Friend Programme

Would you like to get to know new people from different cultures or offer a window into local culture? Sign in for Friend Programme!

We are looking for local friends for international students coming to the University for an exchange or to do a degree. The Finnish Friend Programme does not only offer you an opportunity to experience everyday Finnish life and culture but also helps to adapt to new surroundings by connecting with a welcoming Finnish friend. You will be matched with a local from the Rovaniemi region to then share your culture with each other and spend time together.

You as a an international student get a chance to:

make a new (local) friend
expand your horizons
get a close look at Finnish culture, habits and everyday life
feel better if you feel homesick
be an ambassador of your home country
lots of fun

"I am totally satisfied with my friend family programme and would not hesitate to recommend my friend to join this programme hoping that they are lucky enough to meet a very nice family as I was." - former exchange student

Get involved!

Sign up to the programme by filling out the electronic form, the application period is in January and in August.

The application form for local friends is HERE .

Guidebook for local friends (in Finnish)

The application form for international students is HERE.

Guidebook for international students

Contact information:

Sanna Sulin
Projects Coordinatior
ESN Lapland
projects@esnlapland.eu

Emilia Rehn
Trip Coordinator
ESN Lapland
trips@esnlapland.eu

How does it work?

Matching process

The Finnish friends can be of different ages and at different stages of life. When matching the participants, interests, hobbies, language skills and more are taken into account. Once all participants have been matched, contacts will be exchanged and a first meeting is arranged on behalf of the programme.

Good practices

Together with your friend you can:

meet for coffee or drinks
go on walks
play board games
cook together
watch films
go on trips
go to museums and concerts

Keep in touch

Exchange your contact information with your new friend as soon as possible and make sure you have a common way to communicate.

Keep in mind

All participants are volunteers and you are an independent young adult. Maintain a friendly and respectful relationship with each other. Your friend is not responsible for your overall amusement in Rovaniemi, instead you shall organise the get-togethers jointly.

Common challenges

As in life in general, things do not always go as planned. If something unexpected happens, make sure to inform your new friend about it. Challenges can be language barriers, cultural differences, long distances or a sudden lack of time.

In calmer times try to remember your Finnish friend and initiate you do something together. In case you are planning to drop out of the friend programme, please contact the programme leaders.

Friend programme

Studies