The University of Turku welcomed new international students with a three-day orientation that included information sessions from different University services and units. The Alumni Relations team also participated in the orientation, providing information on alumni events, mentoring programmes and other resources to help students connect with the University community.
For new international students, the new academic year at the University of Turku began with the International Orientation, which took place on 26-28 August 2024. During this event, various University services provided important sessions to welcome new students. Among them was a presentation by the Alumni Relations team from the Partnerships and Strategic Engagement unit. The session also included a panel discussion with three distinguished alumni of the University of Turku, who shared their personal experiences of working in Finland.
Alumni panel offered insights into career paths and mentoring
The panellists were: Tzu-Chen Rautio, who holds a Master's Degree in Biomedical Sciences and has worked in research as an application scientist and currently works as a project worker for the City of Turku; Irene Paju, who holds a Master's Degree in Adult Education and now works as a Talent Manager at Cadmatic; and Virpi Mäkinen who holds a Master's degree in Business Administration and currently works as a coordinator in the Education Services Department of the City of Turku.
During the discussion, the panellists shared insights into their career paths after graduating from the University of Turku and responded to audience questions.
Virpi Mäkinen reflected on her role as a mentor in the University of Turku mentoring program, highlighting how rewarding it was to work with her mentee and support their career development. She emphasised that mentoring benefits not only the mentee but also fosters personal growth for the mentor.
Irene Paju discussed the advantages of working for a Finnish company, particularly the strong focus on work-life balance, career development opportunities, and robust employee rights and benefits. She also provided insights into the job-hunting process in Finland, offering new students a glimpse into this unique job market.
Tzu-Chen Rautio shared her experiences as an international student, emphasizing the importance of time management and careful planning, particularly when working on a thesis, to ensure timely completion, as well as achieving academic goals and gaining valuable skills that can support future career transitions. Rautio encouraged students to view their academic journey as an opportunity to build transferable skills such as analytical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and adaptability—qualities that are essential in any profession.
Tzu-Chen stressed that students should not take rejections personally, as setbacks are part of both academic and professional growth. Instead, she advised focusing on resilience and self-improvement. To support mental well-being, Rautio also advocated for taking regular breaks, developing small projects for personal interests, and maintaining some hobbies to keep balance while working toward goals.
Welcome Fair provided an opportunity to meet new students
The Alumni Relations team was also present at the Orientation Week’s Welcome Fair on University Hill. Alumni Relations, represented by Coordinator Ameya Foujdar and intern Aslihan Özgul, hosted a stand to engage with students, providing information on upcoming alumni events, the mentoring programme for degree students, podcasts and other resources.
"Meeting alumni during early stages of studies can greatly benefit new international students by offering support, guidance, and networking opportunities. Alumni can help ease cultural transition for international students into Finnish society by sharing personal experiences and provide practical advice on navigating university life. They can offer insights into academic and career opportunities while helping students build a strong support network and feel more connected to the campus community in Turku. These early connections also encourage engagement in alumni activities like mentoring and can open doors to future career prospects, making the university experience smoother and more fulfilling for international students," says Ameya Foujdar.
Header photo: Suvi Harvisalo / University of Turku
Welcome Fair photo: Satu Nurmi / University of Turku
