Tutoring theme weeks
These theme weeks are organized in collaboration with the LAB and the LUT.
The order of the theme weeks can be changed according to the needs of the group, study programmes and campuses.
Each tutor group goes through themes according to a weekly plan during the first study period.
Contact teaching programs meet weekly on campus. Other programs meet online.
Tutor informs their group of a weekly meeting time well in advance.
Weekly plan is to ensure that every newcomer gets all the important information about studying, and adapts to student life and daily life Finland.
Important role of the tutor is to encourage and support freshers grouping. This is something to remember each theme week.
Programme of tutoring weeks
Tutor should participate with their newcomers in orientation and the Student Welcome Fair, and ensure that each part of the tutoring checklist has been covered.
Tutor guides on how different student services can be reached: via email, phone, visiting office or booking a meeting, and when each form communication is appropriate.
This week pays extra attention to newcomer’s wellbeing: managing stress, time, and life as a student.
Student support and wellbeing quiz!
MOVEO is a joint sports and wellness service for students and staff of LUT University and LAB University of Applied Sciences. MOVEO organizes free trials during the week of MOVEO Appro. Newcomers are encouraged to participate in the trials. Tutor shows the newcomers how to buy the MOVEO membership.
Tutor takes the group for a joint exercise or other hobby meet during the week. It can be a nature walk, playing football, knitting, board games or participating in the MOVEO Appro together. The main point is to have fun activities as a group.
This theme supports integration to Finnish society and Finnish university life.
LiiKu Appro (Sport and culture Appro) 10.9.2025 is fun and communal way newcomers to get to know the study city.
InfoFinland.fi is a government webpage containing useful information about living in Finland for immigrants. Tutor checks out the following pages together with the group:
Cleaning Tips: cleaning instruction and safe housing
After reading newcomers and tutor discuss together on following topics:
Have you encountered funny situations with Finnish customs? Share your experiences. Let the newcomers also ask about customs in case there is something they would like to hear your advice on.
Do Finnish working life customs differ somehow from Finnish study life customs in your opinion? What similarities and differences can you find out? How does Finnish university life differ from other countries university life?
Which Finnish public holiday are you most waiting for? Tutor can also share their experiences and practical tips on holidays, so newcomers know what to expect.
Did you learn something new about waste recycling? Majority of housing requires habitants to recycle the waste. Why do you think that is? Newcomers can ask about recycling from the tutor if they are unsure about something.
How do you find the cost of living in Finland? Are there any tips you would like to share for the rest of the group?
What pros can you find in having housing insurance? How extensive is the insurance of student housing? What does it cover and what does it not?
Which one of the obligations for tenant do you find most tricky to follow? Why is that? Can anyone of the group provide any tips how to overcome that?
When discussing with your group, remember intercultural communication, diversity, and inclusiveness.
eLUT: Living in Finland FI
During the week newcomers can get to know free time activities in Finnish student life. Guilds, associations, and hobby clubs organize visitations during this week. Tutors and newcomers can participate together in the events and visit the guilds they are interested in.
Tutor informs their group about different free time activities related to their field of study or general wellbeing. Tutor also assists in finding out how to participate in the activities, if needed.
eLUT: Student Life, Guilds, Free time and hobbies
Find more information about subsides
This week newcomers learn where to get help if their physical or mental health needs support, how to use Student Health Care Services and why it is important to have the 112 app on their phone. Additionally newcomers will learn how we take care of campus safety.
Tutor reminds newcomers to pay the student’s healthcare fee if they are a degree students. Note! Highway students and exchange students are not entitled to FSHS Services and do not pay the health care fee.
Tutor and newcomers familiarize themselves with
FSHS/ YTHS material for new students and the videos on their webpage
Finnish emergency Response Center Agency’s video of the 112 app
Campus Safety instructions in eLUT
Find out together
How to book an appointment for Student Health Care Service?
How to fill in the HealthStart questionnaire on the Self online service.
How to get help in the middle of the night?
Where to gather if there is a fire on university grounds? How is Tuudo related?
Newcomers and tutors learn essential knowledge and tips about working in Finland. The week dives deeper into what was learnt already during the Living in Finland theme week about Finnish working life. Tutor makes sure that newcomers know about JobTeaser and LUT & LAB Career Services offered by the University.
Tutor guides the newcomers to register to JobTeaser platform and fill out their profile: lut.jobteaser.com.
Tutor makes sure that all tutees are aware of the Find Your Career self-study platform in Moodle (also available in Finnish) and encourages all newcomers to check it, whenever they need help with career planning or job-hunting (e.g. CV chekc-up).
Tutor and newcomers join webinar to hear what LUT & LAB Career Services do during Career Services theme week. Time and link to the webinar can be found in JobTeaser Events.
Check all services at eLUT: Career Services
Take some time to reflect and share your thoughts on Finnish work-life culture, e.g. during lunch. Use the examples below to support your discussion.
Equality is very important between genders but also between differences in age, religion, political view, ect.
High level of education. We have more highly educated people than jobs, so competition is tough. Remember to network during your studies!
High expectations for self-direction and initiative. Trust is the basis of our working life = you get things done quickly, independently and with quality.
Communication style is very informal most of the time.
Low hierarchies. Sir´s and Madam´s are not often heard. Btw do you know who Juhis or Turo is? If not, type "LUT Juhis" or “LAB Turo” to your search engine and you get the point 😉
Finnish (and Swedish in western coast) is a strongly used language in working environments. At least a basic level is usually needed in different tasks but remember that you´ll probably need English as well, so make sure that you have working proficiency in at least two of these.
Quite a casual dress code. Ties and high heels are not everyday clothing in most of our jobs.
What is the appropriate way to approach employers and businesses. Why it´s not recommended to send a message to employers like “Give me a job”?
Tips from our working alumni to international students
Finns eat their lunch at 11 am. Be there even if you´re not yet hungry, don´t be left out of social integration!
Befriend the peers around you. You can help each other out with your studies and also your career because the work market is very small, and you might meet them again at some point.
Finns are called quiet and unpolite, but this is not true. They just don´t add extra length to their talks if it is not necessary.
During the week newcomers prepare for their first exam week together with their tutor. They learn what they should and shouldn’t do during the exams as well as learn tips for preparing for exams.
Newcomers check the Exam instructions video together with tutor.
Newcomers enrolls for exams and second period courses together with the tutor and if any problems occur, they guide the newcomers to contact opinto@lut.fi.
Newcomers and tutor check the Tips for studying page linked below in eLUT/eLAB. Discuss together which of the tips could be useful for newcomers to support their learning in preparation for the first exam week. Tutor also shares the methods that have been useful for themselves.
eLUT: Examinations
eLUT: Tips for studying
Student life is also about other things than just studying and learning. A well-balanced life allows students to relax and have fun, so that in the moments needed for studying they have the energy to do so. During the weeks after first period, the tutor arranges at least one “hangout” for their group to allow the newcomers to get to know each other outside of studies.
