Happy Tuesday!

There are still a couple of weeks before all new students arrive to campus and the busy weeks start so try to relax and soke up the sun. If you haven't already visited Kuopio's nature trails, now is a good time to do that. You can find information about nature trails in Kuopio and its surrounding areas on Kuopio city's website. Or maybe take advantage of the darkening nights and join a bat excursion on Thursday 21 August. Skip to What's happening in Kuopio to find out more info.

Have a nice week!

Kind regards,
Elina
Coordinator of International Affairs and Administration

You are reading Weekly Feed, the English language newsletter of the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY). You are receiving this letter to your email because you are a member of ISYY and are studying at Kuopio campus or because you have joined the mailing list yourself. If you do not wish to receive Weekly Feed anymore, just click here to unsubscribe.

Registration for the next Academic Year ends on 15.9.

Hey continuing student! Registration for the UEF Academic Year 2025–2026 is ongoing. Registration periods for the next academic year are:

• Registration for the year 2025–2026 begins on 1 June and ends on 15 September 2025
• Registration ONLY for the spring semester 2026 is 1.11.2025–15.1.2026

When you register as a present student and pay the ISYY membership fee at the same time, you’ll get all of our member services also for the next academic year. ISYY membership will help you during your studies, e.g. with our interest advocacy services. Get to know all of our member services by going through our website, and you’ll make to most of your membership!

Save the date: autumn events

Below you can find a list of ISYY events that we already know at the moment. The best way to keep up with our events is to follow our newsletters and our event calendar on our website.

Autumn dates for Kuopio:

• 4.9. UEF opening ceremony of the academic year in Joensuu
• 4.9. Academic Year Kick-off events
  • Student Parade from Savilahti to Kuopio market square at the city centre
  • Academic Year Kick-off event LoveZone at the Kuopio City Market Square
  • City Orienteering and After Party
• 29.9.-5.10. Wellbeing Week
• 1.10. Sports Afternoon
• 21.-22.10. Association Days (Tue-Wed in Joensuu, Wed in Kuopio)
• 6.12. Independence Day Torch Parade

ISYY's Representative Council elections are coming!

The elections for the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland’s (ISYY) Representative Council will be held as electronic elections in autumn of 2025.

• 27.–31.10.2025 Advance voting
• 6.11.2025 Actual voting day

The elections take place every other year and all ISYY members, which include for example degree students studying at UEF, can become candidates. The Representative Council guides the Student Union’s operations by deciding, for instance, the amount of the membership fee, action plan for each year, finances and direction of the Student Union’s future.

More detailed instructions on how to become a candidate and the schedule of the elections are published later in the Election announcement.

Introducing ISYY's Coordinator of the Representative Council Elections

Emma Ohtonen started in the position of Coordinator of the Representative Council Elections last week. In their position, Emma works with ISYY's Representative Council Elections, which will be held this autumn. Emma studies social sciences at the UEF, with sociology as their major.

- It’s interesting to get to see the Representative Council Elections as an employee of the Student Union, and I hope I can draw on my own expertise for organising the upcoming elections, Emma comments.

Emma works on Joensuu campus.

ISYY club meetings

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

• Wed 20.8. at 5 pm Kärmes (board game club)

• Sun 24.8. at 1 pm UEF Student Bible Club

• Wed 26.8. at 5 pm Kärmes (board game club)

The fall 2025 and academic year 2025–2026 stickers can be purchased now! 

Ready to move? Grab your SYKETTÄ sticker now from our online store! Choose the best way for you to get active and enjoy the great feeling! With the same payment, you can also join the late summer group classes, which are held from August 18–28!

• Group Exercise Fee: €41 / semester, €71 / academic year
  • Includes instructed group exercise classes, ball sports shifts, gym access, and nutritional services.
• Ball Sports Fee: €23 / semester, €38 / academic year
  • Includes everything except the group exercise classes.
• Monthly Fee: €16 / month

Group classes, ball sports and gyms at August

You must register for all ball sports shifts and group classes through the sports calendar or the SYKETTÄ app. All users of these services must also have a valid SYKETTÄ sticker. Valid stickers include the 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 academic year stickers, as well as the spring 2025 group fitness and ball sports stickers.

• Group classes will be held from August 18–28 at the Studentia gym and in Puijo. We'll be offering classes such as strength training, Zumba, and kettlebell workouts.
• In addition to open sports shifts (e.g., badminton, basketball) at the Studentia gym, there are many slots available for booking, so you can practice your own sport.
• The Studentia gym is open in August from Mon–Fri at 6.45 am–8.30 pm and Sat–Sun from 8 am–7 pm. 
• The Snellmania gym, on the other hand, is open in August from Mon–Tue 8 am–4 pm, Wed 8 am–6 pm, and Thurs–Fri 8 am–4 pm.

The SYKETTÄ Autumn 2025 sports calendar has been released!

Our diverse group fitness calendar offers something for everyone, from low-threshold options to intense cardio workouts, and from aquafit to yoga and pilates.

For ball sports enthusiasts, we offer futsal, badminton, volleyball, and freely reservable time slots for various games.

As a SYKETTÄ member, you also get to work out at our campus gyms, perfect for a quick session during your study day! Additionally, you're entitled to discounted rates at the Luola gym.

The autumn season kicks off with a free trial week from September 1st to 7th. During this week, you can sign up for your desired classes and test our offerings freely (excluding trainer services and the Luola gym).

Emergency services academy Finland practices at Kuopio campus on Thu 21.8.2025

The Emergency Services Academy's Junior Command Personnel Course AP52 will practice action on fire alarm systems in the Canthia and Snellmania buildings at Kuopio campus on Thursday morning, 21.8.2025. The practice will take place between 8:30 AM and 11:30 AM.

During the practice, the teachers and students of the Emergency Services Academy will be moving around the hallways and common areas of Canthia and Snellmania. The practice will not cause any changes or disturbances to the university's operations.

What should a new degree student know about Finnish Student Health Service?

What should a new student know about FSHS (Finnish Student Health Service)? How can you contact FSHS and which matters can students take care of through FSHS's online service?

FSHS recommends that new students visit its page for new students. There are useful instructions and tips, with texts, links and videos.

• Check out the page for new students (fshs.fi)
• Watch the presentation video in English on YouTube (youtube.com)

Student, find power and purpose for your career and register to career planning and job seeking courses for the autumn 2025!

Are you wondering about your future? Where will I find work? How will I be convincing in the job interview? What can I do with my degree? What are my strengths? Am I in the right field? What should I study as a minor subject? What rights and obligations do I have as an employee?

Students pondering about their future directions or seeking traineeships and employment are troubled by many questions. Nevertheless, don’t worry! Practical guidance, knowledge and support is there for you on the career planning and job seeking courses offered by UEF Career Services.

Career Services info in English Thu 11.9.2025 13:00 – 13:30

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: 

• 18.9. Excited, nervous, stressed – studying with mixed emotions? 
• 6.11. How to find friends? 

Events in Kuopio

Relaxed mornings and energetic evenings, 18.8.–29.8.
At Kuopio City Theater Amphitheater
Let's start weekday mornings in a relaxed manner with body maintenance and yoga classes (Mon–Fri at 9:15–10). In the evenings ( 18.8., 21.8., 25-26.8. at 18.30-19.15), there will be more energetic dance and muscle training classes. Free admission.

The Art of Light: Enluminure à la Madame de Finlandese, 19.8.-29.8.
At Main Library Exhibition Space
An exhibition of enluminure works donated to the City of Kuopio by Besançon artist Marie-Françoise Poitout Thorelin. Free admission.

Bat trip to Puijo, Thu 21.8. at 20:30-23
The trip starts at: Ylä-Antikkala lean-to, Antikkalantie 71
Learn about the secret life of bats on a trip to the forests of Puijo and the meadows of Konttila. The guiding is in Finnish and, if necessary, in English. Free admission.

Board game nights for ages 15–200

Come and spend a fun game night at the library in nice company!
You can play the themed games or choose one of the other featured games. There is also the staff to guide you and play with you. There will be four board game nights in the autumn season.

Place: Kuopio Main Library, 2. floor.

Schedule and themes: 

• Fri 29.8. 15–18.30: All kinds of games (Taiteiden yö / Night of the Arts)
• Wed 1.10. 15–18.30: New games
• Wed 5.11. 15–18.30: All kind of games (Peliviikko / Games Week)
• Wed 10.12. 15–18.30: Independent game night (no guiding staff)

Welcome!

Lets speak Suomi!

Welcome to Neulamäki Library's (Juontotie 6) Language Café to learn to speak Finnish in a relaxed atmosphere on 26.8. at 5 pm.

Neulamäki Library Language Café is an open, relaxed event where you can practice speaking Finnish while playing board games. When you strike up a conversation, it’s easy to get to know new people and cultures. Of course, you can also participate just by listening!

Library staff will also take part in the games and conversations to collect ideas for future gatherings.

So come along, bring a relaxed attitude and a smile! You can take your whole family with you if you like! No registration needed. Coffee and tea available.

Darude invites students to to celebrate his 25-year career with the Sandstorm Run fun-run event in Helsinki on Sunday, 31 August 2025

The run route passes through instantly recognisable sights from the original Sandstorm music video, including Kaivopuisto and Helsinki Cathedral, from the iconic opening sequence on the church steps.

Sandstorm Run has partnered with the Finnish Athletics Federation in support of youth sports, and Darude would like to personally invite the students of University of Eastern Finland to join this special event free of charge. Fill out the registration form via this link and secure your spot now – only 200 free tickets available!

"You can choose your pace and either walk, run, or race. In case you want to spice things up, you can dress up in the Sandstorm spirit to win amazing prizes such as a Meet & Greet with Darude, a group photo with the winners, and tickets to Darude’s STORM 25 concert at Kattilahalli, Helsinki on 6th September, 2025. Bring your energy, your friends, your running shoes, and join the unforgettable celebration on the streets where it all began!"

Kindly,
Ville/Darude and the Sandstorm Run team

Ps. Want a behind-the-scenes experience of the event? Fill out this Google form and join our Sandstorm Run team as a volunteer.

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.