Happy Tuesday!

The evenings are getting darker since autumn is here. Now during dark, it's almost impossible for drivers to spot pedestrians or people riding a bike without a reflector, especially outside the city centre. Get yourself one or two and wear them on your jacket and bag so you can be seen when you're outside in the evening.

Also, cyclists need to get lights for their bike to improve their visibility. It's mandatory to have a red tail light and a white/yellowish front light when you ride at dusk or in the dark. This is required by Finnish law, and you will get a fine if you're spotted without the bike lights. You can get a bike light set from any major supermarket.

Have a nice week!

Kind regards,
Elina
Coordinator of International Affairs

Thank you for giving feedback on the ISYY's City Orienteering!

We got many responds to our feedback survey and the answers will help us develop our event to be even better next year. We have also raffled the prizes among respondees, who left their contact information after filling the feedback form, and sent the winners email.

ISYY Council meeting 3/2026

ISYY Council will hold their meeting today Tuesday 15 September starting at 5 pm in classrooms M103 (Joensuu) and SN200 (Kuopio). The meeting premises are accessible. All ISYY members are welcome to follow the meeting on campus or via the livestream on ISYY's YouTube channel!

In the meeting, the ISYY Council will, among other things, discuss approving ISYY's new updated Equality Pland and 2027 Parliament election programme.

What ISYY council?

The Representative Council is ISYY's highest decision-making body, consisting of 39 students elected through student elections. Its key responsibilities include appointing the ISYY Board, deciding on the ISYY membership fee, and approving ISYY's action plan and budget. The Representative Council's term of office is two years, and the next Representative Council elections will be held in autumn 2027.

Become a Language Café leader!

Would you be interested in teaching your native language to your fellow students? Join ISYY's Language Café activities! You can earn 2 ECTS credits by organising a Language Café and by submitting a few small assignments to Moodle.

If you want to host a Language Café, please sign up with this Google Form by Wednesday 16 September 3pm! You can find instructions for leaders on Language Café's Moodle course.

Language Café participants' sign-up period is 17-23 September. We'll publish the available Language Cafés and the sign-up form to ISYY's website on Thursday 17 September.

Wellbeing Week

Wellbeing Week will be held for the 13th time at the University of Eastern Finland from 28 September to 2 October 2026. The aim of the Wellbeing Week is to offer UEF students and staff a wellbeing promoting program throughout the week.

During Wellbeing Week, a variety of activities will be organised, for example, the Finnish Kennel Club's Care Dogs will visit campuses and a lecture aimed at international students will offer tips on how to survive the Finnish winter and polar night. SYKETTÄ sports services will organise the traditional Sports Afternoon on Wed 30 September.

Week will culminate with two separate day trips: from Kuopio to Southern Konnevesi Natiola park and from Joensuu to Petkeljärvi National Park. The price for the day trip is 5 € and tickets are sold via Kide.app.

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):

• Sun 20.9. at 1 pm University Student Bible Club
• Sun 20.9. at 4 pm Kärmes (Board Games Club)
• Fri 25.9. at 5 pm Kärmes (Board Games Club)
• Sun 27.9. at 1 pm University Student Bible Club

The free sports week has ended, and now is the perfect time to get your own SYKETTÄ membership!

Secure your SYKETTÄ membership by heading to the online store and choosing the best way for you to exercise and enjoy good vibes! Membership options:

• 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: €18 / month

Autumn 2026 Sports Afternoon is coming!

SYKETTÄ Sports Afternoon is held on Wednesday 30 September in Joensuu and Kuopio. The UEF, Karelia UAS and Savonia UAS hold a sports afternoon together and by the decision of the university rectors, the sports afternoon is lecture-free from 12:15 pm. SYKETTÄ Sports Services organises the sports afternoon programme, but no SYKETTÄ membership is required to participate.

On sports afternoon, a wide variety of different exercise options are available both indoors and outdoors, and arranged by external partners. Some of them are free of charge, while others include a separate fee.

The sports afternoon programme also includes all the classes on the SYKETTÄ sports calendar that day! To participate in classes and turns in sports calendar on sports afternoon, you don't have to have a valid SYKETTÄ membership, but you must be registered as a user and enroll on classes and turns.

The programme is published on 15 September. Check the city-specific sports afternoon programmes at SYKETTÄ.fi!

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:

• Facebook: sykettakuopio
• Instagram: @syketta_kpo
• TikTok: syketta_kuopio

• Discord 

• Youtube

UEF Library closed on Sports Afternoon 30 September

The library is also participating in the Sports Afternoon on Wednesday 30 September 2026. Joensuu and Kuopio Campus Libraries are open from 10 am to 12 pm (doors open from 8 am to 12 pm). Although we hope everyone takes the opportunity to get active, the libraries' 24/7 self-study facilities will be available for students with an access badge starting from 12:15 pm. 

Apply for Talent Hub Eastern Finland mentoring program 2 ECTS: Opportunity to network with companies and professionals!

Annually recurring mentoring program helps students get to know Finnish working life and build their networks. Mentors are individual professionals and employer organisations from several different professional fields. Mentoring is carried out in small groups. The mentoring language will be English.

By taking part in the mentoring program, you will improve your skills and knowledge in

• job search and getting to know different career options and paths
• getting to know interesting employer organisations
• developing professional expertise and finding your strengths
• communication and interaction with others
• building professional networks
• developing self-confidence and self-knowledge

Application for group mentoring program is open until 30.9.2026. Students and other talents affiliated in Eastern Finland are eligible to apply. Registration is in Peppi!

Support for international students' career paths: Actions you can take today!

1. Join the UEF Viva Engage community “International students” to stay updated on internship opportunities, student projects, company visits, events (including recruitment), Finnish language courses, and other services.
2. Join Talent Pool to get discovered by employers by showcasing your skills, education, and experience in one place. Complete the survey.
3. Take the free online course “Towards Working Life in Eastern Finland” to understand the basics of Finnish work culture and to prepare for internships and job searches. Course key: MOOC.
4. Explore other Talent Hub Eastern Finland services and discover guides to support you.

Focus on Studies Group open for application until 22 September

UEF Student counselling and wellbeing services arranges the Focus on Studies Group for students in the autumn semester 2026. The group offers easily accessible support in tackling challenges in studying or everyday life for international bachelor or master's degree students. The group is based on solution-oriented guidance and peer support. The leader of the group is trained to accommodate and support participants with possible neuropsychiatric challenges (e.g., ADHD, ADD, ASD and OCD). Participants, however, do not need a diagnosis or a referral, one’s own experience of difficulties is enough.

The group meets in Zoom on Mondays at 14–16 on the following days: 5.10., 12.10., 19.10., 26.10. and 2.11. The group admits a maximum of 6 students.

Degree student, remember to pay the FSHS fee!

Please remember to pay the fee for the Finnish Student Health Services for both the autumn and spring semesters to Kela unprompted. The due date for the fee for the autumn term is 15 November, if you register as attending by 30 September. The 2026 rate of the student healthcare fee is EUR 35.35 per term. Always check out Kela's website for more detailed information about the healthcare fee.

#KPOWEEKINENGLISH

Matias Murole: A Wink to Suprematism, 14.9.-25.9.

• City Council Building, Suokatu 42
• Paintings and sculptures. Matias Murole has been involved in visual arts for many years and has been an active member of regional arts associations. He has also occasionally held solo exhibitions. Free admission.

ANTI – Contemporary Art Festival 2026, 15.9.-20.9.

• Places around Kuopio
• The festival program features contemporary works by international and Finnish artists, available free of charge throughout the city. Celebrating its 25th anniversary year, the program explores alternative ways of seeing and representation.

Death eaters of the forest trip, Tue 15.9. at 17.30-19.30

• Starting point: Puijo Tower parking area
• Dead wood provides a home and a food source for a fascinating variety of forest decomposers. Fallen and decaying trees are also teeming with beetles and countless other insects that depend on dead wood. Guiding also in English. Free admission. Read more.

Reading Retreat, Fri 18.9 at 16-18

• Kohtaamo, Main Library, Maaherrankatu 12
• Have you ever dreamed of staying in the library after closing time? Join us for a Reading Retreat, a peaceful and quiet reading session where you can unwind with a good book. Free admission. Light refreshments will be served.

Kuopio Dance Club, Sat 19.9. at 10.30-14

• Raittiustalo, Minna Canth Street 52
• Theme: Jepua Minuet and Polska. Instructor: Christine Julin-Häggman. Participants will learn traditional folk partner and group dances and enjoy improvising to live music. No previous dance experience or dance partner is required. Free admission. Instagram.

KMTF Rave, Sat 19.9 at 14-18

• In front of KUMMA Museum, Kauppakatu 35
• DJs will take over the street with pulsating beats and danceable electronic music. This four-hour outdoor event invites festival visitors, locals and passers-by alike to enjoy music, dancing and a vibrant shared atmosphere.

ISYY's Movie Club Hyvät Kuvat autumn season

ISYY's Movie Club called Hyvät  Kuvat presents 11 movies during the autumn on Thursdays at 5.30 pm at the Cinema Kino Kuvakukko (adress: Vuorikatu 27). Exception in starting times: 8 October act starts at 6 pm.

The Club sells seasonal tickets, which gives you access to all of the autumn 2026 movies. It is not possible to buy individual tickets for each movie. The price for students is 25 € and for others 30 €. The tickets are also sold from the Cinema Kino Kuvakukko (card or cash) before every act.

And if by any chance you happen to be an exchange student and have joined ISYY, we are happy to provide you a free seasonal ticket. Ask more from ISYY office!

Today at Coffee & Friends: Get together

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 programme. 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 15 September to 24 November at 3-5 pm at Lukema (ISYY office in the Studentia building).

This autumn's programme:

15.9. Get together - opening of the autumn semester & speed friending
22.9. Board games 
29.9. Dream Board Workshop & relaxation
6.10. SYKETTÄ
Autumn Holiday, no coffee & Friends this week 
20.10. Music bingo
27.10. Halloween
3.11. Crafts & making overall patches (make your own overall patches, sew patches onto your overalls, or bring your own craft project with you)
10.11. Quizzes 
17.11. Board games & colouring
24.11. Christmas party: Decorating gingerbread cookies

Would you like to sing in a choir?

UEF Kuopio University Choir is a mixed choir operating at the UEF Kuopio campus. Our singers are composed mainly of current and former students, exchange students, and employees of the University.

Open rehearsals:

• Tue 15.9. 17.45–20.15 at SN100

During the open rehearsals you can follow along our normal rehearsal, you get to learn about the choir's activities and after the rehearsals give a voice sample of the song of your choice.

Welcome!

24 hours. One challenge. What will you build?

Applications for Savo Hack 2026 are officially open!

This October, we’re bringing a new 24-hour hackathon to Kuopio. You’ll have one weekend to meet new people, build a team, tackle a real world challenge and turn your ideas into something tangible.

You bring the skills. Your team brings the ideas. 24 hours brings the pressure.

• €1,000 prize per challenge
• Mentors from industry
• Students from different fields
• Real challenges
• Final pitches

Our first challenge partner is One Lion Company.

You don’t need to know how to code. If you’re good at business, design, marketing, engineering, research, communication, problem solving or simply coming up with ideas, we want you there.

• Campus Heart, Savonia UAS, Kuopio
• 3 to 4 October 2026

Ready to build?

Afternoon Tunes concerts start up again on both campuses this autumn

Afternoon Tunes concerts are held once a month on Wednesdays in the lobbies of Carelia in Joensuu and Snellmania in Kuopio (occasionally in room SN 100). They are free and open to everyone.

The concerts offer us the chance to enjoy music from different genres by students from the conservatory in the campus city. In Kuopio, music students from the classical and rhythm music programmes take turns performing on stage.

You are warmly welcome to take a break from work or studies and enjoy some music on the following days at 12:15–12:45:

• 30.9.2026
• 28.10.2026
• 25.11.2026
• 27.1.2027
• 24.2.2027
• 24.3.2027
• 28.4.2027

Board game nights for ages 15–200

Come and spend a fun game night at the library (Kuopio Main Library, 2nd floor) in good company! You can play the themed games or choose among other featured games. There are also staff members to guide you and play with you. See below the three upcoming board game nights to attend in the autumn season!

Schedule and themes:

• Wed 23.9. 15–18.30: Beautiful games
• Wed 18.11. 15–18.30: Dark games

Lets speak Suomi!

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! The Café is organised at Neulamäki Library (Juontotie 6) on 29 September at 5-6 pm.

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.

Welcome to the Researchers' Night on campuses on 25 September 2026!

Researchers' Night, a science event for the whole family, invites visitors to make discoveries, experiment and explore fascinating scientific phenomena at the University of Eastern Finland's Joensuu and Kuopio campuses on Friday, 25 September 2026, from 16.00 to 20.00. In Kuopio, the main venue for the science event is the Snellmania building, with additional locations across the campus area.

Free of charge, the event offers a rich programme and inspiring experiences for people of all ages on both campuses, including science workshops, laboratory tours, research presentations and short science sessions. Please note that changes to the programme are possible.

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.