Program

Time and duration: Tuesday - Tuesday 19.5-26.5.2020
Place: University of Lapland

The first part of the program includes brief presentations, panel presentations, and small group discussions. Besides Finland and the U.S., lecturers include faculty and practitioners from the other countries represented in the program. Typically, the presentations address a range of topics related to the program theme of social work from a global perspective.

Students also share information about their home countries; for example, their work experiences or social issues, in student panels. Participants engage in small group discussions (workshops) on topics related to global social work such as ethics or immigration.

A social-cultural program during the first week includes a welcoming reception, a pot luck dinner & sauna evening and an international evening (see Social Programs for more information on these events).

Tentative program for the lecture week 19.5-26.5.2020

Tue. 19 May

Welcoming remarks 

Participant Introductions

Lectures and Workshop Groups

Welcoming Reception (see Social Programs below)

Wed. 20 May

Lectures, Student Panels and Workshop Groups

Thu. 21 May

No programme. A public holiday in Finland. 

Fri. 22 May

Lectures, Student Panels and Workshop Groups

International Evening (see Social Programs below)

Sat. 23 May

Optional visits to Rovaniemi Museums

Arktikum: Science center and museum that lets you experience northern nature, culture and history up close

Science Center Pilke: the opportunity to explore the forest with all your senses and from many different angles

Korundi: House of culture and Rovaniemi Art Museum 

Sun. 24 May

Free time to explore Rovaniemi

Mon. 25 May

Lectures, Student Panels and Workshop Groups

Pot Luck Dinner and sauna evening (see Social Programs below)

Tue. 26 May

Lectures, Student Panels and Workshop Groups

Reflections on first week

Welcoming Reception

Wednesday 20.5.2020 at the University

An informal gathering where you can share food and drink with other participants.

International Evening

Friday 22.5.2020 lecture halls 20 & 21

During the international evening each country represented in the summer school has an opportunity to share something about their culture. Presentations may include history, arts, geography, language, dress, customs, or anything that participants would like others to know or experience. In past years, for example, participants have shared food and music, worn traditional clothing, displayed photographs, and taught dances, games and folk tales. The atmosphere is informal and fun.

Pot Luck Dinner and Sauna Evening

Monday 25.5.2020 lecture halls 20 & 21 and University's sauna building

Participants of the summer school share traditional food and/or beverages from their home countries. There is also possibility to go to Finnish sauna.

Part One - Excursion to Utsjoki/Kevo or Visits to local Social Service Agencies

Option One: Excursion to Utsjoki/Kevo

Wednesday- Friday 27.5-29.5.2020

This excursion takes us to Utsjoki, Finland’s northernmost municipality, located 367 km north of the Arctic Circle. We travel by bus through southern Lapland’s woods towards the fell area of Lapland and the Finnish Sámi district. We stay two nights at Kevo, a subarctic research station, operated by the University of Turku. During our travels we make brief stops at sites of interest (to be confirmed).

The trip introduces us to Sámi Culture and social services to Lapland’s indigenous Sámi population. At Kevo we learn about the unique flora and fauna of Lapland while experiencing the pristine environment of the far north including the indescribable Midnight Sun. For the complete Lapland experience, there is opportunity to partake in sauna followed by a dip in the clean, cold water of a subarctic lake.

Costs for this excursion, which include accommodation, transportation, meals and museum entrance fees, were around 150 euros in 2019. The costs will be confirmed soon.

Please note that the number of places on this trip is limited. We will confirm the participation list for the trip by end of April 2020. 

Option Two: Students who do not go to Utsjoki/Kevo will have the option of visiting social service agencies in Rovaniemi on Wednesday 27 May. A minimum of 10 students are required. Please consider this when you make your travel plans to and from Rovaniemi.

Part Two: Extended Program: Excursion to Helsinki

Saturday- Wednesday 30.5.-3.6.2020

In this program, summer school participants have the opportunity to learn about some of the social service programs and cultural offerings of Finland's largest city, Helsinki. The region around Helsinki forms a metropolitan area with over one million inhabitants and is the home of the majority of immigrant and refugee populations. As the capital of Finland, Helsinki houses the Office of the President, the Parliament, and many government ministries. It is also the home of many wonderful museums and other cultural attractions. As a group, we will visit one such attraction: Suomenlinna, a 17th century island fortress in the Gulf of Finland. We also will visit some exemplary social service agencies. There will also be free time to explore the city on your own. You should periodically check this website for the specific itinerary.

Participants in the Helsinki excursion are responsible for making their own travel, lodging and other arrangements. We recommend Hostel Both as the lodging site for summer school participants.

If you want to participate in this part of the program, be sure to fully complete the section of the application pertaining to the Helsinki excursion. Submitting you summer school application by 1st April 2020 will help us to coordinate these arrangements.