 have started!

Get your dancing shoes on and join JEIS (Joensuu's Exchange and International Students) for some awesome nights in Bepop Joensuu! 

Joensuu’s Exchange and International Students club is collaborating with Bepop to bring some international music to Joensuu! These music nights are going to happen on Thursdays:  January 22nd, February 5th, February 19th, March 5th and March 19th! There will also be two international music nights in April that will be advertised later on in the spring semester. All of the events start at 11pm!

To make this event truly international, we want you to participate in making the playlist for the events! The song request form can be found here! We hope to see you all there!

Want to travel to Saariselkä or Lofoten this spring semester?

Want to travel to Saariselkä or Lofoten this spring semester with Timetravels and Joensuu's Exchange and International Students club?

Sales to these wonderful trips have now begun. You can sign up to these trips with the early bird price until 1.2. (Lapland) or 12.2. (Lofoten).

 Signing up for the trips is done through Timetravels.

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.