Happy Tuesday!

The evenings are getting darker since it's already October. Now during the 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 evenings!

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/yellow front light when you ride at dusk or in the dark. This is required by 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,
Coordinator of International Affairs

P.S. This newsletter covers weeks 41 and 42. The Weekly Feed isn't published next week because of autumn holiday week.

Exceptions to ISYY office opening hours

Here are the upcoming exceptions to ISYY Kuopio office's opening hours in October 2025: 

• Wed 8.10.2025: open 12-15
• Autumn holiday week 42 (13.-17.10.2025): CLOSED

Apply as a Student Representative by Monday 13 noon!

Do you want to participate in UEF decision-making as a student representative, or as we say “halloped”, and represent all students of UEF? This could be your chance! As a student representative you'll gain great experience of administration work and decision-making, get monetary compensation when attending the meetings, and you can later apply for ETCS's from these positions.

We are searching representatives for the following bodies:

• UEF Board
• UEF Collegiate Body
• UEF Faculty Councils

In UEF administrative bodies Student Representatives promote students’ point of view in the decision making and also bring matters that are important for students into public debate. They also have a right to make proposals and motions in the bodies. If your first language is not Finnish, UEF will organise interpretation services for you.

Interested? Read more from ISYY website, get to know the application calls and apply by Mon 13 October at 12 pm (noon).

ISYY's breakfast 28.10.

ISYY’s breakfasts are relaxed and communal events open to all UEF students. Enjoy a nutritious start to your day and meet fellow students! The next breakfast will be held in campus restaurant Snellmania on 28.10. Registration for the breakfast starts on 14 October at 10.00 am in Kide.app.

ISYY Association Days 22 October

ISYY is organising the traditional Association Days, in which Student Associations, ISYY clubs and Campus Associations present their activities and events!  ISYY Association Days are open for everybody and there's no entrance fee.

In Kuopio campus Association Days are in Snellmania lobby on Wednesday 22 October at 10–14. 

It’s also possible that you’ll find some new activities or maybe new hobbies from Association Days! Many associations usually sell their own merch, e.g. overall patches.

Coffee & Friends

This autumn’s Coffee & Friends starts today on both campuses! The café meets on Tuesdays at 3-5pm at Lukema in Kuopio.

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.

Upcoming themes in Coffee & Friends:

• 7.10. Colouring & board games
• 14.10. Autumn holiday, no Coffee & Friends this week
• 21.10. Bingo
• 28.10. Halloween crafts

ISYY club meetings

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

• Fri 10.10. at 5 pm Kärmes (board game club)
• Sun 12.10. at 1 pm UEF Student Bible Club
• Tue 14.10. at 5 pm Kärmes (board game club)
• Mon 20.10. at 5 pm Kärmes (board game club)

What ISYY Council, what Representative Council Elections?

The Representative Council is the highest decision-making body of the Student Union, consisting of 39 members of ISYY. The members of the Representative Council are elected in elections held every two years. Every member of ISYY has the right to vote in these elections, meaning that students choose the members of the Representative Council from among the students who stand as candidates.

Your vote matters. Advance voting will take place from 27 to 31 October 2025, and the official election day is 6 November 2025.

136 candidates for ISYY's Representative Council elections

This year, a total of 136 candidates from 11 different candidate lists are nominated in the Representative Council Elections of the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY).

Compared to the previous Elections in 2023 and 2021, the number of candidates and lists has increased. In the 2023 elections there were 113 candidates and 9 candidate lists, and during the 2021 elections there were 128 candidates and 10 candidate lists. All candidates and their numbers are published on ISYY's website.

Come to follow ISYY's Electoral Panels!

ISYY will hold Electoral Panes for Representative Council Election candidates in Joensuu on Monday 20 October and in Kuopio on Tuesday 21 October. During the panel, candidates will answer questions concerning different themes either in Finnish or English. Also, the audience can ask their questions during the event. Additionally, you can send your questions beforehand via this Google Forms.

Electoral Panel in Kuopio: Tuesday 21 October at 12-13 in Snellmania lobby.

Come to the panel discussion and learn more about the candidates - because you decide who decides. Coffee and candies will be served and you can get an free overall patch if you come!

Campaigning Days of the Candidates

Who are the candidates? How can you know who's the best candidate for YOUR vote? Come to meet candidates on their campaigning days on campuses!

Campaigning days in Kuopio:

• Tue-Thu 14.-16.10.2025, from 10 am to 2 pm, Snellmania first floor lobby
• Tue 21.10.2025, from 10 am to 2 pm, Snellmania first floor lobby
• Mon-Wed 27.-29.10.2025, from 10 am to 2 pm, Snellmania first floor lobby
• Thu-Fri 30.-31.10.2025,from 10 am to 2 pm, Canthia first floor lobby
• Tue-Thu 4.-6.11.2025, from 10 am to 2 pm, Snellmania first floor lobby

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

During the autumn holiday week (week 42) 13.-19.10. 

• Most of the group exercise classes are on a break
• There are no ball games at Luola
• Free shifts have been added to Studentia week 42

Adults beginner swimming school 27.10.-24.11.

Adults beginner swimming school (level 0, no previous skills required). During this short course you will learn the very basics of swimming, floating, kicks, and the basics of hand strokes. The focus on the course will be on water safety which strengthens your ability to practice on your own after the course. The course is organised at the Kuntolaakso swimming hall in Niirala.

• Address: Hannes Kolehmaisen Katu 4, 70110 Kuopio
• Five Mondays, from 7:30pm to 8:15pm; 27.10., 3.11., 10.11., 17.11. and 24.11.
• Enroll via the SYKETTÄ sports calendar
• Price: 65€

Please remember that all users of SYKETTÄ Kuopio services must have a valid SYKETTÄ membership. 

Major Service Interruption in Peppi 15th-16th October 2025

Due to the installation of Peppi version 5.3, there will be a service interruption from 15th to 16th October 2025. To anticipate the service interruption, do these on 14th October at the latest, if needed:

• Complete your registration for the course units and exams on Peppi, on Tuudo or on EXAM.
• Check and save teaching timetables and links for remote lectures (e.g. teams, zoom). Teaching timetables can be seen on Tuudo during the service interruption.
• Download your transcript of records or study certificate on Peppi.

Student Survey: Turnitin – Helpful or Pointless? Share Your Thoughts!

Turnitin – have you used it? Did it help you, or was its value unclear? Now’s your chance to tell us how Turnitin has impacted your studies – and whether it’s truly needed.
 
The survey explores the perceived benefits of Turnitin, the desired features, and its role in supporting learning. It’s your opportunity to influence future decisions! Completing the survey takes 5–10 minutes, and all responses are anonymous.
 
The survey is open from October 6 to October 26, 2025: Student survey: Experiences with the Turnitin plagiarism detection system. Thank you for raising the student voice!

Win Tickets to Lehtiä Ilosaaressa event in Joensuu!

Want to experience the autumn vibes at the Lehtiä Ilosaaressa event? Join our ticket raffle by filling out the online form by Friday, October 10th at 12:00.

A free bus ride to the event is included! Winners will be contacted on Monday, October 13th with more information of the bus rides. Raffle is organized by UEF University Services.

First-year student, please complete the HealthStart questionnaire in the Self online service!

If you started completing your first degree at an institution of higher education in the autumn semester 2025, you can now complete the HealthStart questionnaire in the Self online service.

After completing the HealthStart questionnaire, you’ll receive feedback on your state of health and may be referred to health promotion services provided by the FSHS. The aim is to check your health status and refer you to the appropriate services as early as possible at the beginning of your studies.

Towards Working Life in Eastern Finland

International students may now access a new, free-of-charge online course Towards Working Life in Eastern Finland (MOOC). The course is offered by Talent Hub Eastern Finland. 

The self-study course helps students get familiar with working life, culture and recruitment practices in eastern Finland, as well as use tools for competence recognition and professional development. 

You can find more information on th and register yourself on the course on DigiCampus. Course key: MOOC.

You may complete the online course independently at your convenience. Welcome to the course!

Get help to your career planning!

Mentoring can help you find your strengths and areas for development and encourage you to take on new challenges. Also, the mentors can get new energy and fresh perspectives on their work through students and other talents (actors).

 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
• exploring 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 mentoring program is open until 31.10.2024. International students and other talents affiliated in Eastern Finland are eligible to apply. However, priority in intake will be given to students with approx. one year or longer experience in studying in Finland. Thus, if you have just started your studies in Finland this autumn, you should wait for one year, and give the opportunity for those who are closer to their graduation and the start of their professional career.

New opening hours for MIELI Crisis Helpline

MIELI Crisis Helpline is now open on Mondays and Fridays.  MIELI Crisis Helpline (09 2525 0116) provides crisis assistance and discussion support in English for anyone living in Finland.

The new opening hours are:

• Mondays: 4 pm to 8 pm
• Fridays: 9 am to 1 pm

MIELI Mental Health Finland provides crisis assistance and support in order to prevent mental health problems and suicides. MIELI Crisis Helpline allows you to discuss your thoughts, feelings and situation in life with a crisis worker or a trained volunteer, for ex. all kinds of traumas, divorces, issues in the family or drug abuses.  You can call us anonymously and confidentially.

Join YUFE Friend activities

It's time to sign up for the YUFE Friend programme again! YUFE Friend allows a local person or family to become friends with a UEF student or employee who has moved to Finland - and vice versa.

We are looking for two types of people interested in mutual cultural exchange:

1. local people or families who are interested in sharing everyday life in Finland and getting to know new people

2. UEF students and staff members (and their families, if any) who have recently moved to Finland and would like to meet local people and learn more about life in Finland.

Read more in the brochures provided in this Viva Engage post and Register by 20 October!

For more information on YUFE Friend activities, contact:

Kirsi Karjalainen (050 462 1267, kirsi.karjalainen@uef.fi)

Join ESN Savo for a day trip to Koli National Park! 

Spend an autumn day exploring the iconic landscapes of Koli. Enjoy the colorful fall scenery, breathe in the fresh forest air, and gaze across the Finnish lakes. Some hikes will be guided by volunteers, but you’re free to explore at your own pace!  

• Date & Departure: Saturday 11 October, departure time 9:00 AM and return around 6:30 PM
• Ticket Price: 20 € for members & 25 € for non-members
• What to Bring: Packed lunch, Comfortable hiking shoes, Water and snacks, Raingear (just in case)

Come for a day of nature, fresh air, and autumn vibes! 

Welcome to Kuopio!

Are you new in Kuopio? Have you just started your studies or job, or still settling into your new life here?

Join us on October 8th at 16:00–17:45 at Kuopio City Hall (Tulliportinkatu 31) for a warm welcome event for all newcomers! Learn about life in Kuopio, meet local organizations and discover services that help you settle in. The event is:

• Family-friendly
• Free of charge
• Open to all newcomers

We can’t wait to meet you! Register for the event here.

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.