On Valentine's Day – or Friendship Day (ystävänpäivä) in Finland –, Turku School of Economics' Mercatori was filled with lively conversations, colourful cultural attire, and delicious dishes from around the world as the first-ever “Meet People & Integrate” event brought together dozens of international degree students from the University.
The Meet People & Integrate event was brainstormed, planned, and executed by the University of Turku’s international student ambassadors. Its goal was to support the integration of international students into Finnish society and highlight the significance of the diverse student community.
The event programme featured expert talks, an international dessert potluck, a best-dressed competition, a multicultural quiz, and an icebreaker bingo to help participants meet new friends. Discussions focused on students’ experiences of settling in Turku and the opportunities the city offers for the international community.
The event was preceded by a four-part “FINN-ISH – Tales of Integration” podcast series, in which international student ambassadors interviewed experts on topics such as learning Finnish, city support services, the Friendship Programme, and Mayor Minna Arve’s vision for Turku’s international future.
Open discussion needed and appreciated
The event and podcast were initiated by two international student ambassadors at the University of Turku: Muhammad Junaid Raza, a master’s student in Health Technology, and Mahnoor Mahnoor, a master’s student in Biomedical Imaging. They met during the university’s training for new student ambassadors and decided to develop concrete ways to support international students in their integration process.
“Integration is not a one-time process, in fact, it’s an ongoing journey of learning, adapting, and growing. Through conversations, community events, and shared experiences, we can make this journey easier for each other. That’s why we created this event – to support, inspire, and remind international students that they are not alone,” says Muhammad Junaid Raza.
The first-time event received enthusiastic feedback from participants, who particularly appreciated the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that made it easy to meet new people and discuss challenges and concerns.
“Students actively participated by showcasing their cultures through food and traditional attire, creating a vibrant and diverse atmosphere that celebrated the richness of their backgrounds. By bridging cultural gaps and encouraging open dialogue, the event served as a meaningful step toward helping international students navigate life in Turku and in Finland,” says Mahnoor Mahnoor.
Number of international degree students is growing
The University of Turku student community includes students from 130 different nationalities. The goal of the University of Turku is to double the number of international master’s degree students by 2030 compared to 2021. In 2024, there were approximately 600 international master’s students enrolled, and the majority of them expressed a strong interest in staying in Finland after graduation, yet integrating into local society remains a challenge.
“In recent years, the University has put a lot of effort into improving services that help our degree students find their place in Turku. Student-generated projects like the “Finn-ish – Tales of Integration” podcast and this event on ystävänpäivä are great examples of the enormous drive and vision we have within our student community, says Suvi-Anni Huhtinen, Marketing Planner of the University, who is responsible for the international student ambassador programme.
“Moving to a new country is never just about paperwork and logistics, it’s about emotions, friendships, and finding your place in a new society. With events like this, we want to create spaces where international students can connect, share experiences, and feel like they truly belong”, Muhammad Junaid Raza summarises.
