Happy Tuesday!

As you might have noticed, the Election day of ISYY's Representative Council elections is almost here! ISYY members have the right to vote via the electronic election system on 6 November between 8 am and 4 pm. Vote for the student that best represents you to ISYY's highest decicion-making body, the Representative Council.

Not satisfied with just voting? Want to do more influential, hands-on work? Apply to the ISYY Executive Board 2025! Each member of the Executive Board has a specific area of responsibility and a sector they work with e.g. affairs of social policy, communications, academic affairs or international affairs. As a Board member, you have a chance to influence the activities of the Student Union and determine how the Student Union can evolve. You also have a chance to influence the issues at the university. During the year, the Board members have meetings regularly, travel around Finland cooperating with other Student Unions as well as represent the Student Union in different events, meetings and committees. Read more about the application process to the Board on ISYY's website!

In addition to the Election Day, this week also includes Father’s Day, known in Finland as Isänpäivä, which is celebrated each year on the second Sunday of November. While many countries have Father’s Day in June, Finland has chosen a unique date, which brings warmth and appreciation into the middle of the autumn season. This special day is for putting aside time to honor fathers and father figures.

Have a nice week!

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

Cast your vote on 6 November!

The ninth ISYY Representative Council Elections are held on Thursday 6 November. During advance voting only 13.59 % voted, which means less than a fifth of ISYY's members has impacted on who is deciding about everyone's matters. You have a right to vote if you are a member of ISYY and registered as a present student by 20 October.

Voting happens at ISYY's electronic voting system, and to vote you only need a computer, phone or tablet with internet connection. Super easy! Voting is open on actual election day Thursday 6 November from 8:00 am to 4:00pm.

Still thinking who to vote? Get to know the candidates on Candidate Gallery or fill in the Voting Aid operetated by SYL.

After you have voted, you can get an overall patch from the ISYY office!

Why you should use your right to vote?

You are paying the ISYY Membership Fee yearly, which has now been 73 € for this academic year. ISYY has in total over 15 000 members in Joensuu and Kuopio. With these elections you are choosing 39 students to represent all of our members in the ISYY Council for the next two years. The ISYY Council decides e.g.:

• The amount of ISYY Membership Fee
• How the collected fee is used (ISYY's Budget)
• What ISYY does (ISYY´s Action Plan)
• Who represents students in UEF administration
• What are ISYY's values in questions considering student's life (ISYY's Value Paper)
• Additionally the ISYY Council decides e.g. about ISYY's Strategy, Environmental Programme and Equality Plan which works as a base for all of our actions

Someone always decides. Use your right to vote and vote a candidate, who you want to be deciding about these things! Voting is open on actual election day Thursday 6 November from 8:00 am to 4:00pm.

The Election Night celebrations take place this year in the ISYY offices in both Joensuu and Kuopio!

Join us on the Election Day 6 November to wait for the results starting at 4 pm! Who will get the most votes? Will the power balances shift between the lists and which new lists will rise to the Council? Which list will have the most votes? Join and you'll be first to hear.

ISYY's Election Night will be held on 6 November starting at 4 pm in ISYY offices. The addresses are:

• Joensuu, Suvantokatu 6
• Kuopio, Yliopistonranta 15 (Lukema)

All ISYY members are warmly welcome to join the occasion!

ISYY does not support organising orientation earlier

The University of Eastern Finland has planned to organise the orientation earlier in August. ISYY's Executive Board collected opinions about bringing the orientation forward from student associations through the Councils of Chairpersons. Based on this feedback, ISYY's Executive Board formed this opinion. The opinion has been forwarded to the UEF Education Management Group, which is preparing the possible change in orientation.

The opinion is published on ISYY's website.

Extended Application Call: Student Representatives to UEF Administrative Bodies for the term 2026-2027!

Do you want to participate in UEF decision-making and represent us, students of UEF? Now we have a perfect chance for you! You can later apply for ETCS's from these positions and you will also receive a monetary compensation when attending the meeting. ISYY has published an extended call for Student Representatives, or how we call them Halloped's in ISYY, for the next term 2026-2027 for the following bodies:

• UEF Collegiate Body: five (5) deputy representatives
• Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology: five (5) deputy representatives
• Faculty of Health Sciences: one (1) deputy representative
• Philosophical Faculty: three (3) deputy representatives

Interested? Read more from ISYY website, get to know the application calls and apply by 12 November 2025 at 12 (noon).

Let's build a better ISYY together!

Are you ready to make an impact on students’ lives and build a community full of enthusiasm and opportunities? If that’s the case, there is a position open for you in ISYYs Executive Board!

A year on the ISYY Board is a unique opportunity to network across campus cities and study fields during your student years and have a tangible impact on both the student life at UEF and nationally. The Board is committed to advancing students’ interests, organising events, and fostering a sense of community among university students.

Being a part of ISYY Board allows you to develop your skills in the working life and team collaboration, create friendships and useful connections across disciplines, and influence decisions that affect all students. Join us in building a better ISYY together!

Apply by the end of 17 November!

Clothes Swap-event in Joensuu

Do you have clothes you don’t wear anymore? This is your chance to give your wardrobe a fresh update!

The Clothes Swap-event will be organized on both campuses in November. Bring a maximum of five (5) clothes you don’t use and exchange them for another piece of clothing. The clothes must be in good condition, since we will not accept broken or dirty clothes. This is a great way to promote sustainability and at the same time meet like-minded people!

At Joensuu campus, the event will be organized at Natura lobby and N101 on Thursday 13 November at 2.30-4.30 pm. 

Save the date and spread the word! 

ISYY International Christmas Party

Christmas is approaching and elves will be peeking through the windows…Now is a great time to gather and share the Christmas spirit, as ISYY, ESN Savo and JEIS are organising an international Christmas party on both campuses!

The event details:

• Joensuu: Thursday, 20.11. from 5 pm to 8 pm, at Suvas (Suvantokatu 6)

The evening's programme will include Christmas baking and treats, as well as playful competitions – not to forget amazing prizes! So grab your friends and, if you like, a Santa hat, and come spend this Christmas party with us. 

The event welcomes all UEF students, both Finnish and international! However, spaces are limited, so please register as soon as possible in Kide.app. The event is free.

ISYY Club Meetings

All currently listed club meetings (except JEIS meetings) are held weekly in ISYY's club room at ISYY's office located near the city centre (Suvantokatu 6, 80100 Joensuu) except the JEIS meeting. The club meeting list will be updated as new club meeting times and locations are confirmed by the clubs.

More information and a full list of ISYY's clubs in Joensuu can be found on ISYY's webpage:

• MtG (Magic: the Gathering) Guild Mon 3 pm - 8 pm
• Joensuu's Exchange and International Students Mon 5 pm - 6:30 pm
  • On Campus, Aurora-building, room AU102
• LUOMIO! (Literary Arts Club) Tue 6 pm - 8 pm
• JOOJAKU (Japanese Culture Club) Wed 4 pm - 8 pm
• Joensuu Board Gamers meeting Thu 3 pm - 8 pm
  • This week no meeting on Thursday, the meeting is on Saturday 1 pm - 8 pm!
• Chess Club Fri 4 pm - 8 pm

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!

Registration for spring 2026 is now open

Registration for spring 2026 started on 1 November 2025 and 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.

Bachelor’s and Master’s students: If your study right is ending on 31.12.2025 and you need an extension to finish your degree, you need to apply for it now

Check the end date of your study right in Peppi. If your study right ends on 31.12.2025 and you need to apply for extension, you need to fill out the application during October. Separate reminders on this will not be send. Check the end date of your study right in Peppi on the Study datas-tab.

November exchange application period is open!

In November, students may apply for exchanges during AY 2065/27. Application period is open from 1-17 Nov 2025.

Included in the application period are bilateral exchanges, ISEP exchange, and north2north program. More information about applying is in Kamu’s calls for applications.

More information about student exchange options is in Kamu’s Study Abroad pages.

Apply and see the world!

Degree student: remember to pay Kela fee 

The fee must be paid by all students who are completing a degree at a Finnish institution of higher education and have registered as attending for the term in question.

• Use the OmaKela e-service to pay the healthcare fee. In October 2025, Kela will send a letter to students who have registered as attending for the autumn term but have not yet paid the healthcare fee.
• The healthcare fee is 35.60€ per term.
• The due date for the autumn term is 15 November, if you register as attending by 30 September.
• If you cannot use OmaKela for instance because you do not have Finnish banking credentials, please pay the fee to Kela as a bank transfer.

Joensuu's Exchange and International Students events in November

• 4.11. Kekri
• 8.11. International Dinner
• 11.11. Overall patch sewing & Karaoke
• 13.11. International Music Night @BePop
• 20.11. ISYY x JEIS International Christmas Party + International Music Night @BePop
• 22.11. Koli trip
• 26.11. JEIS x Marks Game night

More information on the events can be found from our Instagram: jeis_isyy

Safety & Security Event: Discover Finnish Police Services

On Thursday, 6.11.2025 at 4.30 pm- 7 pm the Sirkkala Sports Center (Sirkkalantie 12 B) will host a Safety & Security Event mainly meant for international families and students.

Join us to learn about the Police Services in Finland. In addition, representatives from Finnish Customs, along with the award-winning service dog, Joppe, will participate in the event.

Event Programme

• 4:30-5:30 PM Outdoor and Indoor activity points for the whole family (Police, Customs, Kieku)
• 5:30-7:00 PM Police talk: key topics for middle school students, college students and adults.
• 5:30-7:00 PM Fun activities for elementary students and youth at outdoor and indoor activity points

What attracted you to come and study in Finland?

Has living in Finland matched your expectations? How could housing services for international students be improved?

SOA - The Finnish Association for Student Housing Organisations is seeking 2-4 international degree students to join a panel discussion on your expectations and experiences of living in Finland. The panel, held on 10th December at 11.15am, is a part of training event for SOA members' customer service staff and seeks to deepen student housing providers' understading of the international experience. Participants will get a 40€ gift card to S-groups stores as a thank you. If you're interested, please fill in this form: https://forms.gle/fSvjGmzr8QQAjA3w8

SOA is the national organisation for non-profit student housing providers. Joensuun Ellin kodit is the local SOA member in Joensuu. 

For further information, please contact Lauri Lehtoruusu (lauri.lehtoruusu@soa.fi)

Participate in the QueerMieli project’s survey on study information systems and the respect for the right to self-identify within higher education

One of the most frequently raised concerns by LGBTQIA+ students in the QueerMieli project relates to study information systems used in Finnish higher education institutions (such as Peppi and Sisu), where the registered name and gender may not match how the student wishes to be addressed in everyday situations. Changing this information within the systems is often difficult or even impossible, resulting e.g., in students being frequently misgendered or misnamed in teaching settings. This may cause problems also among students, who have a name form or legal sex marker that differs from the alternatives recognized in the Finnish population data system.

The project is now conducting an anonymous survey to collect students’ experiences with the study information systems and the respect for the right to self-identify. The goal is to gather data to support advocacy work on this issue. We welcome responses especially from those directly affected by these problems. The survey is open until 9 November and can be completed in Finnish, Swedish or English.

AaltoGamers CS2 Masters 2025 is here!

Gather a team of friends and get ready to compete against the best teams in the Finnish student Counter Strike scene for your share of the 800€ prize pool!

TEAM SIGN-UP HERE

(Deadline on. 17.11. OR when 32 teams have signed up)

• Qualifiers - Saturday 22.11.
• Finals - Saturday 29.11.
• Aalto Gamers Discord
• Streamed on twitch.tv/aaltogamers

Rules and more info on our website. All skill levels are welcome, but note that 3 out of 5 players are required to be university (or AMK) students!

Psst, You can look for teammates on our Discord!

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.