Happy Tuesday!

Welcome back to the university and ISYY! I hope you have thoroughly enjoyed the summer and have now recharged your batteries to face the autumn and the beginning of a new semester/academic year.

You are reading Weekly Feed, the English language newsletter of the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY). You are receiving this letter in your email because you are a member of ISYY and are studying at Joensuu campus or because you have joined the mailing list yourself. If you do not wish to receive the Weekly Feed anymore, you can unsubcsribe here.

Reminding all ISYY clubs that the Weekly Feed is a great way to inform new students looking for new communities, hobbies and friends that your club may be the answer for all of that! The permanent club section in the letter is reserved for a club meeting timetable as well as other material from clubs such as event advertisements. You can find instructions for sending newsletter materials here.

Have a nice week!

Kind regards,
Joona Rantala | Coordinator of International Affairs

Upcoming exceptions in ISYY office opening hours

There will be some exceptions in ISYY office opening hours. On the last week of August and two first weeks of Sebtember offices are at your service also on Fridays.

Exceptions:

• Friday 28 August open 10-12, 13-15
• Friday 4 September open 10-12, 13-15
• Friday 11 September open 10-12, 13-15
• Wednesday 30 September closed (Sports Afternoon Day)

Registration for the next Academic Year ends on 15.9.

Hey continuing student! Registration for the UEF Academic Year 2026–2027 is ongoing. Registration periods for the next academic year are:

• Registration for the year 2026–2027 begins ends on 15 September 2026
• Registration ONLY for the spring semester 2027 is 1.11.2026–15.1.2027

When you register as a present student and pay the ISYY membership fee at the same time, you’ll get all of our member services also for the next academic year. ISYY membership will help you during your studies, e.g. with our interest advocacy services. Get to know all of our member services by going through our website, and you’ll make to most of your membership!

Introducing new staff member, welcome Laura!

Laura Kupiainen started as Specialist for Interest Advocacy on Joensuu campus. You can contact Laura on issues related to your studies, your legal rights as a student, financial matters, teaching arrangements or student health care.

– Thank you very much for your trust. I’m delighted to have been chosen, and I’m committed to looking after the best interests of ISYY and students of UEF. I also studied at UEF myself, so this is kind of like coming back to the roots, comments Laura.

Laura is also named as ISYY's second Anti-Harassment Contact Person. You can contact Laura in any possible situations.

ISYY nominated two candidates for the SYL Board 2027: Emilia Enroth for the Chair and Emilia Kivikoski for the Board Member

–It is a great honour to receive the Council’s confidence in my work and to have the opportunity to campaign for a better future for students. Next year, the government's debt brake policy and the parliamentary elections will play a defining role in shaping the future of university students, states Enroth, who is currently working as the Vice Chair of the SYL Board.

– It is an honour to stand as a candidate for the Board of SYL with the nomination of ISYY. The work being done to advance higher education and student wellbeing is more important now, than it has been in a long time. Many of the decisions being made today will not only affect the present moment, but also shape what it will be like to study years from now, states Kivikoski, who is the Chair of the ISYY Board this year.

SYL represents Finnish university students at the national level and promotes their interests. SYL's board for 2027 will be elected at the General Assembly in November 2026. ISYY is represented at the General Assembly with its own delegation.

Student Blast - the Academic Year Opening 3.9

Student Blast – the Academic Year Opening at Joensuu Market Square on Thursday 3 September 2026! ️The headliner for this year's Student Blast is Finnish rapper Mikael Gabriel. Event's more detailed schedule and other programme will be published soon to ISYY's website. 

All UEF students and staff are welcome to join the event in the Market Square. In Joensuu the event will gather together students of UEF and Karelia UAS and it is is organised in cooperation with the City of Joensuu, Joensuu City Center Association Virta, University of Eastern Finland, Karelia University of Applied Sciences and its student union POKA.

Hangout event for international tutors and their tutees

ISYY’s international sector is organizing a hangout event for new international tutors and tutees right as the new academic year is starting. The event is very low-threshold and relaxed; we’ll play some icebreaker games together, have a small quiz and there will also be lots of time just for getting to know each other. ISYY will provide some snacks for the event. If you’re looking to form groups for ISYY’s City Orienteering event, you could also do that during this evening. You can also snag your first overall patch from this event!

The event is on Friday 28 August from 4 pm to 6 pm. The venue is E200, Educa building. Registrations for tutors and tutees in Kide.app! 

Save the date: Autumn semester events

The best way to keep up with our events is to follow our newsletters and our event calendar in our website. The events listed below can be soon found from the event calendar.

• SYKETTÄ Joensuu free trial weeks 31.8-13.9
• Academic Year kick-off event Student Blast 3.9
• City Orienteering and After Party 3.9
• SYKETTÄ Joensuu Appro 7.-20.9
• Association Days 22.-23.9
• Wellbeing Week 28.9-2.10
• Sports Afternoon 30.9
• Independence Day Torch Parade 6.12

ISYY Clubs in Joensuu

ISYY Clubs are open for all of ISYY members. ISYY's club room is located at our office near the city centre (Suvantokatu 6, 80100 Joensuu).

ISYY Club meetings at ISYY Club room:

Monday 4 pm - 8 pm: ISYY's MtG Guild

Thursday 4 pm - 9 pm: Joensuu Board Gamers (on week 36 the meeting is on Saturday 1 pm - 9 pm)

Friday 4 pm - 8 pm: ISYY Chess Club Joensuu (Starting from 4.9.)

The autumn 2026 SYKETTÄ sports calendar

SYKETTÄ will publish the autumn 2026 sports calendar on Wednesday 19.8.2026.

Here are the dates for the beginning of the season:

• SYKETTÄ autumn season starts on 31.8.2026
• Free trial period 31.8.-13.9.2026
• SYKETTÄ Appro 7.-20.9.2026

Are you interested in UEF vs Karelia UAS cricket match?

We are looking for students who are interested in playing cricket on student teams. Game day and the details of the event are not yet decided. Please note, that the maximum number of players per team is 15 players. The final lineup is decided by the teams captain.

If the event is not arranged during 2026, information collected via this form is deleted at the latest 1.1.2027.

Registration for the Language Centre's autumn courses has started!

Register for the Language Centre courses included in your degree in Peppi through your PSP. The best way to see all the future implementations of the course, i.e. the groups, their schedules and further information, is through the study guide. View the upcoming groups of the course through your degree structure or by using the search.

For degree students, we offer degree courses in English and in Finnish as well as optional courses. If several different groups are organised for a course included in your degree, enrol in the group that suits you best. As a rule, places are filled in the order of registration.

KiVANET - Languages online! 

The KiVANET network will organize online courses in several different languages and in multilingual tandem learning in the autumn term of 2026. Registration for autumn courses is open: August 17th to September 13th 2026. Registration via the cross-institutional study service. See also our study community.

IT Servicedesk and Oppari opening hours will be standardized as of 31 August 2026

From 31 August 2026 onwards, IT Servicedesk and Oppari will serve customers on both campuses Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 15.00.

In addition, Oppari  offers extended afternoon service: Monday to Friday until 18.00, and on Saturdays from 10.00 to 14.00.

Outside these opening hours, you can use other self-study facilities. More information: Self-study facilities - UEF Kamu.

Opening hours

IT Servicedesk

•     Mon–Fri: 9.00–15.00

Oppari

•     Mon–Fri: 9.00–15.00
•     Extended afternoon service: 15.00–18.00
•     Sat: 10.00–14.00

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

New option for the 50% Tuition Waiver: Complete 15 ECTS of Finnish as a Second Language (S2)  

In the academic year 2026–2027, tuition-fee-paying students can apply for a 50% study-based tuition waiver (Option B) if they complete either the “Suomi 3” course OR at least 15 ECTS credits of Finnish as a Second Language (S2) studies at the University of Eastern Finland during their degree studies (new!). To demonstrate progression, the 15 ECTS credits cannot consist solely of beginner-level courses (A1.1–A1.3).  Credits completed at other educational institutions generally do not count toward the 15 ECTS requirement.

Students may apply for the study-based tuition waiver only after completing the required 15 ECTS credits, and the waiver can be granted for the following semester. 

Have you started your studies? Read FSHS info material for new students

Congratulations on starting your studies! As a new degree student in higher education, you are welcome to use our services at FSHS once your first semester begins and you have registered as present for the autumn semester at your higher education institution. The autumn semester in Finland has begun on 1 August 2025. Please note that enrollment information will be transferred to FSHS from higher education institutions with a delay of approximately 1–3 days.

We are here to support your health and well-being throughout your studies.

To get you started, we have collected the most important information about FSHS for new students on one page. Even returning student can utilise the information, if they require a refresher!

Start using the YTHSDigi service!

FSHS launched a new digital service for higher education students on 6 May 2026. The new service YTHSDigi replaces the previously used Self online service. YTHSDigi offers you more versatile and smoother ways to manage your health matters digitally than before.

As a higher education student, the easiest way you can take care of issues related to your health with us is using YTHSDigi.

On YTHSDigi you can:

• contact FSHS for an assessment of your need for treatment
• message FSHS professionals about your ongoing care
• join video appointments
• access self-care material on digital paths
• manage your appointment bookings
• complete forms
• complete the health questionnaire for first-year students

YTHSDigi can be used both in the mobile app or on an internet browser. FSHS recommend downloading the app for a smoother service experience and so you can receive notifications about your care.

Looking for a roommate?

Are you moving into shared housing or looking for someone to fill an empty room? KämppisFinder makes it easy to find a roommate that’s the right fit for you. With the app’s handy filters, you can narrow down potential roommates based on lifestyle, living habits, rental budget, and more.

Download the app and find your new roommate easily!

Learn more:

• www.kamppisfinder.fi
• Instagram: @kamppisfinder
• Facebook: @kämppisfinder

YUFE: Young Universities for the Future of Europe Alliance

Did you know that through YUFE, you can also do volunteer work and receive the YUFE Civic Star recognition for it—including a digital badge that you can easily add to your LinkedIn profile? Depending on your degree program, you may also earn 2 credits for your work.

Check out next academic year’s offerings in the Civic Engagement section of the YUFE Virtual Campus by filtering your search by university. More options will become available throughout the fall.  Also note UEF’s DIY option, which is suitable for you if you’re already doing volunteer work or want to do it on-site outside our campus cities. To register, you’ll need your own student account for the YUFE Virtual Campus. Create one using your @student.uef.fi email address

UEF: Instructions for threatening situations

University of Eastern Finland has issued new instructions defining the university’s operating practices in situations where a public authority issues a warning of a threat affecting the area and advises people to stay at home or to avoid moving in the area (e.g. a drone threat).

The instructions describe the procedures for staff and students, as well as arrangements for work and teaching in exceptional situations.

Please read the instructions on the UEF Intranet and make sure that you know how to act in a possible threat situation.

Non stop Finnish language courses in autumn organised by the Adult Education Centre of Joensuu Area

Learn Finnish in a fun and interactive way through listening, speaking, and hands-on activities! The courses are free, and no textbook is required.

Timetable 17.8.–7.10.2026:

Beginners’ Groups

• Monday mornings: 09:30–11:00 (17.8. –5.10.2026)
• Tuesday evenings: 16:30–18:00 (18.8. –6.10.2026)

Continuation groups for beginners

• Wednesday mornings: 09:30-11:00 (19.8.–7.10.2026)
• Wednesday evenings: 16:30-18:00 (19.8.–7.10.2026)

Intermediate group
Tuesday mornings: 09:30-11:00 (18.8. –6.10.2026)

Course registration online, by phone (+358 13 337 5929) or at the service desk of the adult education centre: Papinkatu 3, Joensuu. The phone service and service desk are open Mon - Thu from 9:30 am to 1 pm.

Africans in Joensuu -festival

The Africans in Joensuu festival takes place on Saturday, August 8th, at the Joensuu Market Square! The event runs from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Enjoy food, fashion, music, and much more.

Bring along friends, family, and good vibes—everyone is welcome! Let’s celebrate Africa together in Joensuu.

You can find more information about the event on the Africans in Joensuu Instagram page!

Joen Yö brings love to the center of Joensuu

Joen Yö will take place on Friday, 14 August 2026, from 14:00 to 22:00 in the city centre. The theme of Joen Yö 2026 is LOVE.

It’s a beautiful word — and a powerful one. Love is not the opposite of hate; it is the opposite of indifference. Love is needed to solve both big and small problems, and the world has plenty of them. Love is universal, a language we all understand. Some love other people, some love music, forests, frost, animals, dance, morning coffee, silence, their home, films, paintings, wool socks — or simply life itself with all its oddities. We all have our own idea of love, and that too deserves love. Diversity.

As usual, the festival spreads across the city center, offering local culture one of the city’s largest performance venues. On the street, amidst the crowds, you might encounter a dance performance or a performer scaling the wall of a building. The program also extends to locations such as the area beneath Suvantosilta Bridge and the Carelicum parking garage. Joen Yö lineup is further enriched by visiting artists and performers.

Check out the program on Joen Yö's website!

Save the date: Talent Match in Joensuu, 22 September

Looking for a job, internship, thesis opportunity, or new professional connections in Finland? Join Talent Match Joensuu!

• Tuesday, 22 September 2026
• 12:00–15:00
• Restaurant Kerubi, Siltakatu 1, Joensuu

More information and tips for preparing for the event will be shared in UEF Viva Engage in August and September.

Jobs, internships and appointments to UEF career counsellors in JobTeaser

Job and internship offers for students and recent graduates can be found in the JobTeaser web service. Students and staff members log into the JobTeaser UEF platform using their UEF credentials. You can continue using the service after graduation as well. JobTeaser is used in over 700 universities and institutions of higher education in Europe and job and internship offers spread throughout Europe.

• You can book a personal appointment to a UEF career counsellor in JobTeaser. Guidance is available on both campuses and online.
• You will also find a selection of various sorts of events organized by, for example, TE-Live, EURES, different projects and employer organizations. Many of the events are organized online. Thus, you can take part in interesting events elsewhere in Europe. There are also employer profiles and information of job opportunities in, especially, international companies and employers.
• In JobTeaser, you will also find info about the UEF career services and courses on job seeking and career planning.

If you have any questions, please contact Career Services, email: urapalvelut@uef.fi.

The 2027 Globalink Research Internship (GRI) student call is now open. Senior undergraduates are encouraged to apply!

Successful applicants will travel to Canada between May and October 2027 to work with outstanding faculty and researchers at their host universities, and conduct hands-on research in their field of study!

Start preparing your application now

• Review the “Eligibility” section for a list of requirements
• Find answers to common questions and more details under FAQs at the bottom of the page. The deadline to apply is September 16, 2026, at 1 pm P.T.

Globalink research interns receive

• Funding to contribute to the cost of a round-trip airfare to Canada (amount varies depending on country of origin);
• Stipend for housing and living expenses (amount varies depending on country of origin);
• Support from student mentors on campus in Canada;
• Registration for industry events and professional development courses;
• And much more!

Questions about the program or your upcoming application? Contact helpdesk@mitacs.ca.

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.