Happy Tuesday!

Pyhäinpäivä, a.k.a All Saints’ Day, which is a “Finnish Halloween”, lands on Saturday 31 October this year. Traditionally Finns celebrate All Saints’ Day by remembering people who have passed away by visiting their graves and lighting a graveyard candle (hautakynttilä in Finnish). The candles are in white plastic tubs with a gold lid. All Saints’ Day evening is a good time for a stroll along the graveyard paths to marvel at the sea of lighted candles. Although it is a Christian holiday, All Saints’ Day is most commonly celebrated by remembering our loved ones who have been deceased, whether you consider yourself religious or not.

Please note that because Saturday is a local holiday, it may affect shop's opening hours and public transport will be run according to the Sunday schedule.

Have a spooky Halloween!

Kind regards,
Elina
Coordinator of International Affairs

What does the future look like? Now you can make a difference, apply to the Executive Board 2027!

Are you passionate about improving student advocacy? Would you like to gain valuable experience for working life and be part of everyday life of The Student Union? Now you have the chance, apply for the Student Union’s Executive Board 2027. The Executive Board is selected at the Student Union Representative Council’s meeting on 26.11.2026.

The Representative Council elects the Board’s Chairperson, Vice Chair and 4-8 members annually. The Board is the executive body of the Student Union and its period of operation is calendar year.

Remuneration is paid for serving on the Board. Lately the remuneration has been:

• 1000 €/month Chairperson
• 800 €/month Vice Chairperson
• 500 €/month Board Member

Send us a free-form application and possible resume as PDF-files via email to viestinta(at)isyy.fi and paasihteeri(at)isyy.fi no later than on 15.11.2026 at 11.59 pm.

ISYY's statement on the closure of Migri's service point in Kuopio

The proposed closure of the Migri service point in Kuopio would place an additional and disproportionate burden on all international students in Eastern Finland, impacting particularly those already at a disadvantage.

The removal of local Migri services would require students and recent graduates to travel to other cities for mandatory appointments, creating additional transportation, accommodation, and lost-income costs.

Beyond the financial impact, the closure would add to the administrative and psychological strain at a particularly vulnerable stage of a graduate's life. The closure also sends a contradictory message about a city and a local area that are attracting international talent.

We oppose this closure as a Student Union adjacent to a University and a city that pride themselves on inclusion, internationalisation and internationality.

Student representatives wanted to the UEF's Equality and Non-Discrimination Committee!

ISYY is recruiting 3 student representatives and 3 deputy representatives for the Equality and Non-Discrimination Committee of UEF for the term 1.1.2027–31.12.2030.

As a student representative, you can help promote a more equal and equitable university while also gaining valuable experience working in committees.

The committee usually meets 6 times during the calendar year, and a meeting fee is paid for attending the meetings. In addition, after the end of their term, the student has the right to apply for ECTS for participating in administrative and working group activities.

Interested? Read more from the ISYY website and send your application on Tuesday 10 November 2026 at 12(noon) the latest.

Meet reading dog Tuikku

You are warmly welcome to come and practice your Finnish reading skills with reading dog Tuikku at Neulamäki library (Juontotie 6) on Thursday 12 November between 4 and 5 pm.

Tuikku has been trained to listen to students who read outloud so you can practice your Finnish at your own pace without anyone interrupting you and in a non-judgemental environment.

When you come to read to Tuikku

• choose a book you want to read.
• you have 10-15 minutes for reading.
• you can read alone or with a friend.
• you can pet or scratch Tuikku during reading or after it if you want.

Please reserve a free reading slot to the Neulamäki library by calling +358 447182351 or by emailing neulamaki.kirjasto@kuopio.fi.

Enjoy your reading time with Tuikku!

Photo: Neulamäki library

Save the Date: ISYY's Independence Day Torch Parade on 6 December

Do you want to be a part of one of the most important and honored traditions?

Mark ISYY's Independence Day Torch Parade to your calendar on 6 December, which is the Independence Day of Finland. The parades are held in both campus cities and in Kuopio the parade begins at 6 pm.

The Parades are not political events or manifestations. The remembrance of the sacrifices made in the Finnish wars during the Second World War is very present during the Finnish Independence Day celebration. In parades, we honour the sacrifices and celebrate the independence in Finland.

Do you want to help with organising the parade?

We are looking for student volunteers to serve as traffic controllers along the parade route. According to the requirements of the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, the traffic controllers must be adults who have normal sensory abilities, a driving licence (at least AM121 or B), and hold the Road Safety 1 qualification. The Road Safety 1 qualification can be completed for free through the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency (Väylävirasto) learning platform, and the online course takes about an hour. All necessary equipment for the traffic control task, as well as an event-specific briefing and the amazing Volunteer-Hemmo-overall badge, will be provided at the latest on the day of the parade. Sign up by emailing ISYY’s Community Coordinator Eveliina Scharin (yk@isyy.fi) on Sunday 22 November 2026 at the latest.

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):

• Sat 31.10. at 5 pm Kärmes (Board Games Club)
• Sun 1.11. at 1 pm University Student Bible Club
• Fri 6.11. at 5 pm Kärmes (Board Games Club)
• Sun 8.11. at 1 pm University Student Bible Club
• Thu 12.11. at 5 pm Kärmes (Board Games Club)

Tue, Oct 27: "Olvi Areenan Approt" student event and the KalPa vs. Sport match at 6.30 pm

The evening continues with a local derby in the FCAA league, as HC Preemio (Kuopio business students) against the Savonia Pink Panthers. The student event will therefore feature two hockey matches. The FCAA game begins immediately after the Liiga match, at 9.15 pm.

Changes to the booking calendar due to water damage at "Luola" and the All Saints' Day holiday

• Futsal and volleyball shifts at the Luola sports and event center are cancelled until Nov 8.
• Additional replacement Futsal sessions have been added at Lumit School for Fri, Oct 30, and Fri, Nov 6, from 7:30 pm to 9 pm.
• Come try Hatha Yoga on Thu, Oct 29, from 4:15 pm to 5:10 pm at Savonia, room D3006.
• Sat, Oct 31, and Nov 7: Zumba classes are cancelled.

Snellmania Gym

• Fri, Oct 30: Open from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm
• Sat, Oct 31: Closed
• Sat, Oct 31: Functional training class cancelled

Studentia

• Sat, Oct 31, and Sun, Nov 1: Sports hall reservations are cancelled due to a tournament. The gym remains open as usual.
• Sat, Oct 31: Pump class is cancelled.

Buy a SYKETTÄ Kuopio membership!

We will raffle off one gift card for breakfast at Puijo Lodge (24,90 €) and one gift card for morning sauna and breakfast at Luoto (24 €) among everyone who purchases a membership during 20.10. - 31.10.2026. (Puijo Lodge and Luoto are not involved in the prize draw.)

Good to know!

• Memberships 2026-2027 are valid for another 10 months— until August 31, 2027
  • Group class membership 2026–2027, price €71
  • Ball sports membership 2026–2027, price €38
• Autumn memberships are valid until December 31, 2026
  • Group class membership, Autumn 2026, €41
  • Ball sports membership, Autumn 2026, €23
• A monthly membership is valid for 30 days from the time of purchase
  • Price €18

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

How would you make Kuopio a better student city? Take the survey for a chance to win a €50 S Group gift card!

What do you like about Kuopio, and what would you like to see more of? Share your experiences in the Students’ City 2026 survey! Have your say on the things that matter in your everyday life, including housing, finding work, feeling part of a community and making ends meet.

You can answer in Finnish or English, survey is open until the end of 10 November 2026. The survey takes around 10–15 minutes.

Respondents can enter a prize draw to win a €50 S Group gift card and Kuopio-themed merchandise. You can enter at the end of the survey.

The study is conducted by Männikkömetsä Oy and the Research Foundation for Studies and Education Otus.

How do you get around Kuopio city centre? Answer the survey and help improve the city centre

The City of Kuopio is mapping people’s travel habits, needs and experiences related to getting around the city centre. Now you have the opportunity to share your views by taking the city centre mobility survey.

The survey is open until 31 October 2026 and takes approximately 10–20 minutes to complete. Every response is valuable in planning the future of the city centre. Participants who complete the survey can also enter a prize draw to win a €50 City of Kuopio gift card.

UEF's International Week 26-30 October 2026

During the week, we will host online info sessions and info stands on campuses. Online sessions will be mainly in Finnish, partly in English. Presentation materials will be in English.

Thursday of UEF’s International Week is YUFE Day!

Come and say hello to the students and staff already involved in the activities and ask as many questions as you like about YUFE. We have coffee and tea on offer, as well as a little something tasty to brighten up your day. This autumn’s YUFE Day will take place on the Joensuu campus on 29 October 2026 from 11:00 to 14:30 in the Carelia lobby – you’re very welcome! You can also take part remotely in the ‘Ask the YUFE Auntie!’ Teams session on 29 October from 15:00 to 16:00. The January YUFE Day will be held in Kuopio.

All Saints’ Day opening hours in the UEF library

Joensuu and Kuopio Campus Libraries are open on Friday 30 October 2026 8am–2pm, customer service 10am–2pm. On Saturday 31 October 2026 the campus libraries are closed. The 24/7 self-study facilities of Campus Libraries are open despite these exceptions.

Students and staff of the University of Eastern Finland are encouraged to enjoy sports and culture, this time in the audience!

Kuopion Palloseura (KuPS) season is still ongoing, and new additions available for borrowing this season include two season tickets for Kalevan Pallo (KalPa), as well as two season tickets for the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra’s season concerts.

Read more about the borrowing instructions on the library’s website. You can check schedules on the organisers’ own websites:

• KalPa match schedule: Kalevan Pallo | KalPa
• KuPS match schedule: Home - KuPS - Kuopion Palloseura
• Kuopio Symphony Orchestra programme and season concerts: Programme - Kuopio Symphony Orchestra

The results of the SYL and SAMOK FSHS survey have been published!

In spring 2026, SYL and SAMOK carried out a survey amongst higher education students on the state of student healthcare and the need for its development. A total of 1,702 higher education students responded to the survey.

The results of the survey show that students use the services provided by the Finnish Student Health Service and have a largely positive attitude towards them. The main findings of the survey revealed concerns about receiving care after graduation, wishes that there was a wider range of services provided by the FSHS, and positive initial experiences of the new service platform YTHSDigi.

Remember to pay the student healthcare fee in higher education to Kela

The 2026 rate of the student healthcare fee is EUR 35.35 per term. Remember to pay the healthcare fee to Kela for both the spring term and the autumn term. You are not billed for the fee but are expected to pay it on your own initiative via the OmaKela e-service. You do not have to pay the healthcare fee if you have social security coverage in another EU or EEA country, Switzerland, Great Britain, Northern Ireland or the EU.

The due date for the fee for the autumn term is 15 November, if you register as attending by 30 September.

Read more about the healthcare fee on Kela's website.

Today at Coffee & Friends: Halloween

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 at 3-5 pm at Lukema (ISYY office in the Studentia building).

Autumn's programme:

• 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

#KPOWEEKINENGLISH

Behind the Scenes Tour in English, Tue 27.10 at 17.30

• Kuopio City Theater, Niiralankatu 2
• During the tour, you'll get a glimpse into the world behind the curtain, including the costume department, hair and makeup studio, and other fascinating backstage areas. The group will also learn about the aspects of theatre production and what goes on behind the scenes.

In between states – Soprano Emma Hartikainen & String quartet ILME,

• Tue 27.10 at 19-20
• Music Centre, Chamber Music Hall

A sensitive yet powerful concert program that explores identity, the fragility of existence and the different layers of reality in depth. Free admission.

Kekri – Ancient Finnish Mysticism and Echoes of Horror…

In the old days, Kekri marked the highlight of the year – the harvest season ended, the annual cycle turned, and servants got a well-earned break. It was the darkest time of the year, when people believed the spirits of the dead returned among the living. Kekri is a time of spells and supernatural presence. Kekri and Halloween share roots in European tradition – but Kekri is a unique part of Finnish cultural heritage.

• Kuopio Museum, Museokatu 1
• Fri October 30 at 16.30 - 20
• The event is free of charge. Visitors under 29 can also enjoy the museum exhibitions free of charge, while regular admission fees apply to other visitors.

The event is primarily aimed at youth and young adults and may not be suitable for younger children. Please, note that live music and some of the other program content are available only in Finnish.

Since AI Hackathon | Turku 6–8 Nov

International AI builder weekend! Target 1,000+ builders, 15 industry challenges, €50K prizes, Google’s Web AI Lead and hands-on portfolio projects. Free; apply solo (18+, selection applies). Save your weekend!

Know Your Rights at Work in Finland webinar

Tuesday 10 November 2026, 15.00–16.00 on Microsoft Teams.

What are your rights and responsibilities as an employee in Finland? What is an employer legally allowed to require, and how can you recognise a situation that does not comply with Finnish employment law?

This English-language webinar is intended for people who have moved to Finland. The speaker is an occupational safety and health expert from the Finnish Supervisory Agency.

Topics will include:

• employment contracts
• working hours
• annual leave and holidays
• employees’ rights and responsibilities
• light entrepreneurship and the difference between self-employment and an employment relationship

General questions are welcome at the end of the webinar. Please note that individual cases and personal circumstances cannot be discussed in detail.

Register for the event by 9 November.

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.