Program for the 2024 Spring Arrival Orientation

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Information as of January 8, 2024

Please be prepared to dress warmly for the winter weather. Watch a video by YLE Oulu (link goes to YLE Oulu’s Facebook page) about how to dress for different weather conditions.

The orientation program begins at 12:45 on Tuesday, January 23. Please arrive in Helsinki by 12:00 to have time to drop your luggage off at the hotel.

Please note that some changes in the program are still possible!

Tuesday, January 23, 2024 

Arrivals 

12:45-13:50 Welcome and Introductions of Grantees and the Foundation Team 
Hakaniemenranta 6

13:50-14:00 Tauko - Break 
 
14:00-15:00 U.S. Fulbrighters and the Fulbright Program in Finland: What Everyone Needs to Know (Module 1)
Terhi Mölsä, Chief Executive Officer, Fulbright Finland Foundation 

15:00-15:10 Tauko - Break 

15:10-16:10 Bus to Hotel Korpilampi 

16:10-16:20 Arrival to Hotel Korpilampi
Korpilammentie 5, Espoo

16:20-17:30 Break-Out Sessions for Fulbright Teachers, School Leaders, and Scholars (Modules 5 & 7)

16:30-17:30 Family members can go to sauna 

17:30-19:00 An Opportunity to go to Sauna and Try Ice Swimming (Module 5)

18:45 Buffet Dinner 

19:45 Bus Back to Helsinki 

A corner of Hotel Korpilampi on the Korpilampi pond. There is forest behind the water and light comes inside the building, which shows a pool area.
Hotel Korpilampi's sauna with the pool and outdoor swimming area

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Location: Fulbright Finland Foundation Office

8:45 Meet the Foundation Team at the Hotel Lobby; Walk to the Foundation Office

9:00-9:15 Aamukahvi ja karjalanpiirakka / Morning coffee and Finnish pastries
Terhi Mölsä, Chief Executive Officer, Fulbright Finland Foundation 

9:15-9:30 U.S. Embassy Greetings and U.S. Citizen Services (Module 3)

  • Registering 
  • Passport Replacement 
  • 24/7 Emergency Phone Number +358-9-616-250, Select 0 
  • STEP 
  • Travel to Neighboring Countries
  • Other Citizen Services 

09:30-10:00 Grantee Support Services and Key Contacts During the Fulbright Term (Module 3)
Emmi Jelekäinen, Program Manager, Fulbright Finland Foundation 
Karoliina Kokko, Senior Program Manager, Fulbright Finland Foundation 

10:00-10:10 Tauko - Break 

10:10-10:45 Your Role in Publicity and Outreach (Module 2)

Terhi Mölsä, Chief Executive Officer, Fulbright Finland Foundation 
Maija Kettunen, Communications Manager, Fulbright Finland Foundation 
Heidi Tiainen, Program and Events Coordinator, Fulbright Finland Foundation

10:50-11:00 Grantee-Alumni Continuum (Module 4)

11:00-11:30 Suomi 101 (Module 5)
Laura Niemeläinen, Finnish as a Second Language Teacher and Co-Teacher, Turku Vocational Institute; 2022-23 Fulbright Finnish Language and Culture Teaching Assistant (FLTA)

11:30-11:45 Walk to Restaurant Juttutupa

11:45-12:45 Lunch at Restaurant Juttutupa
Säästöpankinranta 6

13:00-15:00 Helsinki Sightseeing Tour by Bus
Tour Guide: Maria del Carmen Hänninen

15:00 Arrival at the University of Helsinki 
Fabianinkatu 33

15:15-16:15 Panel Discussion: Finnish Education System (K-12): National, Municipal and School Level (Module 7)
Venue: Tekla Hultin hall, University of Helsinki

  • National Framework for Finnish K-12 Education
  • Role of Municipalities in Organizing Education
  • Principals’ and Teachers’ Role in Finnish Schools

PANELISTS:

  • Teijo Koljonen, Senior Advisor (Education), the Finnish National Agency for Education
  • Harri Rinta-aho, Deputy Mayor for Growth and Learning City of Espoo
  • Ilkka Laasonen, Principal, University of Helsinki Viikki Teacher Training School, Secondary School

16:15-16:30 Tauko - Break 

16:30-18:00 Reception at the University of Helsinki

Dinner arrangements on your own 

Thursday, January 25, 2024 

9:00 Meet the Foundation Team at the Hotel Lobby; Walk to the Foundation Office

9:15 Aamukahvi ja pulla

9:30-9:50 Sámi Perspective (Module 6)
Petter Morottaja, University Teacher, University of Oulu

9:55-10:05 Inter-Country Travel Grants (Module 2)

10:10-10:50 Adventures in Intercultural Communication and Culture Shock (Module 5)
Sophia Hagolani-Albov, PhD Candidate/Doctoral Researcher in the TreesForDev Project, University of Helsinki; U.S. Fulbright Fellow 2013-14 

10:50-11:00 Tauko - Break 

11:00-11:45 10,000 Years of Finnish History in 40 Minutes (Module 6)
Birger Holm, Vice Principal, History and Civics Teacher, Haukilahti School, Espoo

11:45-12:45 Lunch at Restaurant Lasiranta

12:45-13:30 Panel Discussion: Finnish System of Higher Education and Research (Module 7)

  • Finnish System of Higher Education and Research 
  • Differences Between Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences 
  • Internationalization in Finnish Higher Education and Research 

PANELISTS:

  • Teemu Kokko, President, CEO, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences
  • Timo Korkeamäki, Dean, School of Business, Aalto University; Chair of the Fulbright Finland Foundation Board of Directors

13:30-14:00 Walk to Sibelius Upper Secondary School

14:00-14:30 Introduction to the School and Performances by the Students (Module 7)
Liisankatu 13

14:30-15:15 Wrap-up Discussion and Evaluations

15:15 End of the Orientation Seminar