INTERNATIONALIZATION SERVICES
“SUPERHOST”
Making Most of the Host Experience Finnish hosts play a significant role for U.S. grantees before and during their adventure in Finland. Text LEASA WEIMER A summary of ideas developed during the workshop www.fulbright.fi/ workshop-best-practiceshosting-us-students-andvisiting-scholars.
P
ractices for hosting U.S. Fulbrighters vary in
also clarified what is especially expected of the
Finnish higher education institutions, and
host organizations.”
while some U.S. students and scholars are
well prepared for their stay in Finland, others have
Two-way Bridge
to establish their own networks and get adjusted
An overview of Fulbright Finland Foundation ser-
in the new academic and cultural environment
vices, resources, and guidance for hosts was fol-
very independently. As a way to further develop
lowed by an interactive panel discussion with hosts
and nurture the host-grantee relationship, the
and former grantees.
Fulbright Finland Foundation organized a work-
“Visualize the host-grantee relationship as
shop for Finnish hosts in August 2019 with support
a two-way bridge, where the host and grantee
from the U.S. State Department’s USAStudyAbroad
exchange and share their culture and professional
office.
insights,” Leasa Weimer encouraged the partici-
The workshop brought together hosts of U.S.
pating hosts and panelists. “At the same time, the
students, teachers, and scholars from Finnish
host serves as a bridge to further develop inter-
higher education institutions, and provided them
nationalization at home efforts by facilitating
with an opportunity to share and discuss best
opportunities for the U.S. grantee to meet and
hosting practices. Leasa Weimer, an experienced
interact with other staff, students, and university
scholar-practitioner in the field of internation-
initiatives.”
alization of higher education and also a new Ful-
Anu Härkönen, Head of International Affairs at
bright Finland Foundation staff member facilitated
Turku University of Applied Sciences, drew atten-
the workshop.
tion to the importance of hosting international
“The event gave insight on the network of current grantees in Finland, as well as valuable
10 | www.fulbright.fi
guests from the national and institutional perspective.
benchmark information on how other host uni-
“It would be very useful to share best practices
versities handle their support services for arriving
and work more together with other Finnish uni-
grantees,” says Marja Nyberg, HR Coordinator of
versities hosting Fulbright grantees. After all, it is
the International Staff Services from the Univer-
in everyone’s interest that the grantees enjoy their
sity of Jyväskylä. “The introductions gave insight
time in Finland. It would be great, if the grantees
on Fulbright Finland’s role in the process, and it
had the chance to get more contacts from higher