This magazine is made especially for you, our new students, and we hope it will be a helpful companion as you navigate all the exciting new things this early autumn brings. We’ve put this together with the aim of providing you with useful information and support for the first steps of your studies. Inside, you will find greetings from the Fresher Captains, tips for the overalls, and an invitation to the frehser sitz party. (You can also find more reading in the KuuttiLehti, which has been published on Issuu!)
We hope you enjoy the magazine and find it helpful. We’re really looking forward to getting to know you better - see you during Kuutti Weeks!
Welcome to the shores of Lappeenranta, and congratulations once again on your amazing place of study!
Even though starting something new might still feel a little nerve-wracking, you’ll soon get to know your new student city and fellow students. I promise your years of study will be unforgettable if you just dare to throw yourself into it and step into this new phase of life with an open mind.
Your first year as a student will begin with the unforgettable fuksiviikot (freshman weeks). During these three weeks, you’ll get to know each other, Enklaavi, and Skinnarila. At times it might feel like the days are long and information is coming from every direction. But don’t worry, there’s no need to remember everything at once. The tutors and we, the board, are here for you and are happy to answer any of your questions or concerns.
During the fresher weeks, you’ll also get to explore student activity opportunities and see everything Enklaavi has to offer alongside your studies. In my opinion, being active in student life is one of the best parts of the university years, and I personally wish I had started even earlier.
Enklaavi offers a wide range of activities, and every role comes with unforgettable memories. You can get involved in student activity right after fresher weeks, for example as a vujuapuri (annual ball helper), which you’ll hear more about later in this magazine! Around the turn of the year, you’ll have the opportunity to apply to Enklaavi’s board, committees, or help organize individual events as a staff member. During the fresher weeks, you’ll get to know different committees, and joining one is an excellent way to find your place in this community and make new friends.
From the very first event, you’ll have the chance to meet students across guild boundaries, as interdisciplinary interaction is a vital part of our community here in Skinnarila. Skinnarila is known for its exceptionally strong interdisciplinary spirit, something not found on every campus. The teekkari culture is deeply rooted here, and it’s something you can’t, and shouldn’t, miss in the Free State of Skinnarila. I highly recommend embracing the teekkari culture: go to saunikses and teekkari sitz parties, explore G-bar, and play Kyykkä. And every fuksi should open at least one Hässi at some point!
Finally, I want to remind you of one important thing: take care of yourselves. The first few weeks are packed with activity and new information, and it’s perfectly natural if you start to feel tired at some point. Stock up on easy freezer meals and leave some room in your calendar to rest! It’s also a great idea to drop by the kiltis (guild room) to catch your breath, have a cup of coffee, and get to know other students, including those further along in their studies.
I hope to see all of you enjoying your freshman year to the fullest!
Oona Koivisto Editor-in-Chief of Eksklaavi (and head of communications)
introduction: introduction:
Nora Wikström
Roope
KovalainenChairman of the board
Viivi
Viljam
Janne Nykänen Head of marketing
Sirz correspondent
Fanni-Lotta
KämäräinenHead of finance
Vice chairman of theboard Head of graphic desiqn Head of communications
Kokko
Head of corporate relations
Arttu Sokka
What is What is NESU? NESU?
Hey there, freshers, it’s NESU here!
First of all, big congratulations to all of you for getting a study place! We couldn’t be happier that you ended up here at Lappeenranta, more precisely, in the heart of Skinnarila to study!
Even if you have some doubts or preconceptions about the city (I had them too), I can tell you that Lappeenranta is an amazing student city and will surely surprise you in the best ways In addition to the great student guilds and people, the lively student culture here is kept alive by active clubs and associations, like NESU
But what on earth is NESU, then?
NESU, or Nordiska Ekonomie Studerandes Union, is a Nordic network for business students that connects business students from Finland and other Nordic countries Through NESU, you’ll easily get to know business students from other cities and take part in events open to all business students. In other words, NESU opens doors to the world and acts as a bridge to new friendships, student culture, and unforgettable experiences all around Finland!
In every city where there are business students, there is also a local NESU association. Here on the “shores of Lappeenranta,” our organization goes by the familiar name NESUEnklaavi Elsewhere in Finland, the naming is pretty similar, NESU + the name of the local business student guild.
But what exactly do we do here in Lappeenranta as part of NESU?
Well, we organiz e a bunch of super fun events for you throughout the year, including sitsit (traditional academic dinner parties), hangout nights, excursions, and many other relaxed get-togethers!
The def inite highlight of the fall events is of course the upcoming Kuuttisitsit, where you’ll get to truly experience the NESU spirit for the f irst time. If you don’t know what sitsit are yet, no worries, you’ll f ind out soon!
About AboutSITZ PARTIES SITZ PARTIES
Sitz parties, those academic dinner parties, are evenings you’ll def initely remember! At sitsit, you can look forward to great company with new friends, delicious food, plenty of drinks, and absolutely amazing perfor mances known as proggis Every event is crowned with a hilarious theme that gives you the chance to get creative with your outf it
And now, during the upcoming Kuuttiviikot (“Seal weeks” aka fresher weeks), you’ll have the chance to experience all of this for the very f irst time! Kuutti sitz party will be held this year on September 8th, and this unique spectacle is something you def initely don’t want to miss For many, this party is one of the highlights of the entire freshman autumn!
This year ’ s theme is “Kuutt-ari” (Finnish words ending in letter ”-ari”), so grab your new friends and get creative with your outf its, whether it’s a pollari (cop), golfari (golfer), or rokkari (rocker), the choice is yours!
All of us on the NESU-Enklaavi board are really looking forward to the upcoming Kuuttiviikot. We’re so excited to get to know all of you new students and to introduce you to our one-of-a-kind student culture! You’re in for an unforgettable Kuuttiviikot and freshman year here in your new city, with new friends by your side. This is where your journey in Lappeenranta begins, proudly repping our iconic neon yellow!
So really, there’s only one thing left to say: Helaan går, and welcome to Lappeenranta!
NESU-Enklaavi
Roope Kovalainen
NESU-Enklaavi 25’ Chairman of The Board :llä
Welcome to the best community and student organization - also on behalf of Kylli!
Wait, what’s Kylli?
I’m Julia, the Student Liaison (aka Kylli) for Enklaavi. My job is to connect our student organization with the Finnish Business School Graduates (Suomen Ekonomit). I’m a third-year business student here at LUT, and I can honestly say that Enklaavi - together with our multidisciplinary LUT community - will take amazing care of you, true to the spirit of Skinnarila.
I work closely with Enklaavi, so you’ll definitely run into me during your first weeks and many more times after that on campus. You should also know that Kylli usually carries around some fun merch and classic “kylteri” patches. So don’t hesitate to come say hi and ask if I’ve got anything cool with me! :)
So what exactly is the Finnish Business School Graduates?
The Finnish Business School Graduates (Suomen Ekonomit) is the service and advocacy organization for people with a university degree in business - and for us business students, kylteris, as well. Their mission is to support you throughout your studies and continue doing so when you step into working life.
Membership in the Finnish Business School Graduates goes hand in hand with your Enklaavi membership. In other words, when you join Enklaavi, you automatically become a member of the Finnish Business School Graduates as well. Membership gives you access to career coaching, networking opportunities, legal advice for things like work contracts, the right to join the KOKO unemployment fund, and a long list of membership discounts.
If you ever have questions about Suomen Ekonomit - or anything else I might help with - feel free to reach out anytime. I’m here for you!
Make sure to follow me on Instagram and also follow @suomenekonomit so you don’t miss out on any important updates or events. And check out their TikTok too!
Make the most of your university years. Be brave and join in - you never know what amazing things might come from it. See you around!
Annual ball helpers wanted!
Curious to see what goes on behind the scenes of Enklaavi’s Annual Ball? As an annual ball helper (vujuapuri), you’ll get the chance to be part of the celebration by assisting at the cocktail event, the formal dinner, and the legendary sillis brunch!
This is an amazing way to meet fellow kuuttis as well as students from higher years. All while soaking in the atmosphere of one of the biggest events of the year.
Come help make the magic happen and create unforgettable memories along the way!
Join the Annual ball helper’s Telegram group and grab your spot on the team!
Special thank you to our sponsors as well:
Annika Honkanen is a Master’s freshman for the academic year 2024–2025.
How did it feel to start Master’s studies at LUT?
I was really excited. I had wanted to go to university to pursue a Master’s degree for a long time, and specifically to LUT, because I had heard a lot of good things about it. I wanted to move forward in my career and learn new things. At the same time, though, I was also nervous because I come from a university of applied sciences background. I wondered how different studying at a university would be.
What advice would you give to new Master’s students?
At first, everything can be really confusing, and especially during orientation week there’s a lot of information coming in. You can’t remember everything, but luckily people at LUT are really friendly, so it’s easy to ask for help. I got used to the new studies really quickly, and now studying at university already feels like a routine.
What have been the best things about LUT so far?
The best thing at LUT is definitely the sense of community. I haven’t encountered this kind of community spirit in my previous studies, and neither have my friends had as positive experiences as I have at LUT. Also, the student events and the people I’ve gotten to know at LUT have been the best!
Why should you apply for committee activities?
You should definitely apply for committee activities because it’s a great way to meet new people, network, and learn a lot of new things. On top of that, committee work is really fun and allows you to use your creativity as well.
What has been your favorite Master’s event?
It’s hard to choose just one favorite event, but two events especially come to mind: the crayfish party and the Hangout and Pregame event organized during orientation week. At these events, I got to know the friends I ended up going to many events with throughout the past year. I highly recommend all Master’s freshmen to attend as many Master’s events as possible! I’m already looking forward to getting to know the upcoming year’s Master’s freshmen. See you at the Master’s events!
When I first arrived in Lappeenranta, I didn’t know what to expect. Everything felt new—the language, the weather, the quiet streets. I remember thinking, “What have I gotten myself into?” It felt a bit like stepping into a new book—you don’t know the story yet, but suddenly, you’re the main character. Slowly, this little city started to feel less like a strange stop on my journey and more like a place where stories are made.
What I didn’t expect was to end up writing this article—not just about the city, but with one of the people who helped shape it. Let me introduce you to Markku Heinonen, former Development Director of Lappeenranta and honestly, one of the coolest Finns I’ve met. For over 40 years, Markku worked to build the Lappeenranta you see today. He’s officially retired now, but you wouldn’t know it. One day he’s hiking on some island, the next day he’s exploring old towns or biking through hidden trails. Every time he sends me a photo, I think, this man knows how to live.
Markku and I met through LUT University’s Meet a Local Family/Friend program, and from that moment, my time here took a whole new turn. What started as a quick introduction turned into long walks, berry picking, tasting food from each other’s countries, jogging by Lake Saimaa, chopping wood for sauna nights, and yes, playing a lot of football. He introduced me to Finnish life beyond what you see on brochures.
At first, though, I thought people were ignoring me. The streets were quiet, bus rides felt like silent movies, and even in class, small talk was rarer than sunshine in November. Later, I learned this wasn’t rudeness—it’s just how Finns are. They’re shy, introverted, and keep to themselves… until you put them in a sauna or hand them a drink, and suddenly you’ve got a whole TED Talk going on. Markku summed it up perfectly:
“Local people may not always show an immediate interest in getting to know newcomers, but if you start the conversation, you might just find a new friend. Don’t be shy!”
For me, sports became my anchor. That’s where I found my people. Markku helped me connect with local football clubs and coaches, and soon I was playing football almost every week, joining futsal games, and even having sauna sessions with teammates afterward. If you’re new here and itching to play, run, or just kick a ball around, I’m always down for some friendly competition or even a casual workout buddy.
I’m not much of a party guy, but I dipped my toes into some guild events. There are always some events - student parties, cultural evenings, local fairs - you just need to build your courage and show up, and you’ll start building memories before you know it.
Summer here is something else — long days, endless green forests, berry and mushroom picking trips, biking by the lake, and small local events popping up everywhere. (Disclaimer: always pick mushrooms with someone who knows which ones won’t kill you.) Winters? Well… they’re dark, cold, and sometimes a little rough. But you’ll get through it. Make friends, join guild events, try Finnish traditions, go on small trips, or just knock on my door if you feel lonely. We’ve all been there, and it’s totally normal. It’s normal to feel that way - we all do. And Finnish food? Oh yes, I’ve tried some of their traditional dishes. Some of them were amazing. And the others? Well, let’s just say they’re a little different.
Markku told me to get a bicycle, which would make it easier to explore the city and its surroundings. He also told me to always lock my bike which was surprising. I thought, come on, Finns are the most honest people on Earth, right? Well, turns out honesty has its limits when you leave your bike outside even locked. Let’s just say, someone’s enjoying free transportation thanks to me. RIP my bike.
Finding a job as an international student here can be tricky, especially during tough economic times. I shared my concerns with Markku, and he took it seriously. A month later, the city introduced the €3000 international voucher, offered to local companies that hire students fromLUT or LAB University.
“We are doing our best to ensure that talented, internationally minded students and technology experts enjoy living in Lappeenranta. It’s our way of encouraging companies to take on international talent and helping students find meaningful opportunities to stay and grow in the region. It would be an honor if you choose to stay here in Lappeenranta and in Finland after graduation.” - Markku
Beyond Lappeenranta, I’ve also had the chance to travel across Finland. If you get the chance, grab a train ticket and go. Every corner of this country has its own little surprise waiting for you. I have so far travelled to 12 different cities, and yet a lot of cities to explore, especially Lapland during winter.
But let me be real for a second, moving here wasn’t all sunshine and good vibes. There were days when homesickness hit hard, when the silence felt heavy, and when I questioned why I came. I’ve been there too. It’s completely normal. It’s part of the journey. If you ever feel that way, don’t keep it bottled up - talk to someone. This city feels warmer when you let people in. You can always talk to me if you want. A walk by the lake Saimaa or a cup of Coffee in the coffee roastery in Finland, ‘Cozy Cafés’, you choose.
So here I am, one year later, no longer just “the new guy.” Lappeenranta has its quirks, its challenges, but also its charm. You’ll have good days and tough days, but this city gives you space to make your own story.
So, from me, and from Markku - welcome to Lappeenranta. I’ll see you on the football field, in the sauna, or wandering the forest with a bucket of berries. This city feels warmer when we make it home together.
