Fulbright Finland Foundation Pre-Departure Orientation 2022

Helsinki

The Fulbright Finland Foundation organizes annually a Pre-Departure Orientation Day for all the grantees departing to the U.S. in the next academic year. This year, the event will be organized at Kuntatalo in Helsinki on May 17.

This seminar is part of the orientation training that includes, in addition to this in-person seminar, virtual meetings and independent studying.

Program

08:30-9:10 Breakfast

09:10-9:20 Welcome and Practicalities of the Day
Leasa Weimer, Assistant Director of Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives, Fulbright Finland Foundation

09:20-10:00 Opening Remarks and Grantee Introductions
Terhi Mölsä, Chief Executive Officer, Fulbright Finland Foundation

10:00-10:15 Break

10:15-11:00 Fulbright Finland Foundation and its Worldwide Network
Terhi Mölsä, Chief Executive Officer, Fulbright Finland Foundation

11:00-11:05 Stretching Break

11:05-11:35 Communicating Across Cultures and Building Bridges
Terhi Mölsä, Chief Executive Officer, Fulbright Finland Foundation
Maija Kettunen, Communication Specialist, Fulbright Finland Foundation
Leasa Weimer, Assistant Director of Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives, Fulbright Finland Foundation

11:35-11:45 Greetings from the U.S. Embassy
Nazanin Berarpour, Public Diplomacy Officer, U.S. Embassy

Communicating with Your U.S. Embassy Visa Officer

11:45-11:50 Instructions for Afternoon Sessions

11:50-13:00 Lunch                                                                                                

13:00-13:30 Break-Out Sessions on Social Security

Group 1: Researchers, Doctoral Students and Professionals (MCPDs)  

  • Moving to the U.S. – what do I need to know about social security?
  • The role of Mela, ETK and KELA?
  • What are the benefits of MYEL coverage?
  • How and when to apply for MYEL coverage and how is it paid?

13:00-13:15
Minna Isoksela-Valkola, Insurance Solver, Mela
Tina Björn, Insurance Solver, Mela
Hanna Hyttinen, Special Adviser, ETK

13:15-13:30
Questions and Answers

Group 2: Bachelor’s and Master’s Students

  • Moving to the U.S. – what do I need to know about social security?
  • How to apply for KELA student aid for studies in the U.S.?

13:00-13:15
Kiira Orre, Coordinator, KELA

13:15-13:30
Questions and Answers

Group 3: Program Practices for Travel Grantees
Erkko Sointu, Fulbright Finland Travel Grant for Research Collaboration 2015; Professor, University of Eastern Finland

Group 4: Study of the U.S. Institutes’ Grantees and Teachers
Join the session of your choice and/or take a moment to post on social media

13:30-13:45 Coffee Break

13:45-14:45 Group Discussion with Fulbright Finland Alumni

  • Tips for preparing for your stay in the U.S.
  • First things to do when arriving in the U.S.
  • Housing and house hunting tips, the importance of reading the small print!
  • Life on a U.S. campus and host organization matters
  • Living in the U.S.  - everyday issues (banking, health care, transportation, phone, bureaucracy, social life)
  • Questions on U.S. culture
  • Enrichment activities
  • Bringing family to the U.S.
  • Conducting studies/project in the U.S.

Group 1: Undergraduate Students (Fulbright Finland Undergraduate Grants and Fulbright Finland Partnership Award with Vanderbilt University)
Agneetta Moisio, Fulbright Finland Partnership Award with Vanderbilt University 2018-22
Henrik Räbinä, Fulbright Finland Undergraduate Grant 2019-20

Facilitator:
Heidi Tiainen, Program and Events Assistant, Fulbright Finland Foundation             

Group 2: Graduate Students (ASLA-Fulbright Pre-Doctoral Research Fellows, ASLA-Fulbright Graduate Grants, Fulbright-Technology Industries of Finland Grants, and Fulbright-KAUTE Foundation Awards)
Adriana O'Flanagan, Special Project Advisor for Program Development, Fulbright Finland Foundation
Niko Heikkilä, ASLA-Fulbright Graduate Grant 2019-20
Inka Rusi, ASLA-Fulbright Graduate Grant 2017-18
Pekko Sangi, Fulbright Finland Partnership Award for Graduate Studies 2018-19
Natalia Särmäkari, ASLA-Fulbright Pre-Doctoral Research Fellow 2019-20
Martina Castrén, ASLA-Fulbright Graduate Grant 2018-19

Facilitator:
Ling Choi, Program Coordinator, Fulbright Finland Foundation

Group 3: FLTAs (Fulbright Finnish Language and Culture Teaching Assistant Program)
Kaija Kauppinen, FLTA Grantee 2019-20
Sanni Törmänen, FLTA Grantee 2019-20

Facilitator:
Karoliina Kokko, Senior Program Manager, Fulbright Finland Foundation

Group 4: Lecturers, Researchers, and Professionals (ASLA-Fulbright Research Grants for Senior Scholars, ASLA-Fulbright Research Grants for Junior Scholars, and ASLA-Fulbright Mid-Career Professional Development Grants)
Lindsay Whorton, Fulbright-EDUFI Fellow 2012-13; President, The Holdsworth Center
Pauliina Palonen, ASLA-Fulbright Research Grant for a Senior Scholar 2016-17; University Lecturer, University of Helsinki
Selina Gallo-Cruz, Fulbright-Tampere University Scholar Award 2021-22; Associate Professor, College of the Holy Cross

Facilitators:
Emmi Jelekäinen, Program Specialist, Fulbright Finland Foundation
Leasa Weimer, Assistant Director of Strategic Partnerships & Initiatives, Fulbright Finland Foundation

Group 5: Teachers (Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching)
Elina Kaverma-Soukko, Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program 2018-19; Handicraft Teacher, Käpylä Comprehensive School
Taru Pohtola, Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program 2015-16; English Teacher, Martinlaakso Upper Secondary School
Kathryn Picardo, Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Research Program 2021-22; Teacher of Social Studies, Livingston High School
Robert Fudge, Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Research Program 2021-22; Fine Arts Instructor, Memphis University School

Facilitator:
Mirka McIntire, Manager, Teacher Exchange and Education Programs, Fulbright Finland Foundation

Group 6: SUSI for Scholars (Study of the United States Institutes for Scholars and Professionals)
Outi J. Hakola, Study of the U.S. Institute for Scholars 2005; Associate Professor, University of Helsinki

Facilitator:
Jussi Ikkala, Study of the U.S. Institute for Scholars and Professionals 2016-17; Doctoral Researcher, University of Helsinki

Group 7: SUSI for Student Leaders (Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders from Europe)
Konsta Salo, Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders from Europe on Environmental Issues 2016-17

Facilitator:
Ronja Salo, Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders From Europe on Civic Engagement 2017-18

Group 8: Travel Grantees (Fulbright Finland Travel Grants for Research Collaboration and Fulbright Finland Travel Grants for Institutional Partnership Building)
Irina Nefedova, Fulbright Finland Travel Grant for Research Collaboration 2019; Postdoctoral Researcher, Aalto University

Facilitator:
Erkko Sointu, Fulbright Finland Travel Grant for Research Collaboration 2015; Professor, University of Eastern Finland
           
14:45-15:10 Break

15:10-15:35 Bus to the Helsinki City Hall

15:35-16:00 Group Photo at the Helsinki City Hall

16:00-16:25 Fulbright Finland Foundation Grantees as Ambassadors of Finland and Promoters of Our Country Brand
Laura Kamras, Director, Unit for Public Diplomacy, Ministry for Foreign Affairs

  • Finland’s country brand
  • As citizen diplomats, what can the Fulbright Finland Foundation grantees do to promote Finland’s country brand?
  • How can the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and the Finnish diplomatic missions in the U.S. be of assistance to and work with the Fulbright Finland Foundation grantees?

16:25 Rehearsal

17:00 Award Ceremony & Reception at the Helsinki City Hall

19:00 Event Ends