Program for the 2024 August Arrival Orientation

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Information as of August 7, 2024.

Tentative program

The orientation program contains a substantial amount of walking. Please let us know in advance if this is a concern to you.

Program booklet (tentative)

Monday, August 19 

Venue: Hotel Korpilampi, Espoo

Family friendly? Yes, the whole day is family friendly.

Dress code: Our program starts at Hotel Korpilampi and we will end it with a relaxing evening of getting to know Finnish customs like sauna and Finnish yard games. This evening is family friendly and dress code is casual.

Time 
12:45Meet the Fulbright Finland Team at the Lobby of the Hotel Scandic Kaisaniemi (Kaisaniemenkatu 7)
13:00-13:45Bus to Hotel Korpilampi
Briefing in the bus about the orientation program and material package
14:00-15:00Welcome and Introductions of Grantees and the Foundation Team
15:00-15:10Break
15:10-16:10U.S. Fulbrighters and the Fulbright Program in Finland: What Everyone Needs to Know (Module 1)
Terhi Mölsä, CEO, Fulbright Finland Foundation
16:20-16:55Your Role in Publicity and Outreach (Module 2)
Terhi Mölsä, CEO, Fulbright Finland Foundation
Maija Kettunen, Communications Manager, Fulbright Finland Foundation
Heidi Tiainen, Events and Program Coordinator, Fulbright Finland Foundation
17:00-19:00Opportunity to go to Sauna and Swim (Module 5)
18:30-20:00Dinner
20:00Bus leaves back for Helsinki

 

Tuesday, August 20

Venue: Hanken School of Economics, Arkadiankatu 22

Family friendly? Yes, however the orientation sessions at in the morning and afternoon can be tiring for small children. The Welcome event at Sibelius Upper Secondary School is suitable also for children. 

Dress code: Business casual clothes and shoes that are appropriate for walking will be a smart choice.

Time 
8:55Meet the Foundation Team at the hotel lobby; travel to location
9:30-10:00Refreshments, Recap and Tips for the Day, Welcome Remarks
 
10:00-10:05Greetings from the U.S. Embassy
Susan Bridenstine, Counselor for Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy Helsinki; Member, Fulbright Finland Foundation Board of Directors
10:05 - 10:15

U.S. Citizen Services (Module 3)
Susan Bridenstine, Counselor for Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy Helsinki; Member, Fulbright Finland Foundation Board of Directors

  • Registering with STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program)
  • Passport replacement
  • Emergency phone number: +358-9-616-250 (select 0)
  • Travel to neighboring countries
  • Voting
  • Other citizen services
10:20-10:40Grantee Support Services and Key Contacts During The Fulbright Term (Module 3)
Emmi Jelekäinen, Program Manager, Scholar Programs, Fulbright Finland Foundation
Karoliina Kokko, Senior Program Manager, Fulbright Finland Foundation
10:40-10:50Tauko - Break
10:50-11:10Sámi Perspective (Module 6)
Kristiina Jomppanen, Finnish, German and North Sámi Language Teacher, Inari Communal College; Fulbright Finnish Language and Culture Teaching Assistant 2017-18
11:15-11:45Adventures in Cross-Cultural Communication (Module 5)
Emma Mulhern, Supply Chain Research Scientist, VTT; 2021-22 Fulbright-LUT University Graduate Grantee; 2022-23 Fulbright U.S. Student Renewal Grant
11:45-13:00Networking Lunch at Antell Arkadia
13:00-14:00

Panel Discussion: Finnish System of Higher Education and Research (Module 7)

  • Overview of the Finnish higher education system and the role of the governmental education and research policy
  • What is the difference between a university and a university of applied sciences?
  • Universities of applied sciences (UAS) and their role in the Finnish higher education system
  • Special features, internationalization, and recent changes in the Finnish university system

PANELISTS: 

  • Kirsimarja Blomqvist; Professor of Knowledge Management, LUT University; Member of the Fulbright Finland Foundation Board of Directors
  • Teemu Kokko, President and CEO, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences
  • Tiina Vihma-Purovaara, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Education and Culture
14:00-14:10Traveling During Your Fulbright Term
Emmi Jelekäinen, Program Manager, Scholar Programs, Fulbright Finland Foundation
Karoliina Kokko, Senior Program Manager, Fulbright Finland Foundation
14:10-14:30Break with Pulla
14:30-15:45

Break-out Sessions for Scholars and Students (Module 5 & 7)

Scholars: Higher Education Classroom in Finland – Differences in Teaching and Studying Between U.S. and Finland and Navigating the Academic Department

  • Academic vocabulary for Finland
  • Similarities/differences between U.S. and Finnish students and HEIs
  • Practical tips for lecturers and researchers
  • Social and everyday life

Students: Student Life in Finland

  • How does student life in a Finnish university differ from a U.S. university?
  • Fulbright stories from student alumni
  • Social life and leisure time
  • Practical tips for everyday life and local culture
15:45Break
16:00Tram leaves for the Sibelius Upper Secondary School
16:30-18:00

ASLA-Fulbright Alumni Association Welcome Event – Tervetulotilaisuus (Module 4)

  • Welcome by the host of the event Maija Urponen, President, ASLA-Fulbright Alumni Association and Elisa Räsänen, Vice-President, ASLA-Fulbright Alumni Association
  • Welcome by Hannu Rantala, Rector, Sibelius Upper Secondary School
  • Musical performances by students at Sibelius Upper Secondary School
  • Mingling over light refreshments
  • Tour of the school for those wishing to learn more about the Sibelius Upper Secondary School 
 Dinner arrangements on your own.

Wednesday, August 21

Venues: Helsinki City Sightseeing Tour; White & Case; U.S. Embassy

Family friendly? The Helsinki City Sightseeing Tour is family friendly. The sessions at White & Case are mainly for the grantees, but if there is room available, family members can join in the order of registration. Unfortunately children cannot attend the reception at the U.S. Embassy.

Dress code: Business (absolutely no jeans or casual sweaters!)

We will take a bus to the U.S. Embassy after the day’s orientation sessions, so there won’t be time to go by the hotel and change your clothes. Based on our experience, it is easiest if you wear the same clothes all day. 

time 
9:15Meet the Foundation Team at the hotel lobby
9:30-11:30Helsinki City Sightseeing Sponsored by the City of Helsinki
11:45-12:00Recap and Tips for the Day, Welcome Remarks
Sten Olsson, Partner, White & Case; Member, Fulbright Finland Foundation Board of Directors
Terhi Mölsä, Chief Executive Officer, Fulbright Finland Foundation
12:00-13:15Lounas - lunch
13:15-13:45

Fulbright Seminars and Activities 2024-25 (Module 2)

Maija Kettunen, Communications Manager, Fulbright Finland Foundation

  • American Voices Seminar (October)
  • Annual Thanksgiving Events (November)
  • Virtual Fulbright Forum: Education, Innovation, Science and Art (Multiple online sessions throughout the spring 2025)
  • Fulbright Finland Orientation Seminars (August, January and May)
  • Mid-term Meeting (March)
  • Fulbright Finland Foundation Award Ceremony and Reception (May)
  • Others
13:45-14:00Grantee Alumni Continuum (Module 4)
Maija Kettunen, Communications Manager, Fulbright Finland Foundation
14:00-14:10Inter-Country Travel Grant Program for Host Institutions (Module 2)
14:15-14:45Overview of Finnish Foreign Policy (Module 6)
 
14:45-15:00Coffee Break
15:00-15:40Suomi 101 (Module 5)
Milla Mykrä, Finnish as a Second Language Teacher, Leppävaara School; 2022-23 Fulbright Finnish Language and Culture Teaching Assistant
15:40-15:55Break; transition to the bus
16:10-16:30Bus to the U.S. Embassy
16:30-18:00

Reception in Honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Fulbright Finland Foundation and the 2024-25 U.S. Fulbright Awardees in Finland

Host: Douglas T. Hickey, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Finland, Honorary Chair of the Fulbright Finland Foundation Board of Directors

You need to bring along a valid photo I.D. to the U.S. Embassy. Passport is preferred. 

Remember that you are not allowed to take any:

  • large bags
  • memory sticks
  • computers
  • cameras

past the embassy security, so travel light that day. 

 Dinner arrangements on your own.

Thursday, August 22

Venues: Ateneum Art Museum; Aalto University

Family friendly? The visit to Ateneum Art Museum is family friendly. Family members can also join the session at Aalto University, but the orientation sessions can be tiring for small children. 

Dress code: Business casual.

time 
9:40Meet the Foundation team at the hotel lobby; walk to Ateneum Art Museum
10:00Arrival to Ateneum Art Museum
10:15-11:15Guided your of Ateneum: A Question of Time (Module 5)
11:15-11:45

Opportunity to explore the museum independently

Exhibition: Eero Järnefelt

11:45Bus departs to Aalto University, Espoo
12:15-13:15Lunch at Aalto University
13:15-13:30Recap and Welcome to Aalto University
13:30-14:005 Trends in the Economy of Finland (Module 6)
Ilkka Haavisto, Research Manager, Finnish Business and Policy Forum EVA
14:00-14:10Break
14:10-14:5010 000 Years of Finnish History in 40 Minutes (Module 6)
Birger Holm, Vice Principal and Teacher of History and Civics, Haukilahti School
14:50-15:45Wrap-up Discussion and Evaluations, Awarding of the Certificates and Announcing the Winner of #FinnishWelcome Contest
Terhi Mölsä, CEO, Fulbright Finland Foundation
15:45Seminar ends; departures to Helsinki