Fulbright Finland Foundation Pre-Departure Orientation Day 2024

The Fulbright Finland Foundation organizes annually a Pre-Departure Orientation Day for all the grantees departing to the U.S. in the next academic year. This year, the event will be organized in Helsinki on May 13.

This seminar is part of the orientation training that includes, in addition to this in-person seminar, virtual meetings and independent studying.

Program

08:30-9:00 Breakfast

09:00-9:05 Welcome and Practicalities of the Day
Emmi Jelekäinen, Program Manager, Scholar Programs, Fulbright Finland Foundation

09:05-09:55 Opening Remarks and Grantee Introductions
Terhi Mölsä, Chief Executive Officer, Fulbright Finland Foundation
Emmi Jelekäinen, Program Manager, Scholar Programs, Fulbright Finland Foundation

09:55-10:05 Break

10:05-10:55 Fulbright Finland Foundation and its Worldwide Network (Module 4)
Terhi Mölsä, Chief Executive Officer, Fulbright Finland Foundation

10:55-11:05 Break

11:05-11:50 Communicating Across Cultures and Building Bridges (Module 5)
Terhi Mölsä, Chief Executive Officer, Fulbright Finland Foundation
Maija Kettunen, Communications Manager, Fulbright Finland Foundation

11:50-12:10 Greetings from the U.S. Embassy
Susan Bridenstine, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy

Meet Your U.S. Embassy Visa Officer – Q & A (Module 3)
Ro Bhaumik, Vice-Consul, U.S. Embassy

• Questions after the program-specific online meeting 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

12:10-13:00 Lunch                                                                                                

13:00-13:30 Break-Out Sessions on Social Security (Module 3)

Group 1: Researchers, Doctoral Students and Professionals (MCPDs)  

• 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 MYEL coverage and how is it paid?

13:00-13:15
Hanna Hyttinen, Special Adviser, ETK
Katri Andberg, Insurance Specialist, Mela
Kristiina Helen, Insurance Specialist, Mela

13:15-13:30
Questions and Answers

Group 2: Bachelor’s and Master’s Students

• Moving to the U.S. – what do I need to know about social security?
• How to apply for KELA student aid for studies in the U.S.?

13:00-13:15
Eeva Vasara, Coordinator, KELA

13:15-13:30
Questions and Answers

Group 3: Collaborative Assignment for Travel Grantees

Group 4: Study of the U.S. Institutes’ Grantees and Teachers
Join the session of your choice and/or take a moment to post on social media

13:30-14:45 Group Discussion with Fulbright Finland Alumni (Module 3)

• Tips for preparing for your stay in the U.S.
• First things to do when arriving in the U.S.
• Housing and house hunting tips, the importance of reading the small print!
• Life on a U.S. campus and host organization matters
• Living in the U.S.  - everyday issues (banking, health care, transportation, phone, bureaucracy, social life)
• Questions on U.S. culture
• Enrichment activities
• Bringing family to the U.S.
• Conducting studies/project in the U.S.

Group 1: Undergraduate Students (Fulbright Finland Undergraduate Grants)
Skye Pham, Fulbright-Aalto University Graduate Award 2023-24
Chase Friel, Fulbright-University of Turku Graduate Award 2023-24

Facilitator:
Emilia Holopainen, Program and Alumni Networks Specialist, Fulbright Finland Foundation  

Group 2: Graduate Students (ASLA-Fulbright Pre-Doctoral Research Fellows, ASLA-Fulbright Graduate Grants, Fulbright-KAUTE Foundation Awards, and Fulbright Finnish Language and Culture Teaching Assistants)
Johanna Rahnasto, ASLA-Fulbright Graduate Grant 2022-23
Maija Lähteenkorva, ASLA-Fulbright Graduate Grant 2022-23
Heikki Hietanen, ASLA-Fulbright Pre-Doctoral Research Fellow 2022-23
Anna-Maria Peltomäki, Fulbright Finnish Language and Culture Teaching Assistant 2010-11 

Facilitators:
Saara Martikainen, Program Coordinator, Fulbright Finland Foundation
Karoliina Kokko, Senior Program Manager, Fulbright Finland Foundation

Group 3: Lecturers, Researchers, and Professionals (ASLA-Fulbright Research Grants for Senior Scholars, ASLA-Fulbright Research Grants for Junior Scholars, and ASLA-Fulbright Mid-Career Professional Development Grants)
Maija Urponen, ASLA-Fulbright Mid-Career Professional Development Award 2021-22; Grant-funded researcher, University of Helsinki
Pirita Tolvanen, ASLA-Fulbright Mid-Career Professional Development Award 2021-22
Ari-Elmeri Hyvönen, ASLA-Fulbright Research Grant for a Senior Scholar; Senior Lecturer, University of Jyväskylä
Gloriana Trujillo, Fulbright U.S. Scholar 2023-24; Senior Director, Center for Teaching and Learning, Stanford University

Facilitator:
Emmi Jelekäinen, Program Manager, Scholar Programs, Fulbright Finland Foundation

Group 4: Teachers (Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching)
Elina Kaverma-Soukko, Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching 2018-19
Marianna Sydänmaanlakka, Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching 2012-13
Anna-Mari Ojala, Study of the U.S. Institutes for Secondary School Educators 2004-05; Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching 2022-23

Facilitator:
Mirka McIntire, Manager, Teacher Exchange and Education Programs, Fulbright Finland Foundation

Group 5: SUSI (Study of the United States Institutes for Scholars and Professionals and Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders from Europe)
Salima Alaoui, Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders from Europe 2022-23
Petra Karjalainen, Study of the U.S. Institutes for Student Leaders from Europe 2022-23

Facilitator:
Heidi Tiainen, Program and Events Coordinator, Fulbright Finland Foundation

Group 6: Travel Grantees (Fulbright Finland Travel Grants for Research Collaboration and Fulbright Finland Travel Grants for Institutional Partnership Building)
Tia-Maria Sjöblom, Fulbright Finland Travel Grant for Institutional Partnership Building 2023
Heidi Hirvonen, Fulbright Finland Travel Grant for Research Collaboration 2023
Ekaterina Albats, Fulbright Finland Travel Grant for Research Collaboration 2019

Facilitator:
Mihkel Vaim, Coordinator, Fulbright Finland Foundation
            
14:45-15:00 Break

15:00-15:30 Bus to the Helsinki City Hall

15:50-16:00 Group Photo at the Helsinki City Hall

16:00-16:25 Fulbright Finland Foundation Grantees as Ambassadors of Finland and Promoters of Our Country Brand (Module 5)

• Finland’s country brand
• As citizen diplomats, what can the Fulbright Finland Foundation grantees do to promote Finland’s country brand?
• How can the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and the Finnish diplomatic missions in the U.S. be of assistance to and work with the Fulbright Finland Foundation grantees?

16:25 Rehearsal

17:00 Award Ceremony & Reception at the Helsinki City Hall

19:00 Event Ends