Happy Tuesday!

Now that there is no snow on the ground, you could try to play the Finnish outdoor game Mölkky. This is something you want to cross off your "only in Finland"-list! The game is very simple and you can play it with as many friends as you want. The goal is to collect exactly 50 points by throwing a wooden skittle and knocking over wooden pins that have numbers from 1 to 12. ISYY members can loan the game at the ISYY office for free!

Have a nice week!

Kind regards,
Elina
Coordinator of International Affairs

ISYY's Vappu Eve speeches

Speeches of the Student Union on Vappu Eve have been published on the ISYY website! The speeches carried a strong message of community and how student years shape us. We don't study just for our degrees; we grow as individuals, build lifelong friendships, and lay the foundation for a better tomorrow. There are lots of different people at the university, and despite that we are all part of the same community.

In Kuopio, the ISYY speech was given by Janina Gunnar, Chair of the ISYY Representative Council (left photo), and in Joensuu by Nox Herranen, 1st Vice Chair of the ISYY Representative Council (right photo).

ISYY is looking for new representatives for the YUFE Student Forum!

If you communicate well in English, are interested in student-centredness, equality, diversity and inclusivity in the core of making an impact, and you have at least one year left of studies before you graduate, YUFE might be just the right place for you!

As a YUFE Student Representative for UEF you'll:

• get to co-operate and network with other students and staff members across Europe
• strengthen your language skills and intercultural skills
• gain deeper understanding of Europe as an operational environment
• take part in creating something new and making regional educational history
• get a specific certificate of your activities (= a good addition to your CV)
• be eligible to apply for travel grants from UEF to participate in YUFE meetings.

Are you ready to take part in making history and changing the educational landscape of Europe? Read more from ISYY website, and send your application by Tuesday 19 May 2026 5 pm!

Welcome to ISYY's Interest Advocacy Coffee Break in Kuopio on Thursday 21 May!

ISYY’s Interest Advocacy Coffee Break in Kuopio is held on Thursday May 21 2026, from 1 pm to 3 pm in Lukema (Studentia Building, C-door, Yliopistonranta).

Interest Advocacy Coffee Break is a relaxed discussion event open to all members interested in student advocacy. The event offers an opportunity to share thoughts and discuss current issues related to student wellbeing, rights, and everyday life together with a representative of the ISYY board and student association actives. Light refreshments will be served. You don’t need to register for the event in advance.

This time the themes include ISYY’s bullying survey, and the summer income support, that has been widely discussed among students.

ISYY Member Survey open until Sunday

Earlier this spring we opened a Member Survey and we have now decided to extend its response time until Sunday 10 May at 23.59. The purpose of the survey is to collect data regarding how familiar (or not) our Student Union is, and how we can improve our services or events. Every response is important!

Filling up the survey takes approx. 10 minutes and it’s anonymous. After finishing the survey, you can leave your contact information via separate form to participate in the raffle. We will raffle a total of eight (8) S Group gift cards, each worth 50€.

Upcoming exceptions in ISYY office opening hours

There will be the following exceptions at our Kuopio office:

• 11.–15.5.  closed
• 26.5. open only 1 pm – 3 pm
• 2.–10.6. open only by prior appointment
• 11.6.–2.8. closed

In equipment loans, if the return date falls on a day when the office is closed, the loan period is automatically extended to the next day when the office is open.

During the first weeks of June ISYY offices are open only by prior appointment. Please book an appointment by contacting the office via phone or email.

ISYY offices will be closed 11.6.–2.8. and the offices are open again on Monday 3 August.

ISYY club meetings

Check the list of ISYY clubs in Kuopio on our website.

ISYY clubs' meetings at Lukema (ISYY office in Studentia, C door):

• Tue 12.5. at 5 pm Kärmes (Board Games Club)
• Sun 17.5. at 1 pm University Student Bible Club
• Wed 20.5. at 5 pm Kärmes (Board Games Club)
• Sun 24.5. at 1 pm University Student Bible Club

SYKETTÄ Sports Services

SYKETTÄ – Kuopio University Sports offers a comprehensive range of sports services for students and staff of Savonia University of Applied Sciences and the University of Eastern Finland’s Kuopio campus. Please read the SYKETTÄ Kuopio information. You must have a valid SYKETTÄ membership when using sports services!

Read more on the SYKETTÄ Kuopio website and follow SYKETTÄ on social media:

• SYKETTÄ Kuopio webpage
• Facebook: sykettakuopio
• Instagram: @syketta_kpo
• TikTok: syketta_kuopio

Changes to Studentia's reservation calendar in May

• This week you can reserve a place for three different sample classes
  • Wed 6.5. at 16.10-16.55 Good posture45", Studentia/shift 1
  • Wed 6.5. at 17.10-17.55 Ballet45, Studentia/shift 1
  • Thu 7.5. at 17.00-17.55 Circuit, Snellmania gym
     
• On Monday 11th of May, the summer group exercise classes begin.  Classes will continue until May 28th.
   
• More ball game shifts have been added to Studentia 
  • Book yours through the reservation calendar.
    
• Gym opening hours 
  • Snellmania Gym opening hours 4.5.-31.5. 
  • Mon-Fri 7.00-17.30 (must be empty at 17.30) 
  • Sat at 10-13.30 (must be empty at 13.30)
     
• The Studentia and Luola gyms are open almost normally in May.
   
• Ascension Day and the last weekend of May bring small exceptions. 

Check the schedules in the reservation calendar. 

May call for applications for outgoing student exchange is open!

During this application period, students may apply for Erasmus+, YUFE, Nordplus/Nordlys, ISEP, or bilateral exchange.

The application period ends on May 15 at 3 pm sharp.

Read more about available programmes in the calls for applications on Kamu and fill in the application form on SoleMOVE.

For more information, see the Study Abroad section on Kamu!

Exceptional opening hours of UEF library

The Joensuu and Kuopio campus libraries have shortened opening hours on Wednesday 13 May (doors 8–14, customer service 10–14). Both libraries are closed on Ascension Day 14 May. In addition, the Kuopio Campus Library is closed on Friday 15 May and on every Saturday in May. 

Libraries are also closed during Staff development days 21–22 May.

The library's 24/7 self-study facilities are available with an access badge also during the exceptional opening hours.

The library will move to summer opening hours from 1 June.

What changes are planned for the campuses? Welcome to the campus development webinars on 19 May and 1 June!

The year-long project planning phase for campus development is coming to an end. A large number of staff members and students have taken part in the workshops concerning UEF’s buildings. The plans developed as a result of the workshops and other expert work will be presented in campus-specific webinars. All members of the UEF community are welcome to attend and join the discussion.

• Joensuu campus: Tue 19 May at 8:00–9:30, join the webinar here
• Kuopio campus:  Mon 1 June at 12:00–1:30, join the webinar here

Hi student, respond to the survey on students’ housing preferences!

Finnish Associations of Student Housing Organisations (SOA) and the National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL) are conducting a survey on higher education students’ housing preferences. The survey examines students’ housing preferences and needs as well as their order of importance when students choose their housing. 

The results of the survey will be used in decisions concerning the future of student housing and in advocacy work on behalf of higher education students. Your answers are valuable and important! A prize draw of S Group gift cards worth €50 is organised for the respondents. 

The survey is open until 17 May!

YTHSDigi available on mobile and on desktop

In YTHSDigi, higher education students can take care of their student health matters easily at a time that suits them, with all digital services accessible in one place via a mobile app or a browser on a computer. Starting May 6, the app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play. 

To use YTHSDigi, students need Finnish online banking credentials. 

International degree students who may not have Finnish online banking credentials can contact FSHS via the nationwide telephone service. They will have access to all FSHS services through in-person appointments at FSHS service points. 

Call for Applications – Falling Walls Lab Eastern Finland 2026

Are you working on a science-based idea and ready to take it beyond your lab or university?

Falling Walls Lab Eastern Finland is a 3-minute pitch competition for a student or an early-career researches. The event will take place in Kuopio, at Novapolis, on 9 June.

The winner will receive a ticket to the global Falling Walls Lab Finale in Berlin in November - with all travel and accommodation costs covered.

Apply by May 21!

#KPOWEEKINENGLISH

Sewing Club: Mending Summer Clothes & Jenni Venäläinen and the Kantele, Wed 6.5. at 13-17.30

• Kuopio Museum, Museokatu 1
• Let’s get your favorite summer clothes back in top shape. Sewing machines, patches, thread and other supplies will be available on site. At 5 p.m. musician Jenni Venäläinen will create musical moments with her kantele. Free admission.

Jouni Somero: "Favorite Evergreens" Piano Concert, Wed 6.5. at 17-18

• Main Library, 2nd floor
• Jouni Somero has performed over 3 400 concerts in Europe, Asia and North America. He is also the Finnish pianist with the most recordings to his credit. Free admission.

Viksu Cyclist's Day, Fri 8.5. at 10-15

• Lukkarinpuisto Park's Bike Shed, Käsityökatu 25
• At this event you can service your own bicycle with the help of instructors from Kuopion Pyöräpaja and learn how to use the bike shed. Basic tools and a few basic spare parts are available at cost. Weather permitting, free admission.

Anni, Helmi & Paju, Fri 8.5. at 19-20.30

• Postitalo, Museokatu 4
• Anni, Helmi & Paju is a band formed in Savo in 2025 that performs a diverse range of instrumental and vocal soul, jazz and blues music with a swing feel. Free admission.

Alba live: Teflon Brothers, Fri 8.5. at 21 

• Albatrossi, Makasiininkatu 1
• Teflon Brothers is one of Finland’s best-known rap groups, known for its catchy hits, self-deprecating humor and spectacular live performances. Free admission.

K-pop Random Play Dance at Kuopio City Theatre on 20.5. 6-8 pm 

K-pop is a South Korean popular music genre that also includes dance as an essential part.

RPD (Random Play Dance) combines music, dance and community. It involves dancing to choreographies of K-POP songs (usually the choruses) in random order. The music changes quickly and the participants' task is to identify the song and jump into the correct choreography.

It's easy to join the RPD world – so come along, even if you haven't danced before! You don't have to be perfect in RPD, as long as you have fun!

Free admission!

Weekly Feed is the English language newsletter of the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY). You are receiving this letter in your email because you are a member of ISYY and are studying at Kuopio 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.