Want to be a friend to an international student? Apply to HAMK’s Friendship Programme now
The application for Häme University of Applied Sciences’ Friendship Programme, which connects international students and local people, is now open again. Friends can be found across all seven of our campuses. The forms and ways of friendship can be decided individually by the participants.
Adults can register for the programme by the end of September: families, couples, singles, pensioners, students, alumni living in the campus municipality or nearby, local individuals with an immigrant background, or representatives of companies as so-called work-life mentors, who can share topics about work and career alongside friendship.
The matching of friendship pairs at HAMK is done based on interests and hobbies stated in the application form. The friendship activities themselves are flexible and can be built on mutual interests. Activities may include, for example, participating in daily routines, shared leisure activities, cooking together, or trips to summer cottages.
“This program is more than just meeting new people, as it involves sharing cultures, growing together, and building a vibrant community. In a rapidly changing world, this program reminds us to slow down, listen, connect, and focus on our local communities,” says Qingyang Li, expert in career guidance at HAMK’s International Services.
Over a hundred friendship pairs have been formed through the program
HAMK welcomes hundreds of new international students every year to its seven campuses (Evo, Forssa, Hämeenlinna, Lepaa, Mustiala, Riihimäki, and Valkeakoski). International students are new members both to HAMK and to the local communities.
Integration is often a major challenge for newcomers to Finland. Various human connections to locals play a critical role.
“Integration is often a major challenge for newcomers to Finland. Various human connections to locals play a critical role,” Li emphasizes.
Since 2022, over 530 applications have been received for the program, resulting in 164 friendship pairs forming. Currently, HAMK also has community counsellors thanks to the Moment project, who play a key role in activating and strengthening local communities.
International Friendship Programme
- Connects local residents with HAMK’s international students
- Provides students with the opportunity to get acquainted with everyday Finnish life, culture, and local customs, thus expanding their support network in Finland.
- For those participating as local host friends, the program offers the chance to make new international friends, through whom they can explore different cultures, practice languages, or even engage in professional discussions.
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