Module 8: After the Grant Term

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Learning Objectives of the Module:

• To internalize the benefits of becoming a lifelong Fulbright Finland Foundation ambassador and member of the alumni community
• To learn about the diverse opportunities to engage and contribute as alumni
• To get inspired to continue the proactive engagement and contribute to creating new opportunities  

How to Stay Connected With the Community?

Alumni are the mainstay of the Fulbright Finland Foundation. All former grantees are by definition alumni and hence automatically part of our alumni community. 

Alumni are involved in practically everything we do. In addition to supporting new grantees, you can, for example, get active in one of the ongoing projects and initiatives, join our alumni events, become a member of the ASLA-Fulbright Alumni Association, or write an article for the Fulbright Finland News magazine to mention few. We also encourage alumni to proactively organize/host or sponsor events for the community, for example, in their home city or at their home organization. Please let Karoliina Kokko ([email protected]) know if you are interested in hosting an alumni event, or a site visit for alumni and/or U.S. grantees in Finland.

For a more comprehensive list of the variety of alumni opportunities and ways to get engaged, please follow these links:

• My opportunities as an alum
• Fulbright Finland Alumni Community
• Resources for Fulbright Finland Ambassadors (videos, PowerPoints etc.)

I got so much during my year as a grantee and feel happy to start giving back through the Fulbright Finland alumni community. - 2021-22 Finnish Graduate student Olli Siitonen

Join Us for Alumni Events

The Foundation organizes in-person alumni events in Finland throughout the year. Some events focus on specific themes and are often organized in collaboration with our partners. In addition to discussions on timely topics, the events offer excellent opportunities for networking. For example, in January 2023 the Foundation organized an event focusing on Finnish-U.S. relations in the new transatlantic security environment. Alumni had the opportunity to discuss the timely topic with an expert panel representing both the U.S. and Finnish governments. 

Invitations to the in-person alumni events are sent out based on information that alumni have themselves shared with the Foundation for inclusion in the Foundation’s alumni database. Make sure the Foundation has your updated contact information as well as information about your current professional and academic interests so that you will not miss out on these opportunities!

Welcome Event at Sibelius Upper Secondary School

Tuesday August 20, 2024 at 16:30-18:00

Save the date for the Welcome Event organized in honor of the returing Fulbright Finland Foundation awardees and the newly arrived U.S. Fulbright grantees. 

You will receive an invitation with registration link in early August.

Annual Reception at the U.S. Embassy in August

The Foundation has traditionally organized an annual reception for all returning Finnish grantees and newly arrived U.S. grantees in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Helsinki in late August. It is a great opportunity to reconnect with your fellow grantees and also to meet the new U.S. grantees embarking on their grant term in Finland. You will receive more information about the reception via email pending confirmation for this year's event.

Fulbright Finland Alumni Letter

From now on you will receive an alumni message a few times a year (please see an example of the message). It shares information about upcoming events, alumni funding opportunities, and other interesting news for our alumni. It also offers a forum for you to share your own news and accomplishments. 

Please let your program coordinator know if you don't start receiving alumni messages from the Foundation (remember to also check your spam folder).

The opportunity to join the Fulbright Finland family has been a huge blessing, surrounded by like-minded individuals looking to push the boundaries of science and the arts while incorporating international exchanges over new vistas and deep cultural sensitivities. - 2020-22 Fulbright U.S. Scholar to Finland

Alumni and the Foundation News Online

You can follow the news of the alumni and Foundation on our website www.fulbright.fi and through the Fulbright Finland News magazine published twice a year. 

The Foundation's channels on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, YouTube, and Instagram under the name Fulbright Finland, provide you with an easy way to stay tuned on the alumni community news and the Foundation updates on social media. 

In addition, you can join our monthly Fulbright Finland Update mailing list for alumni and Foundation news.

Has Your Contact Information Changed?

The Foundation team wants to hear from you and is eager to continue to follow your alumni journey. To stay part of the alumni community and to allow us to keep in touch, please keep us updated on your contact information changes. Please fill out this form or email us if your contact information or position/affiliation changes. This allows us also to share your affiliation/position updates in our messages to the alumni community.

By keeping us updated on your journey, we are also able to provide possible professional field-specific opportunities for you and provide you with opportunities to create connections with your fellow alumni.

For further information on our data handling, please see our privacy statement.

TASKS:

1. Let the Foundation know when your contact information or affiliation/position changes.

2. Share your grant term impacts and inspiring experiences with your networks. 
Remember to mention that you are Fulbright Finland alum when sharing your experiences.

3. What would you like to do as an alum? We welcome your suggestions and ideas.

We are always happy to hear your thoughts, let’s stay connected!

Please note that these pages are for the Fulbright Finland Foundation grantees only and not to be shared publicly.