Student Union Mid-Week Mail, week 9

STUDENT UNION MID-WEEK MAIL, WEEK 9

Mid-Week Mail is a weekly news and events e-mail for the international students of the University of Turku. Aside from being an important up-to-date news source concerning Student Union, university and student issues, Mid-Week Mail also gives you current information on different events and activities organised by TYY (the Student Union of the University of Turku), the TYY Committees and other TYY affiliates. Don't forget to visit our website http://tyy.fi/in-english every now and then.

In this email:
- SOLUTION SOUGHT TO THE PROBLEMATIC APARTMENT SITUATION OF THE EXCHANGE STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TURKU
- THE LODGERS' ORGANIZATION STARTS RENTING ITEMS
- BECOME A TUTOR FOR NEW MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAMME STUDENTS

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SOLUTION SOUGHT TO THE PROBLEMATIC APARTMENT SITUATION OF THE EXCHANGE STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TURKU
 
The Student Village Foundation of Turku cannot offer apartments for all international exchange students from autumn 2012. The problem does not only concern the current year, but it will recur in the following years and it also concerns the other higher education institutions in Turku. As for the University of Turku, the problem concerns yearly approximately 100–150 students.
 
The situation is challenging, because it is very difficult for the international students to get an apartment in the private market. Among other issues, the lack of Finnish social security number, insufficient language skills and the fixed-term nature of tenancies make it challenging to get an apartment. The exchange period usually lasts a term or a study year, but the tenancies are mainly made for a year. A scholarship granted by the students' home university often does not make it possible to rent an apartment because of the high rent level in Turku.
 
The Student Union of the University of Turku, TYY, has stated that it considers it important that the University of Turku remains an international University and that the students receive international experience by going for an exchange period or by internationalisation at home. The support for exchange studies is a significant part of the internationalisation of both the University of Turku and its students.
 
Internationalisation is a major part of the functioning of the University of Turku. According to the new strategy of the University, it aims at increasing international student, teacher, and researcher exchange periods. As to the Strategy for the Internationalisation of Higher Education Institutions in Finland 2009–2015 of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Finnish higher education institutions should aim at increasing their international action. The number of international students is also an important indicator in the new financing model for higher education institutions made by the Ministry of Education and Culture.
 
TYY has held active contact with the University, the Student Village Foundation of Turku, and other quarters to solve the issue. The cooperation has been marked by positive spirit, and all parties aim at solving the situation in a preserving manner that satisfies all.
 
Additional information:
Juuso Suutari, Executive Board Member for International Affairs: tyy-kv@utu.fi, +35840-8488215
Salla Mistola, Executive Board Member for Social Affairs: tyy-sopo@utu.fi, +35840-7797655.

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THE LODGERS' ORGANIZATION STARTS RENTING ITEMS
 
The Lodger's organization of the Student Village Foundation of Turku offers, beginning at 27 Feb 2012, items rental service for all TYY members.
The items for rent and their prices can be found at the site of the Lodger's organization. The rental service takes place at S-Osis in Rehtorinpellonkatu 4b.
 
The service beginning 27 Feb 2012:
- Mon at 16–17
- Wed at 12–13 and 17–18
- Fri 13–15
 
Additional information can be found at vuokralaisyhdistys.net/

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BECOME A TUTOR FOR NEW MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAMME STUDENTS

As a tutor you’ll have an opportunity to help new international students to settle in a student life in Turku, share your experiences and learn about new cultures. You will also help the student with all kinds of practical matters upon his/her arrival.

You can become a tutor if you are currently enrolled in a degree programme at the University of Turku and want to help new international students to integrate into the student life in Finland. To become a tutor, you’ll have to participate in the training and be prepared to work at the beginning of the semester when the students arrive. Training will be held 25 April.

Benefits of becoming an international tutor:
Getting new friends
Improving your language skills
Learning about new cultures
Valuable work experience and a certificate
A small compensation

The application period for international tutors ends 30 March 2012. For more information about tutoring and the application process, please see http://www.utu.fi/en/studying/students/degree/tutoring.html or contact your faculty office or the Student Services of the University of Turku.

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