Happy Tuesday! 

Winter break is almost here! The sun has been showing its face more often lately, which is a guaranteed sign that spring is on its way. This Saturday, we fly the flag for Kalevala Day, also known as the Day of Finnish Culture. You can read more about the topic here.

P.S. This week's newsletter covers weeks 9 and 10. The Weekly Feed isn't published next week because of the winter holidays.

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

ISYY offices are closed next week 2.–8.3.2026 

Because of Finnish Winter holiday, ISYY offices are closed next week (2.–8.3.). The loan periods for all sports and hobby equipment loaned during this ongoin week will be automatically extended to the next opening day, Monday 9 March.

This week we are at your service with our regular opening hours:

• Mon, Tue and Thu: 10–12(noon), 13–15
• Wed: 12(noon)–16
• Fri: closed

During winter holiday week, emails and phone calls will be answered with a delay.

ISYY Council meeting 1/2026 on Sun 1 March

ISYY Council will hold their first meeting of the year on Sunday 1 March at 9 am in Rauhalahti, Kuopio.

In the meeting, the ISYY Council will, among other things, elect members for the Rules Committee and Finance Committee, decide the amount of remuneration for the Chairpersons of the Representative Council, and recruit Secretary General for the Student Union.

Get yourself the Student Union Ribbon!

Are you planning to attend the Annual Celebration of ISYY or for example a Student Association? As a member of ISYY you are entitled to wear our Student Union Ribbon.

The Student Union Ribbon is sold from ISYY office’s to our members. Price: 4€/meter.

The Student Union Ribbon is a symbol of our Student Union that is worn in academic celebrations. It is worn either over the right shoulder to the hip or in the left bodice. From the link below you can find instructions how to fold and sew the rosette.

Today at Coffee & Friends: BINGO

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 at 4-6pm at Agora Café. 

Coffee & Friends programme:

• 3.3 Winter Holiday, no Coffee&Friends this week
• 10.3. Students’ Mental Health Week
• 17.3. Equality and Inclusion week

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

ISYY: The possibility of having multiple study rights must be preserved!

The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland is dismayed that, despite numerous critical statements, the government led by Petteri Orpo has continued to advance the so called “one study place rule.”

– Students are the workforce and leaders of the future, which is why limiting their opportunities limits the adaptability and flexibility of the future workforce. Especially leaders are expected to have broad expertise and multidisciplinary skills. Therefore the government’s proposal does not reflect the needs of the future working life, comments Maria Rossi, ISYY’s Board Member responsible for Academic Affairs.

ISYY Clubs in Joensuu

ISYY Clubs are open for all of our members. ISYY's club room is located at our office 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.

ISYY Club meetings at Suvantokatu

Monday  4 pm - 9 pm: Magic The Gathering Guild

Tuesday 6 pm - 8 pm: LUOMIO! Literary Arts Club

Wednesday 4 pm - 8 pm: JOOJAKU Japanese Culture Club

Thursday 4 pm - 9 pm: Joensuu Board Gamers

Friday 4 pm - 8 pm: ISYY Chess Club

Other ISYY Club meetings

Monday 4 pm - 6:30 pm: Bible Club (Natura, N110)

Monday 4:30 pm - 6 pm: JEIS Joensuu's Exchange and International Students (Aurora, AU207)

Exceptions in schedules during the spring break week!

In week 10 (2–8.3.), guided classes and bookings in the City of Joensuu sports facilities will be on a break, with a few exceptions. Gyms and ball sport sessions in SYKETTÄ’s own facilities will operate as usual. 

We offer the following group fitness classes:

• Mon 2.3. 6:00–7:00 PM  EveryBody Move at Tulliportinkatu School
• Wed 4.3. 6:30–8:00 PM  Kickboxing at Mehtimäki Hall

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!

Announcement to students: The Moodle provider for the University of Eastern Finland is changing – new Moodle to be launched in autumn 2026

The provider of the Moodle learning environment (elearn.uef.fi) at the University of Eastern Finland will change. The aim is to improve the reliability and usability, as well as to increase its potential for use.

The new UEF Moodle is aimed to be launched in August 2026. The change will be made as smooth as possible for students. All previous course completions and assessments will be automatically transferred to the new Moodle, no action is required from students.

True Cost - call to find International Students to Interview for SYLs advocacy campaign around international student employment and livelihood

Are you an international student in Finland? Share your experience. SYL is looking for international students to take part in the True Cost campaign, highlighting real experiences of studying, employment, livelihood and integration in Finland. The interviews will be conducted remotely in March–April, last 30–45 minutes, and are fully anonymous. SYL will raffle a set of noise cancelling headphones among the participants to the interviews.

Sign up by 6 March – find more information and the link to the form below.

Students’ Mental Health Week: Pop‑Up Events on Campus

Students’ Mental Health Week will be held this year during week 11 (9–15 March 2026). The theme of the campaign this year is faith in the future.UEF will take part in the campaign by organizing a mental health week pop‑up event on both campuses:

Kuopio: Tuesday 10 March, 11:00–13:00 in the Canthia lobby

Joensuu: Thursday 12 March, 11:00–13:00 in the Carelia lobby

Come join us for coffee and conversations about your thoughts related to the future. If you wish, you can also visit the accessible exam room.

The event features UEF guidance and student wellbeing services (study psychologists, career counselling, special education teacher), the Language Centre, the Library, campus pastors, FSHS student health services, ISYY Student Union, and Sykettä sports services.

Degree student: remember to pay healthcare fee for students in higher education

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.
• The healthcare fee is EUR 35.35 per term.
• It must be paid for both the spring and autumn terms.
• The due date for the spring term is 15 March, if you register as attending by 31 January.
• 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.

Study Buddies group on Joensuu campus

In the Study Buddies group, you get to study together with others and try out the Pomodoro technique. In the group, everyone will work independently on what is currently timely in their studies, be it writing, reading or other types of assignments. The Study Buddies group is open for all UEF students on the Joensuu campus. You do not need to register beforehand, you can just show up.

Stand Out in the Digital Job Market !

Open workshop for international students - Digital Skills in a Changing Job Market

• Date: 26 February
• Time: 14:00 - 16:00
• Venue: UEF Futura Building, Hall 210, Joensuu

This practical workshop is designed to help international students better understand current job market expectations and learn how to present their skills effectively to employers.

Key focus areas include

• LinkedIn profile clinics
• Building modern, job-ready portfolios
• Mapping digital skills to specific job fields

The event is free of charge. 

How is your living experience impacting your wellbeing? Take part in our Student Living Survey & win EUR500

Dear Student, we want to hear from you! Your student living experience plays a big role in your well-being, and by taking just a few minutes to complete our Student Living Survey, you’ll help shape the future of student housing while also getting a chance to win €500!

This survey is completely anonymous and focuses on key aspects of student life, including housing, finances, mental health, and social well-being. Please note: At the end, you’ll have the option to provide your email if you wish to enter the prize draw.

Welcome to answer a survey on the employment of international students!

The survey is part of a study conducted with research funding from the Prime Minister’s Office concerning the employment of international students from the perspective of regional labour needs.

The purpose of this survey is to gain an understanding of what international students think about employment in the region where they are studying, or more generally in Finland.

This survey is aimed at international bachelor’s and master’s degree students (excluding doctoral students) who are studying or have studied at Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences.

Please answer the survey by 27.2.2026 at the latest.

You can answer the survey using the link below

• in English: https://eu.research.net/r/international-students_survey
• in Finnish: https://fi.eu.research.net/r/kv-opiskelijat_kysely

The survey takes about 10–15 minutes to complete.

Social Value Creation through Entrepreneuring , organized by the University of Turku 16.3. - 3.5.2026

Register on Peppi at the latest Sun 8th March (cross-institutional courses)
The course gives the students an understanding of the role of entrepreneuring in creating social value as well as in fixing wicked local and global problems. The students will learn how social challenges can be addressed with entrepreneurial activity in various organisational contexts (commercial and social enterprises, co-operatives, public organisations, and NGOs). They will also understand the role of individuals as change agents and value creators in complex institutional settings. The course will provide the students with skills of recognising a social problem and developing a solution that involves entrepreneurial action.

The course comprises such topics as “what social value is and how it is created” and “entrepreneuring individuals and organisations as creators of social value”. Selected practical cases are used to shed light on the role of entrepreneurial activities in fighting social ills, enacting opportunities, and creating social value.

Further information and the CNS Study Guide (in English at the end):

The Joensuu Chamber Orchestra

The Joensuu Chamber Orchestra is looking for new string and wind instrument players! Join the orchestra's activities and joint practices. You can find more information about practice times and locations on our website. Come and share the joy of music with us!

Open hangout nights organized by local LGBTQIA+ rights NGO North Karelia Seta

Open hangout nights organized by local LGBTQIA+ rights NGO North Karelia Seta. Coffee, tea and snacks provided. Free of charge. Bring a friend!

Meetings in spring 2026

• March: 2.3. and 23.3. 
• April: 20.4. 
• May: 11.5. and 25.5. 

For more information, contact group leader: hangouts.seta@gmail.com

Global Fridays @ Joensuun Setlementti

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.

Global Fridays during Spring 2026:

• 20.3.
• 17.4.
• 15.5.

Our Tupa is located in our premises at Siltakatu 10 A 13, 5th floor (access by stairs and lift). The activity instructors plan the activities together with the visitors based on their ideas and needs.

Kontiolahti Biathlon World Cup 2026 2.-8.3.2026

The event look has now made a striking arrival in the center of Joensuu – Biathlon flags and banderoles are waving above the streets, bringing the competition atmosphere into full view. Event flags will also be set up at the market square.

Free public transportation

On each competition day, the easiest way to reach the stadium is by taking the bus, which drops you off right near the main gate. From Joensuu city center, the buses depart from Torikatu, next to the market square. You can find the bus schedules here.

Where do winter, biathlon and appro’s come together?

At Biathlon Bash, of course!

Students, this one’s for you! Come experience the World Cup atmosphere of biathlon, complete checkpoint challenges and enjoy a unique and completely new kind of student event at the Kontiolahti Biathlon Stadium on March 5, 2026!

What: Biathlon Bash

Where: Kontiolahti Biathlon Stadium

When: Thursday, March 5, 2026

Who: All students

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.