WHEN MUSIC UNITES US: HOW ERASMUS EXCHANGE STRENGTHENS OUR SHARED MISSION IN EDUCATION AND RESEARCH IN THE HEART OF “MIDDLE OF (K)NOWHERE,” UEF KUOPIO
There are moments in life that change the way you see the world, that open doors you never knew existed. For me, one of those moments happened many years ago in Austria, when I met a Georgian for the very first time. She wasn’t just anyone-she was Katie Melua, the singer whose voice seemed to carry the longing and hope of an entire country. Her mentality, her gentle wisdom, and the way she poured meaning into every song left a lasting impression on me. It was as if, just by meeting her, I was given a glimpse into the soul of Georgia-a place I had never visited but suddenly felt a connection to.
That memory returned to me this week as I prepared for an Erasmus exchange with stakeholders from Batumi State University (BAU).
Greetings from sunny Mexico!
I’m Alli Tengvall, a master’s student in marketing. Currently, I’m on exchange in Mexico for this spring. When I first heard about Mexico as an exchange destination, I knew it would be an amazing opportunity full of fun adventures. I wanted to choose a destination that would be as different from Finland as possible to gain new experiences. So here I am, escaping the Finnish winter in the sunny and warm city of Cancun.
Gaining Real-World Experience: My Journey in the Digital and International Skills Development Service
As part of my journey in the Digital and International Skills Development Service, I also had the opportunity to engage with related programs that share similar goals. One of these was MIOPIA, a side event of SOHJO, an influential business and technology event held in Joensuu. SOHJO 2025, held on March 14, 2025, was an […]
Balancing Academics and Family Life as a University Student in Joensuu, Finland
The Value of Life-Study Balance Keeping a healthy life-study balance is crucial. UEF understands this well and offers resources to help students manage their workload effectively. For instance, UEF’s Student Wellbeing Services provide guidance on managing stress, staying organized, and maintaining mental health, which is invaluable for students juggling multiple responsibilities. Finding ways to balance […]
Breaking Barriers: Women Thriving in STEM
For decades, women have been significantly underrepresented in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), both in academic settings and professional careers. Despite progress over the years, the gender gap remains noticeable. According to the latest government census, women now account for 26% of the STEM workforce—a number that, while growing, still highlights the ongoing challenge of achieving full gender equality in these fields. Historically, science and technology have been dominated by men, but that narrative is changing.
My Erasmus Journey with Siciliamia as Trainee
When I first heard about Siciliamia through the Erasmus Blended Internship Programme, I knew it was going to be an exciting opportunity. Starting my traineeship remotely on October 28th was just the beginning. The real adventure unfolded during my mobility period in Sicily, from November 25th onwards until December 19th. But the story didn’t end there. I continue to work with Siciliamia remotely, building on everything I experienced during my time onsite.
Embracing New Beginnings: Student Life in Joensuu
Text by Freida Theil. It might be hard to believe when you arrive in Joensuu after nearly five hours on a train from Helsinki, mostly traveling through forests, to find yourself in the idyllic (some would call it small) town of Joensuu. However, one-third of Joensuu’s residents are under 30 years old, so the city has indeed a vibrant bar scene, cultural offerings, jazz concerts in bars, plenty of parties, different clubs, boardgame nights, and a variety of Associations and Organizations that provide all kinds of activities for students, along with a diverse range of sports options. If you want, you could fill every free minute outside of your studies with social and sports activities.