Category: Ihmiset

Common ground: Student of the Year Veronica Vanhanen is known for bringing people together

At its best, an active student organization can be one of the most important mainstays for a student during their studies, says Student of the Year 2024, Veronica Vanhanen.

Ihmiset In English

TEKSTI Sanna Niemi

KUVAT Tuulia Salokannel

At the Oulu University Gala, the Student of the Year was named for the 12th time on November 8th. The award was given to Veronica Vanhanen, a fifth-year student of Industrial Engineering and Management.

“I was completely surprised! But it feels good to be rewarded,” Vanhanen comments after being named. 

Oulu native Veronica Vanhanen has been selected as Student of the Year after meeting multiple of the selection criteria. She has actively contributed to building a sense of community within her subject society and as a tutor. Rauhala-klubi, the alumni club for former Student Union actives, which nominated Vanhanen for the Student of the Year title, cites her active role in mentoring both first-year students and master’s level students, as well as her efforts to inspire other students to participate in subject society events and take on leadership roles within the society. 

Rauhala-klubi believes that in the post-pandemic years, low-threshold activities that bring students together are invaluable in fostering a sense of unity within the university community. The University of Oulu has been fortunate to have students like Vanhanen, who enable enjoyable activities and encourage others to join.

“Veronica genuinely cares about the well-being of her student guild and motivates both new and senior students to participate in events. She is one of the most prominent figures from her year in the university community. Vanhanen has progressed with her studies and has maintained good grades. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Technology last year,” says Rauhala-klubi. Based on these merits, Rauhala-klubi nominated Veronica Vanhanen as Student of the Year. The awardee is selected by the University of Oulu Association based on the nomination of the Rauhala-klubi.

Student life

Vanhanen chose to study industrial engineering and management in her hometown for two reasons. Her high school guidance counselor recommended the field, and she was already interested in technology, human behavior and sustainable business. Additionally, she had her loved ones and a job in Oulu. On top of that, the great stories about student life in Oulu convinced her that she didn’t need to leave her hometown to continue her studies.

During her freshman year, Vanhanen was interested in guild activities and wanted to be involved. During that time, she became the guild room manager, partly by chance and partly due to persistent persuasion. Her responsibilities included ensuring that there were enough coffee and treats for the students. 

After her freshman year, Vanhanen took a break from her role, spending that year actively attending events as a member of the guild. During this time, her interest in the guild’s board activities grew, and she began thinking about ways to improve the guild’s activities and develop the academic experience from a student perspective.

“I believe that a subject society is one of the most important pillars supporting students during their studies. It connects students in the field and, at its best, promotes their well-being,” Vanhanen shares. 

After her year off, Vanhanen returned to the guild activities as an academic affairs representative, serving as a liaison between students and faculty.

Active life outside of studies

Since 2011, the Student of the Year award recipient is expected to not only make good academic progress, but also actively contribute to the university community. The Student of the Year motivates, inspires and encourages others with their own actions.

During her studies, Vanhanen was also involved in organizing sports nights at Toppila Reenis. She also helped organize after work events at Teerenpeli. These events were popular during the time when gatherings were restricted by COVID guidelines. Social events that promoted community spirit were also organized to play badminton, tennis and board games, as well as communal movie nights.

“I think that it’s important for the student community to offer diverse activities, so that everyone could have an opportunity to participate in activities that interest them. Be that ice hockey games at Niittyaro or badminton games at Nallisport or student events in general, such a sittnings, orienteering events and rowing competitions,” Vanhanen says.

Vanhanen’s motivation to bring people together stems from her personal positive experiences of how older students welcomed her and her fellow classmates, inviting them to participate in shared events. There was a warm and inclusive atmosphere among her peers.

These events left her with wonderful memories and stories to tell. One amusing incident happened when a casual suggestion at a student event led to the group to spontaneously book tickets for a trip to Italy.

“As part of my New Year’s resolution, I said ‘yes’ instead of ‘no’. We bought the tickets, and the next day, I already regretted my decision because I’m not usually spontaneous with things like this”, Vanhanen says.

“But on the day of departure, as soon as the train started moving, all my worries disappeared, and it turned out to be one of the most fun trips I’ve ever had”, she continues and adds:

“There were students from three different year groups on the trip, and I didn’t even know all my travel companions that well. Now, we’re really great friends.”

From Oulu to Helsinki

This summer, Veronica Vanhanen moved to Helsinki to complete her master’s thesis in industrial engineering and work in her field. She also began business studies at Aalto University. When applying to study industrial engineering, she had long considered business studies as an alternative. 

“I spent a long time deciding between these fields, and now I get to pursue both!”

After working for a while, Vanhanen’s interest in economic phenomena grew, and she wanted to deepen her understanding of numbers and strategic work. A strategy course during her industrial engineering studies cemented her decision to enter the business field.

“From my understanding, combining engineering and business studies has become more common in general. I’m naturally curious and have always been eager to learn new things and develop myself, so pursuing further studies felt natural. Who knows, maybe someday I’ll end up studying psychology too, as I’m interested in that as well.”

Her study spot at Aalto was secured through her GPA, an application letter, and an interview.

During her free time, Vanhanen remains active in bringing people together. She spends time with friends going jogging and working out. She has competed in figure skating at the national level, and her future dreams include coaching figure skating. However, balancing studies, work and stable daily life requires planning.

“The two cornerstones for managing all of this are balance and prioritization. Prioritization is essential for time management, as I realize that I can’t give 100% to everything, or there just wouldn’t be enough hours in the day. By balance, I mean life management and finding a counterweight to responsibilities – in my case, a healthy mix of exercise, social activities, and personal time. The importance of these has really become clear in recent years.”

An active guild is an asset

Vanhanen occasionally visits Oulu to catch up with both old and new guild members. Compared to other engineering guilds, the industrial guild is small, with only 45 bachelor’s students and around 20 master’s students admitted each year. Vanhanen thinks that the small size of the guild has made it easy to get to know everyone, which has been a real asset for the students.

As for the future, Vanhanen isn’t planning to stress. She believes that things tend to work out and describes her outlook on the future as “go with the flow”, reflecting the approach of this year’s Student of the Year. In the near future, her goal is to work for a company with aligned values, where she can make most of her skills.

“Initially, I plan to focus on building and developing my career, and much later on, I’ll see if I’m interested in pursuing a PhD, for example. But for now, I feel like I’ve had my fill of studying, and my focus is set on entering the workforce, even though student life is such a great time.”

VERONICA VANHANEN
  • She was named as the Student of the Year on November 8th 2024.
  • Age 25 years old
  • Lives in Helsinki with her boyfriend
  • A fifth-year industrial engineering student with a Bachelor of Science in Technology, studying business at Aalto University.
  • Hobbies include jogging, the gym and figure skating.
  • Has competed in figure skating on Finnish national level, dreams of coaching figure skating.

Translation by Anna Tiira.

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Sanna Niemi

Olen muutaman mutkan kautta Ouluun päätynyt journalismin opiskelija. Kahvilat, kulttuuri, ihmiset, erilaiset urheilulajit sekä reissut iskee ja inspiroi tällä hetkellä.

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Ihmiset In English

Sanna Niemi

“An ordinary place of work for ordinary people.” – Kati Laitinen was supposed to become a teacher, but a career in the EU took her in another direction

Kati Laitinen, originally from Haukipudas, decided to embark on a career in the EU despite the fact that she enjoyed her job as a teacher. Initially, the plan was to move abroad for a few years, but she ended up staying in Luxembourg for 20 years. Now, Laitinen is continuing her EU career in Finland.

Ihmiset In English

TEKSTI Eetu Leinonen

KUVAT Miikka Niemelä

Kati Laitinen studied English philology at the University of Oulu, intending to become a language teacher. But when Finland joined the European Union, she ended up on a long career track in the EU. Today, she works as the head of communications of the European Commission Representation in Finland.

Kati’s student years were shadowed by the high interest rates caused by the economic recession of the 1990s. Despite this, Laitinen worked as a substitute teacher and remained confident in her job prospects. Her university years were enjoyable, and she has many fond memories of Oulu’s student culture, particularly Rauhala and karaoke nights in Reidar.

Laitinen recalls her university years to be the most stressful of her life – even more so than her years in the workforce. “That’s why I believe that students shouldn’t have to worry about making ends meet, because they’ve got enough stress as is.” 

Laitinen finished her master’s thesis while simultaneously working in 1995. “I worked as a substitute teacher at Sotkamo Sports High School. I had nothing better to do than working and attending community college exercise classes, so I finished my thesis there.”

From a translator to a chief – and beyond 

When Finland joined the European Union in 1995, job advertisements for positions in the EU started appearing in the papers. Laitinen noticed an ad for a translator position in Kaleva, and decided to join the competition.

“I always figured that I’d end up living abroad at some point. Granted, I thought it’d be somewhere in the United Kingdom, but once I saw the ad I figured that Brussels or Luxembourg could be worth the shot.”

To pursue a career in the EU, candidates have to go through competitions organized by the European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO). When Laitinen herself applied, the process was quite similar to what it is today: the first stage consisted of language proficiency tests, including reading comprehension tasks and questions testing EU knowledge. After that, the applicants completed translation tasks from two EU languages into their own native language. Finally, the most successful applicants were invited to an interview.

“The interview sure was something, considering I had no knowledge of any EU protocols. Eight interviewers sat in a row and started throwing curveballs at me. In a way, it was a really pleasant, relaxed situation, but I was interviewed in foreign languages and they went through all the languages I had listed myself proficient in. But I definitely don’t feel like it was an impossible experience to get through.” 

Laitinen passed the competitions and was offered a career opportunity in the EU. She left her job as a teacher at the Patela secondary school and headed to Luxembourg. “I fell in love with the job and its community when I arrived in Luxembourg. There was a nice sense of community, the way people helped each other. We were sort of like pioneers as Finns in Luxembourg.” 

After working as a translator for ten years, Laitinen moved into a managerial role despite never having thought about ending up in such a position.

In Luxembourg, she advanced to become the Head of the Finnish Translation Unit before being recruited for her current position as Head of Communications of the Commission Representation in Finland. She was hesitant at first, but after some consideration she felt that the change would be the right move.

During her career spanning over 20 years, Laitinen has witnessed great changes in the operations of the EU. There is less bureaucracy, and the commission has become a more modern employer. In addition to this, there is a great generational transition happening within the institutions of the EU. The first Finnish EU officials are now at a retirement age, and new Finns are desperately needed in the union. 

“I feel like it’s my responsibility to ensure that the generational transition is smooth. Once that’s done, I’ll be the last of the original staff to depart and leave the work in the hands of the new team.”

EU careers need ordinary Finnish workers 

Laitinen encourages anyone interested to apply for careers in the EU. She suggests that even those unfamiliar with the competitions should give them a try, if only for the experience. After all, academic grades don’t play a significant role in the selection process.

“We simply just look whether a person has completed a degree, even with mediocre grades, and has some work experience. Then we’ll have a conversation with the applicant during the interview.”

Laitinen is content with her career in the EU. The assignments are fascinating, there’s room for progress, and the union offers a decent salary. There’s also encouragement for employees to try out various jobs within the union.

It’s not impossible to get a job in the EU; Laitinen notes that she, too, was just a regular student. “Often, the media reports focus on creating this image of an application process filled with extremely difficult tests and the idea that an applicant must be some sort of exceptional individual. I’ve had what might seem like a remarkable career in the EU, but in reality it’s an ordinary place of work for ordinary people.”

KATI LAITINEN
  • Head of Communication and Outreach section of the Commission Representation in Finland
  • From Haukipudas
  • Lives in Viertola, Vantaa
  • Enjoys dancing and nature during her free time

Translation by Anna Tiira.

INFORMATION ABOUT CAREERS IN THE EU:
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Eetu Leinonen

Kirjoittaja on tilastotieteilijä ja suomen kielen opiskelija, joka on vahingossa onnistunut kaveriporukoissa brändäämään itsensä keltaisella tuulitakillaan.

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Ihmiset In English

Eetu Leinonen

Kaukana kotoa

Vaihto-opintoja markkinoidaan yhtenä parhaista tavoista hankkia kansainvälistä kokemusta. Oulun yliopistossa on valittavana useita eri vaihto-ohjelmia sekä satoja eri korkeakouluja niin Euroopassa, Pohjois-ja Etelä-Amerikassa, Aasiassa kuin Oseaniassa. Millainen kokemus vaihtojakso on? Kysyimme asiaa kahdelta viime lukuvuonna vaihdossa olleelta opiskelijalta.  Pitkäaikaisen unelman täyttymys Oulun yliopistossa luokanopettajaksi opiskeleva Meri Jurvansuu oli 12-vuotias, kun hänen ystävänsä sisko oli palannut Australiasta […]

Ihmiset Ilmiöt In English Opiskelu

TEKSTI Tuuli Heikura

KUVAT Tuuli Heikura

Vaihto-opintoja markkinoidaan yhtenä parhaista tavoista hankkia kansainvälistä kokemusta. Oulun yliopistossa on valittavana useita eri vaihto-ohjelmia sekä satoja eri korkeakouluja niin Euroopassa, Pohjois-ja Etelä-Amerikassa, Aasiassa kuin Oseaniassa. Millainen kokemus vaihtojakso on? Kysyimme asiaa kahdelta viime lukuvuonna vaihdossa olleelta opiskelijalta. 

Pitkäaikaisen unelman täyttymys

Oulun yliopistossa luokanopettajaksi opiskeleva Meri Jurvansuu oli 12-vuotias, kun hänen ystävänsä sisko oli palannut Australiasta ja kertoi kokemuksistaan upeasta ilmastosta, työskentelystä farmilla ja yleisesti vuodestaan maassa. Seitsemännellä luokalla nuori ilmoitti, että hän menee yliopistoon ja lähtee vaihtoon Australiaan. 

Helmikuussa 2023 tuo unelma toteutui, kun Jurvansuu laskeutui Melbourneen ja aloitti puolen vuoden vaihtojakson Melbournen yliopistossa. “Kaukovaihtoihin pitää hakea todella aikaisin, joten tiesin lähdöstä jo vuotta ennen itse vaihdon alkamista”, Jurvansuu kertoo. Kaukokohteisiin hakuprosessi on muutenkin erilainen kuin esimerkiksi Erasmus-vaihtoon. Valintakriteereinä käytetään akateemisia perusteluita vaihtoon hakeutumiselle, motivaatiota, opintomenestystä ja kielitaitoa. SoleMove-hakemuksen lisäksi valintaprosessiin kuuluu ryhmähaastattelu. “Hakuprosessi oli aika raskas, mutta se todellakin kannatti”, Jurvansuu palaa muistelemaan epävarmaa hakuaikaa. 

Jurvansuu palasi Australiasta heinäkuussa ja aloittaa nyt viimeisen vuoden opintojaan Oulun yliopistossa. Vajaan puolen vuoden vaihtojakso hidasti opintoja hieman, sillä hän ei pystynyt suorittamaan toista sivuainetta loppuun viime keväänä Australiasta. “Nyt minulla on vain hieman kirittävää tänä vuonna. Kyllä tässä joutuu töitä tekemään.” Valmistuminen ajallaan on kuitenkin edelleen mahdollista. “Ei minulla toisaalta ole myöskään kiire valmistua, jos työmäärä tuntuu liian suurelta”, hän lisää. 

Vaihto-opiskelu on eittämättä rikastava ja arvokas kokemus ihan vain jo kansainvälistymisen näkökulmasta. Jurvansuun mielestä kuitenkaan ainakaan hänen tutkinto-ohjelmassaan mahdollisuudesta ei kerrota tarpeeksi. Ystäviensä kanssa keskustellessa hän on huomannut, että tutkinto-ohjelmien välillä on huomattavasti eroja, kuinka paljon vaihtoon lähtemiseen kannustetaan. Hän toivoisi, että vaihto-opiskelun mahdollisuutta painotettaisiin enemmän heti opintojen alusta. 

Kulttuurikokemuksia

Vaikka Jurvansuu ei kokenut suurta kulttuurishokkia muuttaessaan yli 15 000 kilometrin päähän, oli esimerkiksi opiskelijan arki hyvin erilaista Melbournessa. “Opiskelu oli hyvin itsenäistä, kävin yliopistolla vain kahtena päivänä viikossa ja muut päivät tein itsekseni tehtäviä.” Myös opiskelijakulttuuri oli erilainen, esimerkiksi haalareita ei opiskelijoilla näe Australiassa. Yleensä opiskelijayhteisön tapahtumat olivat päiväsaikaan tapahtuvia, kuten piknikkejä tai kampuksella olevia tapahtumia, ja alkoholittomia. 

Melbournea pidetään Australian kulttuurin ja taiteen keskuksena, eikä turhaan.  “Melbournessa tapahtuu aina jotain. Usein lähdin vain kävelemään päämäärättömästi ja aina tuli jotain tapahtumia, kuten katutaidetta tai konsertteja eteen. Kaupungissa on myös paljon ilmaisia museoita.” Ilmaiset elämykset olivat opiskelijalle iso plussa, koska kaupunki on muuten melko kallis ja erityisesti asuminen on kallista Melbournessa. “Säästöjä kannattaa olla, jos lähtee Australiaan.”

Vaihto-opiskelussa toiseen kulttuuriin soluttautuessa altistuu vääjäämättä itselle uusille asioille, ja ainakin Jurvansuun oman kokemuksen mukaan se laajentaa maailmankatsomusta ja tietämystä kulttuureista. “Meille muodostui tiivis vaihtareista koostunut porukka, jossa hoksasimme, että meillä kaikilla oli eri uskonto. Opin enemmän uskonnoista tuona aikana kuin ikinä koulussa”, hän kertoo esimerkkinä. 

Oppeja ja itsevarmuutta

Vaihto-opintoihin asti sosiaalinen ja muiden seurasta nauttiva Jurvansuu oli vältellyt yksinoloa. Vaihdossa hänen täytyi opetella olemaan myös yksin. “En ole koskaan ollut noin paljon itsekseni kuin Melbournessa. Opin nauttimaan omasta seurastani ja yksin asioiden tekemisestä.” Hän kuitenkin kertoo, että tunsi olonsa välillä yksinäiseksi ja jos nyt saisi päättää, hän olisi valinnut ajalle kimppakämpän. “Ajattelin silloin, että minulla olisi epämukava olo asua tuntemattomien kanssa. Olisi kuitenkin ollut kiva, jos olisi ollut aina joku, jolle jutella.” Vaihtoaika opettikin arvostamaan läheisiä entistä enemmän. Hän lähes herkistyy puhuessaan, kuinka perheen ja ystävien merkitys korostui ja erossa vietetty aika sai tajuamaan, kuinka rakkaita ihmisiä hänellä on ympärillään. 

Alkuun Jurvansuu myös koki, että omaa persoonaa oli vaikea tuoda esille englanniksi. Puhelias ja sarkastiseen huumoriin tottunut huomasi, että vaikka hän puhui hyvin englantia, hän ei pystynyt reagoimaan keskusteluissa yhtä nopeasti ja nokkelasti kuin omalla äidinkielellään. “Aluksi ajattelin, että nyt kaikki luulevat, että olen ihan tylsä. Englanti kuitenkin parani todella paljon ja nopeasti, ja tämäkin helpottui vaihdon myötä”, Jurvansuu muistelee. 

Vaikka tuleva luokanopettaja ei lähtenyt vaihtoon niinkään akateemisen puolen vuoksi, merkittävimpiä asioita, joita hän otti vaihtovuodesta mukaansa, olivat akateemisten taitojen kehittyminen ja opintoihin panostaminen. Jurvansuu kertoo, että Australian korkeaan tasoon pyrkivä opiskelukulttuuri vaikutti häneen positiivisesti ja kannusti panostamaan kurssisuorituksiin. “Opin kirjoittamaan todella hyviä esseitä”, hän yksilöi. 

Vaihtoaika vahvisti Jurvansuun tahtoa hakeutua valmistumisen jälkeen vapaaehtoistöihin. Hän kokee, että uuteen hyppääminen ja toiselle puolelle muuttaminen toi rohkeutta ja varmuutta omasta identiteetistä. “Tuli varmuutta, että kyllä mä pärjään ja pystyn. Nyt kynnys lähteä uuteen ja tuntemattomaan on matalampi.” 

Jurvansuu kannustaa kaikkia lähtemään vaihtoon. “Se on niin rikastuttava kokemus tulevaisuuden, kielitaidon ja itsevarmuuden kannalta.” Hän myös muistuttaa, kuinka ainutlaatuinen mahdollisuus se on kokea uutta. “Ei samankaltaista mahdollisuutta välttämättä ikinä myöhemmin elämässä tule, se kannattaa todellakin hyödyntää.”

All about education

When Jian Lee, 32, decided to spend a year in France she had only one goal – getting a degree. Jian had come to Finland to get her Master’s in Marketing just under a year ago when she moved again to study the second part of her degree in Bourdeaux, France. The arrangement was included in her Master’s studies as a double degree program student. 

Double degree programs are available in Oulu Business School for a limited amount of students. In the program a student receives a Master’s degree from two universities having studied in both for one year. 

Lee knew the year in France would not be about getting experiences, travelling or other traditionally associated activities during one’s exchange year but full-on studying. “I wrote my thesis remotely and went to courses in France, it was quite hectic”, Lee explains. She would be completing her degree in Oulu Business School simultaneously with another tuition in France.

But she didn’t mind. Finland was already the international experience she had longed for. This was about education. 

Lee felt that the more European degrees she can get the better for employment. Now graduated Master of Science plans to stay in Finland and going to France was a milestone for achieving this goal. 

“I felt that having various degrees in European countries it might be easier to get a job. Some people may feel like they want to get the foreign experience but in my case it was different because I was already a foreigner in Finland. I needed a degree, a diploma.” 

Even though Lee went to Bordeaux with one sole purpose in mind, in time she realized there was more to take away from the journey. “I was really busy and swamped, but I tried to find small windows of periods of time to go out in the city. I enjoyed the small stuff.” She mentions the good food and wineries of Bordeaux. 

Set a purpose for why you are going there. It will help you keep yourself uplifted in times of doubt.

It’s not all sunshine and roses

Being in a melting pot of people with different backgrounds made Lee aware of the diversity issues she was confronted with on a daily basis. “Diversity was just a textbook concept for me, but after experiencing the negative and positive things I learned how to deal with and manage issues with diversity”, she explains.

Having to meet new people from all over the world was also the greatest gift. “I made many international friends.The study program offers a lot of opportunities to be mixed with people from different backgrounds from all over the world.”

She also feels that being around people from different cultures expands one’s perspective. “The more I experience different cultures the more I can think about the person instead of the culture”, Lee says. During that year she learned to focus on the people she meets instead of the culture they represent. Once she opened her mind it helped her to grow as a global citizen of the world. This lesson has stayed with her after returning to Finland. “I proved many stereotypes to be wrong.”

For anyone thinking about going to exchange or preparing to leave, Lee has two pieces of advice. “First, set a purpose for why you are going there. It will help you keep yourself uplifted in times of doubt. Second, be open. Don’t have too many stereotypes. Learning about the culture beforehand is wise, but too much prevents you from having smooth experiences.”

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Tuuli Heikura

Oulun ylioppilaslehden päätoimittaja ja kauppatieteiden maisteri, joka nauttii syväluotaavista ilmiöjutuista, kuluttaa lenkkipolkuja kahden koiransa kanssa ja haaveilee mankelin omistamisesta.

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Ihmiset Ilmiöt In English Opiskelu

Tuuli Heikura

Volunteer work created a foundation for a career

When ukrainian-libanonian Viera Karam moved to Finland to study, she let the startup world in Oulu whisk her away. Soon, she was helping organize events and finally ended up for paid labour as an entrepreneurial advisor. The difference between the Finnish and Ukrainian entrepreneur worlds finally became clear to Viera Karam as she was talking […]

Alumnilta oppia Ihmiset In English Vaikutuksentekijä

TEKSTI Maria Karuvuori

When ukrainian-libanonian Viera Karam moved to Finland to study, she let the startup world in Oulu whisk her away. Soon, she was helping organize events and finally ended up for paid labour as an entrepreneurial advisor.

The difference between the Finnish and Ukrainian entrepreneur worlds finally became clear to Viera Karam as she was talking with bathcoat-wearing startup-entrepreneurs at Polar Bear Pitching -event’s back areas. For two years, Karam was a volunteer at the competition in which one holds a sales pitch of their company from an ice hole for judges.

“One gets introduced to different entrepreneurs and events related to the startup culture even though one does not think that they can be executed this fancily. The Ukrainian business culture is more traditional. But honestly – in what other place do people do this?”

Karam moved from Ukraine to Finland in 2017 when she started her studies in the international master’s programme in Education and Globalisation. In Ukraine, she had graduated as a Bachelor of Linguistics. Soon after, volunteer work and Oulu’s startup world swept her with it.

Karam has been a volunteer, a host and an organizer in not just Polar Bear Pitching but also in Startup Refugees -organization and Oulu’s Startup Weekend. They have also given fond memories.

“I learned a lot, for instance, about what challenges refugees face when they come to Finland. Of course the people I’ve seen in the events have stayed in my mind. Some of them have become friends or colleagues.”

Viera Karam kuvattuna Oulun yliopiston Alumni-juttusarjaan.
Kuva: Janne-Pekka Manninen
Viera Karam, photographed for the University Of Oulu Alumni stories.
Photo: Janne-Pekka Manninen
Networks grow as a volunteer

The activity beyond studies eventually led to paid labour as an international advisor at BusinessOulu. For the past two years, Karam has helped immigrants develop their business ideas all the way into companies.

“I don’t think that I would have a career in Oulu were I not in volunteer work. Those times gave me a massive amount of contacts, and I met people who helped me at different stages of finding work. They could go through my applications or hint at free positions somewhere.”

The contacts are crucial for anyone starting their career, but they are especially vital for immigrants.

“Usually people have to start from scratch when they arrive in a new country. Most of the time one does not know anything other than maybe their own partner and their friend group.”

Karam thinks that volunteer work is a great way to develop personal networks in any type of field.

“I recommend volunteer work to anyone whether they are Finnish or a foreigner. I think that building networks is the most important part in addition to getting experience from it. The majority probably hope to get to a type of work that they can love. By experiencing different tasks, one finds out what they enjoy and don’t enjoy doing. Overall, life is important to experience.”

Organizations and startups could learn from each other

Education has been useful in creating a career even though the initial career path of linguist and educationist took a surprising turn. In BusinessOulu’s video series Karam tells how studying has prepared her with the skills to face people from different backgrounds and to listen to their stories. Each immigrant’s story is different.

Crossing personal boundaries and facing new worlds often causes something fruitful. Karam believes that university organizations and the startup world could learn something from each other.

“Universities benefit greatly from the fact that new talent constantly flows in and out. Fresh ideas emerge from this type of space. I hope that we can also create with startup entrepreneurs an environment where new faces and ideas are openly acknowledged. Student organizations could learn from startups and their fast adaptability to changes.”

Karam has continued volunteer work with refugees, especially so when Russia attacked Ukraine.

“I speak the same language with the Ukrainian refugees and understand them. It is good if they have available local support. We have just founded the Association of Ukrainians in Northern Ostrobothnia, and we continue the development of the Ukrainian community in the Oulu area.”

Karam is moving into new things – from company advisor for immigrants to a startup program coordinator. In the future, she focuses on the development of service structures of startup entrepreneurs.

“Of course I am still in the use of Ukrainians also as a service advisor.”

Karam can speak Finnish fluently. She has not yet gone into an ice hole.

“I once went from a summer sauna to swimming on the last day of the summer. So far that has been cold enough of an experience for me.”

*This text was originally published in Finnish on Oulun ylioppilaslehti issue 2/2023.

Original text by Maria Karuvuori, translation by Jere Laitinen
Pictures Oulun yliopisto / Janne-Pekka Manninen
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Maria Karuvuori

Kulttuuriantropologian opiskelija, joka on koukussa uuden oppimiseen. Pitää uimisesta, hyvin ja välittäen kirjoitetusta tekstistä, pienistä taloista ja suurista ajatuksista, kasveista ja eläimistä, kapakoista ja koti-illoista sekä toisinaan eläväisistä keskusteluista.

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“The teacher identity developed beside the researcher identity” — The Coolest Teacher Ever 2022 Jukka-Pekka Ranta highlights the importance of motivation

A lecturer of mineralogy and geology, Jukka-Pekka Ranta, was chosen to be The Coolest Teacher Ever of 2022 by the Student Union of University of Oulu (OYY). Ranta focuses on the role of motivation and interesting education methods in his teaching. Jukka-Pekka Ranta’s badminton games for the evening almost went off the rails when he heard […]

Ihmiset In English Opiskelu Tuttu kasvo kampukselta

TEKSTI Jere Laitinen

KUVAT Tuuli Heikura

A lecturer of mineralogy and geology, Jukka-Pekka Ranta, was chosen to be The Coolest Teacher Ever of 2022 by the Student Union of University of Oulu (OYY). Ranta focuses on the role of motivation and interesting education methods in his teaching.

Jukka-Pekka Ranta’s badminton games for the evening almost went off the rails when he heard of being chosen as The Coolest Teacher Ever. He was primarily grateful for students’ support which he also has earned previously via geosciences’ student organization as well as the An Apple for a Teacher -event.

“Geology is, all things considered, quite a small field of study in the university, but it is great that students are active on that level”, Ranta thanks.

Ranta’s career to become a researcher and a university lecturer was still hazy before he started his studies. First working as a bartender, he intended to study psychology but ended up studying geology in the end. Ranta started his studies in 2008 and graduated with a Master’s degree in geosciences in 2012.

“Since the first lecture, I realized that this was for me”, Ranta reflects.

After his university studies, Ranta worked in Lapland roughly for a year in ore excavation. Afterwards, he started his work on a doctoral thesis in 2014. Since that point, teaching has been a part of his career. The doctoral thesis was finished in 2018 after which various postdoctoral research work led him to become a university lecturer in 2021.

Even when working on the doctoral thesis, Ranta did not think of himself as a teacher. The teacher identity developed stronger only during the past few years on the university’s pedagogical studies. Ranta thinks that people come to work at the university primarily as a researcher.

“The development of the teacher identity in the university is a bit different compared to basic studies since most people do not work here primarily as a teacher. Teaching is the small print in the job agreement.”

Practicality and students’ responsibility are vital

In teaching, Ranta highlights practicality and student’s own responsibility in how effectively a student learns something.

“New tools and more student-centered teaching and learning have just during the last few years emerged stronger.”

“Teaching is the small print in the job agreement.”

New teaching methods have helped Ranta to become more practical. For instance, digital workspaces, gamification and inspecting rocks via 3D models have provided new perspectives on standard lectures and study diaries. However, their use has to be relevant for learning.

“One must pay attention to not use them just for the sake of their tools. There must be a purpose for using a specific one.”

In his courses, Ranta emphasizes his background as a researcher and teacher as an influence on what courses he has enough substance knowledge to organize. While pondering their structure, Ranta especially wonders about the responsibility of the teacher.

“During the courses, I started to think about the responsibility that we teachers have. We train such people that have sufficient skills and expertise in work life.”

Nevertheless, the student’s own responsibility is an especially important aspect that the teacher can influence only by so much. Therefore, Ranta thinks it’s important to get the student excited early about their studies so that their hunger for knowledge stays in Master’s studies and long after that.

“I hope my own inner motivation and excitement also reaches the students. It is especially important to get the basic course students new to geology interested in it.”

Approachability and understandability benefit

The voters described Ranta as an easy person to approach and understand and for having great expertise. Ranta recalls his own studies when he felt tense to approach a professor’s or a teacher’s office.

Ranta thinks that his flexibility in courses is a reason for being seen as easy to understand. For example, he may spend some time revising basics if the students have forgotten something essential. Additionally, listening to the students and utilizing various education styles play an important part.

In addition to other researchers, Ranta has also embraced several traits from his own teachers and tutors in his teaching. Each of them have left their mark on Ranta.

“In my courses, I often exhibit similar traits, expressions or maneuvers from my old teachers which is amusing to notice.”

Regarding his expertise, Ranta deliberates whether he can evaluate it alone on a larger scale. He thinks that people in professional work often encounter an impostor syndrome: the difficulty to realize one’s own achievements to be fully earned. Despite this, Ranta’s motivation and passion differentiate him with his studying methods to be a unique teacher.

“The courses where one sees a lightbulb lit above the students’ heads are the best.”

Students’ realization rewards the most

The courses that combine practicality and theory are Ranta’s favourites. He mentions an example, Petrology, in which students explore the characteristics of stones and their formation processes on a macro- and microlevel. In these types of courses, Ranta finds the students’ realization of the discussed topic to provide the best feeling.

“The courses where one sees a lightbulb lit above the students’ heads are the best.”

Ranta faces many kinds of students in his courses. Some students are more motivated than others. Even in difficult cases, he strives to motivate the students’ course work via his own excitement. An important point is to find the core idea and to reflect the course work on geology and as training for the real world.

In the future, Ranta wants to continue his current work in the academic world as a researcher and a teacher as well as to develop his own substance knowledge in mineralogy and ore geology.

“Regarding the education and the development of geosciences, there is still a lot to be done.”

Who?

  • Jukka-Pekka Ranta
  • University lecturer since 2021
  • Responsible for Oulu Mining School’s degree programme 2019-2022
  • Doctor of Philosophy 2018

What?

  • The Coolest Teacher Ever 2022 was awarded in Annos 63 annual celebration 25.2.2023
  • Any student at the University of Oulu was able to suggest any university teacher in any educational field to receive the award for The Coolest Teacher Ever.
  • Selection criteria included the ability to inspire, professionality, being easy to understand, explanation of course goals, paying attention to students’ needs, flexibility and a versatile use of grading methods
  • The award was given for the seventh time. Previously the award was given to Elina Niemitalo-Haapola, Katja Sutela, Vesa-Matti Pohjanen, Oliver Jarde, Matti Niemelä and Matti Kangaspuoskari
  • The decision was done by the board of the Student Union of University of Oulu on 26.1.2023
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Jere Laitinen

Oulun ylioppilaslehden toimitusharjoittelija. Opiskelutaustaltaan kokenut ainejärjestöaktiivi ja opiskelijavaikuttaja sekä innokas pelaaja ja kokkailija. 

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OYY’s new community specialist Viljami Viinikka wants to unify the university community

Student Union of University of Oulu (OYY)  selected Viljami Viinikka as their new community specialist. During his two-year long post Viinikka hopes to be a specialist for the entire university community. Viljami Viinikka, 25, started as OYY’s community specialist in the beginning of 2023. However, Viinikka is not a tenderfoot at the OYY office. He […]

Ihmiset In English

TEKSTI Tuuli Heikura

KUVAT Tuuli Heikura

Student Union of University of Oulu (OYY)  selected Viljami Viinikka as their new community specialist. During his two-year long post Viinikka hopes to be a specialist for the entire university community.

Viljami Viinikka, 25, started as OYY’s community specialist in the beginning of 2023. However, Viinikka is not a tenderfoot at the OYY office. He acted as vice president in OYY’s board during 2022 and was in charge of the community sector. “Work environment and assignments were quite familiar already, which aided in orientation”, Viinikka mentions. “Last year as the previous community specialist Eetu Leinonen’s journeyman he accustomed me to many tasks, but still the transition gets confusing from time to time”, he adds.

Fresh specialist instantly got off the deep end of work when he was assigned two major events both taking place in the first month of his employment. 

The Student Union educates its societies’ active members in Active Clubs February 1st and 2nd. Since the community specialist acts as a link between OYY and societies, organizing the Active Clubs is his responsibility. 

The second event, Löyly, targets the other significant stakeholder group on community specialist’s job description – international students. Löyly is a working life event held 25th and 26th of January aimed primarily towards international degree students, but open for everyone. The aim of the event is to offer practical guidance and tips in seeking a job in the Oulu area, and to provide information about Finnish working life. Another aim is to bring together employers in Oulu and international degree students. The event is fully in English. The program consists of keynote-speeches, workshops, panel discussions and cv-photography. OYY organizes Löyly in collaboration with OSAKO.

Viinikka ended up as community specialist after a deliberation of his own strengths. “Reasons for applying were quite the same as why I ended up applying to study chemistry back in the day: I considered how I could help people and what were my personal strengths. Naturally, societies and advocacy work are close to my heart as well.”

Societies really are familiar to Viinikka. Since moving to Oulu from Lumijoki to study chemistry in the summer of 2017, Viinikka has been a familiar sight not only in his subject organizations’ board presidiums but also in recreational associations’ boards. “Recretional associations luckily have a good footing in Oulu University, you can really witness the communality spirit here.”

Easy to approach yet easily approaching

Viinikka portrays himself as a project-person who enjoys learning new skills. “Continuous development is fun and so are new skills”. When he’s not playing karelian gorodki (kyykkä), he might be doing crafts or exploring new recipes in the kitchen. He tells a story about a time he made appleless apple pie. Reportedly people eating it had a really hard time believing it really didn’t contain any apples, so much it tasted like a real apple pie. “Baking links up with my interest in chemistry”, he says. 

Viinikka also plays the accordion, and sometimes visits to play for albums for various projects. “Recently, I was even asked to go sing for one!”, he laughs. 

Community specialist meets various, colorful people in his line of duty. Viinikka hopes to be the whole university community’s community specialist. For student organizations, a community specialist is a pillar, someone to ask guidance from and seek positive reinforcement. “I’m here to tell that very few things are the end of the world”. 

Community specialist’s job description is divided roughly into two sectors: societies and international affairs. Social work demands for an easy to approach -kind of person, and exactly that Viinikka hopes for himself to be. Not only wishes he to be easy to approach, but has already instigated an ‘easily approaching’ -method for conducting business. “During my brief career I’ve already managed to personally walk straight to a guild room to solve one organization’s problem. I don’t know if previous society specialists have been so forward in their actions”, he laughs. 

As one of the biggest challenges in the University community, Viinikka mentions the divide between international and other students. “The integration of international students to the rest of the student community is an on-going challenge that we must work on”. Especially Covid-19 put a set back to this work, according to Viinikka, and now extra attention must be paid to it. 

As greetings Viinikka urges students to go to exchange. “It is a fine opportunity that vexatiously few students exploit”.

WHO’S THIS?

NAME Viljami Viinikka

AGE 25

STUDIES Chemistry

FROM Lumijoki

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Tuuli Heikura

Oulun ylioppilaslehden päätoimittaja ja kauppatieteiden maisteri, joka nauttii syväluotaavista ilmiöjutuista, kuluttaa lenkkipolkuja kahden koiransa kanssa ja haaveilee mankelin omistamisesta.

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