International Friendship Programme - Häme University of applied sciences
International Friendship Programme
Ystäväperhetoiminta
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International Friendship Programme

Ahoy international students! Do you want to make friends with Finnish locals?

Yes? Then you are looking at the right programme!

Join the HAMK International Friendship Programme and dive deeply into Finnish society and culture! The programme will be organized at the following campuses: Hämeenlinna, Riihimäki, Valkeakoski, Forssa, and Mustiala.

HAMK International Friendship Programme 2023 is now open for registration. Sign up before 29 September 2023 here: https://link.webropolsurveys.com/S/0A77F25A6D9D6BCA.

The HAMK International Friendship Programme aims to promote internationalisation and the knowledge of new cultures among students and Finnish locals. It is a voluntary programme for both international students and Finnish locals. Go through the following sections for more information.

If you are a Finnish local and want to have an international friend, you can read more about the programme in Finnish here.

How often is the programme organized?

The International Friendship programme is organized once a year. Registration for the programme starts at the beginning of the autumn semester every year.

Who can participate in the programme?

In autumn 2022, the friendship programme is meant for students who study their own degree at HAMK. For those degree students, you can be studying on your first year, second, third or even on your fourth year.

If you are a Finnish speaking student studying in one of our English-taught degree programmes and want to have an international friend, you should sign up as a Finnish local. For Finnish native students, read more or sign up here.

Who are the Finnish locals?

Finnish locals can be anyone living in Finland permanently. They can be a Finnish family, a company representative, or a Finnish student. Finnish locals are from different backgrounds.

How do I sign up?

Registration for the programme usually starts at the beginning of each autumn semester. Registration for this autumn has started. Sign up here before 29 September 2023. (Sign up link: https://link.webropolsurveys.com/S/0A77F25A6D9D6BCA)

What happens after I sign up?

Organizers of the programme will start matching international students with Finnish locals according to the information given by both parties on the application forms. We try our best to match Finnish locals and international friends based on your wishes and expectation. However, we do not guarantee that everyone can get a matched friend, or the matching will meet your expectations.

International students and Finnish locals that are matched will be invited to their first meeting, where the matched friends will get to know each other and exchange contact information. After the first meeting, both parties will decide on their own when and where they will meet again.

What can I do with my matched friend?

You can cook and eat dinner together, go camping, hiking, cycling, and shopping, watch a movie or an ice-hockey match, participate in concerts, or go to a Finnish cottage together. It is all up to you to decide!

Who organises this programme?

The programme is organized by the Talent Boost Team of HAMK International, in close cooperation with the local business sectors and organizations.

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