Fulbright Finland Events
There are three events over the grant year in which the Fulbrighters are expected to participate.
| What | When and Where | Compulsory/Optional | What happens? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Arrival Orientation | End of August, Helsinki | Compulsory for grantees arriving in Finland during Fall semester | |
| American Voices Seminar | Mid-October, Turku | Compulsory for grantees in Finland during Fall semester | Brief presentation about American culture, society, history, language... |
| Fulbright Finland Thanksgiving Events | Thanksgiving Thursday and following Friday, Helsinki | Optional | |
| Spring Arrival Orientation | End of January, Helsinki | Compulsory for grantees arriving in Finland for spring semester | |
| Fulbright Forum | Multiple sessions during the spring, Online | Compulsory for grantees in Finland during spring semester | Brief presentation about your Fulbright project |
Fall and Spring Arrival Orientations
Late August and late January, Helsinki
When making travel arrangements, keep in mind that Fulbright Finland will arrange a 3.5- day Fall Arrival Orientation seminar for all grantees at the end of August and 3-day Spring Arrival Orientation at the end of January.
All grantees arriving for the Fall term are expected to participate in the Fall orientation. The Spring orientation will be mandatory for all grantees arriving for the Spring term. Family members are most welcome to join in. Finnish universities arrange their orientations at different times in the beginning of the semester, so some overlap is difficult to avoid. The orientation is mandatory for all incoming Fulbright grantees, so it supersedes all possible orientation events at your host institutions.
You will receive the exact Orientation dates from your Fulbright program coordinator. The seminar will address Fulbright program issues and practical arrangements. To help with the initial adjustment, the orientation will also provide useful information on Finnish culture and society.
In addition to providing detailed preparation on living in Finland, the orientation includes a range of social activities and provides opportunities to create networks and make connections with fellow grantees and Finnish hosts.
Fulbright Finland will arrange and cover costs of accommodation for all grantees for the duration of the orientation, and cover in-country travel expenses for grantees living outside the Helsinki region. If you have already established housing in Helsinki which is available to you during the orientation days, please let us know. Extra lodging and transportation costs for family members are covered by the grantee.
The primary responsibility for practical orientation into the local environment and community in Finland, however, resides with the host institution and the initiative of the grantee. In particular, this concerns housing, food services and arrangements for student or staff discounts, public transportation, language courses, schools and daycare for children and other local matters for which the procedures vary within different universities and municipalities.
The international relations offices at Finnish universities usually publish a guide for international students and scholars. This guide is a useful reference tool in regards to local information. (For specific information about your new city, simply type www. placename.fi. For example: www.rovaniemi.fi.)
American Voices Seminar
2-day event, Mid-October, University of Turku
The aim of the Seminar, from the audience’s point of view, is to provide a forum for a variety of ‘American voices’; to create a composite insight into the kaleidoscopic nature of American society.
Participants are asked to give short solo or group presentations (10-20 minutes) on some aspect of American society: its arts, languages, political life, legal system, music, natural geography, populations, regions, social problems, sports, etc. The topics should be of interest to a wide audience: the listeners will be mostly BA and MA students.
The seminar also brings U.S. Fulbrighters and the Fulbright Finland team together about halfway through the fall semester. The program includes a mandatory mid-term briefing before the first seminar day.
Fulbright Finland Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Thursday and the following Friday, Helsinki
Each year, the Fulbright Finland Foundation organizes special activities during Thanksgiving for those Fulbrighters who spend the holiday in Finland. The events are optional, but provide a nice way to spend Thanksgiving with your fellow Fulbrighters.
The program changes every year, but it has included a visit to the Fazer chocolate factory visitor center, floorball practice, a potluck dinner, and a visit to the Parliament house, including lunch with a Member of Parliament.
Fulbright Forum on Education, Innovation, Science and Art
Multiple days during the spring, online
The seminar provides you an opportunity to present your studies or research and receive feedback from your fellow Fulbrighters and a wider audience. The seminar is compulsory for all of the grantees. It is open to the public and free of charge. Please feel free to promote the event to your colleagues, friends, and family.
