Social programme 2010

Helsinki Summer School isn’t just about the classroom experience. It’s also about meeting new people and having fun! HSS arranges a wide range of social events to help students get to know both each other and Finland.

The Social Programme of Helsinki Summer School has been produced in co-operation with the City of Helsinki. This makes it possible for us to offer the events to you either free of charge or at affordable prices.

You can find detailed information (times & locations) about the Social Programme events from the HSS Extranet.

Tuesday 3 August. Opening Ceremony
The Opening Ceremony officially kicks off the Helsinki Summer School session and lets you get a glimpse of your new friends from all over the world. There will be a few words of welcome from HSS staff and live music!

Tuesday 3 August. Rector's Reception
After the opening ceremony, the day continues with the Rector's Reception with a buffet serving and and plenty of time to mingle!

Tuesday 3 August. Welcome Party
The HSS kick-off continues with our Welcome Party.This is the perfect chance to meet everybody and to start making lots of new friends! See you there!

Wednesday 4 August. City Tour
This guided bus tour is a great way to get to know Helsinki! It covers the most important and interesting sights in Helsinki, including the Presidential Palace, Finlandia Hall, the Sibelius Monument and Temppeliaukio Church. You’ll also get a good idea of Helsinki’s local neighbourhoods.

Thursday 5 August. Mölkky Tournament
Mölkky is a traditional Finnish tossing game that is a perfect way of spending time together with your friends! You don't need any special skills to play Mölkky which is essentially about trying to make wooden sticks fall by throwing them with another wooden stick.

Saturday 7 August & Saturday 14 August. Trip to Nuuksio National Park and Sauna
Finnish nature and sauna – this is a combination that will knock your socks off! You’ll have the chance to experience both on our trip to the beautiful Nuuksio National Park, which is situated about 35 kilometres from Helsinki. We’ll start off our trip with a guided hike, which will allow you to get up close and personal with the picturesque Finnish nature. After the hike we’ll relax in a traditional Finnish sauna. Going to sauna is a definite MUST! You haven’t really experienced Finland until you’ve experienced a Finnish sauna! There will also be canoeing and barbecuing, so this is one event you won’t want to miss!  

Sunday 8 August & Sunday 15 August. Dragon Boat Safari
Helsinki is a marine city, and our Dragon Boat Safari is a great way to discover the city from a whole new perspective. The trip is guided, and no previous experience of canoeing or any special equipment is required.

Monday 9 August. The City of Helsinki Reception
The City of Helsinki, a long-term partner of Helsinki Summer School, welcomes you to the capital of Finland by holding a special reception for us at the City Hall. Come and enjoy the hospitality of your host city, buffet serving and the company of your fellow students!

Wednesday 11 August. Night of Future Possibilities
Join us for a night of opportunities! Come and see what the Helsinki Region universities have to offer. Representatives from our partner schools will be on hand to tell you all about the opportunities they have to offer international students.

Thursday 12 August. Movie Night
Find out what the Finnish films are like, and what you can learn about the Finnish culture by watching one!

Monday 16 August, Tuesday 17 August and Wednesday 18 August.  Parliament Tour
We’ll take a guided tour of the most important state building in Finland, the Parliament House. This is the place where all the big decisions are made in Finland. The Parliament House is an impressive and interesting building with 1920’s architecture and interior design.

Thursday 19 August. Farewell Party
All good things must come to an end, but tonight is all about celebrating the time we’ve shared together! This is a great chance for us to get together one more time and reflect back on our Helsinki Summer School experience.

This is a preliminary programme. Changes are possible.