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INSIDER 11.9.2020 | VOL. 23 | ISSUE 1

STUDENT MAGAZINE OF XAMK

Featuring Conference XAMK Exchange View Fashion Adivce/Tips Learning Guest Writer Online

STAFF

EDITORIAL

LIDIIA BENKOVSKAIA

ANNA RYNDINA

AVE-LIIS KOOBAK

IKRAM BECHARI

MARIAN KEINAN

JOONATAN BERG

EVA MOROVSHCHIK

INSIDER STUDENT MAGAZINE South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences ParaatikenttÃ¤ 7 45100 Kouvola INSIDER ISSN 1457-1587 Editor in Chief: HUGH CLACK

PHONE +358 44 702 8758 WEBSITE insider.xamk.fi EMAIL insider@xamk.fi 2

EDITORIAL The year 2020 – a disaster or an opportunity for business? The year 2020 has certainly seen far reaching changes in the way many organisations operate, with Corona virus lockdowns forcing many businesses into bankruptcy, whilst others are still clinging on to what they have. However, is it all been doom and gloom or has it also brought benefits to society? [We won’t talk about the sudden surge of toilet paper hoarding in the early springtime. Ed] If we look past the bleakness of Covid-19 and the misery that it has wrought on so many, we can see that here have been many new business models created. Just looking locally, we have seen an increase in the supermarket pre-ordering model, which has in turn also spawned other employment opportunities. In the UK, as in many other countries, ordering products from a local supermarket and having the good delivered to your door the same day, is something that has been around for some time. In Finland however, this kind of service was still in the very early stages last spring, with many chains still not offering the service. The current crisis changed everything, forcing supermarkets to re-think their offerings, and suddenly online ordering and home delivery became extremely popular, especially for those restricted to their homes. In Finland, in addition to supermarkets increasing revenue through this new service, we have also seen an increase in personal shopper jobs created within the supermarkets, and of course the need for more home delivery contractors. All of these have led to increased employment in this sector. This combined with a vast increase in online purchasing in general, means that society indeed seems to accept some of the forced changes in business offerings – customer acceptance or avoidance is an area that businesses have to tread very carefully, but so far customers haven’t had much of a choice.

comeback for this industry with a gradual shift to takeaways, then outdoor service (luckily it was a good summer), and now back to - almost - full service. Of course, one industry that has been hit pretty hard, is travel and tourism. I have been particularly affected by this, with foreign work trips cancelled, and a few planned holidays going down the drain. Having said that, there were also some opportunities for domestic travel, with new locations to visit and new experiences - so it hasn’t all been bad. The higher education sector has of course also been affected by the situation, but in many ways, we were already prepared. More and more content is already being offered online, so in that respect universities have not been too severely affected. However, the social aspects of studying and student life in general has taken a knock, let’s hope students can keep up with their social contacts online, and get back to face-to-face socialising in due course – and those all-important student parties of course! Whatever your take on the situation – disaster or opportunity - Insider is back, after what seems a very long springsummer. We took an early summer break due to the enforced lockdown, indeed, we are not yet fully recovered, existing solely online for the time being. In any case, I am sure we will be back to “normal” sometime soon, but in the words of one of my favourite authors, “We will be restoring normality just as soon as we are sure what is normal anyway.” Douglas Adams, The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy…

Others winners of this summer have been the garden centres and DIY stores, all seeing an increase in revenues mainly through people spending more time at home. Also, as people started to be forced into working from home, they started to pay more attention to their surroundings, and all of those little and not so little jobs that needed doing – a new kitchen here, a renovation there, new furniture and decorations, or even just taking in a bit of garden planning. Even the woollen thread industry saw an increase as people started taking up more knitting! The restaurant and café culture has been a field that has taken a beating this year, having first to close completely and lay off all employees. However, we have now seen a

Hugh Clack Editor in Chief

CONFERENCE

"Finland|Relocation"

through hiring etc. - Block about moving and living in Finland, was dedicated to the stories of speakers who, in the first person, told how they prepared documents, how they adapted to life and life in Finland, what problems they faced and answered current"Fragments"questions about howofto series collect all the documents for moving, whatpaintings documents are needed now for registration, what new rules exist in the citizen’s registration system, what you need to be prepared for when you are already in Finland and much more.

(Source: marjalaspace.com)

From 21.08 to 23.08 2020, a large online conference was held, which was organized by Marjala. This organization is engaged in strengthening intercultural relations between Russia and Finland, by studying the language, traditions and culture of both countries. I met the organizers of this event at a conference on higher education at the House of Finland in St. Petersburg. And I was lucky to present XAMK and share my story of receipt again, but already on the online platform. This conference lasted three days, about 50 speakers took part. The conference was divided into thematic blocks, where speakers shared their experiences. The following blocks were presented: - Block about Finnish language, was devoted to the experience of student teachers in the study of the Finnish language, life hacks for the study of the language, grammatical features, etc. - Block about different levels of education in Finland, was devoted to the process of admission to universities, colleges, lyceums, schools, prof. schools in Finland. Parents, students shared their stories, experiences, advice. In this block, the interview format was chosen. - Block about work in Finland, was dedicated to recruiting, assistance in setting up a business, speakers shared their stories about moving to Finland

Here is a feedback from the organizers of this conference: «Conference «Finland |Relocation» gave us the chance to meet a lot of people who have moved to Finland and are about to move. We were looking for speakers and corresponded for 3 months in order to gather everyone and fit in 3 days. Before that, we had already organized 2 conferences at the House of Finland in St. Petersburg, but there was a maximum of 100 people, the hall could no longer fit. There were more than 260 participants here. It was exciting that everything went technically everything went flawlessly, but our partners from the event agency organized everything perfectly. For 3 days, almost from 10 to 10, we broadcasted and at the same time a closed chat of participants in Telegram worked, where people got to know each other, with speakers, asked questions. The chat continues its life; it was a great networking idea! As organizers, we want to note that we really liked the idea of combining and exchanging useful information in a concentrated form - after all, just ordinary people who were ready to share their experience spoke at the conference, and it is not easy to search for such information yourself. We like to be a “unifying principle”, to provide quality information and get to know each other, for this it is worth organizing such events.» From myself, I can say that I really enjoyed participating in this conference, answering the most exciting questions of both parents and children. It was certainly exciting, but at the same time very positive and homely. Many thanks to Marjala for the opportunity to take part in such a large-scale online event! Written by Lidiia Benkovskaia

XAMK

XAMK is waiting for you!

First thing first, congratulations on beginning or continuing studies at XAMK! There is nothing more inspiring and motivating for students than learning more about their field of passion, get to know people from all around the world and enjoy student life to the fullest.

XAMK has opened its doors for new students and prepared to ensure their safety and comfort on a highest level. All around the campus there are located sanitizers and instructions providing information about hygiene rules and regulations. Studying year 2020 has started with greeting mails from teachers and online lectures. Something that we have never experienced before, have we? It is unbelievable how the whole studying process can be efficiently digitalized, making it so versatile and interactive at the same time. Undoubtedly, this is the challenge, which no one could have predicted, but there is no better feeling than being able to overcome obstacles and being able to follow your goals no matter what!

It is known that Finland is one of the cleanest and greenest countries in the world. Now every student can contribute in sustainability of our planet: in the university were placed bins for waste separation. One more amazing improvement for all students is the opening of the gym right on the second floor in the main building! Now everyone can exercise while having break between classes. You can find many different types of equipment together with instructions, describing exercising techniques and safety regulations. Get stronger with XAMK! Even though new semester has started in the unusual, digital manner, XAMK is still waiting for new students to continue their students altogether once situation is better. XAMK is waiting for you! Stay safe! Text and photos by Anna Ryndina 5

EXCHANGE VIEW Tips to survive self quarantine Hello! My name is Joonatan Berg, you might have seen my face since I’m the person who edits the magazines and makes them ready for printing! This past month I’ve found myself in a series of sudden changes and one thing led to another and now I’m now going to spend a year in Seoul, South Korea on exchange (I’m as surprised as you are!). Since I’m here, I’ll be able to provide some insight on how our Korean friends are handling the sudden changes that the pandemic has caused. For the first article on this exchange view I’ll share my knowledge on how to survive those grueling 14 days that most countries force visitors to go through. Alright, got your notebooks ready? Let’s go! Eat everything they give you This sounds pretty self-explanatory, but in a country where food culture is vastly different, a quarantine is the best form of a grace period to get your body accustomed to the country’s cuisine. For me, the university I’m attending gave me food 3 times per day and it was nothing like I’ve eaten in Finland and you can probably imagine what my stomach thought of that. If you’re not provided food by anyone, order local food if possible. Also remember to take some lactic acid bacteria pills with you, they help the digestive system ton! A side note to this tip: bring your own comfort food. Getting used to food will take time and any kind of food that you enjoy will help you adjust more smoothly.

Bring your own entertainment I can’t stress this enough; the quarantine will bore you out of mind. Any form of entertainment that you like, bring it! Netflix, games, exercise, anything that passes time. Getting your mind off the time and the fact that you’ve still got X amount of days left will help you mentally. Use the time to get over jet lag This happens to everyone when traveling long distances east or west. Getting over jet lag can be very hard, but thankfully the pandemic gave every visitor a nice 2-week window to sleep it off. It can be hard, but here’s the most crucial part: don’t take naps. Naps are your sworn enemy, one minute you take a nap and the next you wake up at 2:30 AM and can’t sleep at all. Just trust me. Don’t. Take. Naps. If you can’t fall asleep at the right time, some light exercise might tire your body out enough to fall asleep. Don’t get too excited after quarantine Congratulations, you’ve survived the quarantine. You step out of your cave and taste the fresh air for the first time in 2 weeks. You probably want to start touring all the local places immediately, right? This is from personal experience: don’t. Unless you’ve been actively exercising in your room, your muscles will be absolutely weak and need time to re-adjust to the concept of walking. Just take it slow and build up eventually, you’ve got many days to see all the cool stuff that the country has to offer. And that is about it. These were the ones that me (and my fellow exchange students) felt were important tips, so hopefully you’ve taken something from this PSA and remember to stay safe everyone!

Text and photos by Joonatan Berg

FASHION

How to improve your fashion, ethically.

With growing global interest in sustainability and the harms fashion industry causes, it is not a surprise that people start putting more effort into finding ethically produced clothes and using recycled clothes instead of buying the latest trending handbag. Different thrift shops and Facebook recycling groups have been booming for the past few years. People have now realized that you can find used quality clothes with less money and with this they can stop supporting fast fashion brands.

also a great place to find thrift clothing but be wary of not buying from resellers that sell new products. Cities such as Helsinki are full of large and small thrift shops. Some are catered only for clothes, and for those that are interested in labels, some shops focus on recycled brand clothes. The demand for thrift clothes is sometimes so high that some of the shops get empty quite fast. Fortunately, big cities like Helsinki are full of thrift stores and there is always something for everyone. In Kouvola there are over eight thrift stores that sell clothes, the most popular being kymppitori kirppis. There are also many Facebook groups where you can swap clothes for example from your neighbor. This way you can get recycled clothes for free and avoid buying new ones. It is important to remember when buying clothes from a thrift store to not buy every item you like. Before you buy it, you must ask yourself if you are going to use this item for a long time and if it is usable for different outfits. By considering this, you will avoid later needing to throw it because the item will wear out and possibly lose its value. In the end, you want to buy fewer clothes because even when buying recycled clothes, you are making space for more recycled clothes from the fast fashion industry and it becomes a cycle. The rule is to buy less and quality attire. If you get tired of your clothes and want to change your wardrobe, check out new thrift stores or ask your friend if they would like to swap clothes.

The picture above is a great example of goodlooking quality jackets that were found in different thrift stores. The material is fitting for winter and autumn and you can use these jackets for many years to come without the need to buy a new jacket every season. Markets on Facebook are

Text and photos by Marian Keinan 7

ADVICE/TIPS

5 ways to improve your sleep It’s not a secret that sleep is one of the most important processes. It influences on our health, behavior and knowledge. Good sleep makes us more productive, fresh and improve the level of life at all. Most students don’t understand the importance of this process and give it the lowest priority. In this case the risk of worse efficiency, problems with heart, overweight and even depression are much higher. These are the 5 rules that will improve your sleep and #worklifebalance. 1. Do not drink coffee and eat products which contain caffeine (cola, chocolate, some sorts of tee and etc.) after 6p.m. 50% of one caffeine doze will dissolve in 5-6 hours and another 50% won’t help you to reach enough good sleep because organism will be trying to split the remaining doze instead of deep sleep. 2. Sport and other activities will help you to sleep better and have more deep sleep but only not later than several hours before going to bed because of adrenaline ejection. It’s a good idea to make a short walk before going to bed. Walk throw the park or forest, meditate and make yourself calm. Think about the day and be grateful for the experience that this day gave you. 3. Day sleep in the first part of the day (until 3 p.m.) is a great idea because it makes your brain fresh and ready to work. 15- 30 minutes sleep could help you to survive second part of the day but sleep after 3 p.m will lead troubles with falling asleep at night. So before going to sleep in the middle of the day think about the approaching night and be ready for insomnia. 4. Try not to work, eat and watch Netflix in your bed. This place needs to associate only with sleep. Try to find other places to relax and chill. Leave the bed alone. 8

"Fragments"- series of paintings

5. Open the windows in bedroom and switch all lights off. Total darkness and fresh air will help your mind to calm and get ready for a good night. Putting all electronic devices far away from your bed will reduce the risk of surfing the internet all night long. Also it’s a good idea to switch sound off on telephone. iPhone has a special “night mode”. This mode gives an opportunity to mute all of the notifications on your phone except the sound of alarm clock. Remember that you do not need to follow all rules, just start with the easiest for you and the most comfortable. Sleep is like a free magic pill for a better quality of life that everybody could eat.

Written by Eva Morovschik

LEARNING

Reasons to learn new languages! Are you thinking about learning Spanish, German, or even Japanese? Do you want some inspiration to commence a new language? Are you confused about the entire idea? Here is your “motivation push.” As you may all know, learning a foreign language demands not only time but also perseverance. It becomes hugely crucial nowadays to speak more than one language. Speaking one or multiple languages allows you to discover the world. In other words, it provides you the chance to discover new cultures, races, and places. Similarly, it will enable you to develop your professional opportunities. Here are a few compelling reasons to learn a new language. Travel with no limits Traveling is one of the most crucial purposes for why somebody should learn a new language. To emphasize this, to master a language allows you more relaxed journeys from a country to another. For instance, can you imagine yourself in China without any cellphone or translating apps, with no basic Chinese language knowledge? The logical

answer here is NO. Therefore, before any trip, you better consider taking, at least, a beginner course in the language you want. You could then avoid any bad situations, clearly speak your mind, and thoroughly enjoy your travel. Create your professional opportunities Mastering different languages is always an asset for your career: promotions are also earned thanks to your talent to interact with other globe’s regions. Furthermore, if you are the only employee in the company to have taken foreign language courses and master it, you will become essential. Moreover, the company will always choose an employee who speaks at least the country’s language in question when a stay overseas’s possibility issues. Besides, you can also expect more generous pay if you master the language, opening up many chances. Discover varied cultures Just by attending a foreign language course, you will notice that you already start to learn lots concerning a whole new culture. It is also relevant to highlight that you will undoubtedly be able to communicate with the inhabitants and exchange with them. Another point to consider is that you will find out their mindsets and lifestyles, which are significant nowadays. You will also be apt to eat their food, listen to their music, and move quickly in their country. As you can see, we can’t deny that there are many benefits to learning a foreign language, so are you ready to become a bilingual or even a polylingual? As a polyglot, I may share my experiences and useful tips for learning new languages in the next articles. Text and photos by Ikram Bechari 9

GUEST WRITER

Culture and preferences towards collaborative learning methods Increasing internationalisation of higher education and cross migration of international students has facilitated intercultural contacts among students and the possibilities to implement peer group methods in education. There are several advantages and disadvantages of peer-group learning methods where the members belong to different cultures. For example, collaborating in a multicultural peer groups can help to generate diverse perspectives but there are also possibilities of negative learning outcomes due to crosscultural conflicts. It is therefore vital to understand whether students from different cultures exhibit varying degree of preferences and experiences regarding collaborative learning methods with their peers.

be categorized in a similar way based on measures of Hofstede’s dimensions of culture, which are available at Hofstede insights.

The study

In my sample, there were altogether 147 (N=147) respondents from different countries. The top nationalities of students were Finland, Russia, China, Nepal and India. The number of respondents were equally distributed in terms of gender (49,7% male and 50,3% female). Majority of the respondents (57,1%) were between 21-25 years of age. 42,9% of the respondents were in their second year of studies, 30,6% in their first year and the rest of in their third year of studies or more.

Recently I conducted a study to understand how cultural background of students can shape their experiences and preferences regarding collaborative peer learning methods. I surveyed randomly selected 147 international students studying at different Finnish UASs in total. I used Geert Hofstede’s six dimensions of culture to understand the cultural differences among students. According to Hofstede, cultures can be differentiated in terms of several dimensions, such as: • • • • • •

whether they favour individual achievements (individualist) over collective goals (collectivist) whether the society has differential power relations (hierarchical) or is mostly equal (egalitarian) whether the society espouse masculine values (favouring efficiency) or feminine values (favouring overall well-being) whether the society tolerate risks (low uncertainty avoidance) or favour high degree of certainty ensured through mutual rules (high uncertainty avoidance) whether the society is conservative (looking backwards) or progressive (looking forward) depending upon their time-orientation and finally, whether the society value short-term needs satisfaction (needs indulgent) over saving for the future (restraint).

The national culture of Finland, for example, according to Hofstede is inclined towards individualism, egalitarianism, focus on well-being, favouring certainty, progressive and favouring short-term needs satisfaction. The national cultures of several south Asian countries–e.g. Nepal, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh–are diametrically opposite to that of Finland on all of these dimensions. Cultural orientation of all individuals belonging to different nationalities can

To understand the students’ experience and preference of collaborative learning methods, I implemented a survey containing various Likert scaled statements related to various processes in peer learning groups. The processes considered included communication, decision-making, leadership, evaluation, trust, disagreement, scheduling and persuasion in a peer group. Surveyed students

41,89% of the students were categorized as egalitarian, the rest (58,11%) as hierarchical based on their nationalities. 56,76% of the respondents were collectivist, and the rest (43,24%) were more individualistic. Majority of the respondents (78,38%) belonged to feminine cultures and the rest (21,62%) to more masculine cultures. 58,10% of the respondents were from conservative and the rest 41,90% from short-term oriented cultures. Finally, 62,20% of the respondents were from cultures espousing instant gratification cultures whereas the rest 37,80% of the respondents belonged to more ‘restraint’ and saving cultures.