Pre-assignments for the 2024 August Arrival Orientation

Back to the main page.

Information as of August 9, 2024.

Additions on August 7: 

-  Module 1 is edited, please read it through and complete the task at the end of the module
- a new video in the Module 2, marked with **NEW**

Orientation Modules

The orientation is divided into different modules, each including learning objectives, short pre-assignments, and other resources to help you to gain the best understanding of the different themes important to you.

Pre-Assignments

Please complete these pre-assignments before the orientation to ensure you get the most out of the orientation.

MODULE 1: The Fulbright Finland Foundation, Its Global Network, and Your Role as a Grantee

Goals of the module:

  • To get acquainted with the unique features of the Fulbright Finland Foundation as a private Finnish non-profit organization, and to be able to talk actively and knowledgeably about the Foundation and its mission and programs both in Finland and in the United States.
  • To learn the key facts about the global Fulbright Program with over 160 participating countries, and to understand how this provides all the Foundation’s grantees a direct access to the Foundation’s worldwide collaboration and alumni network.
  • To become familiar with some of the key concepts related to the Foundation's programs, such as citizen diplomacy, science diplomacy, knowledge diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, and public diplomacy.
  • To begin to think about and shape your own role as a grantee and citizen diplomat. 

Pre-assignments

1. Learn about the Fulbright Finland Foundation's Global Network
Over 160 countries participate in the global Fulbright Program with the United States, and the Fulbright Finland Foundation is a part of this global network. 

2. Learn about the Fulbright Finland Foundation
The Fulbright Finland Foundation is a private not-for-profit organization registered under Finnish law. When you applied for your grant program to Finland and when you were preparing for coming to Finland, you went through carefully the Fulbright Finland Foundation's website. Hence you already know about the Foundation's vision, mission, and brand promise. Please remind yourself of these key details. After that, it is time to learn more:

3. Begin to design your own role as a Fulbright Finland Foundation grantee
All of the Foundation’s programs are leadership programs. In this context, “leadership” does not refer to rank or titles, but rather to a conscious decision to take responsibility to create meaningful change – a decision that does not depend on age, background, field, or a specific grant program. 

  • For a discussion on “leadership” and how it is understood in the context of the Fulbright Finland Foundation, please read the following interview: "Seeking Solutions for Global Challenges" (Fulbright Finland News 1/2020) (reading time 5 mins)

All Foundation grantees are citizen diplomats. It is up to each grantee to decide what that role will look like in practice. It will likely be different, for instance, for a senior researcher than to a young undergraduate, or a professional. But all are equally important. 

As a grantee, you are not an official representative of your government. As a citizen diplomat, you serve as a cultural ambassador, sharing your own, individual cultural background, characteristics, and thoughts. 

  • Reflect on your personality, preferences, and strengths, and start to think about how you wish to shape the role for you so that it feels comfortable and empowering.

To help you design your own role, it is important to understand the different dimensions and emphasis that it can take. For this reason, take some time to become familiar with some key concepts, such as science diplomacy, knowledge diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, and public diplomacy, just to mention a few. 

4. Optional: If you have time and you are interested in learning more, please consider viewing the following additional resources:

TASK:
Think about your own role as a citizen diplomat. What would you like that role to look like? Come to the joint session with your own reflections and thoughts and be prepared to share them with others.

Please share your questions and thoughts on this Jamboard in advance before the orientation day (you can do it anonymously). It may help the others in their thinking process as well. Please include your comments and questions in the Jamboard by August 15, 2024.

MODULE 2: Your Role in Publicity and Outreach

Learning objective: To understand your role in the Foundation's publicity and outreach efforts, and as an ambassador for your own country and home institution, and also for the Fulbright Finland Foundation, Finland, and your host institution. 

Acknowledging the Fulbright Finland Foundation:

We hope you proudly acknowledge the Fulbright Finland Foundation, and use your identification as Fulbright scholar/student/teacher to advance your research and/or project. This is your judgment call to make, but we encourage you to recognize the Fulbright Finland Foundation if the paper, talk, exhibit etc. comes from your time as a Fulbright scholar. There is no standard required language, but you can use, for instance the following sentence: “This research/work has been supported by the Fulbright Finland Foundation.”

If you find it necessary, you can also add a sentence to note that “the conclusions and content of this research do not represent an endorsement or approval by the Fulbright Finland Foundation or its sponsors.”

MODULE 3: Your Support Network in Finland

Learning objective: Ensure the health and safety of the Fulbrighters, and to ensure you know what to do and who to contact if something happens to you.

Pre-assignments:

MODULE 4: Importance of the Role of the Alumni

Learning objective: To understand your role and importance of the alumni in the Fulbright Finland Foundation community.

  • Contact your Fulbright Buddy. Fulbright Buddies are motivated Fulbright Finland alumni who are devoted in helping the U.S. grantees adjust to life in Finland.
  • Contact the Finnish Fulbright Welcome Network members who have been to your host city in Finland. You should have received the list of the members via e-mail from your program coordinator. 
  • See a list of the Fulbright Finland Outreach Ambassadors, volunteer alumni and grantees who are ready to help you to integrate and into the university community in your new host city.
Picture on pins in an alumni event

MODULE 5: Finnish Language and Living in Finland

Learning objective: Learn about Finnish culture and language, and to learn some useful phrases in Finnish, to get inspired to use them or study more.

If you want to read more about Finnish society and culture, here are some book recommendations: 

  • Richard Lewis: Finland, Cultural Lone Wolf
  • Anu Partanen: The Nordic Theory of Everything

For lighter reading:

  • Karoliina Korhonen: Finnish Nightmares
  • Michael Booth: The Almost Nearly Perfect People

 

MODULE 6: This is Finland

Learning objective: Get to know Finnish history, economy, and foreign policy.

MODULE 7: Education System

Learning objective: To learn about Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences, how they differ, and how they operate.