Happy Tuesday!

Pyhäinpäivä, a.k.a All Saints’ Day, which is a “Finnish Halloween”, lands on Saturday 31 October this year. Traditionally Finns celebrate All Saints’ Day by remembering people who have passed away by visiting their graves and lighting a graveyard candle (hautakynttilä in Finnish). The candles are in white plastic tubs with a gold lid. All Saints’ Day evening is a good time for a stroll along the graveyard paths to marvel at the sea of lighted candles. Although it is a Christian holiday, All Saints’ Day is most commonly celebrated by remembering our loved ones who have been deceased, whether you consider yourself religious or not.

Please note that because Saturday is a local holiday it may affect shop's opening hours and public transport will be run according to the Sunday schedule.

Have a spooky Halloween!

Kind regards,
Joona Rantala | Coordinator of International Affairs

ISYY's statement on the closure of Migri's service point in Kuopio

The proposed closure of the Migri service point in Kuopio would place an additional and disproportionate burden on all international students in Eastern Finland, impacting particularly those already at a disadvantage.

The removal of local Migri services would require students and recent graduates to travel to other cities for mandatory appointments, creating additional transportation, accommodation, and lost-income costs.

Beyond the financial impact, the closure would add to the administrative and psychological strain at a particularly vulnerable stage of a graduate's life. The closure also sends a contradictory message about a city and a local area that are attracting international talent.

We oppose this closure as a student union adjacent to a University and a city that pride themselves on inclusion, internationalisation and internationality.

ISYY Council meeting 4/2026

ISYY Council will hold their meeting on Thursday 29 October starting at 5 pm in classrooms M103 (Joensuu) and CA100 (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, decide the ISYY membership fee’s amount for the term 2027–2028 as well as discuss changes to ISYY’s Symbol Regulations and to medium-term economic plan.

Student representatives wanted to the UEF's Equality and Non-Discrimination Committee!

ISYY is recruiting 3 student representatives and 3 deputy representatives for the Equality and Non-Discrimination Committee of UEF for the term 1.1.2027–31.12.2030.

As a student representative, you can help promote a more equal and equitable university while also gaining valuable experience working in committees.

The committee usually meets 6 times during the calendar year, and a meeting fee is paid for attending the meetings. In addition, after the end of their term, the student has the right to apply for ECTS for participating in administrative and working group activities.

Interested? Read more from the ISYY website and send your application on Tuesday 10 November 2026 at 12(noon) the latest.

What does the future look like? Now you can make a difference, apply to the Executive Board 2027!

Are you passionate about improving student advocacy? Would you like to gain valuable experience for working life and be part of everyday life of The Student Union? Now you have the chance, apply for the Student Union’s Executive Board 2027. The Executive Board is selected at the Student Union Representative Council’s meeting on 26.11.2026.

The Representative Council elects the Board’s Chairperson, Vice Chair and 4-8 members annually. The Board is the executive body of the Student Union and its period of operation is calendar year.

Remuneration is paid for serving on the Board. Lately the remuneration has been:

•  1000 €/month Chairperson
•  800 €/month Vice Chairperson
•  500 €/month Board Member

Send us a free-form application and possible resume as PDF-files via email to viestinta(at)isyy.fi and paasihteeri(at)isyy.fi no later than on 15.11.2026 at 11.59 pm. 

Save the Date: ISYY's Independence Day Torch Parade on 6 December
Do you want to be a part of one of the most important and honored traditions?

Mark ISYY's Independence Day Torch Parade to your calendar on 6 December, which is the Independence Day of Finland. The parades are held in both campus cities and in Joensuu the parade begins at 4pm. More detailed info will be published during the following weeks. 

The Parades are not political events or manifestations. The remembrance of the sacrifices made in the Finnish wars during the Second World War is very present during the Finnish Independence Day celebration. In parades we honour the sacrifices and celebrate the independence in Finland.

Do you want to help with organising the parade? We are looking for student volunteers to serve as traffic controllers along the parade route. According to the requirements of the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, the traffic controllers must be adults who have normal sensory abilities, a driving licence (at least AM121 or B), and hold the Road Safety 1 qualification. The Road Safety 1 qualification can be completed for free through the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency (Väylävirasto) learning platform, and the online course takes about an hour. All necessary equipment for the traffic control task, as well as an event-specific briefing and the amazing Volunteer-Hemmo-overall badge, will be provided at the latest on the day of the parade. Sign up by emailing ISYY’s Community Coordinator Eveliina Scharin (yk@isyy.fi) on Sunday 22 November 2026 at the latest.

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)

Floorball League - Säbäliiga

Floorball is one of the most popular team sports in Finland. The student floorball league on the Joensuu campus, better known as Säbäliiga, is the biggest student leagues organized by volunteers. The Floorball League moves around 250 students on the Joensuu campus.

Teams will enroll for the series until 30.10.2026, games will start in November. Each player needs either SYKETTÄ ball games or group exercise membership.

Team fee for season 2026–2027 is 75€. Enroll your team now!

If you are looking for a team to join as a player, contact Service Planner: niklas.leinonen@isyy.fi

Welcome to Säbäliiga!

Badminton Tournament 14.11.2026

Welcome to SYKETTÄ Badminton Tournament on 14th of November in Länsikatu School. The tournament is open for all SYKETTÄ users!

The tournament will consists of a women’s division and a men’s division. Be sure to register fast, both divisions can fit only 12 players.  The tournament will utilise Badminton Finland’s amateur rules. Both divisions are played form 8am to 1pm.
Everybody is warmly welcome to attend as audience members!

Detailed tournament schedule is published after the enrolling closes or when tournament is full.

Registration starts on Tuesday 27.10.

Sports Buddy

SYKETTÄ Sports Services offers the Sports Buddy service to all university students, who would like to exercise with a friend. You don’t need to have a valid SYKETTÄ membership to use the Sports Buddy service.

Gym instructions

Would you like to start gym training for the first time or after a long break? You can book a personal gym instruction session with physical activity counsellor Anni. The instruction does not require a valid SYKETTÄ membership or gym access.

International Women group

JoenVoLi organizes a group for international women on Saturdays at 11am-12noon. This group is open to all women, regardless of fitness level. We focus on developing coordination, flexibility and strength.

• 14.11. Asahi and mobility
• 15.12. Asahi and mobility

The results of the SYL and SAMOK FSHS survey have been published!

In spring 2026, SYL and SAMOK carried out a survey amongst higher education students on the state of student healthcare and the need for its development. A total of 1,702 higher education students responded to the survey.

The results of the survey show that students use the services provided by the Finnish Student Health Service and have a largely positive attitude towards them. The main findings of the survey revealed concerns about receiving care after graduation, wishes that there was a wider range of services provided by the FSHS, and positive initial experiences of the new service platform YTHSDigi.

SYL: Accessibility is a precondition for equality in studies and student life

The task of the National Union of University Students in Finland is to look after the interests of all university students, whether they have a disability or not. To be able to ensure that equality is realised on campuses, we need an assessment of the challenges and needs faced by students with disabilities. University should be a place where everyone has a real opportunity to study, participate and belong to the community. The possibility to complete a degree and participate in the activities of the university community must not depend on what kind of body, functional capacity or way of learning the student has.

Campus libraries offer season tickets to Kataja Basket, Josba and Kiekko-pojat matches that can be borrowed!

Students and staff at the University of Eastern Finland are encouraged to enjoy some sports, this time as spectators!  

Two season tickets for Kataja Basket, two for Josba and two for Kiekko-Pojat are available to borrow from the Joensuu Campus Library.  

Check the match schedules on the teams’ own websites:

• Kataja Basket: match schedule
• Josba: match schedule
• Kiekko-Pojat: match schedule

First-year student, please complete the HealthStart questionnaire in YTHSDigi

If you started completing your first degree at an institution of higher education in the autumn semester 2026, we ask you to complete the HealthStart questionnaire in YTHSDigi. 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.

Pop-up dinners on university campuses

Come along to enjoy great company and to taste delicious menu created by Food & Co culinary chefs for only 10 euros (non-students 12 €). Feel free to join us on your own or with friends – every table welcomes both familiar faces and new acquaintances.

• Joensuu Campus Bistro 3 November 

International House Party @ Educa

UEF international representatives and JEIS welcome you to the annual International House Party at E200 on November 12 from 7pm until 11pm! This year we are throwing a birthday party so dress accordingly and join us for a fun evening of Finnish birthday party games and other activities!

Tickets go on sale on Kide.app this week on October 26. The price (8€) includes snacks, vegan food and an exclusive overalls patch. Bring your own drinks!

The afterparty will be held at Bepop.

Global Friday

Joensuun Setlementti organises Global Friday, a multicultural and international meeting place activity. At Global Friday you can get to know new people and cultures, express your own culture in the way you want or just enjoy being together.

Global Friday is a place open to everyone and free of charge, which takes place every Friday from 5 to 8pm in the Tupa space of Joensuun Setlementti.

The next Global Fridays will be on November 6th and November 20th.

Queer art workshops 31.10. and 7.11.

Two queer art workshops to celebrate the autumn! The workshops will be held in English, with Finnish available as a support language. The workshops are free of charge. You can take part in either one or both workshops.

Workshops are hosted by indie comic artist and illustrator Natalie Heinrich (Berlin, Germany), who wants to share her fascination with the power of art and community.

Workshops are at Pohjois-Karjala Seta office, Torikatu 9 A, 2nd floor:

• Comic workshop 31.10. at 12-17
• Zine workshop 7.11. at 12-17

Read more and register to events on Seta's website!

North Karelia Seta's events

Game nights & Dungeons and Dragons -gatherings

• Game Fridays are open evening gatherings for everyone, where you can play games brought by the facilitators or bring your own.
• At community space Tove, Torikatu 9 A, 2nd floor
• Board game nights every other week from 5 pm to 7 pm. Next time on 30 October.
• D&D night every other week from 6:30 pm to 8. Next time on 6 November.

English speaking LGBTQIA+ hangouts

• At community space Tove, Torikatu 9 A, 2nd floor
• Two times a month on Mondays at 5–7 pm. Next time on 2 November.
• Coffee, tea and snacks provided. Free of charge. Bring a friend!

Since AI Hackathon | Turku, Finland | 6–8 November 2026

Join a global AI building weekend in Finland! Work with international teammates on 15 real company AI challenges, learn practical tools, build a real portfolio project and compete for €50,000 in total prizes. Our goal is to bring 1,000+ builders together, and Google's Web AI Lead Jason Mayes will be there in person.

You don't need a team or advanced AI experience to apply. Students from different backgrounds are welcome. Free for selected applicants aged 18+, with travel and accommodation self-funded. The event takes place in person in Turku.

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.