Building Belonging: New Course Connects International Students with Finnish Society and Working Life
What does it take for international student not only study in Finland but to truly find their place in Finnish society and working life? This spring, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences took a step forward by launching a new course for international students. The course, Society, Work and Belonging (HYTM1101), brought together more than 20 participants from different faculties and degree programmes across the university.
The pilot course was created in response to a growing recognition that supporting international students involves more than academic studies alone. It also requires opportunities to understand Finnish society, build professional networks, navigate working life, and develop a sense of belonging both within the university and the wider community.
Throughout the course, students explored topics related to Finnish society and working life, career development, language learning, networking, wellbeing, and belonging. The sessions combined expert insights, practical guidance, discussion, and reflection, while also creating space for participants to share their own experiences and learn from peers with diverse academic and cultural backgrounds.
Learning Through Dialogue and Practical Experience
Rather than focusing solely on information delivery, the course emphasized dialogue, peer learning, and practical relevance. The aim was to help students not only navigate their studies but also reflect on their interests, future opportunities, and potential roles in Finland.
Participant feedback was highly encouraging. Students particularly valued the practical nature of the course, the opportunity to discuss real-life questions, and the connections formed across degree programmes.
“The welcoming atmosphere during the first orientation on April 8th really helped me connect with others over shared interests like coffee”, tells Akito Nakamura, an exchange student from Japan.
For the course organizers, one of the most rewarding aspects was learning about the students' aspirations and commitment to building a future in Finland.
“It was inspiring to read the students’ goals and reflections. Many expressed a genuine desire to build a meaningful life in Finland, adapt to the local context, and contribute to society as soon as possible. Supporting this journey has always been our mission. We felt both fortunate and responsible to be part of it. As a university and as a society, we should not only welcome international students but also actively seek to become part of their lives and communities”, comments Postdoctoral Researchers Ilkhom Khalimzoda and Quivine Ndomo.
Supporting International Talent to Stay in Central Finland
The successful pilot highlighted a clear demand for structured opportunities that help international students connect their academic studies with broader questions of society, work, and belonging.
While the course was developed within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, its relevance extends beyond the student context. The themes explored are increasingly important for university services, employers, HR professionals, municipalities, and organisations working with international students, researchers, and professionals. For this reason, the course has been designed as a flexible model that can be adapted to different audiences and contexts, supporting broader efforts to attract, integrate, and retain international talent in Finland.
The course would not have been possible without the contributions of colleagues from numerous units across the University of Jyväskylä. The organizers extend their sincere thanks to all partners, guest contributors, and participating students, whose enthusiasm, openness, and proactive engagement helped shape the pilot into a meaningful learning experience.
Looking ahead, Khalimzoda and Ndomo, together with the course team, hope to strengthen collaboration with stakeholders across the university and Central Finland, including degree programmes, university services, employers, researchers, the City of Jyväskylä, and third-sector organisations. Supporting international students is a shared effort that benefits not only the students themselves, but also the university, the region, and society as a whole.
While the first pilot of Society, Work and Belonging may have concluded, the conversations, partnerships, and ideas it generated are only just beginning.
