Happy Tuesday!

Today, 12 May, is a flag day in Finland because of the philosopher, writer and statesman Johan Vilhelm Snellman (1806-1881). He had a big influence on Finnish language, Finnish culture and even on the use of our old currency, markka. You can read more about Snellman on This is Finland's website. The 12th of May is  Snellman's birthday and the day is known nowadays as the "Day of Finnish Identity" or the "Finnish Heritage Day".

Snellman lived in Kuopio for a few years with his family and we have a J. V. Snellman home museum (Snellmaninkatu 19) here. In honor of Snellman's Day on Tuesday 12 May, you can visit the museum free of charge between 10 am and 5 pm.

Have a nice week!

Kind regards,
Elina
Coordinator of International Affairs

Blog: Green travel - you won't regret a single muddy step

ISYY Board member Bharath Kannan (International Affairs & Environment and Development Coordination) wrote a blog post about his experiences from a trip to Belgium as a part of his Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) course CaseRiver 21.

In the blog Bharath touches upon choosing green travel instead of flying and his experiences meeting with international students from multiple universities across Europe.

“Flying to Antwerp would have taken a few hours. I chose the long way instead — and it shaped everything about how I arrived. By the time I reached Belgium, I hadn't just moved geographically. I had travelled through eight countries, heard different languages spill out of café windows, eaten food I couldn't name, and watched the landscape shift from the Baltic coastline to the French countryside. I arrived with context. With stories already forming.”

Photo by Bharath Kannan

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.

Apply for a band shift at Studentia Band Rehearsal Space for summer!

You can now apply for a shift at Studentia Band Rehearsal Space for the summer 2026 by filling an online application form.

One shift is max. 2 hours. During summer, Studentia is open only on workdays (Mon-Fri) and the shifts can be applied from 7:00 to 15:00. Rent for rehearsal space is 25€/month. To get the key to rehearsal space, you'll pay 50 euros as a deposit. Summer shifts are valid from 1 June until 31 August.

The application period ends on Sunday 24 May at 23:59. All who have applied for a shift will be contacted on week 22.

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

Summer group exercise classes

On Monday 11th of May, the summer group exercise classes begin. Classes will continue until May 28th. Enrollment via reservation calendar.

On the 14th of May there might be some changes at the opening hours. Please look at the timetable from the reservation calendar.

Hop on your bike – Kilometrikisa is here!

It’s time to rack up kilometers, minutes, and good vibes! Challenge yourself, your friends, and your colleagues to join Finland's biggest cycling frenzy from May 1st to September 30th, 2026.

How to join the SYKETTÄ Kuopio team:

1. Log in with your existing account or register at kilometrikisa.fi.
2. Join the team: SYKETTÄ Kuopio
3. Enter the participation code: 8436

All students and staff of UEF and Savonia (Kuopio, Iisalmi & Varkaus) are welcome to join – you don’t even need a valid SYKETTÄ sticker to participate!

SYL: The overall reform of student financial aid is a total bust

Orpo’s government has outlined measures for the overall reform of student financial aid in its spending limits discussion. In line with the Government Programme, the primary objective of the reform of student financial aid was to enable full-time studies, but the proposed solution is completely half-baked.

“The reform is a disappointment. It’s made up of small, fragmented fixes that don’t solve the key problem, which is that the aid is not enough. Studying full-time continues to be a distant dream for many people”, emphasises Laura Heino, member of the board responsible for social policy.

Read the statement SYL.fi.

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

Vilkku bus schedule on Ascension Day

On Ascension Day, Thursday 14 May, Vilkku services will operate according to Sunday schedules. Please check the route planner for up-to-date routes and timetables

YTHSDigi gives you direct access to managing your health! Contacting us on YTHSDigi is easy – no phone calls needed

YTHSDigi will replace the Self online service that has previously been in use at FSHS. YTHSDigi offers you more versatile and smoother ways to manage your health matters digitally than before.

In YTHSDigi you can, among other things:

• contact us for an assessment of your need of treatment
• message a professional about ongoing treatment
• join a video appointment
• explore self-care materials on digital paths
• manage your appointments
• complete service forms

Download the app from App Store and Google Play!

#KPOWEEKINENGLISH

Tree Huggers and Branch Shakers, Tue 12.5. at 18-19.30

• Kuopio Music Center  
• Nearly 70 musicians will perform at the concert. The group of cellists and bassists has been assembled from students and teachers at educational institutions operating at the Kuopio Music Center. Guest leader Markus Hallikainen, cello. Free admission.

Liekeissä! - Festival, Tue 12.5.- Wed 13.5.

• Maxim, Haapaniemenkatu 34
• Welcome to the Kuopio Conservatory Student Festival! Nine performances by rhythm music students will take place in the lobby and concert hall. Music technology students are handling the event’s technical setup. Free admission.

Kuopiorock Club: Peer Günt, Wed 13.5. showtime at 23

• Albatrossi, Makasiininkatu 1
• Throughout its successful career, Peer Günt has followed its own path of heavy rock and blues, and the band has played thousands of shows. With its honest rock ’n’ roll, this band has won the hearts of Finns. Free admission.

Old Kuopio Day, Sat 16.5. at 10-17 

• Kanttila, Minna Canthin katu 22 
• Welcome to a journey through time in Kuopio’s unique wooden house district! For one day you’ll have the chance to explore buildings that have held stories for centuries. The event also features musical performances, guided tours and crafts. Free admission. 

Vintage! - 100 years of Jazz in Finland, Sun 17.5. at 13-16

• Kuopio Museum
• The event celebrates the arrival of jazz in Finland exactly 100 years ago with a mix of music, vintage fashion and dance. A rhythm orchestra featuring soloist Sanna Rosberg will provide the live music. Swing dancers will keep the floor moving. Free admission.

Meidän metsä! music and art festival on 16 May

Meidän metsä! is a free, open-to-all music and art festival held in the forest area of Pieni Neulamäki in Kuopio. It invites residents of Kuopio and friends of nearby forests to explore the springtime nature and trails of Pieni Neulamäki through hiking, as well as an alternative land-use plan created by Elonkirjon kaupunki.

On the event day, May 16, the heart of the area—both outdoors and in old storage buildings formerly used by the Finnish Defence Forces—will host music and other art performances by local actors, an open-air gallery, and various activities ranging from environmental art and bird excursions to forest yoga, dance, body care, and more. This roaming forest festival is created together, is waste-free and substance-free, and suitable for all ages.

The nature trip season is starting!

City of Kuopio’s nature trips offer you the chance to explore the local nature from May through September.  These trips offer all Kuopio residents the opportunity to explore the local nature and its wildlife, such as wildflowers, birds and bats.

Nature tours are open to everyone and mostly free of charge; they are guided in Finnish, and some tours are also available in English.

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.