Happy Tuesday!

The evenings are getting darker since autumn is here. Now during the dark, it's almost impossible for drivers to spot pedestrians or people riding a bike without a reflector, especially outside the city centre. Get yourself one or two and wear them on your jacket and bag so you can be seen when you're outside in the evening.

Also, cyclists need to get lights for their bike to improve their visibility. It's mandatory to have a red tail light and a white/yellowish front light when you ride at dusk or in the dark. This is required by Finnish law, and you will get a fine if you're spotted without the bike lights. You can get a bike light set from any major supermarket.

Have a nice week!

Kind regards,
Joona Rantala | Coordinator of International Affairs

Thank you for giving feedback on the ISYY's City Orienteering!

We got many responds to our feedback survey and the answers will help us develop our event to be even better next year. We have also raffled the prizes among respondees, who left their contact information after filling the feedback form, and sent the winners email.

Wellbeing Week

Wellbeing Week will be held for the 13th time at the University of Eastern Finland from 28 September to 2 October 2026. The aim of the Wellbeing Week is to offer UEF students and staff a wellbeing promoting program throughout the week.

During Wellbeing Week, a variety of activities will be organised, for example, the Finnish Kennel Club's Care Dogs will visit campuses and a lecture aimed at international students will offer tips on how to survive the Finnish winter and polar night. SYKETTÄ sports services will organise the traditional Sports Afternoon on Wed 30 September.

Week will culminate with two separate day trips: from Kuopio to Southern Konnevesi Natiola park and from Joensuu to Petkeljärvi National Park. The price for the day trip is 5€ and tickets are sold via Kide.app.

ISYY's Association Days are next week!

ISYY organises the Association Days on Tuesday and Wednesday 22.–23.9.2026 at Joensuu campus and on Wednesday 23.9.2026 at Kuopio Campus. The event in Joensuu is held in Carelia lobby and in Kuopio in Snellmania lobby. The event takes place on both days from 10 am to 2 pm.

Come and find out what ISYY and associations close to it have to offer. It’s also possible that you’ll find some new activities from Association Days! ISYY Association Days are open for everybody and there’s no entrance fee.

Traditionally associations sells their overall patches at the event, so it is a good idea to take some money with you.

Become a Language Café leader!

Would you be interested in teaching your native language to your fellow students? Join ISYY’s Language Café activities! You can earn 2 ECTS credits by organising a Language Café and by submitting a few small assignments to Moodle.

If you want to host a Language Café, please sign up with this Google Form by Wednesday 16 September 3pm! You can find instructions for leaders on Language Café's Moodle course (LC-A26 for entry)

Language Café participants' sign-up period is 17-23 September. We'll publish the available Language Cafés and the sign-up form to ISYY's website on Thursday 17 September.

Tour de Itä-Suomi is being cycled in the spirit of brevet!

Tour is a cycling event for students organised by ISYY. This autumn Tour has started in Joensuu on September 7th and will be available to complete until September 20th. Choose the best day for you and challenge your friends to ride with you!

Tour is not a competition - no need to rush, just finish the route at your own safe pace! You only need your own bicycle, bicycle helmet and sunny attitude.

Participation for ISYY members is 5€ and for other participants 10€. Enroll through Kide.app!

ISYY Council meeting 3/2026

ISYY Council will hold their meeting today Tuesday 15 September starting at 5 pm in classrooms M103 (Joensuu) and SN200 (Kuopio). The meeting premises are accessible. All ISYY members are welcome to follow the meeting on campus or via the livestream on ISYY’s YouTube channel!

In the meeting, the ISYY Council will, among other things, discuss approving ISYY’s new updated Equality Plan and 2027 Parliament election programme.

Apply for ISYY's internationalisation grant by 29 September

The grant is for events and projects that promote internationalisation in the 2026 autumn semester and is meant for subject associations, campus associations and ISYY clubs.

We are giving out four 225 € grants. Application period is from 24 August till 29 September.

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 the ISYY Club room:

Monday 4 pm - 8 pm: ISYY's Magic the Gathering Guild

Tuesday  6 pm - 8 pm: LUOMIO! Literary arts club

Wednesday 4 pm - 8 pm: JOOJAKU

Thursday 4 pm - 9 pm: Joensuu Board Gamers

Friday 4 pm - 8 pm: ISYY Chess Club Joensuu

Other ISYY Club meetings:

Monday 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm: Joensuu's Exchange and International Students (Aurora-building, AU111)

Monday 6 pm - 8 pm: Academic & Historical Dance Society (Educa-building, hall E200)

General meeting of ISYY's Bible Club on 21.9.

ISYY's Bible Club is having a general meeting on Monday September 21 at 10 in Zoom. In the meeting the club's board will be formed and the club's action plan and budget for 2027 will be accepted. There will be also discussion about club's communication channels. The meeting is open to all ISYY members!

General meeting of Joensuu Board Gamers on 24.9.

The club’s statutory general meeting will be held at the ISYY clubroom (Suvantokatu 6, 80100 Joensuu) on Thursday 24 September 2026, from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, in connection with the club’s game night. The event is open to all ISYY members.

General Meeting of Sustainable Lifestyle UEF on 24.9.

Open for everyone interested in the club. Selection of the new board, deciding on action plan and draft budget, voting for a name change of the club. Snacks will be available!

4-6pm, AU207, Aurora, Yliopistokatu 2, 80100 Joensuu

General Meeting of Historical & Academic Dance Society Joensuu on 25.9.

Do you want to participate in the planning and implementation of the club activities?

The general meeting of the club will be held on Fri 25.9. starting at 7 pm. Location is Suvas meeting room, Suvantokatu 6, 80100 Joensuu. The meeting will make an action plan and a budget for 2027. At the same time, a new board is elected for the club. It is important to have a wide range of board members, because on that depends the club's funding and operating conditions for the next year. So come along!

Free trial period has ended

Free trial period has ended and all SYKETTÄ users must have a valid membership from 14.9.2026. You can buy the membership on the online shop via the mobile application or website (Finnish bank account is required).

Sports afternoon 30.9.2026

Sports afternoon of UEF and Karelia UAS will be held on Wednesday 30.9.2026. The afternoon is lecture-free from 12:15pm. There are activities and special offers on the sports afternoon, and participation does not require SYKETTÄ membership.

Physical activity tests

SYKETTÄ will organize the physical activity tests in cooperation with ISLO, Pokali and Tarmo of Karelia UAS on sports afternoon 30.9.2026. The physical activity tests have two different test sets: the low intensity and the active exerciser tests.

Photo: Saara Huopalainen

Coffee & Friends continues today!

Coffee & Friends event offers low-threshold hanging out after lectures and the opportunity to meet other students over coffee and a snack. All students of the University of Eastern Finland are welcome to Coffee & Friends. You can come to the café alone or with a friend. In addition, Coffee & Friends has a changing chill program. Participation in the programme is voluntary and you can come for a while or for the whole time. Participation is free of charge and does not require pre-registration. 

Coffee & Friends meets on Tuesdays from 15 September to 24 November at 4-6pm. This autumn’s first Coffee & Friends on 15.9. will be held in AG103 (classroom in the Agora building) and after this the café meets normally in Agora Café. 

Autumn’s programme will be updated on ISYY’s webpage as the planning progresses 

Explore Talent Hub Eastern Finland services

TalentMatch 2026 on Tuesday, 22 September, in Joensuu

Looking for career opportunities, new connections – or interested in entrepreneurship in North Karelia?

Join TalentMatch 2026 on Tuesday, 22 September, 12:00–15:00 at Restaurant Kerubi, Siltakatu 1, Joensuu.

Meet local employers, build your professional network, explore career opportunities, and connect with experts in the "Business Basement" supporting entrepreneurship and business development.

The event is especially for international jobseekers and students – and it’s free to attend.

START Business in North Karelia, 24 September, in Joensuu

Interested in entrepreneurship or thinking about starting your own business in North Karelia?

Join START Business in North Karelia on 24 September, 9:00–13:00 at Carelicum, Koskikatu 5, Joensuu.

The event is especially for people with an international background who want to learn more about starting and developing a business in Finland. Meet experts, discuss your ideas and get practical information on business services, marketing, permits, education and entrepreneurship support.

The event is in English, with interpretation available in Ukrainian, Russian and Arabic during the group discussions.

Free of charge and open to everyone interested.

Monday + free coffee/tea + study company = Study Buddies 

Grab a coffee, open your laptop, and get to work in good company. In the Study Buddies group, you focus on your own tasks alongside fellow students, using the Pomodoro technique to keep a good rhythm. Essays, exam prep or thesis work? Doesn't matter – just show up! Starting 28 Sep, every Monday at 10–12 in Metria on Joensuu campus, no registration needed. 

Young Universities for the Future of Europe (YUFE)

Did you know that UEF is part of a European University Alliance called Young Universities for the Future of Europe (YUFE)?

As a UEF student, you can therefore take advantage of the wide range of courses and activities offered by other YUFE universities across Europe, free of charge – either on home campus, online or through an exchange programme on site. Find out more on Kamu or watch a video about UEF experiences in YUFE!

Welcome to the Researchers' Night on campuses on 25 September 2026!

Researchers' Night, a science event for the whole family, invites visitors to make discoveries, experiment and explore fascinating scientific phenomena at the University of Eastern Finland's Joensuu and Kuopio campuses on Friday, 25 September 2026, from 16.00 to 20.00. In Joensuu, the event will be held in Aurora, Educa and Futura buildings.

Free of charge, the event offers a rich programme and inspiring experiences for people of all ages on both campuses, including science workshops, laboratory tours, research presentations and short science sessions. Please note that changes to the programme are possible.

Ask a public health nurse! Info session for international students, Tue 29 Sept 2026 2 pm

In this English online info session, public health nurse Hanna-Mari Smale answers your health-related questions! 

Students can submit questions either before the event or during it. Instructions on how to leave a pre-event question can be found on the event registration page.

• Registration to the event
• Info on the event week

JEIS x Timetravels trips Autumn 2026

Timetravels X JEIS trips to Lofoten and Saariselkä are closing in with the autumn semester! Sign up to the trips through the links!

• JEIS Adventure trip to Lofoten 25.9. – 1.10. (sold out, waiting list available)
• JEIS Adventure to Northern Lapland, Saariselkä 28.11. – 3.12. (over 10 places available)

Joensuu’s updated Internationalisation Voucher

The City of Joensuu supports the employment of international students and recent graduates who have moved to Joensuu – eligibility criteria have been eased. Pilot funding is still available for 25 employee–employer matches.

The Internationalisation Voucher is a one-off payment of €2,500 per person employed, granted to the company. A company may receive a maximum of two vouchers. Changes to the previous criteria are highlighted in bold below.

Target group

The person hired must be an international student or recent graduate of the University of Eastern Finland or Karelia University of Applied Sciences who:

• graduated no more than six months ago, OR
• an international student who is at least in their second year of studies.

For the purposes of the voucher, international students are identified based on municipality-of-residence and address information obtained from Finland’s Population Information System (DVV). The person must be registered as residing in Joensuu.

Employer and workplace requirements

The employing company must have a Finnish Business ID and a place of business in North Karelia. The hired person’s workplace must also be located in North Karelia.

Support for employers

International House Joensuu can provide employers with support for onboarding when an international student begins their employment. This workplace-based support can range from 1 to a maximum of 6 hours.

The aim of the Internationalisation Voucher is to promote the employment of international students and recent graduates while also strengthening the operating conditions of local companies.

More information

• Internationalisation Voucher - Joensuu
• Students, graduates and employers can contact Evgeny Niukkanen, International House Joensuu, tel. 050 325 3448.
• Further information is also available from Eija Asikainen, tel. 050 597 8875.

Apply for Talent Hub Eastern Finland mentoring program 2 ECTS: Opportunity to network with companies and professionals!

Annually recurring mentoring program helps students get to know Finnish working life and build their networks. Mentors are individual professionals and employer organisations from several different professional fields. Mentoring is carried out in small groups. The mentoring language will be English.

Get help with your career planning

Mentoring can help you find your strengths and areas for development and encourage you to take on new challenges. Also, the mentors can get new energy and fresh perspectives to their work through students. Your mentor may also act as a referee in your future job hunt. By taking part in the mentoring program, you will improve your skills and knowledge in:

• job search and getting to know different career options and paths
• getting to know interesting employer organisations
• developing professional expertise and finding your strengths
• communication and interaction with others
• building professional networks
• developing self-confidence and self-knowledge

In addition to the mentor’s support, mentoring gives peer support and new views on topics discussed in the group. What do we expect from you?

As an actor, we expect you to

• commit to the mentoring program and group meetings
• take an active role in the group
• share your expectations and goals with other participants
• to understand that mentoring is about sharing working life experiences and spurring you in the first steps of your career, not getting a job offer or an internship from a mentor

How to apply?

Application for group mentoring program is open until 30.9.2026. Students and other talents affiliated in Eastern Finland are eligible to apply.

In group mentoring programme you need to be ready to actively plan your future and share your career aims in a group. In addition, you commit to take part in mentoring meetings from November to May approximately once a month.

The Running Appro for the Environment

The Running Appro is a charity event organized by Oidipus ry and WWF on 22 September 2026. Participants raise funds for climate action by walking or running in nature. The event is open to University of Eastern Finland students and takes place in the Mehtimäki area from 5 PM to 8 PM.

The participation fee is a donation to WWF's climate work and includes an overall patch that serves as your "appro" pass. Move for the climate and donate! You can find more details and the tickets on Kide.app!

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.

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.