Fulbright Finland Foundation Pre-Departure Orientation 2021 - Part 1
The Fulbright Finland Foundation organizes annually a Pre-Departure Orientation for all the grantees departing to the U.S. in the next academic year. This year, the Orientation is organized as a webinar in two parts. The first part of the Orientation will be organized on May 12 and the second part on May 24.
Program, May 12 (Part 1)
13:00-13:10 Welcome and Practicalities of the Orientation
Emmi Jelekäinen, Program Specialist, Fulbright Finland Foundation
13:10-13:20 Opening Remarks
Terhi Mölsä, Chief Executive Officer, Fulbright Finland Foundation
13:20-14:15 Meet Your Fellow Grantees and the Fulbright Finland Foundation Team
Leasa Weimer, Assistant Director of Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives, Fulbright Finland Foundation
14:15-14:30 Break
14:30-15:00 Fulbright Finland Foundation and its Worldwide Network
Terhi Mölsä, Chief Executive Officer, Fulbright Finland Foundation
15:00-15:05 Stretching Break
15:05-15:30 Greetings from the U.S. Embassy
Nazanin Berarpour, Deputy Counselor for Press and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Embassy; Fulbright Finland Foundation Board Member
Meet Your U.S. Embassy Visa Officer – Q & A
Tero Kantanen, Consular Assistant – Immigrant visas, U.S. Consulate
- Questions after the Fulbright Finland Foundation webinar and reading the U.S. Embassy website?
- What happens at the border and why does it matter?
- 2-year requirement and waiver
- Spouse employment possibilities
- Visa processing time
- Booking visa interviews
15:30-15:45 Importance of the Role of the Alumni
Terhi Mölsä, Chief Executive Officer, Fulbright Finland Foundation
What is the Finnish Fulbright Welcome Network?
Emilia Holopainen, Program and Alumni Networks Specialist, Fulbright Finland Foundation
Greetings from the ASLA-Fulbright Alumni Association
Inari Ahokas, Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders from Europe 2016; Chair of the ASLA-Fulbright Alumni Association Board
- The broader role of the Alumni Association in Finland
- Benefits of being a member
- How to get involved?
15:45-16:00 Q&A (Event ends for some grantees)
16:00-16:30 Social Security (Researchers and Doctoral Students)
- Moving to the U.S. – what do I need to know about social security?
- The role of Mela, ETK and KELA?
- What are the benefits of MYEL coverage?
- How and when to apply for the MYEL coverage and how is it paid?
16:00-16:15
Marjo Herranen, Senior Policy Advisor, ETK
Minna Isoksela-Valkola, Insurance Solver, Mela
Lari Papunen, Insurance Solver, Mela
16:15-16:30
Questions and Answers