In spring 2010, Kajaani University of Applied Sciences and the project: Integrating International Students into the Kainuu Area, started a Finnish Friend Family programme for our international students and local Finnish families. Since then, more than 20 international students from Asia, Africa and North America have found a Finnish friend family. Students and families are very pleased with the programme. Many Finnish families are already looking forward to the autumn semester when they will make friends with new international students.  

In May, the Finnish families and their student friends met, played games and shared positive experiences. The event was arranged in cooperation with the student union KAMO.   

The idea of the Friend Family Programme is to introduce Finland, the region of Kainuu and Finnish culture to our international students. The programme not only allows students to experience everyday Finnish life, but also helps them adapt to their new surroundings by connecting them with a welcoming Finnish family.  

More information and application form: http://www.kajak.fi/in_english/Studying/Internationality/Friend_Family_Programme.iw3   

Nora Müller
project manager
Integrating International Students into the Kainuu Area –project
nora.muller@kajak.fi

Friend Family gathering 20th May 2010: Families and students were introduced to the game development lab where they tried out different games