Program

Time and duration: Monday - Sunday 22.5-28.5.2023
Place: University of Lapland

The first part of the program includes brief presentations, panel presentations, and small group discussions. Besides Finland, the U.S. and Austria, lecturers include faculty members 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 (group dialogues) on topics related to global social work such as ethics or immigration.

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

Preliminary program for the lecture week 22.5-26.5.2023

Mon. 22 May

Welcoming remarks

Participant Introductions

Lectures and Group Dialogues

Welcoming Reception (see Social Program below)

Tues. 23 May

Lectures, Student Panels and Group Dialogues

Wed. 24 May

Lectures, Student Panels and Group Dialogues

International Evening (see Social Program below)

Thurs. 25 May

Lectures, Student Panels and Group Dialogues

Fri. 26 May

Lectures, Student Panels and Group Dialogues

Closing ceremonies

Pot Luck Dinner 

Welcoming Reception

Monday 22.5.2023 at the University (place to be announced)

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

International Evening 

Wednesday 24.5.2023 (place to be announced)

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.

Potluck Dinner

Friday 26.5.2023 (place tba)

Participants of the summer school also share traditional food and/or beverages from their home countries. The atmosphere is informal and fun.

Optional visits to Rovaniemi Museums 

Saturday 27.5.2023

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 

Free time to explore Rovaniemi.

Sunday 28.5.2023

Part One - Excursion to Utsjoki/Kevo  

Monday- Wednesday 29.5-31.5.2023

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 such as social service agencies, the Sámi Parliament, a Sami Reindeer Farm and Siida, the Sámi museum. While at Kevo, we travel to Utsjoki and visit a high school, the bridge that crosses the Teno river bordering Finland and Norway, and a church village.

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 are about 210-225 euros, which includes accommodation, transportation, meals and museum entrance fees.

Please note that the number of places on this trip is limited to 29-30. We will confirm the participation list for the trip in March 2023. 

Part Two: Extended Program: Excursion to Helsinki

Thursday.- Saturday 1.-3.6.2023

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 will recommend a hostel as a lodging site for summer school participants. The students will make their own lodging arrangements.

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 March 1, 2023 will help us to coordinate these arrangements.

Sunday 4.6.2023

Departure from Helsinki