Vol 17, Issue 04

INSIDER K Y M EN L A A KSO U N I V ERSIT Y OF A PPLI ED SCI ENCES | 26.09.14 | Vol. 17

STUDENT MAGAZINE

THIS ISSUE Profile

SEMYON&NOORA

The new students

IB14

Tandem

BREAKING THE LANGUAGE BARRIERS

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INSIDER is published and printed at: Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences Campus Paraatikenttä 7, 45100 Kouvola, Finland Tel: +358 44 702 8758 / Fax: +358 5 230 2433 E-mail: insider@kyamk.fi Website: insider.kyamk.fi Personal e-mails: firstname.surname@student.kyamk.fi INSIDER ISSN 1457–1587 Copyright © Insider 2014 Editor in chief: Hugh Clack

MAGAZINE

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EDITORIAL

This autumn Kyamk has 216 foreign degree or a stranger on a bus (no matter the look they students from about 40 different countries. They give you), your experiences can teach someone come from countries such as India, Nigeria, something new. About experiences on moving Nepal, Ghana, Greece, Latvia and Croatia. This to study here in Kouvola you can read IB14S week we have international week going on, students‘ thoughts on this very issue‘s pages. hopefully you‘ve kept your eyes and ears open for all the great stuff that‘s been going on!

We can learn so much from our exchange students! I personally think we Finns tend to un-

In this week‘s issue we interview the speci- derestimate our knowledge and schooling thus al couple behind International Week, and en- undermining the possibilities of our ideas for courage you to take part in tandem studies. You example start-up companies and new products can also read follow-up of Karoliina‘s exchange and services. views from Carlow, Ireland.

So go on exchange! Participate in start-up Everyone‘s voice is important, and by sharing courses like the Patter network offers and your thoughts with someone, be it a good friend make your dreams come true!

a k k u N

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GREETINGS FROM CARLOW My first week of the studies in IT Carlow is now over. The lessons have been quite laid-back as the teachers want to get to know the students before teaching. Of course I’m only speaking about the lessons which classrooms I’ve found. So far I have missed two lectures because I haven’t found the place. I want to believe that it is because IT Carlow is so much bigger than Kyamk, not that I’m just stupid.

In IT Carlow you will find an ATM, shops and a gym in the same building as the classrooms, so I think it is understandable to be lost on the first week. I’m pretty sure I will learn quickly where everything is. However I think that my next week’s tactic will be to hang out with the people who actually know where the classrooms are and follow them.

I’m living with a French girl and a French boy, who are also exchange students in IT Carlow. During our first week here, the mom of the French boy was visiting him. Unfortunately now that she’s left, we have to get used to live like adults. It should mean that we keep the house clean but actually at the moment it means that we have decorated our house with Christmas lights.

I am not complaining though. I enjoy living with the French students as we cook and eat together. Our plan is to have theme-dinners so that they will cook French food and I will cook Finnish food. I’m not quite sure yet how to top French gourmet dishes with pea soup and cabbage casserole but I’m excited to try.

At the moment there is one roommate who hasn’t arrived yet.

He is an Irish boy who’s studying history in the college of Carlow. I’m hoping that he will be as fun as my French roommates and that he wants to cook us some Irish food. I wouldn’t mind having Irish breakfast waiting for me every morning when I wake up but I think it’s just wishful thinking.

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a n i i l o r a K

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS GROUP 2014 Practically a month has passed since the beginning of practically the same. IB14S group loves the lifesour studies. We have already gotten used to shyness of tyle in Kouvola, nature, people around and Kyamk!

Finns, the lack of traffic jams, shops closing at six o’clock, absolute cleanliness everywhere and unbelievable beauty Here are some thoughts of IB freshmen: around us. Our fears are going away gradually. Our home „..there is one thing that makes Finland unique countries stopped being the one place where we all were nature. I have never seen anything like this before. happy. Now IB14S is completely ready to study, think, Forests, lakes, views in general - they impress me every single moment.“ Diana Tykhonenko

create and party, of course!

„My new teacher asked us: „do you love traveling?“.

International Business group is very multinational, there Yes, I do. It is easy for my heart to skip a beat wheneare representatives of lots of countries: Vietnam, Russia, ver I am introduced to new places. To Finland, I am Finland, China, Holland, Scotland, Ukraine, India, Ghana in love with every piece of it, once again except from and Nigeria. It is so fascinating to be a part of this inter- the cold.“ Hong Truong national cocktail. Our first week – orientation week- has „Fortunately, I do not find my life in Kouvola boring at helped a lot to know each other, make friends and build all. I have learnt how to create my own joy and hapteams. We are learning from each other every day, taking piness. I think I have to say thanks to Finland because it has made me a more mature person.“ Phuong Ngo

the best things from each cultures.

Many countries were brought together in one uniAs we are all from different parts of the world, as we have versity and we are all excited for what the next three seen various things, we all should have had contrary opi- years will bring but I am sure IB14S will enjoy it! nions about new life in Finland but, for a surprise, they are Text and photo: Iuliia Pogorelova

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BREAKING THE

LANGUAGE BARRIERS Tandem Studies haven’t got that much adver- one teacher said to our class the magic words: “Kyamk doesn’t offer tisement as they deserve. Tandem is exchan- French lessons anymore but you can try your luck if you could get a ge of teaching and learning, face-to-face with French tandem-partner from the exchange students.” Oui oui, this native speaker. By your own examples; how you time luck was on my side. speak and how you do things. Tandem can be very formal (doing exercises, writing essays...) When we started with my French partner, both of us had the same or very informal (cooking, playing games, chat- goals. We wanted to learn how to survive with each other‘s language ting over coffee or beer.) Meetings can last from but even more, we wanted to learn about the culture of our countries.

20 minutes to hours, it’s always up to you. If you After a few meetings we decided to do it in really informal way. Hanmeet often you can do it in one semester but if ging out together – having Finnish and French dinner, going to an ice not, you can take two semester to finish it.

hockey game together, talking about the differences we have noticed and just having a cup of coffee or even a beer.

So when you do Tandem studies you get two credits, but not only that. You get also unfor- To quote my partner, who wrote this to her tandem journal: “To sum gettable memories, maybe a lifetime friend and up my tandem experience, I think the best thing I’ve learned this way even a place to visit in another country. How was the fact that even between cultures that are so much different, great is that?

it’s always possible to meet great people and start true friendships, in spite of all our differences”

Tandem Studies became an option for me on my first semester in Kyamk. I was eager to le- By the way, I’m going to France to visit my partner on this October. arn French but during our introduction week Text and photos: Riia Järvinen

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So this is how our tandem studies started. My friend Anton, who was born in Russia, has been living in Finland for 15 years. Therefore he speaks Finnish fluently and knows all about the culture of my new country. In addition, Anton has a lot of

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u from re yo A ! i H I am. amk? in Ky ! Yes, o l y l d e u -H ill st will you w and I n a i n i - And a e Ukr I will. ach m - Yes, e t n ou ca - So y nish. for ed! u Fin o y , inde redits h a c c e a d 2 i e t et reat will g t‘s a g , we e - Tha r o ther m you!

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friends in Ukraine and wants to speak Ukrainian while traveling there. And what about me? I moved to Finland knowing nothing in Finnish and the first day I simply wasn‘t able to buy oats in the supermarket in Kouvola. As you understood, It was urgent to study some Finnish to survive here and to eat as well.

And here comes the perfect idea of tandem studies by our university. Because you don‘t need to sit in the class, learn rules and write tests, this is the best way to start learning a language you are interested in. Students can also explore the culture and learn anything they want to for 2 credits.

As soon as Anton and I enrolled to the course ‚Tandem Studies‘ I was looking for a unique idea to show my new ‚student‘ the culture of Ukraine. The answer came immediately - I read about the concert of the most popular Ukrainian band - Okean Elzy.

So we bought tickets, took Ukrainian and Finnish flags and went to Tallinn. Before this Anton learned all lyrics and sang along with Svyatoslav Vakarchuk - the frontman of Okean Elzy. In addition to this, we got the opportunity to meet a lot of Ukrainians, so Anton was able to practice his Ukrainian and we were happy to talk to people from my native land.

These were 2 days of adventures, 3 hours of marvelous atmosphere and Ukrainian songs. And this in our university is called studying, not partying.

The Finnish part of our tandem studies is coming later...

Text and photo: Diana Tykhonenko

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SEMYON LESHCHENIA&NOORA MARKKANEN

Semyon and Noora organised the International Week.

What are the difficulties you faced with while organising it?

Can you please say something about yourselves?

N: We have difficulties with contacting the exchange students.

N: I’m 20 years old. I was born here in Kouvola. I’m studying Because they’ve just come to school and have to make the deInternational Business in Finnish, specialize in Russian business. cisions to join quickly. Thank god, we have Facebook. It’s very S: Hi! I’m a second year student in International Business, my spe- useful to connect people through Facebook groups and pages. cialisation is International Marketing. Originally I come from Russia. It‘s maybe because they do not check our school emails so often.

Why did you decide to be the organisers of International week?

S: This year, they want to ask more Finnish students to participate

N: First, Sara Czabai sent me an email saying that she would like in the International Week, as before. We want to have more Finnish to have me as an organiser. I definitely agree as it’s a opportunity students to join more activities like food tasting or exchange lecof a life time. We had some discussions, which then moved on to tures. The biggest challenge is how to get more and more people Semyon because he has more connection with the new exchange participate, how to distribute the information and keep contact students. And Semyon is convinced to be an organiser, as well.

with all of them. A minor point is about the food transport.

S: It happens so because I and Noora have been dating for years Is there any special event this year? (both laughing). She was invited and I was persuaded, too.

S: We have a special event for this year. And we also plan a com-

What have you planned so far for the International Week?

petition on Instagram using hashtag so that people can share their

N: The International Week has a hard frame as it is annual. So the pictures about the happenings during the International Week. next one should always remind everyone of the previous one. For N: Yes, people can put the pictures about “What International example, the food tasting event and the presentations from foreign means to me”. And after the whole week we will give the prize universities happen every single year. We can’t make big changes. to the best picture. We want to make an event so that people can This year we have the participation of Patteri. We also have some participate during the whole week. special plan for different decorations. Of course we have nicely desi- Is it fun for you to organise this event?

S: Yes! We have lots of fun and have a chance to meet new friends.

gned posters and stands.

S: In general, it’s still the same. This year, Patteri will assist with Well, at least I have so many more friends on Facebook! many activities and workshops. We also have many guests from N: We want to remind all students, especially the Finnish stuChina, who are going to stay here for longer time to teach at our dents, that it’s such an event for everyone. school. Another important thing is that we have a trip to Verla for S: We hope people will not only keep the International spirit the freshmen in International Business. It‘s going to happen on during the week, but also the whole time after that!

Wednesday and other events are going to happen at the same time. Text and photo:Hoang Anh Nguyen INSIDER

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CHARLOTTE WITH APPLES

TOOLS Oven, knife, oven, baking bowl, cheese pan, mixer grater or fork INGREDIENTS 7 apples 1 cup of flour 1 cup of sugar ½ teaspoon baking soda 5 chicken eggs Oil

1.. Preheat the oven.

Charlotte - th e most simp le and delicious des sert that is su itable for every occasion, bo th the celebration of somethin g sp ec ia l or just sitting w ith cup of te a in cold Finnish even ings.

4.Grease a baking pan with oil. Pour half of the

2.Separate the whites from the yolks. Shake dough on the baking tray, spread out evenly chopwhites in the solid foam, gradually adding sugar. ped slices of apples, pour the other half of the test.

3.Continue to shake, adding one egg yolks, then 5.Place the baking pan in the preheated oven slaked soda and flour. The consistency of the and cook 25-30 minutes.

Text & photo: Alexandra Ivchenkova

dough should be near of sour cream.

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TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES

INFO 26.09.2014.-02.10.2014.

STUDIO 123 Kymenlaaksonkatu 1 / 45700 Kuusankoski T: 053 79 20 82 / www.studio123.fi

TEATRO ALLA SCALA:DON QUIXOTE 2h40min / LIVE Thu 21:00 / 26€ VIIRU JA PESONEN / 1h 30min / Fri.Sun, Wed-Thu 17:15 / Tickets 8€ MIELENSÄPAHOITTAJA / 1h 43min / every evening 16:30, 18:30 / matineanäytös Thu 13:30 (8€) / Tickets 10€ BOKSITROLLIT / 1h 36min / Fri 17:30 Sat

Director: Jonathan Liebesman / Genre: Action|Adventure / Starring: Megan Fox, Will Arnett, William Fichtner / Rating:

14:45, 17:30 Wed-Thu 17:30 / Tickets 8€ TAIKOJEN TALO / 1h 25min / Sat 15:30

I went to see this film solely based on curiosity. As I grew up in the 90‘s TMNT has a special place for me. I knew each and every name and watched the original movies and cartoons. I really wanted to see what they looked like now...And, well, they are badass!

The characters remained the same, with good humour and consistency. I didn‘t quite like the effect of them looking all wet and greasy and kept feeling like they would totally reek. Master Splinter was something I got very disappointed in. He used to be so cool looking and fluffy, and he was meant to look badass. But now, out of all the characters in the movie, he seemed the least badass. The eyes too big, too dirty and sleek looking, with weir moustache/beard oils, It just didn‘t work out very well.

A bunch of reviews were out saying how half of the movie is based on close ups of Megan Fox. This is not true. It is true that there a lot of unnecessary close ups of her, and I do not want to look at that heavily made up face, some people might quite like it.

I cried myself laughing at bits and pieces in the movie, but maybe that‘s just me enjoying the silly teenage humour that comes with the TMNT territory.

Didn‘t get quite as scared of Shredder as I used to in my childhood, but that‘s probably cause I am all grownup now. Still, the suit they did for him is pretty impressive and he does posses the raw power and evil he is meant to have.

All in all, this was a good laugh, with a little bit of childhood memories and definitely something I intend to watch again (if for nothing else, then for the elevator scene).

a e t t a M

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Mon-Tue 17:15 / Tickets 8€ MINISANKARIT / 1h 29min / Sat 15:45 Sun-Tue 17:30 / Tickets 8€ HERKULLINEN ELÄMÄ / 2h2min / SunTue 19:15 / Tickets 10€ MYRSKYN SILMÄSSÄ / 1h30min / every evening 19:00 / 10€ THE EQUALIZER-oikeuden puolastaja / 2h11min / Fri, Sat, Wed,Thu 19:15 / 10€ STUDENT DISCOUNT ON ALL MOVIES

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KOUVOLA& KOTKA LAHTI 27.09. Game Security Event 01.10. Student party: Underground Above the Ground from 11 till 16 Starting 22:00 Kouvola Kamk / Paraatikenttä 7 Lahden Tivoli / Lahti, Vapaudenkatu 13 Free entrance 3€ 01.10. Basketball: Kouvot – Namika Lahti HELSINKI Starting 18:30 27.9. Ice hockey: KHL: Jokerit – Dinamo Riga Ilmarinkuja 3, Kouvola Starting 18:30 Tickets: 15€ / 12€ / 10€ / 8€ students Hartwall Arena / Helsinki Tickets: from 12,50€ to 47,50€ 01.10. Ice hockey: KooKoo – LeKi 27.09.- 05.10.2014 Irish Festival in Finland Starting 18:30 more info: www.finnish-irish.fi Kouvolan jäähalli / Topinkuja 1 Helsinki Tickets: 20€ / 16€ / 12€ students 02.10. Movie night: “People like us” Starting 18:00 e too!

Kouvolan pääkirjasto / Salpausselänkatu 33

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Free 03.10. Club Fresh Starting 22:00 Amarillo / Kouvola, Kauppalankatu 14

on Check us out agazine, iderstudentm Issuu.com/ins fi insider.kyamk. on our website cebook! or find us on Fa

03.10. The Alumn Event Starting 12:30 KYAMK / Paraatikenttä 7 Tickets: 5€

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