Fulbright Finland Pre-Departure Orientation - Part 1

Webinar

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 Orientation is organized as a webinar in two parts. The first part of the Orientation will be held on June 16th and the second part on August 18th.

Program, June 16th (Part 1)

13:00-13:10 Welcome and Practicalities of the Orientation
Emmi Jelekäinen, Program Specialist, Fulbright Finland Foundation

13:10-13:20 Opening Remarks
Terhi Mölsä, Chief Executive Officer, Fulbright Finland Foundation

13:20-13:50 Meet Your Fellow Grantees and the Fulbright Finland Foundation Team
Leasa Weimer, Assistant Director of Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives, Fulbright Finland Foundation

13:50-14:00 Break

14:00-14:25 Fulbright Finland Foundation and its Worldwide Network
Terhi Mölsä, Chief Executive Officer, Fulbright Finland Foundation

14:25-14:45 BYO Coffee Time in Your Destination State Group

14:45-15:10 Greetings from the U.S. Embassy
Ethan Tabor, Deputy Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy; Fulbright Finland Foundation Board Member

Meet Your U.S. Embassy Visa Officer – Q & A
Tero Kantanen, Consular Assistant – Immigrant visas, U.S. Consulate

  • Questions after the Fulbright Finland webinar and reading the U.S. Embassy website?
  • What happens at the border and why does it matter?
  • 2-year requirement and waiver
  • Spouse employment possibilities
  • Visa processing time
  • Booking visa interviews

15:10-15:25 Importance of the Role of the Alumni
Terhi Mölsä, Chief Executive Officer, Fulbright Finland Foundation    

What is the Finnish Fulbright Welcome Network?
Emilia Holopainen, Program Coordinator, Fulbright Finland Foundation

Greetings from the ASLA-Fulbright Alumni Association
Inari Ahokas, Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders from Europe 2016; Vice-Chair of the ASLA-Fulbright Alumni Association Board

  • The broader role of the Alumni Association in Finland
  • Benefits of being a member
  • How to get involved?

15:25-15:40 Q & A (Event ends for some grantees)

15:40-16:15 Group 1: Social Security (Bachelor’s and Master’s Students, and Professionals)

  • 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.?

15:40-16:00 Leena Ikonen, Coordinator, KELA
16:00-16:15 Questions and Answers

15:40-16:15 Group 2: Program Practices and Independent Assignment for Travel Grantees
Erkko Sointu, Fulbright Finland Travel Grantee 2015; Assistant Professor, University of Eastern Finland
Emmi Jelekäinen, Program Specialist, Fulbright Finland Foundation