Happy Tuesday!

On Thursday 5 February Finland is celebrating J. L. Runeberg - a Finnish-Swedish Lutheran priest, lyric and national poet who has for example written the original lyrics to the Finnish National Anthem 'Maamme'. The day is celebrated by eating a dessert called 'runebergintorttu', Runeberg torte, which is a rather simple pastry traditionally flavoured with almonds and either arrack or rum.

Have a nice week!

Kind regards,
Timi
Membership Service Specialist

Upcoming exceptions in ISYY office opening hours

There will be some exceptions in ISYY office opening hours.

• Monday 16 January Kuopio office is closed
• Tue 17 February, offices will be closed at 12 (Sports Afternoon)
• Mon–Sun 2.–8. March offices will be closed (Winter Holiday)

If the office is closed, the return date for sports equipment and board games will automatically move to the next office opening day. Also note that if you want to borrow sports equipment for the Sports Afternoon from the ISYY office, please pick them up on Tuesday, February 17 at 10–12 at the latest.

Welcome to the 16th Annual Celebration of the Student Union on Sat 21 March in Joensuu

ISYY's Annual Celebration will be held on Saturday 21 March 2026 at 6 pm in Joensuu, Original Sokos Hotel Kimmel’s event space Sirkkala. For those who are coming to our Celebration from Kuopio, we are offering a bus transport to Joensuu on Saturday 21 March and back to Kuopio on Sunday 22 March after the Sillis. This transport is included in the price of the dinner card.

The Annual Celebration details are now published on ISYY's website and registration for the event is now open in kide.app. We warmly welcome all ISYY members and friends of ISYY to celebrate our Student Union with us!

Suggest a stop for the 2026 Savo-Karjala Excursion

We are currently planning the 2026 Savo-Karjala Excursion, and we would love to hear your ideas! Savo-Karjala Excursion is one of the most known and popular ISYY Vappu (May Day) events and it’s held every year 29th April. The Bus Excursion will go around Savo-Karjala area (the area between and around Kuopio and Joensuu) on a predetermined route and its pubs, bars and restaurants. The route remains as a secret until the buses start their journey.

We are looking for suggestions for a stop along the excursion route – especially local restaurants or unique places that we might not otherwise discover when planning the itinerary (e.g. on last year's excursion the participants had an opportunity to visit the Moomin Ice Cave).

If you know a place that could add something special to the excursion experience, don’t hesitate to share your suggestion. All ideas are welcome, and your recommendation might become part of this year's excursion!

The questionnaire closes on Sunday 8 February.

ECTS credits from 2025 positions of trust can now be applied

According to the accepted education plan of UEF, a student can be given ECTS credits for participating in student association or ISYY club work, for acting in the administrative body or working groups of the Student Union, University or in another body of a cooperating organisation or for participating in international association or ISYY club work.

ISYY has now opened the application period for ECTS credits for the positions of trust in 2025. The ECTS credits can be applied until the end of Sunday 1 March 2026.

ISYY is giving out grants for international activities!

The grant is for events and projects that promote internationalisation in the 2026 spring semester and is meant for student associations, campus associations and ISYY clubs.

We are looking for activities that in addition to promoting internationalisation and international affairs in the campus cities, are innovative, are repeatable and reproducible, are sustainable long-term, are environmentally friendly, promote sobriety and take all students into account. Cooperation with other associations and clubs is also considered an advantage.

Two best applications will receive a grant of 300 €. Application period is from January 30 till February 22.

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 8.2. at 1 pm University Student Bible Club
• Tue 10.2. at 5 pm Kärmes (board game club)
• Thu 19.2. at 5 pm Kärmes (board game 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. Read more on the SYKETTÄ Kuopio website and follow SYKETTÄ on social media:

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

You must have a valid SYKETTÄ membership when using sports services!

• Buy the membership from the SYKETTÄ website's store or from ISYY office.
• You will also have access to nutrition and physical activity counselling.
• Find out more about our diverse services on the Member sevices webpage.

Upcoming events

SYKETTÄ is organising courses for skiing and swimming this spring. More information on sport courses webpage.

Would you like to learn how to prepare tasty vegetarian food on a small budget? Participate in SYKETTÄ's cooking evening on Wed 11.2.  Read more about the upcoming event on the  nutrition webpage.

New class! Bare Yoga Method Online Class. Welcome to practice yoga anytime, anywhere with BYM Online!
Instructions to use the service are here

Calls for Application for Outgoing Student Exchange have been posted!

The next application period for outgoing exchange opens soon!

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

The application period ends on Feb 16 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, please see the Study Abroad section on Kamu!

Remember to cancel any unused EXAM visits – responsible booking benefits everyone!

An exam visit gives you flexibility and the opportunity to take your exam at a location that suits you – even in another city. This service makes studying easier and offers more options, but available seats are limited.

Please keep these in mind:

• An exam visit is an additional service, not an automatic right – a seat cannot always be guaranteed at your preferred time.
• The service is free for you, but the university pays for every reservation – including unused ones.
• So please cancel any unused reservation in the EXAM system – this frees the slot for another student.

Thank you for acting responsibly – it improves exam opportunities for all students!

Respond to a survey on the accessibility of the University of Eastern Finland Library!

The purpose of the survey is to map the physical and digital accessibility of the library's services, facilities, collections and communications. Your answers will help us make the library more accessible.

The survey is open from 19 January until 8 February 2026.

P. S. Please, visit the library service desk in case you need assistance in filling in the form.

Kuopio City Theatre subtitles performances in English and clear Finnish

Kuopio City Theatre has started subtitling its own performances in English and easy Finnish. We will also be adding Finnish-language captioning. We want to improve our accessibility even further.

Subtitles and captioning can be followed on your own smart device, for example your phone, via the captioning application. Instructions for using the application can be found here.

This spring, subtitles will be available for all performances of the Perfect Recipe musical and Idän pikajuna. You can also listen to captioning in these performances via the application. Captioning is also available for Valkoinen valas performances. In autumn 2026, Metsolat will be subtitled and captioned.

Today at Coffee & Friends: Speed friending

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 27 January forward at 3-5pm at Lukema. 

Coffee & Friends programme:

• 10.2. Valentine’s Day Crafts 
• 17.2. Relaxing and Colouring
• 24.2. Bingo 

TalvelLA-N#15

Kyylä hosts a lan party event at Siilinjärvi!

We play mainly on local network, FPS and RTS games. Limited space for 20 people. Event is for ISYY members.

You are welcome to step by on day time. Registration in advance from website and price 20€.
You can reach as on Discord and Facebook.

ISYY's Movie Club Hyvät Kuvat spring season is here!

The club presents 11 movies during the spring on Thursdays at 5.30 pm at the Cinema Kino Kuvakukko (address: Vuorikatu 27). All movies are listed on ISYY's upcoming events calendar, where you can see small info about films and spoken languages.

The Club sells seasonal tickets, which gives you access to all of spring 2026 movies. It is not possible to buy seperate tickets for each movie. The price for students is 25€ (others 30€) Tickets can be bought from the ISYY Kuopio office, or on Thursdays from Kino Kuvakukko before acts.

And if by any chance you happen to be an exchange student and an ISYY member, the club is happy to provide you a free seasonal ticket for this spring, ask more from the ISYY office!

Welcome to Sessions Talents at Novapolis on 4.2.2026

Are you looking for a job, summer work, or an internship? Interested in entrepreneurship, or searching for a suitable thesis topic? Sessions Talents gives you the opportunity to connect directly with experts from companies and education providers.

Sessions Talents 2026 is a new kind of recruitment and networking event that brings together both domestic and international students with companies in an impactful way.

At the event, you can explore different theme areas at a time that best suits your schedule. Check the day's program and participating companies online, no registration needed!

Welcome to plan the next Yhdessä Kuopiossa multicultural event and enjoy world rhythms!

World Rhythm Experience on Tuesday February 10th at 5 PM at Kuopio City Theatre

Program:

• 17:00 Planning the next multicultural event Yhdessä Kuopiossa
• 18:00 Quick and easy dance lessons from different Latin rhythms
• 19:30 Free dancing and having a good time together

The dance lessons are intended for all participants, including families.
The good atmosphere and music at the event is created by DJ Da2s. Each participant can request their favorite song from the DJ. Free entrance – welcome to party together! Program changes possible.

Friendship Day Event in Kuopio

Looking to meet new people and expand your network in a relaxed, friendly setting? International House Kuopio and Turvalinkki is hosting a Friendship Day Event in Kuopio for adults who want to connect, play games, and enjoy good company.

What to expect? Meet new people, play fun games with prizes to win  and enjoy coffee and snacks. This event is open to both immigrants and Finnish participants who would like to make new friends and practice English and easy Finnish together.

• 13 February at 12:00–13:30
• Kasarmikatu 2, 70110 Kuopio
• Language: English & easy Finnish
• Adults only (not a kid-friendly event)

The event is free, but please register in advance so we can prepare enough coffee and snacks. We look forward to seeing you there!

Ready to work in Finland?

Join us to learn the essentials of working life and job hunting in Finland — understand the job market, what employers value, and discover the best ways to find new opportunities.

This event is free and open to everyone. Sign up today!

• 16 February at 13:00 – 15:00
• Place: TyöNavigaattori, Asemakatu 7, 70110 Kuopio
• Language: English

Finnish for Working Life – for Inspiring Immigrant Women

Do you want to feel more confident using Finnish at work? Learn the words, skills, and courage you need to talk about your talents, apply for jobs, and shine in interviews- all in Finnish.

What you’ll get:

• Practical Finnish for working life
• Help with CVs & job applications
• Speaking practice in a supportive group
• Tips on job searching in Finland

Face-to-face teaching Saturdays 9:00–14:15, 21.2.–9.5.2026.

Free of charge (0 €) – funded by the Ministry of Education. For female university / UAS students with Finnish level A2. Possibility to complete a Kapos skill badge.

More info & registration: Johanna Jussila, 044 718 4714, johanna.jussila@kuopio.fi

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.