Happy Tuesday!

If you're a degree student at UEF, remember to pay the FSHS fee by 15 November! 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. You do not have to pay the healthcare fee if you have social security coverage in another EU or EEA country, Switzerland, Great Britain, Northern Ireland or the EU. In this case, you can use the services of the FSHS even if you do not pay the healthcare fee. Read more about the payment from KELA's website.

• Do you want to participate in UEF decision-making and represent the students of UEF? The extended call for Student Representatives, or how we call them Halloped's in ISYY, for the next term 2026-2027 is ending tomorrow 12 November 2025 at 12 (noon). If you are interested, read more from ISYY's website and apply!
• On Thursday, we have the Clothes Swap -event in Joensuu. Bring a maximum of five clothes you don't use and exchange them for another piece of clothing. The event is organized at Natura Lobby and N101 on 13 November at 2.30-4.30 PM.

Have a nice week!

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

Congrats for the new ISYY Council!

You decided and the new ISYY Representative Council is now elected! The voter turnout for the ninth Representative Council elections of ISYY was 20.72%, which means 3,134 votes were cast during elections.

DeeKu and Itä-Suomen Vihreä Vasemmisto celebrate their electoral victory, DeeKu receiving 8 seats and Itä-Suomen Vihreä Vasemmisto 7 seats in the Council. Candidates who received the most votes were Janina Gunnar (172 votes) from DeeKu and Sara Koskinen (109 votes) from Terveystietelijät.

The new Representative Council will gather for the first time on 27 November 2025, when the members will for example choose the Chairpersons for the new Council and appoint the next year’s Executive Board. The Representative Council’s term for office is two years.

ISYY Representative Council Meeting's Decisions 6/2025

The ISYY Representative Council had its sixth meeting of the year on 28 October, and the minutes of the meeting are now available in Finnish on the ISYY’s website’s Documents section.

The Representative Council discussed ISYY’s membership fee for academic year 2026–2027 and selected Student Representatives for UEF Administrative Bodies. After debate, the membership fee was confirmed as proposed by the Board: 73 € for degree students and 56 € for postgraduate students (vote 21–11). The Council also appointed Student Representatives to bodies including the UEF Board, Collegiate Body, and Faculty Councils. Some positions remain open, and a supplementary application round is still open.

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.

Give feedback during ISYY's Smiles and Complaints Week

This autumn's Smiles and Complaints Week is held 17.–23.11.2025. During the Smiles and Complaints Week, you can give feedback via the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY) to ISYY, the University, FSHS (Finnish Student Health Service), Compass Group, or any other party involved in students’ life.

What deserves a smile? What’s wrong? What gives you grey hair? Tell us, and we’ll take your feedback forward! The feedback is given anonymously. You can give us feedback starting on Monday 17 October by filling in the electronic form.

ISYY's breakfast 2.12.

ISYY’s breakfasts are relaxed and communal events open to all UEF students. Enjoy a nutritious start to your day and meet fellow students! This autumn’s last breakfast will be held in campus restaurant Aura on 2.12. Registration for the breakfast starts on 18 November at 10.00 am in Kide.app.

Breakfast and workout @Portti54

SYKETTÄ Joensuu and ISYY are organising breakfast for UEF and Karelia students at the SYKETTÄ’s Portti54 gym on Tuesday 25 November from 8.30am to 9.45am. 

The breakfast starts with a beginner-friendly workout and after that we will enjoy a breakfast together. After breakfast, you can stay at the gym to work out. If you need help with the equipment, you can ask the SYKETTÄ sports councellor for advice.

Registration for the breakfast opens on Kide.app on Tuesday 10 November at 10.00am. You do not need a SYKETTÄ sticker to participate.

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!

General Assembly of SYL 14.-15.11.

Highest decision-making body of the National Union of the University Students in Finland (SYL) is the General Assembly. It meets once a year in November. SYL members – student unions – elect each one’s own delegation to decide on the union’s economy in the coming year as well as to elect the board for next year.

How many members of the delegation and how many votes it has depends on how many members the student union has. ISYY has 16 votes in the GA. ISYY's chair of the Executive Board, Emilia Enroth, is a candidate for the SYL Board 2026.
The General Assembly is held at Espoo Otaniemi on 14–15 November. The GA is typically streamed to SYL's YouTube-channel @sylvideot. ISYY is sending a delegation to the General Assembly of SYL.

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
• Chess Club Fri 4 pm - 8 pm

We are looking for new instructors for spring 2026!

Do you want to be part of the SYKETTÄ instructing team? We are looking for instructors, who are able to instruct a wide variety of classes. We are looking for instructors especially for early-morning water exercise classes and guided gym sessions. We are also open to new ideas, feel free to suggest anything.

Curling Course

Joensuu Curling is organizing a Student Curling Course in November, consisting of three guided sessions where participants will learn the basics of the sport as well as game strategy.

There are a limited number of spots available — 16 in total. The fee is €20 (payable by card or cash) at the hall during the first session. Address is Linnunlahdentie 14. You can find more information in the sports calendar, through which you can also register for the course!

Dates and times for the Student Curling Course:

• Tuesday, November 11, 6:00–7:30 PM
• Thursday, November 13, 6:00–7:30 PM
• Sunday, November 16, 3:00–5:00 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!

President Stubb at the Kuopio campus tomorrow 12 November

President Stubb to deliver a public lecture at the University of Eastern Finland on 12 November 2025.

In the afternoon, President Stubb will deliver a public lecture and meet local Kuopio residents in the auditorium of the Snellmania building at the University of Eastern Finland at 12.45.

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.

UEF Startup Day returns again to the Joensuu campus!

Held for the sixth time, the UEF Startup Day will once again gather startup cases from the University of Eastern Finland, people interested in entrepreneurship, and Joensuu’s startup stakeholders in the Carelia building lobby on Wednesday, November 26, from 10:00 to 14:00.

As in previous times, the event will showcase startup companies connected to UEF, entrepreneurship cases, and commercialization projects. In addition, participants will receive information about the entrepreneurship services and courses offered by the university and its partners. These services help students and researchers develop their own businesses, product or service ideas, as well as an entrepreneurial way of thinking.

The event is organized in cooperation with Joensuu Entrepreneurship Society (JoES).

Everyone interested in entrepreneurship is welcome – students, researchers, and staff members regardless of their field of study or educational background, as well as representatives of entrepreneurship-related stakeholder organizations.

The main language of the event is English. Pizza and coffee will be offered to those who register in advance by Monday, November 24!

Are you taking the SEB exam?

Remember to always update the Safe Exam Browser before the exam day! This way you will avoid unpleasant surprises and can fully concentrate on the exam.

Here's how it works:

1. Open the Safe Exam Browser website.

2. Install the latest version on your computer.

3. Done, good luck with the exam!

Instructions for updating are also available on the Teaching Pedagogical and digital Support website.

Wishing you stress-free exam times,

IT Support

Registration for spring 2026 is 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 still 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!

Jouluralliapprot

It's time to buy the last Christmas presents and seek the Christmas spirit with a glass of mulled wine with your fellow students before the holidays begin! Come and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere with the new appro!

WHERE: Shops, specialty stores, cafes, and restaurants in downtown Joensuu.
WHEN: December 4th, 2025
PRICE: €6/pass
START: Kerubi, 2–4 p.m.
FINISH: Kerubi, 6–8 p.m.
FOR WHOM: everyone!

More information: opossumiry@gmail.com

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)

You are cordially invited to the Wish Ball, where even your wildest wishes can come true!

22.11.2025 from 13:00 to 20:00, arrival from 12:00. Educa E200, Joensuu. Admission to the Historical Dance Ball is free. No ticket sales. We will dance requested dances and favorites from previous balls.

Dress code: clothes you have always wished you could wear.

Food will be a potluck and your own snacks.

More information can be found from our website and on Instagram @historiallinentanssijns

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

Joensuu Christmas Opening 16.11.2025

Joensuun Virta will host the official Christmas Opening of Joensuu at the Market Square on Sunday, November 16th. Joensuun Virta invites you to experience the magical spirit of Christmas at the Market Square, as Joensuu's official Christmas Opening takes over the square on Sunday, November 16!

The Christmas parade will set off from the yard of the Onni Art Museum at 2:45 PM, and the stage program at the square will begin at 3:00 PM.

The program will feature a variety of entertainment for the whole family:

• The funny characters of Theatre Traktori will delight audiences of all ages with their performances
• Voices of Metal choir will perform heavy metal and rock music
• Students from Eastern Finland School will showcase music and dance

The City’s Most Beautiful Christmas Window voting begins on Sunday, November 16.

The voting for the Most Beautiful Christmas Window competition begins during the Opening of the Christmas Season on Sunday, November 16, at heili.fi.

Take the Survey on Social Innovation

A Europe-wide survey explores what kinds of knowledge and skills are needed to develop better solutions to today’s societal challenges. The results will be used to design new learning materials. The survey is carried out by the European Social Innovation Campus (ESIC) project, co-funded by the European Union.

The survey is aimed at three target groups (approx. 20 minutes to complete) and is available in several languages.

Come and chat about student life!

Would you like to share thoughts and experiences about student life with other students? Feel free to join Nyyti’s group chats on Discord! Don’t worry about spelling or writing fluency – the most important thing is that you’re there!

The English-language group chats are organized twice during the fall semester. Chat is anonymous and free of charge. Nyyti’s volunteers or staff members will always be there to chat with you.

Mark the Upcoming Chats in Your Calendar:

• 6.11. How to find friends?

More information about Nyyti’s chat on their website.

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.