Pre-materials for Fulbright Specialists and Scholars

The orientation materials are divided into different modules, each including learning objectives, short pre-assignments, and other resources to help you to gain the best understanding of the different themes important to you.

Information as of June 27, 2025

Please familiarize yourself with the information in advance so that during the mini-orientation call we can focus on questions that you may have after you have gone through the materials. We also highly encourage you to peruse the optional additional resources, as you might find it very interesting to learn more about Finnish history, economics, and higher education. 

Modules 5-7 are optional, if you are interested in learning more. 

MODULE 1: Fulbright Program in Finland

Goals of the module:

  • To get acquainted with the unique features of the Fulbright Finland Foundation as a private Finnish non-profit organization, and to be able to talk actively and knowledgeably about the Foundation and its mission and programs both in Finland and in the United States.
  • To learn the key facts about the global Fulbright Program with over 160 participating countries, and to understand how this provides all the Foundation’s grantees a direct access to the Foundation’s worldwide collaboration and alumni network.
  • To become familiar with some of the key concepts related to the Foundation's programs, such as citizen diplomacy, science diplomacy, knowledge diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, and public diplomacy.
  • To begin to think about and shape your own role as a grantee and citizen diplomat. 

Learn about the Fulbright Finland Foundation and Its Global Network
Over 160 countries participate in the global Fulbright Program with the United States, and the Fulbright Finland Foundation is a part of this global network. 

Learn about the Fulbright Finland Foundation:

The Fulbright Finland Foundation is a private not-for-profit organization registered under Finnish law. As an independent foundation, it provides a unique platform for a large number of programs between Finland and the United States. Please note that among those, there are both Fulbright programs as well as awards operating outside of Fulbright. All of these programs are equally important. It's time to learn about:

Begin to design your own role as a Fulbright Finland Foundation grantee
All of the Foundation’s programs are leadership programs. In this context, “leadership” does not refer to rank or titles, but rather to a conscious decision to take responsibility to create meaningful change – a decision that does not depend on age, background, field, or a specific grant program. 

All Foundation grantees are citizen diplomats. It is up to each grantee to decide what that role will look like in practice. It will likely be different, for instance, for a senior researcher than to a young undergraduate, or a professional. But all are equally important. 

As a grantee, you are not an official representative of your government. As a citizen diplomat, you serve as a cultural ambassador, sharing your own, individual cultural background, characteristics, and thoughts. 

  • Reflect on your personality, preferences, and strengths, and start to think about how you wish to shape the role for you so that it feels comfortable and empowering.

To help you design your own role, it is important to understand the different dimensions and emphasis that it can take. For this reason, take some time to become familiar with some key concepts, such as science diplomacy, knowledge diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, and public diplomacy, just to mention a few. 

If you have time and you are interested in learning more, here are additional resources:

MODULE 2: Your Role in Publicity and Outreach

Learning objective: To understand your role in the Foundation's publicity and outreach efforts, and as an ambassador for your own country and home institution, and also for the Fulbright Finland Foundation, Finland, and your host institution. 

Acknowledging the Fulbright Finland Foundation:

We hope you proudly acknowledge the Fulbright Finland Foundation, and use your identification as Fulbright scholar/student/teacher to advance your research and/or project. This is your judgment call to make, but we encourage you to recognize the Fulbright Finland Foundation if the paper, talk, exhibit etc. comes from your time as a Fulbright scholar. There is no standard required language, but you can use, for instance the following sentence: “This research/work has been supported by the Fulbright Finland Foundation.”

If you find it necessary, you can also add a sentence to note that “the conclusions and content of this research do not represent an endorsement or approval by the Fulbright Finland Foundation or its sponsors.”

MODULE 3: Your Support Network in Finland

Learning objective: Ensure the health and safety of the Fulbrighters, and to ensure you know what to do and who to contact if something happens to you.

Pre-assignments:

Optional resource:

MODULE 4: Importance of the Role of the Alumni

Learning objective: To understand your role and importance of the alumni in the Fulbright Finland Foundation community.

OPTIONAL MODULE 5: Finnish Language and Living in Finland

Learning objective: Learn about Finnish culture and language, and to learn some useful phrases in Finnish, to get inspired to use them or study more.

If you want to read more about Finnish society and culture, here are some book recommendations: 

  • Richard Lewis: Finland, Cultural Lone Wolf
  • Anu Partanen: The Nordic Theory of Everything

For lighter reading:

  • Karoliina Korhonen: Finnish Nightmares
  • Michael Booth: The Almost Nearly Perfect People

OPTIONAL MODULE 6: This is Finland

Learning objective: Get to know Finnish history, economy, and foreign policy.

OPTIONAL MODULE 7: Education System

Learning objective: To learn about Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences, how they differ, and how they operate.

 

Please note that these pages are for the Fulbright Finland Foundation grantees only and not to be shared publicly.