Happy Tuesday!

Have you already checked out our club selection?

ISYY Clubs are non-profit free-time communities that operate under the Student Union (ISYY). Clubs are established by UEF students. Our Clubs are there to bring more joy and meaning to student life, and every member of ISYY is welcome to attend any activities and events organised by them. You can get to know ISYY Clubs from the campus specific listings.

ISYY clubs in Joensuu 

Do you enjoy learning languages?

The registration for this semester's Language Cafe's is now open at our website! 

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

Language Cafe selection of spring 2026 is here!

Do you want to learn a new language, brush up on your old skills and meet new people? Language Cafés are the perfect opportunity for you!

The idea of the language cafés is to provide an informal platform for students to both learn and teach languages in a relaxed manner. If you complete a couple of assignments during the Language Café, you can earn 1 ECT as a participant. Register to the cafés through this Google Form on Sunday 1 February at the latest.

The following Language Cafés are available in the spring semester in Joensuu:

• German (Beginner level, ECTs available)
• Japanese 1 (Beginner level, ECTs available)
• Japanese 2 (Beginner level, ECTs available)
• Spanish (Beginner level, ECTs available)

Six applications for the Secretary General's vacancy

ISYY received six applications for the Secretary General's vacancy during the application period. ISYY's Executive Board decided in its meeting 22 January 2026 to call four applicants for interviews:

• Juutilainen Teemu
• Mirola Hannele
• Parviainen Kalle
• Pylkkänen Henna

The interviews will be held on Wednesday 11 February 2026 in Kuopio. The new Secretary General will be chosen in the Representative Councils meeting on Sunday 1 March 2026.

ECTS credits from 2025 positions of trust can now be applied

According to the accepted education plan of UEF, a student can be given ECTS credits for participating in student association or ISYY club work, for acting in the administrative body or working groups of the Student Union, University or in another body of a cooperating organisation or for participating in international association or ISYY club work.

ISYY has now opened the application period for ECTS credits for the positions of trust 2025. The ECTS credits can be applied until the end of Sunday 1 March 2026.

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 27 January forward at 4-6pm at Agora Café. On today’s program we have Board Games!

Coffee & Friends programme:

• 3.2. Speed Friending 
• 10.2. Valentine’s Day Crafts 
• 17.2. Relaxing and Colouring

Whole spring’s programme will be updated on ISYY’s webpage as the planning progresses.

Apply to ISYY’s Annual Celebration team by 1 February!

Do you love Annual Celebrations? Do you want to be involved in implementing ISYY's traditions or even developing something completely new? If organising events is your thing and you want to be involved in making ISYY's 2026 Annual Celebration, this team is for you! 

ISYY's Annual Celebration will be held on 21 and 22 March 2026 in Joensuu, and we are searching for around four motivated members to our event team! The Annual Celebration team assists with preparations for the event and its execution during the anniversary weekend. 

Read more and apply to our team by 1 February 2026 on ISYY’s website! 

ISYY is recruiting student representatives for positions of trust at UEF

Who would be better to represent students than another student? Would you like to be that person and take part in university decision-making?

ISYY has published call for applicants for following positions:

• Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology (3 deputy representatives)
• Philosophical Faculty (1 deputy representative)
• University Collegium (2 deputy representatives)
• Education Leadership Group (1 representative and 1 deputy representative)
• Language Centre s Development Group (2 representatives and 2 deputy representatives)

You can later apply for ETCS's from these positions. And of course, you ll gain experience in decision-making! In the Faculty Council, University Collegium and Education Leadership Group you will also receive monetary compensation when attending the meetings.

Interested? Read more from ISYY website, get to know the application call and apply by Monday 2 February 12 (noon).

Suggest a stop for the 2026 Savo-Karjala Excursion

We are currently planning the 2026 Savo-Karjala Excursion, and we would love to hear your ideas!

Savo-Karjala Excursion is one of the most known and popular ISYY Vappu (May Day) events and it’s held every year 29th April. The Bus Excursion will go around Savo-Karjala area (the area between and around Kuopio and Joensuu) on a predetermined route and its pubs, bars and restaurants. The route remains as a secret until the buses start their journey.

We are looking for suggestions for a stop along the excursion route – especially local restaurants or unique places that we might not otherwise discover when planning the itinerary (e.g. on last year's excursion the participants had an opportunity to visit the Moomin Ice Cave).

If you know a place that could add something special to the excursion experience, don’t hesitate to share your suggestion. All ideas are welcome, and your recommendation might become part of this year's excursion!

The questionnaire closes on Sunday 8 February.

ISYY Club Meetings

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

• Magic The Gathering Guild Mon 3 pm - 8 pm
• JEIS Joensuu's Exchange and International Students Mon 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm (at the University of Eastern Finland, Aurora Building, AU207)
• Luomio! Literary Arts Club Tue 6 pm - 8 pm
• JOOJAKU Japanese Culture Club Wed 4 pm - 8 pm
• Joensuu Board Gamers Thu 3 pm - 8 pm
• ISYY Chess Club Fri 4 pm - 8 pm

Sport buddy for the spring!

Would you like to start attending a group exercise class, but feel intimidated to go there alone? Would you like to have a friend to chat with while jogging? Would you like to practice a sport but can’t do it alone? With the Sports Buddy service, we strive to bring together students interested in the same sports, and to lower the threshold of participating in instructed exercise classes.

SYKETTÄ Sports Services in Joensuu offers the Sports Buddy service to all university students, who would like to exercise with a friend. We want to connect students interested in the same sports with the Sports Buddy service. No SYKETTÄ membership is required to use the Sports Buddy service.

Fill the Sports Buddy questionnaire and we will find a suitable Sports Buddy for you. You can find the application from here.

February Events

During February, SYKETTÄ offers several fun and varied events that you can join free and  without a SYKETTÄ membership.

• On Saturday 14.2. We will celebrate Valentine’s Day with a sports event that includes group exercises classes as well as a badminton match. You are welcome to bring a friend who does not have a valid SYKETTÄ membership, so you can enjoy shared moments of exercise together!
• On Tuesday 17.2. A Sports Afternoon will be organized, offering a wide range of activities and the opportunity to try new sports. During the Sports Afternoon, you can also take part in physical activity tests, with two different test options available.
• On Wednesday 18.2. The Winter Classic ice hockey game will take place at PKS Arena starting at 6:30 PM. The evening promises a great sporting atmosphere and a shared experience for all students in Joensuu.

More information about the events will be published on the SYKETTÄ website and on Instagram!

Access codes to SYKETTÄ gyms

Four gyms are available in SYKETTÄ Sports Services: Portti54, the Aurora gym on the UEF campus, the Tikkarinne gym at the Karelia UAS Tikkarinne campus and the Joensuu Areena gym. A valid SYKETTÄ membership is required to use the gyms. Access rights to all gyms (except Aurora gym) are applied for on a separate form. You can find gym opening hours and important information about the facilities on the SYKETTÄ website in the Facilities section.

Access rights to gyms are valid according to the validity of the SYKETTÄ membership, i.e. the form must be filled out again every time you purchase a new SYKETTÄ membership. You cannot use the gym facilities without a valid SYKETTÄ sticker!

You can find the form here!

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!

Remember to cancel any unused EXAM visits – responsible booking benefits everyone!

An exam visit gives you flexibility and the opportunity to take your exam at a location that suits you – even in another city. This service makes studying easier and offers more options, but available seats are limited.

Please keep these in mind:

• An exam visit is an additional service, not an automatic right – a seat cannot always be guaranteed at your preferred time.
• The service is free for you, but the university pays for every reservation – including unused ones.
• So please cancel any unused reservation in the EXAM system – this frees the slot for another student.

Thank you for acting responsibly – it improves exam opportunities for all students!

Student Tutors Needed for Next Autumn Semester! 

If you study in a Bachelor s or a Master s degree programme at UEF and you are interested in helping the new students in Autumn Semester 2026, you can apply as a student tutor.

The student tutor helps the new students to have a smooth start for their studies. Tutoring offers many opportunities to learn, for example to develop your communication and coordinating skills. The tutors will be trained for the job, and they will receive credits and a certificate on tutoring.

The applications are open until  1 Feb 2026.

Sessions Talent - Novapolis, Kuopio 4.2.2026

Are you looking for a job, summer work, or an internship? Interested in entrepreneurship, or searching for a suitable thesis topic? Sessions Talents gives you the opportunity to connect directly with experts from companies and education providers.

Check the day's program and participating companies online, no registration needed!

Sessions Talents is open and free for all and there is no need for a registration. However, if you need a free bus drive from Joensuu to Kuopio and back, then please reserve your seat here! 

Participating employers:

Tiimihenki,  Saimaa Audit,  Envineer, Novapolis, SOL Palvelut, RPS Brewing, Snellman EDU, Peeässä, Osuma Personnel Services,  Hydroline, Beckhoff Automation, Finnish Defence Forces, SOL Personnel Services, GE HealthCare Finland, Advania Finland, Nordcloud, HaVe Living Solutions, Mantox Solutions and more

First-year student, please complete the HealthStart questionnaire in the Self online service

If you started completing your first degree at an institution of higher education in the spring semester 2026, you can now complete the HealthStart questionnaire in the Self online service. 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.

Check out our info page for new students on the FSHS website

How can I contact FSHS? When can I use FSHS services? What services does FSHS offer? You’ll find answers to these and many other questions in the information package for new students on the FSHS website. Check out the page and get to know FSHS!

Winter Market Day 14.2.2026

Welcome to enjoy a joyful Winter Day for the whole family at Joensuu Market Square on Valentine’s Day, Saturday 14 February 2026, 8-16.

The event will feature vendors, exhibitors, and activities for all ages.

Want to travel to Saariselkä or Lofoten this spring semester?

Want to travel to Saariselkä or Lofoten this spring semester with Timetravels and Joensuu's Exchange and International Students club?

Sales to these wonderful trips have now begun. You can sign up to these trips with the early bird price until 1.2. (Lapland) or 12.2. (Lofoten).

 Signing up for the trips is done through Timetravels.

YUFE Online Language Cafés are back!

Looking to improve your foreign language skills in a relaxed, international way? The YUFE Online Language Cafés (OLCs) meet once a week for 90 minutes, moderated by a student tutor, and focused on real life communication and interaction.

Each week, you’ll explore a new topic with other language learners from across Europe. No pressure, just conversation.

• Languages available: Dutch - English - French - German - Spanish
• Deadline: 8 February
• Courses start: Week of 16 February
• Courses are held online via our Virtual Campus.

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.